Section 1.5: Disagreements over Poland

When was the Katyn Forest Massacre?

1943

True or false: Germany discovered the bodies of thousands of Polish officers who had disappeared in the Eastern zone under Soviets control.

True

How many Polish officers were killed?

20,000

Who executed the Polish officers in the Katyn Forest Massacre and why?

The Soviet secret police, also known also the NKVD, executed them to make a communist takeove rin Poland.

Why did the Massacre increase Anglo-Soviet tensions?

•Stalin denied the accusations (aka the truth) and instead he cut relations with Poland.

•This put Britain in a difficult postion as they allied with the Soviets but supported Poland

Who was the Home army?

Main non-communist restrained movement in German-Soviet-occupied Poland

True or false: The home army has 150,000 soldiers

False: 300,000

When did the home army form and who were they loyal to?

The home army formed in 1942 and were loyal to the polish government-in-exile.

What is the word for people living in a particular country or area?

Populace

What did the Soviets call for in Warsaw July 1944 and what did it do?

Called on the populace for a rise in revolt in Warsaw which forced the German army to retreat.

Why was the revolt in Warsaw, July 1944 significant ?

It allowed the home army a chance to liberate the polish capital before the red army arrived which gave them a greater influence.

How long did it take for the home army to attach and occupy the city?:

1. 5 days

2. 2 days

3. 7 days

4. 3 days

4. 3 days

Why did the home army's liberation of the Polish capital eventually fail?

•Stalin halted advances of the supporting red army and refused allied planes to deliver supplies

•Stalin disarmed Polish units on their way to Warsaw

How did the UK and USA try to diffuse the situation?

They send a Polsih airlift from Italy to supply the home army in Warsaw for a month (August-September) in 1944

Why did the Polish airlift increase tensions?

•The long supply delivery allowed the Germans to regroup and crush the rising

•The Nazis were able to shoot down the airlift and take half of the supplies and killed 360 airmen

•This disturbed Churchill but passed it the poles as a sacrifice for the USSR to remain in the Grand Alliance