The first mass deportation of Polish citizens into the russian Union took place on the night from 9 to 10 February 1940. It was 1 of 4 large exports, which included hundreds of thousands of Poles surviving in east areas of the Second Republic, occupied by the USSR after aggression on September 17, 1939.
After the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact was concluded in August 1939, Germany and the russian Union divided the territory of Poland. As a consequence of the aggression on September 17, 1939, the USSR occupied east areas of the Second Republic, covering about 52% of its territory with a population of over 13 million people. The russian business of these areas active a brutal repression policy aimed at eliminating possible opponents of the fresh power and the sovietisation of society. The first months of business brought arrests, executions and liquidation of the institution of the Polish state.
Already in December 1939 the russian authorities began preparations for mass deportations of the population from occupied areas. On the basis of orders from the NKVD, lists of persons considered to be “anti-Soviet elements” or “socially dangerous” were drawn up. Among them were military settlers, foresters, state officials, policemen, teachers and members of their families. The deportations aimed not only at weakening the Polish opposition potential, but besides at changing the demographic structure of occupied areas to facilitate their integration into the USSR.
The deportation began at night from 9 to 10 February 1940. The NKVD troops, frequently as well as local militias, surrounded the homes of designated families, giving them from a twelve to 10 minutes to pack the most needed things. Many of the deportees were not allowed to take anything with them but the necessities. They were then transported to railway stations, where cattle carriages were waiting to transport people.
Travel conditions were highly difficult. There was a compression in the cars, deficiency of heating, food and water. The temperature was up to -40°C during this period. Many deportees, especially children and elderly, died during the journey due to cold, hunger and exhaustion.
The deportees were mainly sent to the archangelic, shrewd, neosibirski and Siberian circuits. They were settled in primitive barracks, frequently without appropriate heating and equipment. The exiles were forced to work hard, including by logging forests, mines, road construction and industrial infrastructure. The work was exhausting and the wage was symbolic or none.
Insufficient food, deficiency of adequate clothing and medical care led to advanced mortality among the deportees. In any camps, mortality reached even a fewer twelve percent. Despite hard conditions, Poles tried to organize social and cultural life. Secret schools were established, spiritual services were organized, helping to last exile and keep national identity.
It is estimated that about 140,000 Polish citizens were exported as part of the first deportation. In total, as a consequence of the 4 deportation waves between 1940 and 1941, the number of people deported could scope up to 1 million. Many of them never returned to their homeland. They died of exhaustion, disease, or execution.
Those who survived frequently suffered trauma and wellness problems for the remainder of their lives. russian authorities were doing everything possible to cover up their crimes, which further hindered later efforts to commemorate these events.
The memory of russian deportations and repressions against Poles is inactive alive in Polish society. Anniversary celebrations, the activities of Kombatant and Endowment Organizations and technological and literary publications remind of the destiny of exiles. In Poland there are many museums and institutions that paper these events, including the Institute of National Memory.
An crucial component of historical education is reminding about the destiny of deported Poles, so that subsequent generations are aware of the hard past and appreciate the value of freedom and independence. Deportations inside the USSR became a symbol of suffering, but besides of the perseverance and integrity of Poles in the face of totalitarian regime.
Daria Jagiełło
Photo: screenshot from the movie “Polish Siberia”
