Remembering the Katyn Massacre as an Example of an Effective Struggle Against Historical Disinformation

On 17 September 1939, the Soviet Union, Hitler’s ally, attacked Poland. Approximately 250,000 Polish soldiers found themselves in captivity. Separately, the Soviets imprisoned members of the Polish elite, whom they considered to be their greatest threat: professional officers and reservists, including scientists, artists, journalists, lawyers, teachers, physicians, engineers, clergymen of various faiths, and policemen. In the spring of 1940, by decision of supreme authorities of the USSR, at least 21,768 prisoners were murdered with a shot to the back of the head. The bodies were buried, among others, in deep pits dug in a forest close to Katyn near Smolensk. That crime was to never come to light.