In this episode, we explore the harrowing experience of Polish civilians under Soviet occupation, as recounted by Stella Synowiec-Tobis. While the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, is widely recognized, fewer people are aware of the Soviet invasion on September 17, 1939, which brought immense suffering to millions of Poles. This was part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and remains a lesser-known chapter of WWII. Many Poles experienced Soviet rule as harshly as Nazi occupation, with as many as 1.7 million deported to Siberia, where a quarter perished due to the severe conditions.
Stella’s story is a personal account of this tragic history. Orphaned young, she and her family fled in fear of Soviet capture, eventually hiding in barns and attics. In April 1940, they were discovered by the NKVD and forced into overcrowded boxcars bound for Siberia. The journey was brutal, with minimal food, water, and hygiene. In Siberia, Stella, only twelve, fought against constant starvation and illness, surviving on meager rations and enduring harsh winters. Her descriptions of gnawing hunger and extreme deprivation illustrate the hardship faced by Polish deportees.
The suffering intensified in Soviet labor camps where children, the elderly, and the weak struggled to survive. Stella’s niece Nina died of dysentery, highlighting the tragic loss endured by countless families. The 1941 agreement between the Polish government-in-exile and the Soviet Union enabled many deportees to join the Polish Armed Forces, leading Stella and her family on a perilous journey to freedom. Stella’s story, like those of other survivors, exemplifies resilience in the face of relentless adversity, capturing a critical yet often overlooked piece of Polish history.
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