Aleksander Romanko
Aleksander Romanko, son of Magdalena and Mikolaj, was born in Szpakowce,(North Eastern Poland) July 21, 1921. Olek (short for Aleksander) had two older brothers, Wladystaw and Mikolaj. Olek was fond of his family and lived in Szpakowce till he was sixteen years old. Later he moved to the city of Baranowicze, where he studied mechanics. He describes his experiences below: During the bombing of Baranowicze (Poland) in September, 1939 when I saw people killed and seriously injured, I was affected emotionally by the suffering caused by the pilots. As a young as I was (18) I wanted to join the Polish Army to avenge our losses. The obvious enemy targets were Germans. After the invasion of Eastern Poland by the Soviet army, on September 17, 1939 - we faced two evil forces. Massive arrests and killings were everyday occurrences. The hate of the enemy culminated when, on February 10, 1940, my parents and I were arrested by Russian soldiers and were deported to Siberia. Our difficulties and will to survive during the two years in the gulag "Poldniewica" were described by my wife Alina in the book "From Russian Gulag - To Alberta Prairies". She, as a girl, was a participant and a witness to the tragic events of our lives in the Soviet Union.
In February of 1942, I was informed by N.K.V.D (secret Russian police) that I, along with Wladyslaw Lukaszewicz (my future father-in-law) and other exiles, had to go to a closest town "Wabkient" to enlist in the Polish army. At that time we lived in the kolkhoz Kuybyszew. We worked in the cotton fields from dusk to dawn suffering from lack of food and general lack of energy. The typhoid epidemic, dysentery, and night blindness ran rampant among our people. The whole situation was desperate. The possibility of joining Polish army brought hope for survival for the prospective soldiers and their families. In Wabkient a medical team examined us and then we were given a lunch of soup and two slices of bread. What a treat! We had not tasted or seen bread for months!
After a few days we were told that we would have to take a train to Kermine, where the Polish Army was stationed. Soon after I arrived in Kermine, the talk about our evacuation from Russia was becoming a reality. We were ecstatic when after four days of travel we reached Krasnowodsk, where we boarded a ship, which took us to Pahlavi a port in Persia (Iran).
The journey across the Caspian Sea lasted twenty-four hours. Only the excitement and hope of freedom made this voyage bearable. Soldiers, women, and children were packed very close together. There was no water. A few dry food items had to satisfy our hunger. Many people were ill. The rickety boat reached Persia very early in the morning. We saw the sunrise on Easter Sunday 1942, and felt that along with Christ we also rose from the grave.
Soon the ship was unloaded and we were moved to camps on the beaches of Pahlavi. The tents housed women and children. The army camped in an open space. Next day we were paraded to the bathhouses. Before we entered the bathhouse, we had to take off our clothes and leave it at the entrance. This was called a "delousing program". All these clothes were burnt. After a good shower (what a luxury) we received new, clean British uniforms!
What a wonderful feeling, being assured that the starvation was part of the past. The beach was a pleasant resting place. This is how my life in freedom began. It felt like a paradise. Since I had my driver's license from Poland, and soon I was assigned to transport the Indian Platoon who was also serving under the British Command.
The beaches of Pahlavi were not our permanent place. Everyday the trucks transported soldiers and civilians to Teheran, the capitol of Persia (Iran). Soon it was my turn. After stopping for a night at Karwin, we arrived in Teheran the very next day.
Then we left Teheran and we arrived in Habania (Iraq). The journay through the Iraqi desert was monotonous. We stopped at the British army posts scattered along the desert. We slept in tents and next morning again traveled all day to the next camp.
From Iraq we were moved, through Jordan to Palestine (Israel). When we reached the river Jordan our journey became much easier for we encountered very good roads and the landscape displayed lush greenery, towns, kibbutzim and villages filled with beautiful gardens. We were glad to arrive at the Polish army training camp in Quastyna. Here the 3rd Carpathian Division was being organized under the command of General Kopanski who, as the commander of the Polish Brigade, fought in Tobruk, Libya, in 1941. I was assigned to a 3rd Carpathian Artillery Regiment.
From then on we began very intensive military training in preparation for real military action in a war against a formidable enemy, the German army. The days were well structured and we still could not believe our luck of having good, nourishing meals, the freedom to travel, and making our personal decisions.
