Skip to main content

Visit of Sally’s Family in Toruń – Following the Footsteps of Stalag XXA, War History, and Prisoner Memory

 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 Stalag XXA in the Toruń Fortress

We started the visit with key sites in Toruń associated with Stalag XXA’s history. We explored the remnants of the Toruń Fortress fortifications, where prisoners of war were held under harsh conditions. During the guided tour, we narrated stories of the prisoners' daily struggles, their hopes, and the challenges they faced.

Toruń is a city full of contrasts: on one hand, a formidable fortress with a tragic wartime history, and on the other, stunning Gothic architecture, rich cultural traditions, and famous gingerbread. This combination made the visit not only educational but also, we hope, an awe-inspiring tourist experience.

Stalag XXA camp remains in Torun


Emotions and Reflections of Family Members – Memories of War Prisoners

Visiting places that witnessed the fate of Sally’s father stirred deep memories and reflections among the family members. Every stop along the route evoked emotional recollections of their loved one. Such journeys are an opportunity to share heartfelt reflections and personal family stories filled with deep emotion and contemplation.

Toruń – A UNESCO City, Fortress, and Stalag XXA Heritage Site

Toruń serves not only as a place of remembrance for families of prisoners searching for their relatives' traces but also as a remarkable tourist attraction. Many families, like Sally’s, visit to undertake a pilgrimage honoring their ancestors. The city also captivates tourists interested in war history, with its unique Gothic architecture and cultural heritage offering a memorable destination, perfect for exploring and making the most of one’s visit.

The Importance of Stalag XXA Heritage for Younger Generations and Passing on Memory

A crucial aspect of this visit was the presence of Sally’s younger family members. For the children and grandchildren, it was an invaluable history lesson, helping them understand how war and captivity shaped their grandfather's life. Passing on knowledge about Stalag XXA’s legacy is vital to ensure that the memory of those times is preserved and shared with future generations.

We are honored to have been part of this family journey, full of emotions, reflections, and inspiring discoveries. Sally and her family's visit reminded us of the importance of cherishing and sharing memories of the past. We hope Toruń will forever remain in their hearts as a special place, full of history and profound experiences.

Stalag 20A XXA monument


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thanks this trip we've discovered new facts about POW from Stalag XXA in 1945

That was wonderful trip. During three days we saw couple of places connected with POW path of Jack Stansfield. Moreover thanks his son Michael we saw notes with memories of last days in Stalag XXA in Torun. In opposit to all facts which says that prisoners left camp in late december 1945 Jack wrote that they started to march on 21 january! That means that lasts groups of POW left camp in 10 days before Torun was liberated. Fortunatley Jack survived afeter he escaped from march. He met russians army and polish partizants. Below we presents you short memories about Jack and trip to Poland... My father was called Jack Stansfield, he was born in August 1918. He was brought up in the market town of Malton in North Yorkshire where his parents were publicans. He joined the Territorial Army in March 1939 and was mobilised on the declaration of war. Jack enlisted in his local regiment joining the 5th Battalion of the Green Howards. After a short time at the Regimental HQ in Richmond, North
Post a Comment
Read more

Living conditions in Stalag XXA

Monthly bath in Stalag XXA Living conditions Lawrence Travers Dorins a former POW describes „fort XI was surrounded by a high bank and the fence around it with gates across the entrance road, on one side there was also a dry moat with a bridge on it. The bridge led to a tunnel” The fortress was covered with trees, bushes and earth so that the fortress could not be visible from the bird's eye. Prisoners slept in caponiers where initially were supposed to sleep Prussian soldiers. Yet PoW describes the rooms as if there were designed as rooms in the concentration camps. Rooms looked as semi tunnels. “The perpendicular walls were about 3m high and the height of the arched roof was about 5 m, wooden bunks provided sleeping spaces. Each room had only two small windows which obviously allowed no ventilation. Due to the end of the night the air was solid and everyone would have a headache due to oxygen starvation” .In those rooms kept approximately 32 men. There were three shelves whe
2 comments
Read more

Just few hours to understand life in Stalag XXA(20A) in Torun

"I will always be grateful to Pawel for helping me understand better what happened to my father when he was captured by the German army after the fighting at Dunkirk. Like many former British POWs, Dad was reluctant to tell his children very much about what he had endured during the war. We knew he spent most of the war in German POW camps, in particular one in Poland. From his army records we discovered that camp was Staleg XX-A. I contacted Pawel at very short notice recently when I was in traveling with my husband in Europe. Pawel was able to meet me in Torun to walk me through the history of Staleg XX-A and some of the forts of Torun. My father, John Wilkinson, was with the British Expeditionary Force, serving in the  Light Tank Regiment of the 1st East Riding Yeomanry. We believe he fought at Cassel in France before being captured.  It was extraordinary for me to walk with Pawel at Torun where the British POWs disembarked, knowing my father would have st
Post a Comment
Read more