Odzyskać nadzieję, wrócić do Ojczyzny. Związek Patriotów Polskich w Południowym Kazachstanie 1944-1946
Regain hope, return to Homeland. Union of Polish Patriots in the South Kazakhstan 1944-1946

Author(s): Wojciech Marciniak
Subject(s): History, WW II and following years (1940 - 1949)
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: Deportation; exile; Sybiraks; Union of Polish Patriots in the USSR; repatriation; Kazakhstan
Summary/Abstract: The Soviet aggression against Poland in 1939 resulted in numerous repressions against Polish citizens. The most massive form of repression was the deportation of Poles and Jews into interior of the Soviet Union (four action from years 1940-1941). Over 320.000 people were deported into Russia, Siberia and Kazakhstan. The book discusses the fate of Polish citizens who found themselves in the southern areas of the Kazakh SSR – in the South Kazakhstan Region. After the resumption of diplomatic relations between Poland and the USSR in 1941, the deported were able to benefit from the help of the Polish Embassy and its local delegations. The disclosure by the Germans of the Katyn massacre in 1943 became a pretext for Stalin to sever relations with the Polish government in London. After April 25, 1943, the Polish exiles in the USSR were deprived of official representation, had no chance for help and a change of fate. Soon the Union of Polish Patriots in the USSR was launched – an organization that brings together Polish politicians and activists with a left-wing attitude and ready to cooperate with the Soviet regime. In interior of the USSR local boards of the ZPP were established with the tasks of providing exiles with material aid, developing care and educational activities for exiled children and youth, as well as promoting Polish culture, unfortunately embellished with Stalinist propaganda. In 1944, the first ZPP structures were also established in South Kazakhstan. The book presents segments of the ZPP's activity: organization local and central structures, humanitarian aid, education, cultural and propaganda actions and preparation and conducting the mass repatriation in 1946.

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