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Grave of two Poles who escaped from a German camp in Norway, photo Polskie ślady w Szwecji, ok.2005
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Fotografia przedstawiająca Grave of two Poles who escaped from a German camp in Norway
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ID: WOJ-000385-W (SE-0026)

Grave of two Poles who escaped from a German camp in Norway

ID: WOJ-000385-W (SE-0026)

Grave of two Poles who escaped from a German camp in Norway

There is a grave in the local cemetery where 2 Poles, escapees from a German camp in Norway, are buried: Tadeusz Kolin and Jan Matuszek. Tadeusz Kolin (the name Kohn appears on the cross), aged 24, born in Nowe Gutkowice, a carpenter by profession, and Jan Matuszek, aged ca. 34, were participants in the 1939 September campaign. Both were sent as prisoners of war to Stalag I A Stablack camp in Prussia. On 31 December 1940, they were transferred with other prisoners to Kriegsgefangenen Bau-und-Arbeitsbataillon 41. This battalion was used by the Germans for various jobs, initially around Hanover and later Hamburg. In the spring of 1942, the battalion was transported by ship to Norway. It was initially stationed in Oslo, then in Trondheim and Nesny, and finally in Saltdalen in northern Norway. In 1943, the battalion was given the name Baupionier - Bataillon 41. It consisted of the battalion headquarters and 3 companies made up of prisoners of war - Poles were drafted into the first and second companies and Russians into the third. T. Kolin and J. Matuszek belonged to the second company, stationed in Storjord. T. Kolin and J. Matuszek attempted to escape to Sweden through difficult mountainous terrain. After crossing the border, they reached a mountain hut where they died as a result of chad poisoning and general exhaustion. After their bodies were found on 23 October 1944, the dead were transported to Arjeplog, identified and buried in the local cemetery on 25 October. On the grave is a tall cross, founded by Polish refugees from Norway who were in quarantine here. The cross bears the date "1944" and the text: "Här vilar Tadeusz Kohn och Jan Matuszek", and underneath there are inscriptions in Polish "God and Homeland" and "Long Live Poland", as well as symbols of the Polish Eagle and the crucified Christ carved in wood. Photos from the website "Polish traces in Sweden" www.polskieslady.se have been posted with the permission of the administrator.
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List of buried persons

2

Related projects

1
Grób dwóch Polaków zbiegłych z obozu niemieckiego w Norwegii
Katalog cmentarzy wojennych MKiDN Show
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