This is the final part of the Rumbling Clouds of War story which covers the journey of Władysław Kluzek as he moved across Europe. He managed to survive the 1939 invasion of Poland only to be interned in a camp. After this he moved across Europe to find himself in France around May 1940 where he came under French command. At this point he engaged in fighting again. After this he was transferred to the United Kingdom and arrived late June 1940 at which point he came under British command. It was in Scotland that he eventually met his future wife and emigrated to Australia to become a farmer.
This project was an exploration of my imaginings and research about my Grandfather. He died many years ago. He didn’t talk much about this time and as I did some research, I think it started to make sense as to why. The story isn’t particular exceptional. Lots of civilians and military people must have made their way across Europe during this time. And most I suspect were subjected in some way to the horrors of war. I know Władysław was. So this is a reflection on what that must have felt like for him and all those others that made it through or didn’t. There was, for my Grandfather, a life beyond World War II. For many others there wasn’t.
I didn’t anticipate releasing this during a major global crisis but I also didn’t see any point in delaying it more than it had been already. All I can think of is that we will all be on the other side of this at some point. I genuinely hope that you reading this are OK and that your loved ones are also.
Mark Kluzek
The Doomed Bird of Providence 