MIECZYSŁAW KASA

1. Personal data (name, surname, rank, age, occupation, marital status):

Gunner Mieczysław Kasa, exile in the USSR, 22 years old, farmer, unmarried.

2. and 3. Dates and circumstances of arrest; name of the forced labor site:

I was deported on 10 February 1940, from my house, along with the whole family to the Czynok poselok in Komi ASRR.

4. Description of the camp, prison:

We lived in barracks in the forest; there was one barrack for several families. Hygiene bearable.

5. Compositions of prisoners, POWs, exiles:

There were Poles and Ukrainians in the poselok, mostly farmer settlers; normal mutual relations.

6. Life in the camp, prison:

Work in the forest, around 12 hours a day. Remuneration was poor; clothing and food could be bought for high prices. Social and cultural life was rather lively.

7. Attitude of the local NKVD towards the Poles:

Forced labor with no supervision; propaganda in the form of meetings, gatherings, etc.

8. Medical assistance, hospitals, mortality:

One doctor per poselok, that is, per 150 people. No medicines, no hospitals. Four people died during the whole time, including farmer Kałcz.

9. Was there a possibility to contact one’s country and family?

I received letters from the country very rarely.

10. When were you released and how did you manage to join the army?

I was released in October 1941, and voluntarily joined the army at the start of February 1942 in Margilan.