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In January 2026, the collections of our Museum expanded as a result of the donation of Ms. Bożena Bienias-Obręczarek who decided to donate a next part of mementos of her Grandfather, Major Edmund Januszkiewicz, in this way complementing her earlier donation of 2023. This exceptional gesture is an expression of her trust and an effect of the fruitful cooperation and continuing contacts  with the Department of Collections and Conservation.

Major Januszkiewicz, an officer of the Polish Army, held the function of Quartermaster of the 44^th Infantry Division. His POW’s route ran through the following oflags: X B Nienburg, X A Itzehoe/Sandbostel, X C Lübeck and VI B Dössel. At each stage of his captivity, Major Januszkiewicz documented his vicissitudes and recorded his thoughts, including also those in the time following the war. The donated collection makes an almost monumental record of the Major’s intellectual activity and includes in total 37 notebooks of manuscripts as well as loose sheets. Altogether there are over 3 thousand pages of unique content which casts a new light on the lives of POWs in captivity.

It is worth mentioning that the author dedicated himself to studying psychology and philosophy, which was his passion and which found its reflection in his numerous notes from camp courses as well as extensive excerpts and translations of works by such authors as Alexis Carrel or Kenneth Walker. Of particular value is his original work entitled Człowiek całkowity [The Complete Man], being an attempt at synthesizing the human being’s nature. The work was dedicated to Dr Andrzej Niesiołowski, the research worker who was Major Januszkiewicz’s companion and inmate at Oflag VI B Dössel, where he conducted academic courses.

After the war, Maj. Edmund Januszkiewicz stayed in exile, where he continued his literary activity. He died in 1972 in the United States. Yet a large part of his output was brought to Poland. Thanks to the efforts of his Granddaughter it is now part of the collections of our Museum. It gives us extreme satisfaction but at the same time is our obligation!

We are very grateful to you, Ms. Bożena!