1952 Press Photo Michael Tonkientecz and his dad

Thirteen year old Michael - bluffs his way to freedom. ~~~~ from behind the iron curtain.: Thirteen year old Micahel Tomkiewiege arrived in London last night and was re-united with his father, now a Blackburn cotton worker, whom he has last seen when he was six months of. Michael's adventure started when he sold his pet rabbits - took some bread and started off on his 100-mile trip to Berlin from his mother's house in Poland. When he reached Berlin he was stopped by a policeman, whom he told "You can't stop me - I am the son of a Russian officer" - he then walked into the West Zone, from which, two months later - he was flown to London. He tried to escape a year ago - but was recaptured. he said that the Russian tell everybody that the streets of London are littered with dirt and rubbish - and that there was no work - and that everybody ate dogs and horse flesh. Photo shows Michael Tonkientecz walking in Hyde Park - with his father today.

Photo measures 8 x 10.25 inches.

Photo is dated 11-11-1952.

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