While going through photos, I came across this map from the Muzeum Uzbrojenia in Poznan showing the movement of the Polish army (shown in red) through central Poland when the Nazis invaded in September 1939 :
It’s a little hard for me to read, but I believe Poland had a stronghold in the Kutno region and for a few days they held back the Nazis (shown in blue).
This region is exactly where my family came from. My great grandmother was born in Żychlin and eventually settled with her husband and children in Włocławek. They would have been long gone when the war started, but some of my grandmother’s siblings were still living in Włocławek. Here’s another layer of memory I need to integrate into my family story. How profoundly destabilizing it must have been for them to watch as the Polish forces fell and they became foreigners in their own country.
Uncovering Jewish Heritage 
Wow! I love family history and this is a great (sad) story…
On Mon, Dec 7, 2020, 2:53 PM Uncovering Jewish Heritage wrote:
> Marysia Galbraith posted: ” While going through photos, I came across this > map from the Muzeum Uzbrojenia in Poznan showing the movement of the Polish > army (shown in red) through central Poland when the Nazis invaded in > September 1939 : Red arrows show movements of Polish armed ” >
LikeLike
Walking around Poland, I often feel myself in multiple time periods simultaneously. I see everything as it is today and ask it was at various pivotal moments in the past. It’s even more profound in places where I can picture my family living. I’m sure you have the same feeling in Tarnow as you imagine your husband’s family.
LikeLike
Hello Marysia I’ve been reading your posts with much interest. As you mayl be aware most Jewish towns today have a dedicated facebook group for researchers and descendants. Sadly nothing has been available for Kutno and surrounding areas, so I have endeavoured to rectify this by launching a facebook group to provide a nice friendly atmosphere to connect people, help with DNA and paper research and learn the history of towns our ancestors. The group settings are private to ensure members will be in a safe environment. Maybe you would consider joining? Kind regards https://www.facebook.com/groups/descendantsofjewishkutno
LikeLike
Belinda, Great to hear from you. I’ve requested joining your group. Are you familiar with the website Jewish Kutno? https://jewish-kutno.ddns.net/
I’m sure it has resources that will be of interest to you. Check out my blog post about the Association for Descendants of Jewish Central Poland (ADJCP). We hope to lead a trip to Kutno and its surroundings in spring 2022, though the process has gotten a bit derailed by COVID.
LikeLike