THE TRAGEDY OF THE VILLAGE OF MOLOTKIV (SOUTHERN VOLYNH) DURING WORLD WAR II: ORAL HISTORICAL TESTIMONY

Abstract

The features of Ukrainian-Polish interethnic relations during the Second World War are analayzed on the basis of oral history, that carried out among the population of Volyn during the period of independence; it is clarified the scale of civilian casualties; it is highlighted the Nazi and Soviet factors that incited ethnic hatred among Volynians.The use of the method of oral history made it possible to identify in the territory of Volhynia, in particular in the village of Molotkov, the real number of inhabitants who died during the armed actions of the Nazis with the participation of the Poles-Schutzmanns in the summer of 1943 (auxiliary police units created by the German occupation administration).It is submitted testimony of participants and eyewitnesses of the Second World War in Molotkov. Their statements and reflections are used in writing the article. It has been proven that the largest number of civilian Ukrainians in Volhynia died in this village during the Second World War.