Help Identify Location & Date: Stan Konarzewski, Joe Bielecki, & Others

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by RiverdaleDIY, Dec 1, 2022.

  1. RiverdaleDIY

    RiverdaleDIY Member

    This is an EXTREMELY long shot, but it’s the Internet so who knows…

    SHORT VERSION: Trying to identify the location that this photograph was taken, and identify two of the unknown people. The relatively distinctive building in the background, plus the palm trees, plus the relatively distinctive railings, plus the Fez headwear, *may* enable somebody to recognise where the photograph was taken. There’s also a sign on the far right of the photo, which appears to say "Hotel Astoria".

    LONG VERSION:
    -This is a photograph of my Polish Grandfather (In-law), Stanislaw Konarzewski (second from left, Serv. #784818, POW#90062/#77) and his close friend Joe Bialecki (third from left, Service. #783228).
    -We have no idea who the other two people are.
    -The date and location of this photograph is unknown.
    -However, it is anticipated to be circa 1940 and somewhere in Southern Europe, possibly near Marseille or Cassis (We have him in Carpiagne, near here, in January 1940) or Northern Africa, perhaps (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia?).
    -Stan and Joe fought in Poland, fled to France, then onto the UK where they joined the RAF/PAF Bomber Squadrons in 1941. Stan was shot down over France, was captured, and became a POW for 3.5 years and was on The Long March. He made it safely back to the UK in May 1945.
    -We have uncovered significant information and documents regarding Stan’s time in the RAF and as a POW. However, his time in 1939 Poland in 3 PL (3 Pułk Lotniczy, which is the 3rd Air Regiment - Aviation Division of the Polish Army), and 1940 France, is a very big unknown. This photograph is anticipated to have been taken somewhere along his journey from Poland to France, which based on the records we have, seems to have taken 3-4 months.

    Stan & Joe w:Fez Hats.JPG
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2022
  2. Osborne2

    Osborne2 Well-Known Member

    Some Poles escaping through the Balkans may have gone via Syria if I remember correctly.
     
  3. RiverdaleDIY

    RiverdaleDIY Member

    MYSTERY SOLVED: The building is The Petit Serail in Beirut.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2022
    Owen likes this.
  4. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    OK, mystery solved. How?
     
  5. RiverdaleDIY

    RiverdaleDIY Member

    Was just getting to that. I posted in a whole bunch of Facebook groups dedicated to POW's, Poles in exile, etc. and somebody thought they recognised the building, and sure enough...BOOM, there it is!
     

    Attached Files:

    davidbfpo and Owen like this.

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