The Augustow Roundup of July 1945: Accounts of the Brutal Soviet Repression of Polish Resistance

In 1945, the Polish Home Army was re-formed to counter Soviet repressions, and over 7,000 HA freedom fighters were arrested and tortured in the northeastern Augustow region. Two thousand of them were never seen again, and their relatives are still searching for answers and the location of their mass burial. This book examines the events through eyewitness testimonies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2023
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

In 1945, remnants of the Polish Home Army re-formed to counter the brutal Soviet repressions that were taking place in Poland. In July of that year, over 7,000 HA freedom fighters were arrested in the northeastern Augustow region and held in barns, pigsties, and warehouses where they were beaten and tortured. Two thousand of these freedom fighters were never seen again; their whereabouts remain a mystery to this day. Seventy-five years later, their relatives continue to search for answers and the location of their mass burial. This book examines the fateful events of the Augustow Roundup, also known as "little Katyn," through eyewitness testimonies.

The Polish Home Army, a resistance movement formed during World War II, played a significant role in the fight against **** Germany. After the war, the Soviet Union occupied Poland and began implementing a policy of repression and persecution against the Polish population. The Polish Home Army, led by Colonel Ryszard Kotowski, re-formed in 1945 to resist the Soviet occupation and protect Polish citizens from the brutal repressions of the Soviet regime.

In July 1945, the Soviet authorities launched a massive operation to arrest and detain Polish Home Army members in the northeastern Augustow region. Over 7,000 HA freedom fighters were rounded up and held in inhumane conditions, including barns, pigsties, and warehouses. The freedom fighters were subjected to brutal beatings and torture, with many dying as a result of their injuries.

Two thousand of the arrested HA freedom fighters were never seen again. Their whereabouts remain a mystery to this day, and their relatives continue to search for answers and the location of their mass burial. The Augustow Roundup, also known as "little Katyn," has become a symbol of the brutalities of the Soviet regime and a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Polish Home Army in the fight for freedom.

Eyewitness testimonies provide a powerful account of the events of the Augustow Roundup. One such testimony comes from Janusz Kusociński, a young Polish soldier who was arrested and held in a barn in Augustow. Kusociński described the horrific conditions in which the freedom fighters were held, including the lack of food, water, and medical care. He also recounted the beatings and torture that the freedom fighters were subjected to, including electric shocks, cigarette burns, and sexual abuse.

Kusociński's testimony is just one of many that provide a glimpse into the horrors of the Augustow Roundup. Other witnesses include Maria Kowalska, who was arrested and held in a pigsty, and Stanisław Kowalski, who was arrested and held in a warehouse. Kowalski described the fear and desperation that the freedom fighters felt as they were held in inhumane conditions, and the hopelessness that they felt as they realized that they were likely to be executed or sent to labor camps.

The Augustow Roundup was not the only mass execution of Polish Home Army members by the Soviet regime. In total, over 20,000 Polish soldiers and civilians were executed by the Soviet authorities during the post-war period, including over 10,000 Polish Home Army members. The mass executions were carried out in secret, and the Soviet authorities attempted to erase any evidence of their existence.

The discovery of the mass graves at the site of the Augustow Roundup in 1990 marked a significant moment in the history of Poland and the fight for truth and justice. The graves contained the remains of over 1,000 Polish soldiers and civilians who were executed by the Soviet regime. The discovery of the graves provided a powerful testament to the sacrifices made by the Polish Home Army and the brutalities of the Soviet regime.

The Augustow Roundup has also had a significant impact on the relationship between Poland and Russia. The discovery of the mass graves has led to increased tensions between the two countries, with Poland accusing Russia of complicity in the mass executions. Russia has denied any involvement in the mass executions, but has expressed regret for the suffering of the Polish people during the post-war period.

In conclusion, the Augustow Roundup was a tragic event that marked a turning point in the history of Poland and the fight for freedom. The mass execution of Polish Home Army members by the Soviet regime was a brutal and inhumane act that has left a lasting legacy. The discovery of the mass graves at the site of the Augustow Roundup in 1990 marked a significant moment in the history of Poland and the fight for truth and justice. The events of the Augustow Roundup serve as a reminder of the importance of standing up against oppression and injustice and the sacrifices that must be made to achieve freedom and democracy.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476689043