LIVING THROUGH WAR

The crisis of the Nazi invasion of Poland had a profound impact on people across the country. Some responded by joining the resistance, others sought shelter from continuous bombs, or fled Polish cities leaving behind their family and friends.

Basia was one of thousands of young children at the time living through war, running through the streets, seeking refuge in underground cellars. She was not alone.

“I remember my mother was carrying on her back like a big sack of potatoes wrapped up in a blanket.”

Living through war was a crisis experienced by Polish people across the entire country. Food was rationed with coupons, and, in response, many people were forced to grow their own food and farm animals. Clothes were also rationed so families exchanged clothes and learnt to sew their own garments.

Basia’s family’s response to the crisis of living through was one of desperation. As a young child, she remembered picking the bullets out of her father’s back. He returned from trying to steal potatoes for his family from a neighbouring farm crop. Scars remained etched in his skin for ever.

“She was running along the street looking for shelter in the cellars of big apartment blocks because there were bombs falling all around us.”