Objects

The so-called "big notebook" in black covers, kept in the archives and dating from Marek Szwarc's service in the Polish Army in Great Britain, begins with an entry dated 25 May 1941, when Senior Gunner Szwarc began a seven-week course for "managers" (i.e. drivers). Apart from detailed notes on the training (e.g. on engine construction) we find drawings of an induction coil (ignition), road signs (with explanations) and a portrait of Major Groniowski, who conducted the lectures (the latter would probably not be found in the notebooks of other course participants). Szwarc told his wife about his driving lessons: "I would like to learn to drive well by then. It might come in handy. Proper driving has not yet begun for me. I shall start driving from Monday. Oh! not alone - but as a chauffeur's assistant. I will get a car only in a few weeks'. (letter from Marek Szwarc to Gina Szwarc of 23 August [1941]). On his first attempt he did not pass the exam, but in the autumn he already wrote: "Driving is going well for me. I am careful - so far" (Marek Szwarc's letter to Gina Szwarc of 28 October 1941).

In addition, the notebook contains interesting reminiscences of his service in the Polish Army in France in the years 1939-1940 (see note to: A side cap, MPOLIN-M1176); a fragment transcribed from Ksawery Pruszyński's book "Droga wiodła przez Narwik" [The Road Led Through Narvik] (from p. 74); notes in Polish and French; and, as always with Szwarc, sketches and pen sketches.

Renata Piątkowska