Friday, January 17, 2020

Today is January 17th. On that day, 75 years ago, Korczaks Dom Sierot at 92 Krochmalna was revisited by Captain Wroblewski - former "Pan Misza", the teacher at the Orphanage.

It was not easy to reach 92 Krochmalna although they had a 4-wheel drive Willys. When the finally reached Dom Sierot building he breathed sigh of relief. The house was burned out but the walls and constructions remained intact. Ruins of the Dom Sierot at 92 Krochmalna front view, November 1946, author unknown, Warsaw Town Hall archives collection.

Colonel Michal Wasserman Wroblewski (Pan Misza) with Ela Frydman (left) and Basia Abramow Newerly (right) at the Ghetto Fighters Monument in Warszawa. They represented Polish Korczak Committee.

Today is January 17th. On that day, 75 years ago, Korczaks Dom Sierot at 92 Krochmalna was revisited by captain Wroblewski - former Pan Misza, teacher at the Orphanage.
On January 17, 1945, Polish and Soviet forces liberated Warsaw during World War II and my father and his group of soldiers were first to cross frozen Wisla river during the night.

There were some shootings when they advanced towards Nowy Swiat. Just before the noon my father directed his driver Felek, to drive to 92 Krochmalna. He regarded this particular building as his Warszawa home.

It was not easy to reach 92 Krochmalna although they had a 4-wheel drive Willys. When the finally reached Dom Sierot building he breathed sigh of relief. The house was burned out but the walls and constructions remained intact. My Father left the building in September 1939 to join Polish Army. When he returned to Dom Sierot after 2 years (1941) the Orphanage was within the ghetto walls. 


2,000 Jewish survivors were found in underground hideouts of the prewar population of 400 000.