People and Methods: Smashing the Independence Underground in Lubartów (July 1944 – April 1947) Cover Image

Ludzie i metody. Rozbijanie podziemia niepodległościowego w Lubartowskiem (lipiec 1944 – kwiecień 1947)
People and Methods: Smashing the Independence Underground in Lubartów (July 1944 – April 1947)

Author(s): Sławomir Poleszak
Subject(s): Political history, Social history, Political behavior, WW II and following years (1940 - 1949)
Published by: Instytut Studiów Politycznych PAN
Keywords: Home Army; Freedom and Independence Association; independence underground; anti-communist underground; Security Offi ce; repression apparatus; NKVD; Lubartów;

Summary/Abstract: The Lubartów district was one of the poorest areas of the Lublin province; nevertheless, strong structures of the independence underground subordinated and then reporting to the legitimate Polish government in exile were active in its area. The main crackdown on the underground occurred between August 1944 and April 1947. In the fi rst year after the communists took power, the Soviets and the structures of the repression apparatus created in Lubartów took the main role in smashing the local underground. Its Polish offi cers mostly came from rural backgrounds and were poorly educated and trained. Ethnically, they were mostly Poles. However, at the District Public Security Offi ce (PUBP) in Lubartów, two of the fi rst three PUBP managers were Ukrainians by origin. The section that was responsible for fi ghting the underground was initially headed by a Jew, who was succeeded by a Ukrainian. Despite their low level of education and training, it was security offi ce (UB) offi cers who were victorious in the crackdown on the local underground. Soviet assistance, violence and lawlessness guaranteed success.

  • Issue Year: 51/2023
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 195-225
  • Page Count: 31
  • Language: Polish