ANISZKIEWICZ JÓZEF

Józef Aniszkiewicz, rifleman, 48 years of age, farmer, married.

A conscript in the army, I was taken captive on 18 September 1939 in Nowogród, from where we were sent to the prisoner-of-war camp in Kozelsk and, after a month, further to Kryvyi Rih, where I worked as a factory laborer.

Forced labor and work quotas. I had to support myself with my pay. Daily pay was up to 5 rubles.

Accommodation: cramped mud huts, poor hygienic conditions. I had a military uniform.

There was some medical assistance but I don’t know what it was like.

There were lots of Polish prisoners-of-war working with me.

I was not subjected to any interrogation. Nor did I witness any torture.

On 10 February 1940 we were taken to the Polish territories to carry out road works, which we were doing until April 1941. Then we were sent to the prisoner-of war camp in Gródek Jagielloński. Living conditions there were very poor.

There was no political agitation. They would just tell us that we would never see Poland again.

I was in communication with my country and my family – I received packages.

Then we were sent away to Starobilsk, where I was released in August 1941. I joined the army in August 1941 in Starobilsk.