Here in Palestine, the land of Christ, I began my life as an artilleryman. After few days, I was assigned to drive a special truck for hauling cannons and ammunition. The day began at six o'clock in the morning with vigorous exercises, breakfast and then the military training till ten in the morning. As it was very hot, the break lasted till three o'clock in the afternoon. The lectures and practical instructions in the servicing and using the artillery guns took the remainder of the day. After supper and prayer, at ten o'clock p.m. we were ready to take a well-earned rest and sleep.
In Jerusalem I followed the Via Dolorosa, the route which Jesus followed to His crucifixion on the Golgotha. Nazareth was important because it was the place of the birth of the Holy Virgin Mary. I thanked God for the opportunity of visiting the Holy Land.
In September of 1942, Persia opened its borders to receive a second transport of the Polish Army and families from Soviet Union. At first my hopes soared at the thought that my parents might be among the new arrivals. It was with great sadness that I received the news of their untimely death in Kermine.
In the meantime the third Carpathian Division was moved to Kirkuk, Iraq, where temperature in the tents reached 50°C. Training took place only very early in the morning and evening. It was necessary to pour water over both tents and bodies. The drinking water, kept in bags, was lukewarm.
In October, we went to Qassasin in Egypt where we had to wait for transport to Italy. In December of 1943, it was decided that our training had prepared us well to take our place on the front. My unit left Alexandria (for now we were in Egypt) in January of 1944. After four days' journey, we arrived in Syracus and then to Taranto, Italy. Finally we were again in Europe where our enemy was responsible for spreading death and devastation.
At the end of April, we arrived in the region of St. Michael mountain peak, 782, near Monte Casino. Our commitment to this region played an important role in the outcome of the World War II and the history of Europe. From then on we began our preparation for the fourth battle of Monte Casino. Since January 1944, the allied forces made three attempts to conquer this difficult strategic point.The Germans fortified themselves in the monastery and surrounding hills to block the passage of allied forces to Liri Valley leading to Rome. The battle of Monte Casino, therefore, became the battle for Rome.
Since January 1944, three attempts by allied forces to conquer Monte Casino were led first by the Americans, second the British, and finally the New Zealanders and Hindu units. The fourth one scheduled to begin at midnight on May 11th, ended in victory on May 18th due to gallantry of Poles who captured the high areas, which had not been taken by the previous fighters.
The preparations for the attack were done in total secrecy. Artillery guns and ammunition were moved to their proper positions on the mountains and in the valleys, during the cover of night. Our trucks were covered with brushwood and other materials. Our regiment had 24 artillery cannons: each one requiring 800 pieces of ammunition, which we had to pull up with ropes from the place where the trucks had to stop. This required tremendous effort. After we completed putting the canons in the proper positions, I had to return the truck to Venafro located 8 km from our area. It was dark, the roads were terrible and there was constant danger of German fire.
At 11 o'clock, all hell broke loose! Over a thousand allied artillery guns fired on German positions for two hours causing great devastation. We saw flickering light and heard thunder that caused the ground to move. All this stayed in my memory for many years and I experienced the same sensations every time I revisited the Polish cemetery at Monte Casino on special anniversaries of the battle.
On May 12th, we knew that we hadn't reached our objectives and that the fight must go on. The casualties were very heavy. We had to exchange one of our guns. Fear or not, this dangerous manoeuvre had to be performed, which we successfully completed during the next night.
On May 13th, all drivers had to go in one place to be ready to move in case of an unexpected enemy attack. As I drove my vehicle I was surrounded by hundreds of jeeps and ambulances bringing wounded and killed soldiers. These were such sombre and tragic events of the war, which brought tears to my eyes and pain into my heart. Among the dead and wounded were some of my close friends. My feelings intensified when I came to a bend in the road and saw General Lees, Commander of the eighth army, standing on the jeep saluting all those who were passing by.
On May 17, I replaced one of the artilleryman. After discharging 150 shells I could not hear the officer's command and realized that my hearing was gone. Released from my post, initially I sat by a brook but could not hear anything for three hours. It was very frightening experience and I was very happy when some of my hearing slowly returned.
