WARTIME GUIDES

This is a translation of an article from the Nowości newspaper from 2016, which I wrote about the evacuation of the camp and the first days after the liberation. Operation Roland In late January 1945, the sounds of Russian artillery were already audible in the center of Toruń, signaling the approaching Red Army. During this time, Franz Jakob, the mayor of Toruń, implemented the pre-prepared 1944 plan "Roland," which entailed the evacuation of civilians, prisoners of war, and forced laborers from the city. The operation was divided into three stages: "Roland Erwartung" : Propaganda activities. "Roland I" : The evacuation by train of children, women, the elderly, the sick, and those requiring care. "Roland II" : The remaining population was to be evacuated from Toruń. In reality, residents sought safety by any means possible. Panic on the Roads Accounts from that time mention crowded roads, panic, and uncontrollable chaos. Years of propaganda abou...

For years of exploring prisoner-of-war (POW) stories, we have encountered many guests whose relatives decided to escape from captivity. Although the entire plan, transfer, and security were massive operations, from a purely human perspective, I was always curious about the exact moment when the escapees boarded the ship.   I came across a fairly detailed description of a transfer POW from Stalag XXA to Sweden. The operation was meticulously planned and required cooperation between members of the underground, port staff, and the ship's crew. It is easy to write about it now, but at that time, even the smallest mistake could cost these people—and their families—their lives. The first step was to enter the port area—according to sources, the kitchen served as the entry point. Next, it was necessary to change into work clothes, apply a "coal makeup," and blend in with the workers. The most stressful moment was boarding the ship. The vessels were heavily guarded, so it was cru...

In December, we had the extraordinary privilege of accompanying Elizabeth in her search for traces of her father, a prisoner of war who had been held at the  Stalag XXA in Toruń. Thanks to preserved correspondence, we managed to reconstruct a fragment of his wartime history and embark on an extraordinary journey together. We visited places that were once his prison but also offered him hope for survival. Stalag XXA in Toruń - A Prison and a Symbol of Hope In Toruń, there was Stalag XXA, one of many German prisoner-of-war camps located in occupied Poland. Thousands of soldiers from various countries were held there under harsh conditions. One of them was Elżbieta's father, who arrived in Toruń along with soldiers captured at Dunkirk. Long hours spent studying documents, gathering memories, and connecting facts allowed us to determine exactly where he stayed and what he did in the camp. However, it took us almost a year to piece everything together. Such knowledge is always a valuabl...

 Toruń, famous for its Gothic walls, Nicolaus Copernicus, and gingerbread, recently welcomed special guests from England. Sally and her family came to honor the memory of her father, a prisoner of Stalag XXA – a German POW camp located, among other places, in the forts of the Toruń Fortress during World War II. The group, consisting of eight people, represented multiple generations, adding deep significance to this pilgrimage. Preparations for the Journey to Sites of Memory The planning for this meaningful journey began in February 2023. Through systematic communication and thorough research, the family gathered detailed information about the places linked to their relative’s time in Stalag XXA. Our shared goal was to learn about the camp’s history in-depth and pay tribute to their ancestor who endured the hardships of captivity. The knowledge acquired allowed us to chart a route that highlighted Toruń's most crucial sites connected to POW heritage. Tour Route and Key Sites of Stal...

November in Poland is a unique time dedicated to reflection and remembering those who have passed away. It's a month when cemeteries glow with the light of thousands of candles, and memorial sites take on special significance. Toruń, a city with a rich and diverse history, also holds painful memories from World War II that are worth exploring—especially the stories of the prisoners of war from Stalag XXA. Memorial Sites Dedicated to the Prisoners of War In addition to its famous landmarks and charming Old Town, Toruń is home to places that remind us of the tragic fate of thousands of POWs held in Stalag XXA. This German-run prisoner-of-war camp housed soldiers from the Allied forces, including British, Russian, and Italian troops, who endured some of the harshest conditions during the war. One of the most significant memorials in Toruń is the monument dedicated to the victims of the Stalag XXA POW camp . In November, when the city is enveloped in a spirit of remembrance, this monum...

An visit from a family from Australia and the USA, eager to learn about their father who served in the 2/5 Australian General Hospital during the war, became an opportunity to uncover the history of POW camps in Poland. The trip to Stalag XXA in Toruń also revealed an unexpected connection to the city's Jewish heritage. It was an incredible journey through time. We had been preparing for quite a while for Jill's trip, who came with her family from Australia and partly from the USA. Her relatives wanted to visit the places where Jill's father, who served in the 2/5 Australian General Hospital during the war, had been imprisoned. Thanks to memories and preserved documents, we managed to visit key locations and sketch a larger picture of the organization and history of POW camps, including Stalag XXA. This story, by pure coincidence, also revealed a connection to Jewish heritage, providing an opportunity to bring that part of Toruń’s history closer. We are glad that we could h...