Dzień dobry
I am Pawel, a former soldier of the Cichociemni, known as the Silent Unseen.
We were the Polish section of the Special Operations Executive, or SOE, who were based
here at Audley End House during the Second World War.
I’m back In England to visit an old friend, and called in at Audley End House to see how
it has changed since I was stationed here in 1943.
During our time here, we were trained in many covert operations, including sabotage and
intelligence gathering.
We were then parachuted into Poland to fight the Nazi invaders.
Now, I understand you have some questions for me.
Please excuse me as many things are still classified, but I will answer what I can.
First, I must ask you to salute!
Very good.
So, who will be asking the first question?
Hello, I'm Theo and I'm 10 years old
Very pleasant to meet you.
Why did you come to England and not stay in Poland during the war?
The Nazis and Soviets invaded my home country in 1939, dividing it up between them.
Some of my countrymen were captured by the Soviets and put into labour camps, and others
stayed to form a resistance movement called Armia Krajowa, or the Home Army in English.
I did not want to remain in Poland, so, as much as it pained me, I had to leave.
I travelled through Europe, trying to escape the Nazi invasion, and found my way here to
England via Hungary, Romania and then France.
When France fell to the Nazis I was evacuated to England from Dunkirk.
I came here because I wanted to be free, but also to help liberate my homeland.
Thank you!
Of course.
I am eager to continue exploring, as I do not have much time before I must leave.
If you would like to ask another question, I will meet you by the River Cam.
It is really beautiful out here
So, what would you like to know?
Hello, my name's Prema and I’m 10 years old.
How may I be of help?
What did your training involve?
Many, many things.
During the Second World War, Audley End House was renamed Station 43 and the training here
was tough.
For example, we had to cross this river by rope crossing.
Although over 2,600 Polish soldiers applied to be part of the course, only 606 were successful,
which tells you how difficult it was.
In order to even be considered as a trainee, we had to first complete a fitness course
in Scotland and parachute training in Manchester.
Then, for 4-6 weeks, we were trained as agents here.
We were briefed on the changing situation in Poland, and trained in fieldcraft, sabotage
and many other things.
This included being instructed on operating wireless communications and how to take micro
photography.
We were also given extensive training in close combat and shooting in the dark, which I wouldn’t
recommend!
Thank you!
You are very welcome.
I must proceed indoors, I shall see you there.
Hello, my name is Lksh and I’m 9 years old.
Cześć
– that’s hello in Polish!
What did you do when you weren’t training?
To keep our activity at Station 43 top secret, we were only allowed to leave the base for
mock raids and training sessions, so all our leisure activities had to be contained here.
We used this room, known as the Dining Parlour, as a recreation room to play billiards.
In the Housekeeper’s room we would relax, play cards, listen to the radio or read.
However, what we enjoyed most was playing sports in the spectacular grounds here at
Audley End House.
This included volleyball, tennis and football.
We also took part in a sports day, which was extremely amusing.
There were many running races, as well as a sack race, egg and spoon race and wheelbarrow
race.
My personal favourite was the slow bicycle race, in which we had to remain balanced while
cycling as slowly as possible.
It was very enjoyable.
Thank you, Pawel!
You are very welcome.
Now, time is pushing on so I must leave soon.
I will meet you in the Housekeeper's room.
Who would like to ask the final question?
Hello, I’m Freddie and I’m 12 years old.
And good day to you.
Who were you trained by?
We were trained by both Polish and British instructors.
There were also plenty of British soldiers guarding the base and carrying out administrative
duties.
Among our instructors was Captain Antoni Pospieszalski, codenamed Luc, who was responsible for radio
communication and German language training, and Captain Alfons Mackowiak, codenamed Alma,
who insured all of the Cichociemni were physically fit for the dangerous missions in occupied
Poland.
In particular, my old friend Captain Alfons Mackowiak, who we call Alan Mack, was a hard
task master.
He was incredibly well respected by everyone, having served as a soldier since the beginning
of the war.
He was captured and escaped multiple times and, even after Station 43 closed, he returned
to being a paratrooper.
I believe he is working as a PE teacher now.
I suspect those children will be having the hardest lessons of their lives!
Thank you, Pawel!
Of course, thank you for your time.
As we say in Poland, do widzenia!