On May 18th, our army captured the Monastery of Monte Casino and placed the Polish flag on its top. The feelings of pride and happiness were mixed with sadness. We opened the road to Rome for the allied forces but lost so many young people who in their short lives experienced much suffering in Russian slave labour camps and the campaign of 1939. Our Commander, General Wladyslaw Anders congratulated us and expressed sadness because so many lives were lost. There was also another reason for anxiety and sadness. He could not promise us free Poland. Was this super human effort of Polish soldiers and victory won with such sacrifice for nothing? Not quite. Polish soldiers were always faithful to the motto: "We fight for our and your freedom". Did the world recognized this significance?
This was not the end of the action.We began bringing our guns down and worked hard on clearing out the area. At the end of May, we were given a short rest in the city of Moreona. On June 3rd, we were send to Ortona. Here we took part in a fierce battle along with the Canadian army. Next we took Pescara, Fermo, and Loreto. After the victory at Loreto, I was transferred to the reconnaissance unit. Now I travelled on a motorcycle and followed closely the positions of the infantry.
Polish Lancers of Carpathian regiment were moving toward Ancona and our artillery supplied the shielding fire. After many fierce battles Ancona was captured and it became a main supply base for the allied forces in Italy. Next came Senigalia. The German army fought hard to stop our advances by planting mines on roads and fields. When finally our troops, together with the Canadian division took Metauro, the Gothic line was broken and the German Army was in retreat. We then entered Pesaro, which we considered to be our final battle in the Adriatic campaign. We were proud and happy. The rest period was earned and welcomed.
In January of 1945, I was chosen to attend the non-commissioned Officers Artillery School in Marcerata-Saracena. The program ended in April 1945. We received our diplomas in the presence of our Colonel, Z. Lakinski, commander of Artillery of the 3rd Carpathian Division who congratulated me, on achieving very good results and a promotion. That night the celebration included a banquet and dance to which the Italian girls were invited too.
On April 3, I returned to my artillery unit. Lieutenant Styczynski welcomed me and expressed his pleasure on having a knowledgeable artilleryman. However after a few days he informed me that, in spite of his petition to have me stay with my unit, I was transferred to the regimental headquarters, where my expertise was put to very good use.
Our regiment supported lancers & infantry in a forceful attack at the River Senio and Santemo. In addition to the difficulties of the battle we suffered heavy losses from the allied air forces "friendly fire". Our infantry, with the help of the artillery and tanks broke the German lines of defence. General Rudnicki was in charge of this action.
The fighting continued. General Rudnicki now concentrated on the advance on Bologna, which was liberated by the Polish army on April 21, 1945. We entered Bologna before the Americans.
Soon, Winston Churchill declared that since the war was over we, the Polish soldiers, should return to Poland. After the strong intervention of the Polish Government in Exile, Churchill agreed to have the Polish army transferred to England for a temporary stay. A special Polish Resettlement Corps, was organized to prepare the transition of Polish soldiers to civilian life or emigration to other countries.
I arrived in England in November 1946. On November 4, 1946, I signed a two-year contract with the Polish Resettlement Corps. which allowed me to continue to receive soldier's pay and was allowed to continue my education as part of the preparations for civilian life.
On completion of the program at Commercial College I had to leave the Resettlement Corps. To obtain my discharge I had to go to Newmarket. In November 1948, 1 received my final discharge papers.In the meantime many Polish families living temporarily in India and Africa began joining their soldiers in England. In May of 1948 the Lukaszewicz family, including Alina arrived in Daglingworth, Gloustershire.
I met Alina in February of 1940 in gulag Poldniewica, when she was only fourteen. She became my wife in April 1949 and together we raised a family of four sons. Two of them, Bogumil and Lech, were born in England. In 1955 we immigrated to Alberta, to start a new life in Canada.
The beginnings in Canada were very difficult, but in our home, there was love and cooperation. Sons: Bozek, Leszek, Mark and Adam received very good education. They gained good positions in their professions, and started their own families. Our family grew by four grandchildren.
After the war, I was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and in recognition of my service, I received the following medals: Bronze Cross of Merit, Cross of Monte Casino and Army Medal. Gold Cross of Merit (1960) and Gold Medal (1990) from the Polish Government in Exile. From the Italian Government, I received the Star of Defense (1939-1945), and the British Ministry of Defence I was given the Medal War (1939 - 1945). There were many other awards and recognitions.
