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The '''Naliboki massacre''' was the [[mass killing]] of about 128 ethnic Polish inhabitants of the town of [[Naliboki]] (then [[Occupation of Poland (1939–1945)|German occupied Poland]], now Western [[Belarus]]) on [[May 8]], [[1943]], by [[Soviet partisans]]. |
The '''Naliboki massacre''' was the [[mass killing]] of about 128 ethnic Polish inhabitants of the town of [[Naliboki]] (then [[Occupation of Poland (1939–1945)|German occupied Poland]], now Western [[Belarus]]) on [[May 8]], [[1943]], by [[Soviet partisans]]. |
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In the lead up to the massacre, Soviet partisans had failed to recruit the Poles of Naliboki |
In the lead up to the massacre, Soviet partisans had failed to recruit the Poles of Naliboki, who instead showed allegience to the pro-Western [[Home Army]]. An agreement was signed between the Soviets and Poles represented by a [[guerilla]] unit led by Eugeniusz Klimowicz to divide local territory, not to attack each other, and to act together against the Germans and bandit groups also based in the nearby forests. |
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The Soviets did not respect the agreement and on the night of May 8–9, 1943, Soviet partisans from the [[Naliboki Forest]] entered Naliboki to kill Poles and [[Looting|pillage]] the town. |
The Soviets did not respect the agreement and on the night of May 8–9, 1943, Soviet partisans from the [[Naliboki Forest]] entered Naliboki to kill Poles and [[Looting|pillage]] the town. |
Revision as of 17:14, 7 September 2009
The Naliboki massacre was the mass killing of about 128 ethnic Polish inhabitants of the town of Naliboki (then German occupied Poland, now Western Belarus) on May 8, 1943, by Soviet partisans.
In the lead up to the massacre, Soviet partisans had failed to recruit the Poles of Naliboki, who instead showed allegience to the pro-Western Home Army. An agreement was signed between the Soviets and Poles represented by a guerilla unit led by Eugeniusz Klimowicz to divide local territory, not to attack each other, and to act together against the Germans and bandit groups also based in the nearby forests.
The Soviets did not respect the agreement and on the night of May 8–9, 1943, Soviet partisans from the Naliboki Forest entered Naliboki to kill Poles and pillage the town.
It has been alleged that the Jewish Communist Bielski partisans supported the Soviets (with whom they had a co-operative relationship) in the massacre. But survivors of the Bielski group have denied this, particularly after the release of a film about them, entitled Defiance.[1][2][3]
The Polish Institute for National Remembrance (IPN) has been investigating the massacre. Although the IPN has not reported its findings as of April 2009, one researcher from the institute has said that the Bielski partisans were not involved.[4] However, the investigation is at initial stage and some Jewish partisans have been identified by survivors as directly involved in masacre.[5].
After the village was overrun by the Soviet partisans, men presumed to belong to the Armia Krajowa were rounded up and systematically executed one by one or in small groups near the homes they were taken from. Also killed were three women, several teenagers and a ten-year-old boy. Houses were looted and then set on fire, including the town's church, school, fire station and post office. The raid took two to three hours.
The partisans reported the killing of 250 people, the capture of weapons, 100 cows and 78 horses, and the destruction of a German garrison. In reality the number of victims was lower (now estimated at 120-129) and no Germans were present/killed; only one Belarussian auxiliary policeman happened to be sleeping in the town during the night of the attack. A few of the attackers were also killed.
Naliboki was completely burned down by the Germans four months later, in August 1943, as part of a massive anti-partisan action code-named Operation Hermann. The remaining inhabitants were taken to Germany for forced labor.
See also
References
- ^ A Hollywood Movie About Heroes or Murderers?, Gazeta Wyborcza, 2008-06-16
- ^ Template:En icon The True Story of the Bielski Brothers Template:Pl icon Prawdziwa historia Bielskich, Gazeta Wyborcza, 2009-01-06
- ^ Kamil Tchorek (2008-12-31). "Country split over whether Daniel Craig is film hero or villain". The Times. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ http://www.rp.pl/artykul/61991,256256_Bielski__w_puszczy__niedomowien.html
- ^ http://www.ipn.gov.pl/wai/pl/198/3395/
- Template:Be icon 65-годзьдзе замоўчанай налібоцкай трагедыі.
- Template:Pl icon Śledztwo w sprawie zbrodni popełnionych przez partyzantów radzieckich na żołnierzach Armii Krajowej i ludności cywilnej na terenie powiatów Stołpce i Wołożyn.
- Template:Pl icon Informacja o stanie śledztwa w sprawie zabójstwa w maju 1943 roku mieszkańców miasteczka Naliboki pow. Stołpce woj. nowogródzkie
External links
- Massacres in Koniuchy and Naliboki
- Naliboki Catholic cemetery
- An Online Memorial of Those Rescued by the Bielski Partisans and Survived the Holocaust from Lida Lida Memorial Society Homepage Stories, Pictures and More