Mass repressions against Poles in Vinnytsia region, Ukraine, in 1937– –1938 on pages of investigatory files

Abstract

The article deals with reasons, course and results of repressions directed against the Polish population in Vinnytsia region in Soviet Ukraine during the years of the Great Terror. On the basis of investigatory files materials the procedure of the socalled “Polish Operation” conducted by the NKVD Special Board from August 1937 to November 1938 is presented. The investigations were held speedily and extrajudicially (ex curia). Most persons of Polish descent were convicted of anti- Soviet agitation and propaganda on the ground of Chapter 54–10 of the Ukrainian SSR Criminal Code. Accusations incriminated to the arrested concerned national activities including defence of Polish schools, patriotic upbringing of children and youth, keeping and distribution of Polish literature, as well as religious activity, ties with catholic priests and relatives in Poland, practicing sabotage for the benefit of Poland, criticism against kolkhozes (collective farms) etc. The sentence of convicts most often was to be shot, or from 5 to 10 years of correctional forced labour camp. Most victims of repressions were rehabilitated during Khrushchev “thaw”, after Stalin’s death or after 1989.