For political and community involvement, that began in England and which I continued in Edmonton, as chairperson of the Canadian Polish Congress - Alberta Branch, the National Treasury, Friends of KUL. I was the chairman of the Polish Flood Relief Committee in 1997. ($ 100,000 was collected) as well as a member the National Council, of the Polish Government in Exile and a board member of the Millennium Fund in Toronto. Together with my wife we were involved in the Holy Rosary parish in Edmonton as lectors and Eucharistic Ministers.
Aleksander Romanko
Edited by Zofia Kamela and Helena Fita
The above text is based on Mr. Aleksander Romanko's narrative which is contained in the book by Alina Maria M. Romanko, "From Russian Gulag To Alberta Prairies," as well as hand written information, provided by Mrs. Alina Maria Romanko (January, 2011).
In February of 1942, I was informed by N.K.V.D (secret Russian police) that I, along with Wladyslaw Lukaszewicz (my future father-in-law) and other exiles, had to go to a closest town "Wabkient" to enlist in the Polish army. At that time we lived in the kolkhoz Kuybyszew. We worked in the cotton fields from dusk to dawn suffering from lack of food and general lack of energy. The typhoid epidemic, dysentery, and night blindness ran rampant among our people. The whole situation was desperate. The possibility of joining Polish army brought hope for survival for the prospective soldiers and their families. In Wabkient a medical team examined us and then we were given a lunch of soup and two slices of bread. What a treat! We had not tasted or seen bread for months!
After a few days we were told that we would have to take a train to Kermine, where the Polish Army was stationed. Soon after I arrived in Kermine, the talk about our evacuation from Russia was becoming a reality. We were ecstatic when after four days of travel we reached Krasnowodsk, where we boarded a ship, which took us to Pahlavi a port in Persia (Iran).
The journey across the Caspian Sea lasted twenty-four hours. Only the excitement and hope of freedom made this voyage bearable. Soldiers, women, and children were packed very close together. There was no water. A few dry food items had to satisfy our hunger. Many people were ill. The rickety boat reached Persia very early in the morning. We saw the sunrise on Easter Sunday 1942, and felt that along with Christ we also rose from the grave.
Soon the ship was unloaded and we were moved to camps on the beaches of Pahlavi. The tents housed women and children. The army camped in an open space. Next day we were paraded to the bathhouses. Before we entered the bathhouse, we had to take off our clothes and leave it at the entrance. This was called a "delousing program". All these clothes were burnt. After a good shower (what a luxury) we received new, clean British uniforms!
What a wonderful feeling, being assured that the starvation was part of the past. The beach was a pleasant resting place. This is how my life in freedom began. It felt like a paradise. Since I had my driver's license from Poland, and soon I was assigned to transport the Indian Platoon who was also serving under the British Command.
The beaches of Pahlavi were not our permanent place. Everyday the trucks transported soldiers and civilians to Teheran, the capitol of Persia (Iran). Soon it was my turn. After stopping for a night at Karwin, we arrived in Teheran the very next day.
Then we left Teheran and we arrived in Habania (Iraq). The journay through the Iraqi desert was monotonous. We stopped at the British army posts scattered along the desert. We slept in tents and next morning again traveled all day to the next camp.
From Iraq we were moved, through Jordan to Palestine (Israel). When we reached the river Jordan our journey became much easier for we encountered very good roads and the landscape displayed lush greenery, towns, kibbutzim and villages filled with beautiful gardens. We were glad to arrive at the Polish army training camp in Quastyna. Here the 3rd Carpathian Division was being organized under the command of General Kopanski who, as the commander of the Polish Brigade, fought in Tobruk, Libya, in 1941. I was assigned to a 3rd Carpathian Artillery Regiment.
From then on we began very intensive military training in preparation for real military action in a war against a formidable enemy, the German army. The days were well structured and we still could not believe our luck of having good, nourishing meals, the freedom to travel, and making our personal decisions.
Here in Palestine, the land of Christ, I began my life as an artilleryman. After few days, I was assigned to drive a special truck for hauling cannons and ammunition. The day began at six o'clock in the morning with vigorous exercises, breakfast and then the military training till ten in the morning. As it was very hot, the break lasted till three o'clock in the afternoon. The lectures and practical instructions in the servicing and using the artillery guns took the remainder of the day. After supper and prayer, at ten o'clock p.m. we were ready to take a well-earned rest and sleep.
In Jerusalem I followed the Via Dolorosa, the route which Jesus followed to His crucifixion on the Golgotha. Nazareth was important because it was the place of the birth of the Holy Virgin Mary. I thanked God for the opportunity of visiting the Holy Land.
