Michael Kowalski-Kostek
• 1931-Born in wloclawek to a wood craft „shnizers-artist” grandfather and father, had one 3 years older sister. (my mom)
• 1935-Family Moved to Konin, Kostek as a 4 years old boy started to practice carving/engraving wood works (as his father and Grandfather) which appeared very useful later on. The Grandfather left to Palestine at that time.
• 1939- War started The family was deported/moved to ‚Grusdorf-Doutche riche’ zone.
• 1940-Deported/Moved to ‚General Government’ zone in the divided Poland. to the area of Lublinskia/Lubelskia. As a 9 years old child, speaking German and „Arian look” Kostek started to move around between the viliges: ‚Josepuf’, ‚Opatuf’, ‚Ostrovizch’, ‚Bilgoryski’, and ‚Shpintofshki’, lookink for food and other supply.
• 1942-1945- The father was taken by Germans to an unknown destination at that time, Kostek was sure his father died at that year, only 2 years ago a document* from „Yad Va Shem” proved he was transported to ‚Majdanek’ concentration camp-there he was shot dead. The remaining Family (with falls documents that Kostek arranged with his protector who worked at the municipality council) moved to „vaou-zhizce” and Kostek as 11 years old, heard about the Partizans-„Batalion Chuopski”- („Becha”) At „Guri- Shpintofshki’, and joined them. There He started to use his skills: craving imitation of weapons, and as speaking the German Language, He was entering German camps and offices in a „minor espionage” activities, like shining the officers shoes listening/hearing their conversations, and learning their moves, itinerary and such, and bringing this information back to the „Batalion Chuopski”- („Becha”) At „Guri- Shpintofshki’, he did that for three years while maintaining connections with his mother and sister every few weeks.
• 1945-End of the war, the mother and sister got back to the area of wloclawek and konin, the mother was hospitalized as she was badly wounded (loosing sight in one eye, operated in her right arm and other problems) and Kostek separated from them moving to Gdansk and started to work for a wile as a sailor on an „Unra” supply ships docking in port.
• 1946- Having a „Sailor Ticket” Kostek joined The „Bricha” organization which took part in „Aliya Beth” bringing/smuggling the „illegal immigrants” (Survivals Jews from the holocaust) to Palestine, that was still ruled under British Mandate, which didn’t allow that. Kostek was traveling twice as a crew member on these kind of ships from Europe-Italy to Palestine/Israel and back. On his third trip the ship was captured by the British Navy and all were deported to Cyprus (that was also ruled by the British) just not to let those Holocaust survivals to get to The future Israel, in order to relax the Arab population. After three month in Cyprus Kostek some how was listed in the „right list” of ‚Alyat Ha Noar’ allowing him to participate to the next transport to Palestine/Israel.
• 1947- Arriving to Israel Kostek as a young man-16 went usually to school in ‚Magdiel’ but also, joined the „Pal Yam” that was the „marine” troops of becoming Israel.
• 1948-1949-Very short time after the declaration of Israel by the first prime minister ‚David Ben Guryon’ at the beginning of the independence war Mr. Ben Guryon ordered to sink a Jewish ship arriving from Europe with new immigrants and loaded with ammunition. { This ship was arranged (before Israel was Declared) by the ‚right wing’ Jewish under ground, During it’s trip to Israel’s shore that Declaration was declared, and there was kind of agreement between Mr. Ben Guryon And Mr. Begin that 20% of all weapons will go to surrounded/sieged Jerusalem-where under the circumstances the „IDF” was not established yet } Kostek that was assigned to this mission didn’t agree to take part in it-in fear of civilwar- and „disappeared” for a short wile. Later on he was formally recruited to the new born Israeli Army-„IDF” to the new born Navy.