This is the story of a 12-year old boy, who, along with his mother, Helen, and sister, Joanna, was deported from Poland to Russia on April 13th, 1940.

Under normal circumstances, this teenager would have matured within the family circle, with his father as a role model, providing him with guidance and care. But the turn of events that began at the end of 1939 rapidly changed his outlook on life. His youth stolen from him in the face of war, he was forced to take the responsibilities of a grown man. In order to survive and support his frail mother and younger sister, he had to be both resourceful and inventive.

At the present time, some 60 years later, I still get flashbacks of this unforgettable and unjust experience. Some small details of events I cannot recollect anymore, but what we lived through will remain in my memory forever: the struggle to survive, the fight to overcome hunger and disease in this formidable Siberian land. These experiences I will try to relate to you in the following pages.

Please click on the links below to read more about the Siberian Survivor. You will need Adobe Reader to read these chapters. Click on the Adobe logo to download Adobe Reader for free.

 

This site maintained and updated by: Marisa Zammit (Anthony Gatowski's daughter-in-law)

Last Updated: July 21, 2005

 


Siberian Survivor by Anthony Gatowski

Chapter One: Exile

Chapter Two: The Unwelcome Guest

Chapter Three: The Struggle Continues

Chapter Four: Venture Into The Unknown

Chapter Five: Flight From Wolves

Chapter Six: Amnesty

Chapter Seven: The Escape

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
















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