In September of 1942, Persia opened its borders to receive a second transport of the Polish Army and families from Soviet Union. At first my hopes soared at the thought that my parents might be among the new arrivals. It was with great sadness that I received the news of their untimely death in Kermine.
In the meantime the third Carpathian Division was moved to Kirkuk, Iraq, where temperature in the tents reached 50°C. Training took place only very early in the morning and evening. It was necessary to pour water over both tents and bodies. The drinking water, kept in bags, was lukewarm.
In October, we went to Qassasin in Egypt where we had to wait for transport to Italy. In December of 1943, it was decided that our training had prepared us well to take our place on the front. My unit left Alexandria (for now we were in Egypt) in January of 1944. After four days' journey, we arrived in Syracus and then to Taranto, Italy. Finally we were again in Europe where our enemy was responsible for spreading death and devastation.
At the end of April, we arrived in the region of St. Michael mountain peak, 782, near Monte Casino. Our commitment to this region played an important role in the outcome of the World War II and the history of Europe. From then on we began our preparation for the fourth battle of Monte Casino. Since January 1944, the allied forces made three attempts to conquer this difficult strategic point.The Germans fortified themselves in the monastery and surrounding hills to block the passage of allied forces to Liri Valley leading to Rome. The battle of Monte Casino, therefore, became the battle for Rome.
Since January 1944, three attempts by allied forces to conquer Monte Casino were led first by the Americans, second the British, and finally the New Zealanders and Hindu units. The fourth one scheduled to begin at midnight on May 11th, ended in victory on May 18th due to gallantry of Poles who captured the high areas, which had not been taken by the previous fighters.
The preparations for the attack were done in total secrecy. Artillery guns and ammunition were moved to their proper positions on the mountains and in the valleys, during the cover of night. Our trucks were covered with brushwood and other materials. Our regiment had 24 artillery cannons: each one requiring 800 pieces of ammunition, which we had to pull up with ropes from the place where the trucks had to stop. This required tremendous effort. After we completed putting the canons in the proper positions, I had to return the truck to Venafro located 8 km from our area. It was dark, the roads were terrible and there was constant danger of German fire.
At 11 o'clock, all hell broke loose! Over a thousand allied artillery guns fired on German positions for two hours causing great devastation. We saw flickering light and heard thunder that caused the ground to move. All this stayed in my memory for many years and I experienced the same sensations every time I revisited the Polish cemetery at Monte Casino on special anniversaries of the battle.
On May 12th, we knew that we hadn't reached our objectives and that the fight must go on. The casualties were very heavy. We had to exchange one of our guns. Fear or not, this dangerous manoeuvre had to be performed, which we successfully completed during the next night.
On May 13th, all drivers had to go in one place to be ready to move in case of an unexpected enemy attack. As I drove my vehicle I was surrounded by hundreds of jeeps and ambulances bringing wounded and killed soldiers. These were such sombre and tragic events of the war, which brought tears to my eyes and pain into my heart. Among the dead and wounded were some of my close friends. My feelings intensified when I came to a bend in the road and saw General Lees, Commander of the eighth army, standing on the jeep saluting all those who were passing by.
On May 17, I replaced one of the artilleryman. After discharging 150 shells I could not hear the officer's command and realized that my hearing was gone. Released from my post, initially I sat by a brook but could not hear anything for three hours. It was very frightening experience and I was very happy when some of my hearing slowly returned.
On May 18th, our army captured the Monastery of Monte Casino and placed the Polish flag on its top. The feelings of pride and happiness were mixed with sadness. We opened the road to Rome for the allied forces but lost so many young people who in their short lives experienced much suffering in Russian slave labour camps and the campaign of 1939. Our Commander, General Wladyslaw Anders congratulated us and expressed sadness because so many lives were lost. There was also another reason for anxiety and sadness. He could not promise us free Poland. Was this super human effort of Polish soldiers and victory won with such sacrifice for nothing? Not quite. Polish soldiers were always faithful to the motto: "We fight for our and your freedom". Did the world recognized this significance?
This was not the end of the action.We began bringing our guns down and worked hard on clearing out the area. At the end of May, we were given a short rest in the city of Moreona. On June 3rd, we were send to Ortona. Here we took part in a fierce battle along with the Canadian army. Next we took Pescara, Fermo, and Loreto. After the victory at Loreto, I was transferred to the reconnaissance unit. Now I travelled on a motorcycle and followed closely the positions of the infantry.
