Gorajec Massacre
| Gorajec massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of Polish–Ukrainian ethnic conflict | |
| Location | Gorajec, Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Poland |
| Date | April 6, 1945 |
| Target | Ukrainian civilians |
Attack type | Massacre |
| Deaths | 174–400[1] |
| Perpetrators | Internal Security Corps |
| Motive | Anti-Ukrainian sentiment |
Gorajec massacre[2] was the mass killing of Ukrainian civilians that occurred on April 6, 1945, in the village of Gorajec, southeastern Poland. The massacre was carried out by soldiers of the Internal Security Corps. [clarification needed]
Background
[edit]In the aftermath of World War II, southeastern Poland was plagued by escalating tensions between Polish and Ukrainian populations. The Polish government aimed to suppress the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), but these actions often extended to civilians suspected of aiding the insurgents.[3]
The Massacre
[edit]At approximately 5:00 a.m. on April 6, 1945, ISC troops surrounded the village of Gorajec and commenced a mortar bombardment. Despite no UPA presence in the village—only local self-defense forces and civilians—the soldiers entered and killed 174 people, including 32 women, 35 children, and 19 elderly individuals.[3][4]
The operation officially aimed to destroy UPA command structures, but historians and investigations have concluded that this was an act of ethnic violence rather than a military engagement.[4]
Aftermath
[edit]According to investigations conducted by the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), the massacre was unauthorized and not part of a coordinated anti-UPA campaign. It remains one of the bloodiest and least-known atrocities committed against Ukrainian civilians in post-war Poland.
Commemoration
[edit]In 2021, a memorial was erected in Gorajec to honor the Ukrainian victims. A ceremony was held involving a religious service at the local Orthodox church, followed by the unveiling of the monument.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Turlejska, Maria (1966). Z walk przeciwko zbrojnemu podziemiu, 1944-1947 (in Polish). Wydawn. Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowej. p. 112.
- ^ Informacja o działalności Instytutu Pamięci Narodowej – Komisji Ścigania Zbrodni przeciwko Narodowi Polskiemu w okresie 1 lipca 2003 r.–30 czerwca 2004 r. Warszawa, styczeń 2005 1 - strona 177: w sprawie zbrodni popełnionej na obywatelach polskich narodowości ukraińskiej w Gorajcu, pow. Lubaczów; na podstawie mat. Centralnego Archiwum Wojskowego; do śledztwa S 55/03/Zk
- ^ a b Raport ze śledztwa IPN, sygn. akt S 55/03/Zk
- ^ a b Nslowo online, nslowo.pl [dostęp 2017-11-28] (pol.).
- ^ Odsłonięcie pomnika w Gorajcu 2010r.- www.roztoczewschodnie.pl
Bibliography
[edit]- Institute of National Remembrance (IPN). Reports on Post-War Repression in Poland. Warsaw: IPN Press, 2012.
- Wnuk, Rafał. Polish-Ukrainian Conflict 1943–1947. Warsaw: PWN, 2004.
External links
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