In 1944, after we left, Antanas felt confident that the Russians would treat him properly.
The hydroelectric project he was working on would require another two years and since
he was a US Citizen born in Philadelphia he had nothing to fear.
Well, the hydroelectric project ended by 1947. Antanas was ready to go home to the US.
But no, the Commissars wanted Antanas to help on another project. Antanas packed his
bags and took a train ride toward Moscow. Somewhere along the way he was transferred
to a box car without explanation. It became clear that his reward for working on the Hydro
project would be an all expense paid trip to Siberia.
The train went on its way toward Murmansk. The line was one of several built during the
war to transport supplies from Murmansk and to return with wood and tanks that needed
repair. Every so many kilometers there was a wood stop. Barren waste land as far as the
eye would see.
The train stops again to drop off wood. This time all passengers are told to get out. They
are welcomed to their new home. Broken down shacks, junked war equipment consisting
of tanks and trucks and a few guard towers. Someone asked why there were no fences.
A guard replied "So where you going to run?"There was just open space for at least 50
kilometer around. Frozen tundra in the winter, bug infested swamp in the summer and a
railroad line north to south. Who needs a fence. An escapee will either freeze, drown or
get caught.
Great "Welcome to your New Home"! The train crew threw out shovel, picks, hammers
and other assorted tools and supplies. "Here now build your new housesand plant your
potatoes. Spring is just around the corner." The train continued north and left its
passengers and a small contingent of Russian guards.
It was very cold. Someone suggested that everyone might as well find shelter. Very
quickly little groups formed for self protection. The new colony (prison) was made
up of Russian criminals, German prisoners of war, American and British fighter pilots
that got shot down and landed in Russian occupied territory, Poles, Jews and other
ethnic groups including Lithuanians whose only crime was being educated or non
Russian and thought to be a threat by some Commissar.
Gradually the shacks turned into habitable shelters. Some groups got jealous of other
groups who managed to have better quarters. Antanas was an engineer and in his tight
group were a few other Lithuanians, a German, several Brits and a Frenchman. Antanas
noticed the shells of broken down tanks just outside the compound and got permission
from the Russian guards to scavenge the area. He devised a way to make shears to cut
metal. With the cut up metal his group made various other items. They built a stove, some
large vats and sundry other items. Some of their products they bartered with several other
groups for needed commodities. The Russian criminals got better treatment by the guards.
They also got better rations. They were also very lazy. Antanas's group started a good
little business and seemed to have as much as the Russians.
However, it was difficult keeping certain rations. When the sugar distribution came
(monthly) Antanas would swallow it right then and there for fear of it being stolen.
All prisoners were allowed to receive one letter a year. Antanas never got one because
no one knew he was there. Some of the prisoners started to die off. Strong husky men
dropped dead from lack of determination. They huddled in a corner and gave up. Antanas
and his group were determined that they would eventually be free again. They learned
from each other. Antanas taught Lithuanian and he learned German, Polish and French.
This determination kept them going in a land where there was little to do after dark. There
were many dark nights this far north and the winters were extremely long.
Then gradually the prisoners of war were sent home. The German told Antanas that he
would not forget him. The German went home. Instead of a greeting, he found that his
wife had sold his business, remarried and lost all his money. She thought her husband
was dead. The German was devastated. He made plans to go to Australia. However, prior
to leaving he wrote to a major Philadelphia newspaper telling them that a citizen of the
US born in Philadelphia was being detained in a Russian prison camp in Siberia.
A reporter in Philadelphia did a follow up on this letter and found that Antanas's parents
now lived in New York City (Brooklyn). Antanas was not aware of what was happening.
The German knew that if he wrote to Antanas his yearly letter would be wasted. He
contacted the Red Cross and told them about Antanas.
Everyone, as usual, gathered for the mail call. Antanas was shocked when his name was
called. He got a post card from the Red Cross requesting that he confirm who he was.
Finally after all these years he could send a letter out.
Boy could he tell a story. We were riveted to his every word.
Every night he told great stories.
© copyright Raymond Balta