Thread by @polishodyssey

#OTD in 1940, the #USSR began the third wave of deportations from occupied eastern #Poland. This deportation targeted refugees who had escaped from western to eastern Poland following the German invasion. #WWII

In December 1939, the #USSR and #Germany had agreed to repatriate refugees from their respective occupied territories. Those in the Soviet zone who wished to return to the German zone were required to register with the German authorities and vice versa. #WWII

164,000 people applied to leave the Soviet zone, but Germany only accepted 66,000. The #NKVD then ordered the deportation of refugees who applied to return to #Germany but were not accepted by the German authorities. #WWII

The majority of these individuals were Jewish; Poles, Belarusians, and Ukrainians were included in this deportation as well. Professionals, merchants, and other individuals who would not accept Soviet passports were also targeted for deportation. #WWII

These deportees were classified as “special settlers-refugees” and were exiled to special settlements in #Siberia. Like the Feb. 1940 deportees, these exiles lived under the supervision of the #NKVD. Unlike the Feb. exiles, many were not considered eligible for “amnesty”. #WWII

Deported by the #USSR to the #Komi ASSR, these #Polish exiles were assigned to forced labor in a sewing workshop. 1941. The photo comes from the collection of D. Rabinowitz; her parents were deported by the USSR on June 29, 1940 to #Gulag #53 in Komi. #WWII