Collection Overview
Czeslaw Gieniewski
Czeslaw Gieniewski Papers
1939-2009
CPAA 08-09
2 folders
(0.25 linear ft.)
Connecticut Polish American Archives, Elihu Burritt Library, Central Connecticut State University
Czeslaw Gieniewski papers include family history going back to the January Uprising of 1863,
through participation in the Pilsudski legions and regaining of Poland's independence on
November 11, 1918, and the Bolshevik War 1919-1921. Mr. Gieniewski describes his and his
family deportation to Russia and enlisting in the Polish Army, which was formed in the USSR,
after political pact between the Polish government and Jozef Stalin in June of 1941.
General Wladyslaw Anders was in command of the Polish Army on the Russian territory.
Mr. Gieniewski participated in the battles in Italy in 1944 and 1945, including the famous
battle of Monte Cassino. He immigrated to the US and participated in veterans' affairs and
was active in Polish American community in New Jersey, where he still lives with his family.
English.Polish.
Biographical Note
Czeslaw Gieniewski was born in Vilnus region, Lithuania. He was deported with his family to
Siberia in 1940 into a labor camp. In spring of 1942 he enlisted into the Polish Army that was
formed on Russian territory. He left Russia with the Polish Army under command of General
Anders in August of 1942 and he fought in 1944 and 1945 in Italy including the battle of
Monte Cassino. After the war he went to England and in 1951 immigrated to the US. He established
his life in New Jersey and was active in local Polish-American organizations. He still lives
there with his family.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The collection includes memoirs on CD and articles in hard copy. Memoirs on CD are
divided in three parts. First part starts with deportation to Siberia and living situation in
labor camp; second part includes enlisting in the Polish Army that was organized in the Soviet
Union till the end of WW II; and third part includes description of his short stay in England,
immigration to the US and establishing a life in New Jersey. Collection includes also articles
about the battle of Monte Cassino written by Mr. Gieniewski.
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Cite as: Czeslaw Gieniewski Papers (CPAA 08-09). Connecticut Polish American Archives, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain.
The material was sent by Mr. and Mrs. Gieniewski to the library in May 2008. Mr. Gieniewski send his memoirs as a response to the Polish American Historical Association appeal to the Polish community to help to document their life and immigration to the US.
Processed by Renata Vickrey.
Search Terms
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Polish.
Poles -- New Jersey.
Cassino, Battle of, Cassino, Italy, 1944.
Memoirs.
Clippings.
1
1
“To Monte Cassino through Siberia and the Middle East: 50th anniversary of the End of World War 2, 1995”, a CD with Mr. Gieniewski memoirs.
1995
1
2
Czeslaw Gieniewski, 60th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, article in Kombatant w Ameryce, p. 4-8, 14, 2004 (in Polish)
2004
1
3
Czeslaw Gieniewski, 60th anniversary of the battle of Ancon, shermanns and panthers, recollection of the soldier, Nowy Dziennik, July 10-11, 2004
2004