S T A L I N ' S E T H N I C C L E A N S I N G
STALIN’S ETHNIC CLEANSING in Eastern Poland
Tales of the Deported 1940-1946
ISBN 1 872286 88 7
FOREWORD
The Association of the Families of the Borderland Settlers has prepared a further book showing what happened to the families of the military settlers in the Eastern territories of the Polish Republic. The request that I write the foreword to this book is both a great joy and privilege.
The first volume “From the Eastern Borderlands of the Polish Republic”, I read at one sitting, and I often go back to it. Each of the osadas it mentioned was a watch tower of faith and Polishness. Their territories are especially dear to me because of their, and my connection with the Regiment of the Krechowiecki Uhlans. So many times have I heard talk of this place, the rural district (Tuczyn) Aleksandria, district Równe, Krechowiecka, and all those photographs – showing churches, buildings, and people. I often glance at the small photograph of one such church in Karłowszczyzna, in Wołyn built by the military settlers of the osadas of Krechowiecka, Hallerowo, Jazłowiecka and Bajonówka.
The inhabitants of these osadas and their families, magnificent and tested Poles, who saved our homeland in 1920 – were the first target of the Red Army’s attack in 1939. An act of revenge and retaliation for the “Miracle of the Vistula”.
All the military and their families were banished from the Eastern Borderland with over one million people being deported into slavery. The stories of these deportees from 1940-1946 is the content of this second volume depicting the history of the Golgotha in the East, I met so many of these people in the camp in Kozelsk, later in Grazovetz, and in the Polish Army of General Anders.
Many were in displaced persons camps in the Middle-East, India, Africa and New Zealand. They distinguished themselves with an unusual culture, clarity of what it meant to be a Pole and a deep faith. Such were the East Borderlanders.
I am particularly happy that this book about their heroic trials in the most horrific conditions, such as only the Bolshevik regime could engender, is being published. These people’s experiences must not be forgotten. This is part of our national identity and our history, our heritage of faith, culture and national character.
I am writing this foreword in Jasna Góra on 7 July 1996 when, before the countenance of the Holy Mother of Częstochowa stand the participants of the Second World Pilgrimage of the Borderlands who have come here to get the Queen of Poland for help in uniting everybody for whom the Borderlands are part of their life. Like all of them I ponder what it means today, and in the future to be a Borderlander. This awareness of being a Borderlander emanates from the experiences which are part of the deep participation of military settler families in the Eastern Borderlands.
The programme for the future for the Borderlanders which we undertook by the altar of the Holy Mother of Jasna Góra I pass on to you in this preface to strengthen your hearts.
The road of the Borderlanders
1. The Borderlander believes in God and worships the Holy Mother.
2. The Borderlander loves Poland and staunchly defends her good name, and by his borderland experiences enriches and supports her with great sacrifice.
3. Each person for the Borderlander is a beloved brother.
4. The Borderlander seeks truth, remembers his history – and in the name of Jesus Christ forgives.
5. Wherever fate scatters the Borderlander he loves his native soil and services her with all his might.
So Help Me God.
Jasna Góra 7 July 1996
Your brother,
Father Zdzisław Peszkowski