News

We have been very much saddened by the news of passing away Romuald Malinowski who died on 22 October - a Warsaw insurgent and former prisoner-of-war of Stalag Lamsdorf 344 – a man with whom we stayed in friendship and on whose support in the field of social memory and education both our Museum and the Association of Friends of the CMJW, of which he was a member, could always count on.

Mr. Romuald was part of the group of the youngest participants in the Uprising (born on 21 January 1929). He fought in Wola and Śródmieście Północ districts, was a soldier in the "Kilinski" battalion - the 7th Motor Company "Iskra". After the fall of the Uprising in October, he was sent to Lamsdorf – his first place of imprisonment, which he remembered in the following way: "The camp made a nasty impression on us. In was not funny to be locked up like in a cage. Besides, we experienced the bitterness of the fall. We wanted to be victorious, and we were defeated instead. But we were young, we had to stand up to it somehow. There was hunger, chillness, man-eating lice, bedbugs... But the good humour never left us." From there, in a short time, he was transported deep into the Third Reich to the following stalags: IX C Bad Sulza and IX A Ziegenhain. In the spring of 1945, he managed to escape from the convoy and reach the Allies. Hiding that he is underage, he joined Anders' Army. In 1947, he returned to the country.

He regularly visited Łambinowice, always with his wife Krystyna by his side, readily taking part in the annual celebrations commemorating the arrival of the first transport of Warsaw insurgents to Stalag 344 Lamsdorf. But there was more - Mr. Romulad was in his element when he met with young people with whom he shared his memories and passions – for photography, which was his profession, and for model building. His excellent contact with young people resulted, among other things, in his participation in the educational film "Lamsdorf/Lambinowice. Museum and Memorial" and a work by schoolchildren of the Łambinowice school entitled "I will tell you an unusual story ..." , awarded in the 2018 edition of the National Competition for Historical Project "Before it's not too late".

His smile, warmth, cordiality and directness will remain in our memory, as well as the words he once said: "Apparently men are made of iron". We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Krytyna, the children and family.