Massacres in Volhynia in 1943 - difficult history of Poland and Ukraine

Tomasz Czajka

University of Opole

Abstract

The article refers to the problem of Polish-Ukrainian relations during the second world war and contemporary relations between both nations. The first part of the article describes horrible events that took place in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia in 1943-1945. Poles living in those areas became victims of nationalist Ukrainian military groups. The time of the second world war was divided into a period of anti-Polish actions which had reached their peak in spring and summer of 1943. At that time well-organized groups of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists with its military arm - Ukrainian Insurgent Army commenced synchronized and planned anti-Polish actions. Second part of the article includes results of a survey carried out by the author among the group of Polish and Ukrainian students. The survey was divided into two parts - the first one relating to opinions on contemporary Polish-Ukrainian relations, and second one relating to the history knowledge of students. This part also includes CBOS survey results which were compared with author’s survey.

Keywords:

Volhynia 1943 Polish-Ukrainian relations second world war nationalists Volhynia massacre