Dzieje obozu NKWD/MWD nr 503 Kemerowo, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem pobytu w nim osób aresztowanych w Europie Środkowo-Wschodniej w 1945 roku

Abstract

The article describes the process of detaining civilians by the agents of NKVD nad SMERSH (counter-intelligence agency in the Red Army) in the years 1944–1945, when the Red Army was entering to Central and Eastern Europe. The fortunes of arrested by soviets are presented by the example of one of three crucial camps located in Siberia, where people detained in 1945 were sent; between them there were also Poles – mainly from Eastern Pomerania and Upper Silesia. It was camp number 503 with its headquarters in Kemerowo. Basic historical records used in the study are reports written by the camp’s management to Main Administration for Affairs of Prisoners of War and Internees (GUPVI) and the witnesses’ accounts of their stay in the camp. The article describes the organization of the camp, living conditions of the detainees, the ways of employing them in siberian industry, question of deaths and comeback of these prisoners, who managed to survive the stay in the camp.