Polish Lancers of Carpathian regiment were moving toward Ancona and our artillery supplied the shielding fire. After many fierce battles Ancona was captured and it became a main supply base for the allied forces in Italy. Next came Senigalia. The German army fought hard to stop our advances by planting mines on roads and fields. When finally our troops, together with the Canadian division took Metauro, the Gothic line was broken and the German Army was in retreat. We then entered Pesaro, which we considered to be our final battle in the Adriatic campaign. We were proud and happy. The rest period was earned and welcomed.
In January of 1945, I was chosen to attend the non-commissioned Officers Artillery School in Marcerata-Saracena. The program ended in April 1945. We received our diplomas in the presence of our Colonel, Z. Lakinski, commander of Artillery of the 3rd Carpathian Division who congratulated me, on achieving very good results and a promotion. That night the celebration included a banquet and dance to which the Italian girls were invited too.
On April 3, I returned to my artillery unit. Lieutenant Styczynski welcomed me and expressed his pleasure on having a knowledgeable artilleryman. However after a few days he informed me that, in spite of his petition to have me stay with my unit, I was transferred to the regimental headquarters, where my expertise was put to very good use.
Our regiment supported lancers & infantry in a forceful attack at the River Senio and Santemo. In addition to the difficulties of the battle we suffered heavy losses from the allied air forces "friendly fire". Our infantry, with the help of the artillery and tanks broke the German lines of defence. General Rudnicki was in charge of this action.
The fighting continued. General Rudnicki now concentrated on the advance on Bologna, which was liberated by the Polish army on April 21, 1945. We entered Bologna before the Americans.
Soon, Winston Churchill declared that since the war was over we, the Polish soldiers, should return to Poland. After the strong intervention of the Polish Government in Exile, Churchill agreed to have the Polish army transferred to England for a temporary stay. A special Polish Resettlement Corps, was organized to prepare the transition of Polish soldiers to civilian life or emigration to other countries.
I arrived in England in November 1946. On November 4, 1946, I signed a two-year contract with the Polish Resettlement Corps. which allowed me to continue to receive soldier's pay and was allowed to continue my education as part of the preparations for civilian life.
On completion of the program at Commercial College I had to leave the Resettlement Corps. To obtain my discharge I had to go to Newmarket. In November 1948, 1 received my final discharge papers.In the meantime many Polish families living temporarily in India and Africa began joining their soldiers in England. In May of 1948 the Lukaszewicz family, including Alina arrived in Daglingworth, Gloustershire.
I met Alina in February of 1940 in gulag Poldniewica, when she was only fourteen. She became my wife in April 1949 and together we raised a family of four sons. Two of them, Bogumil and Lech, were born in England. In 1955 we immigrated to Alberta, to start a new life in Canada.
The beginnings in Canada were very difficult, but in our home, there was love and cooperation. Sons: Bozek, Leszek, Mark and Adam received very good education. They gained good positions in their professions, and started their own families. Our family grew by four grandchildren.
After the war, I was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and in recognition of my service, I received the following medals: Bronze Cross of Merit, Cross of Monte Casino and Army Medal. Gold Cross of Merit (1960) and Gold Medal (1990) from the Polish Government in Exile. From the Italian Government, I received the Star of Defense (1939-1945), and the British Ministry of Defence I was given the Medal War (1939 - 1945). There were many other awards and recognitions.
For political and community involvement, that began in England and which I continued in Edmonton, as chairperson of the Canadian Polish Congress - Alberta Branch, the National Treasury, Friends of KUL. I was the chairman of the Polish Flood Relief Committee in 1997. ($ 100,000 was collected) as well as a member the National Council, of the Polish Government in Exile and a board member of the Millennium Fund in Toronto. Together with my wife we were involved in the Holy Rosary parish in Edmonton as lectors and Eucharistic Ministers.
Aleksander Romanko
Edited by Zofia Kamela and Helena Fita
The above text is based on Mr. Aleksander Romanko's narrative which is contained in the book by Alina Maria M. Romanko, "From Russian Gulag To Alberta Prairies," as well as hand written information, provided by Mrs. Alina Maria Romanko (January, 2011).
