Władysław Uchnalewicz

"We were given a wojenruka ( a teacher of the Military Adoption) and he taught us Physical Education and some military stuff about using guns and shooting. He also taught about paper cartridges and how to march or shoot etc. I was the only one who wore the Rogatywka (peaked cap) and AK ( Home Army) uniform. I said to my schoolmates “Let’s fond a scouting troop”. Thus we set up the scouting troop and we named it The Glory to the Freedom and the Motherland. I sewed the caps for all of us myself. I was able to make it, as my mum did. We both [ me and my mum] made Rogatywki (peaked cap)for the whole team – twenty-five for boys and thirteen for girls. We walked down Piłsudskiego avenue (called that before it was changed into Kutuzowa street and sang patriotic songs. I taught the boys the words of the songs. Walking in a row, we were singing, however the Soviets couldn’t understand what kind of songs they were. That’s how it was. Our scouting troop name was The Glory to the Freedom and the Motherland".

"I was thrown into the condemned cell and sentenced for execution. The cell was filled with water, to the level of an ankle or a bit higher. The door was locked with the chain and oak padlock. I was given hot water in a cup not to catch a cold before the execution. If the guards opened the door to take the prisoner to the toilet or for execution, the prisoners had to lay down on the floor with their faces in the water. The guards twisted the inmates’ arms behind their back to handcuff them. I never knew if it was the time for my execution or not. I was kept here over a week. All of a sudden the guards came and said; “Nie nado łożyt’sia uże”(“No handcuff this time”). They had the papers ready to sign for three of us [the prisoners]– “Sign here –Entreaty to comrade Stalin” – he said. We signed it".