#OTD In 1940, those kind and friendly Soviets who did not "invade" Poland and only came to save the minorities who they later persecuted and deported began their deportations of Polish citizens to gulags and "work camps" deep into Russian territory. Over 1 million Poles would be sent to these uninhabitable places and many of them would never return. NKVD functionaries would enter the homes of the deportees, take down their information and give them between 15-30 min to pack. Everyone was taken, no matter their age, sex or if they were disabled or pregnant. They were forced into overcrowded cattle trucks with whatever food they managed to scrounge up to take with them. These train journeys were long, sometimes lasting several weeks. The train doors were rarely opened and when they occasionally were given watery soup or bread. Many people died before getting to their destination. Their bodies were thrown out of the train and just left in the snow. When they arrived they would he forced to do back breaking forced labour in freezing and unsanitary conditions. Again many people died, whole families were murdered. #History #WW2