Bachów Massacre
| Bachów massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of Polish–Ukrainian ethnic conflict | |
Memorial to the victims of the Bachów massacre | |
| Location | Bachów, Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Poland |
| Date | March 1945 |
| Target | Ukrainians |
Attack type | Massacre |
| Deaths | 20–100 |
| Perpetrators | People's Army |
| Motive | Anti-Ukrainian sentiment |
Bachów massacre was a massacre of Ukrainian civilians that took place in March 1945 in the village of Bachów, southeastern Poland. The attack was carried out by a unit of the communist-aligned People's Security Guard.
The victims, mostly women, children, and the elderly, were murdered in their homes. The exact number of casualties is disputed, with estimates ranging from 20 to 100.[1][2]
Background
The massacre took place during the tumultuous post-World War II period in the region, characterized by violent ethnic conflicts between Poles and Ukrainians. Following the relocation of Ukrainians as part of Operation Vistula, the population was subjected to retaliatory attacks by both Polish and Ukrainian militias.
The Massacre
The People's Army unit entered Bachów in March 1945 and, after separating the men from the rest of the population, proceeded to execute the civilians. Many of the victims were burned alive or killed in cold blood. The perpetrators were acting under orders from local communist authorities.[1][2]
Aftermath
The event is part of a series of massacres and retaliatory killings in the region during this time. Similar attacks occurred in other villages and were often attributed to ethnic hatred and post-war instability.[3][4]
Monument
A small monument was erected in Bachów to commemorate the victims of the massacre. However, the event remains a controversial and sensitive topic in Polish-Ukrainian relations.
See also
References
- ^ a b Pisuliński wspomina o dwóch napadach - w pierwszym w Bachowie i Brzusce zginęło razem 69 osób, natomiast w drugim napadzie tylko w Bachowie 54 osoby. M. Jasiak podaje liczbę 95 zamordowanych.
- ^ a b W książce "Przesiedlenie ludności ukraińskiej z Polski do USRR w latach 1944-1947" Pisuliński podaje liczbę co najmniej 73 ofiar śmiertelnych (s. 265)
- ^ Гук Богдан, Козак Михайло, Новосад Микола, Яремко Адам, Чужине, іди скажи Україні. Увічнення трагедії Закерзоння в 1944–1947 роках, Przemyśl 2001, s.97
- ^ Grzegorz Motyka - „Tak było w Bieszczadach”, s. 254.