Published: 09th April 2010
:: Prisoner of the Gestapo ::
A Memoir of Survival and Captivity in Wartime Poland
Tom Firth
Buy Now for only £19.99*
:: CLICK TO ORDER TODAY ::
From Pen & Sword Books
ISBN: 9781848842069
Type: Hardback
Pages: 192
Tom Firth begins his extraordinary memoir by describing his unusual childhood in Japan and the devastating Yokohama earthquake in 1923. In 1930 the family settled in his mother’s native Poland only to split up when Poland was overrun by the Nazis and the Russians in 1939. Whilst his father and older brother were in England, Tom found himself trapped in the Russian zone and eventually made his way to Warsaw where his mother had survived the bombing of the city.
He vividly describes life under both regimes, as well as the cat-and-mouse game his mother was forced to play with the Gestapo in order to avoid arrest. Later, both became deeply involved with the sheltering of escaped British prisoners of war and this led to his capture, interrogation and imprisonment in Krakow jail before being miraculously released after eighteen months. After many harrowing experiences he got through to the Red Army only toe be imprisoned again. Held for several months in primitive conditions, he was finally handed over to the British Military Mission in Moscow.
He arrived in Britain for the first time as a supply convoy in late 1944. He describes the search for his lost father and brother. Even when re-united, tragedy struck with his mother’s arrest by the Polish Communists. Sentenced to death for alleged espionage, she spent several years in prison, being freed in a Government amnesty and arriving in England in 1956.
Tom Firth was born in Tokyo in 1922. He attended the English Mission School in Kobe before his parents moved to Warsaw in 1930. His dramatic experiences in war-torn Poland are the subject of this memoir. When he at last arrived in Britain he pursued a career as a designer in the motor industry. He married Wyn and raised a family. Shortly after retiring to Cornwall Wyn died.
Prisoner of the Gestapo is a rare and vivid account of a young Englishman’s life in Russian and Nazi-occupied Poland. Tom Firth begins his extraordinary memoir by describing his unusual childhood in Japan and the devastating Yokohama earthquake in 1939. In 1930 the family settled in his mother’s native Poland only to be split up when Poland was overrun by the Nazis and the Russians in 1939.
Tom vividly describes life under both regimes, as well as the cat-and-mouse game his mother was forced to play with the Gestapo in order to avoid arrest. Later, both became deeply involved with the sheltering of escaped British prisoners of war and this led to his capture, interrogation and imprisonment in Krakow jail before being miraculously released after eighteen months.
Tom arrived in Britain for the first time on a supply convoy in late 1944 where he describes the search for his lost father and brother. Even when re-united, tragedy struck with his mother’s arrest by the Polish Communists. Sentenced to death for alleged espionage, she was freed in a Government amnesty and arrived in England in 1956. Prisoner of the Gestapo is a compelling story of courage in the face of terrifying adversity.
Tom Firth was born in Tokyo in 1922. He attended the English Mission School in Kobe before his parents moved to Warsaw in 1930. His dramatic experiences in war-torn Poland are the subject of this memoir. When he at last arrived in Britain he pursued a career as a designer in the motor industry.
:: Military Forums Review Coming Soon! ::
*At the time of printing prices are subject to change.
* All images or video files are the copyright of their respective owners. You may not use any of the images on this site for any purpose without the permission of the copyright holder. *
|
|
Share This Page:
Latest:
29th June 22
Our Journey Comes to an End!
Military Forums Closure
24th March 22
Help for Heroes
FREE COFFEE CUP & FREE UK P&P
1st February 22
Help for Heroes
FREE MUG & FREE UK P&P
31st January 22
Royal British Legion
Poppy Shop
31st January 22
Royal British Legion
Veteran Help
18th January 22
Help for Heroes
New Outdoors Collection & FREE UK P&P
14th January 22
Military Forums
Upgrades & Maintenance.
|
