Today marks the anniversary of the tragic and forgotten Russian crime. A crime on a larger scale than Volhynia or Katyn. “The NKVD’s Polish Operation (1937–1938) was a planned, mass crime of an ethnic cleansing and genocidal nature, which led to the extermination of at least 111 thousand people; historians’ estimates reach as high as 200 thousand.
This action was launched on August 11, 1937, under the secret Order No. 00485 issued by NKVD chief Nikolai Yezhov with the full consent of Joseph Stalin.Under the pretext of ‘complete liquidation of Polish spy networks,’ the Soviets carried out the total elimination of the Polish population residing in the territory of the USSR. The basis for arrest was simply Polish origin, surname, or Roman Catholic faith.
The Soviets sought out victims http://m.in in telephone books or workplace registries. Victims were divided into two categories – the first meant immediate execution by shooting, and the second meant deportation to labor camps for 5 to 10 years. Over 80% of those detained were murdered with a shot to the back of the head.
Lightning-fast procedures: Sentences were issued by so-called ‘Trojkas’ (special NKVD commissions) without trials, without the presence of the accused, and without defenders, often approving lists en masse. Fate of families: Wives of executed men were sent to labor camps (GULAG), and their children were placed in special Soviet orphanages, where they were subjected to forced Russification and indoctrination.”
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 