Historical calendar: anniversary of the crime in Pieniacka Huta, carried out on Poles by Ukrainians from SS, UPA and surrounding residents.
Today in our calendar we will look at the circumstances accompanying this event.
On February 23, 1944, in the vicinity of the village of Huta Pieniacka there was a clash between the self-defense unit of Huta Pieniacka and a police patrol made up of Ukrainians serving in 4. Police Regiment of SS Division “Galizen”. As a consequence of the fighting 2 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 8 were injured. The clash was besides attended by UPA troops supporting SS soldiers. The Germans gave victims of these fights a solemn ceremony in Brody.
The SS branch appeared in connection with obtaining information from the Germans that a branch of russian guerrillas was stationed in the village, with which the residents worked. However, the Partisans left the village on 22 February.
After the clashes on February 23, residents of Huta Pieniacka were preparing for the German retaliatory action to take place. An interview of the Inspectorate of the AK in Złoczów on the night of 27 and 28 February handed over to the self-defense unit in Pieniacka Huta commanded by Kazimierz Wojciechowski that the 14th SS Division “Galizien” would be able to scope the village. It was recommended not to resist, hide weapons and residents. SS troops were expected to only inspect the village, searching for weapons and contacts of residents with the russian guerrilla.
It's different. On February 28, 1944, Ukrainian soldiers from the 4th Galician Volunteer SS Police Regiment associated with 14 entered the village of Huta Pieniacka. A division of SS “Galizen”, UPA troops, Ukrainian nationalists and Ukrainian residents of surrounding villages. They carried out a reflective massacre of the Polish population. As a consequence of the crimes carried out by attackers, over 850 Poles died. About 160 people survived.
In detail, the events were as follows: In the early morning hours of February 28, 1944, Huta Pieniacka was surrounded by troops in a force of about 500-600 soldiers of Ukrainian SS police formations. Initially, the village was “only” shot. any of the inhabitants then hid in their pre-prepared hiding places. After entering the village, however, the attackers began searching the buildings, and the residents gathered in the church and school located in the center of the village.
Ukrainians began looting and looting houses. Buildings were set on fire. Many residents were killed trying to escape from the places where they were hiding. Ukrainian soldiers committed many crimes on Polish residents of Huta Pieniacka.
In a savage way, the detainees were interrogated, trying to get information about the stay in the village of russian guerrillas. The commander of the self-defense unit Kazimierz Wojciechowski was flooded with flammable substance and set on fire. The attackers most likely knew who belonged to the same - defence unit and who helped the guerrillas. They besides knew the location of the wounded russian guerrillas. All these people were killed.
In the afternoon, Poles gathered in the church and school were grouped in respective tens of people columns and carried out in convoys to wooden barns and farm buildings located in the village. People were locked in them, and buildings were set on fire. People trying to escape or defy were killed with firearms. Almost all buildings in the village were burned, but for the church and school where detainees were held. In late afternoon, the attackers left the village.
Previous entry from our calendar is available Here.
