WŁADYSŁAW SOWIŃSKI

Kielce, 9 April 1948, 9.00 a.m. Stanisław Kostera from the Criminal Investigation Section of the Citizens’ Militia Station in Kielce, on the instruction of the Prosecutor from the District Court in Kielce, with the participation of court reporter Jan Zielono from the Criminal Investigation Section, heard the person named below as a witness. Having been advised of the criminal liability for making false declarations and of the wording of Article 140 of the Penal Code, the witness testified as follows:


Name and surname Władysław Sowiński
Parents’ names Leopold and Teofila, née Świercz
Date of birth 23 June 1893
Place of birth Kielce
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic
Occupation bricklayer
Place of residence Kielce, 1 Maja Street 97
Relationship to the parties none

During the German occupation I lived in Kielce at 1 Maja Street 97, but I didn’t stay home all the time as I went to work.

I know that in the school at Piramowicza Street 8 there was a labor camp for prisoners of war, which was set up by the Germans in the fall of 1942 and was operational until August 1944. There were only Poles in that camp.

On average, there were 500–600 people in the camp. During its period of operation, about 2,000 people passed through the camp. As the Germans began to retreat, the wounded prisoners left the camp.

The prisoners did work in the camp, they worked at the railway. The food was average.

There was no infirmary in the camp, but the prisoners received medical assistance and were sent to the hospital if needed.

There were no executions in the camp and nobody died. The prisoners were badly treated, as after work they were drilled and had to do other things.

I cannot establish the surnames of the people who were imprisoned in the camp. I cannot say who was in charge of the camp, but there were several Poles, including Głuszek and Iwański, but they are already dead as they were executed by the Germans.

I know nothing more regarding the present case.

Here, I conclude my testimony.

At this point the report was concluded, read out and signed.