Language:
English
Year of publication:
1999
Titel der Quelle:
BŻIH
Angaben zur Quelle:
192 (1999) 3-18
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Personal narratives
Abstract:
Analyzes the results of research on more than 400 published and unpublished diaries and memoirs of the Second World War written by Poles. Surveys those parts of the texts which refer to the fate of the Jews. Many authors, from all the political orientations, including left-wing well-known personalities, fail to mention the Holocaust. Some authors insist that Jews and Poles shared a common fate under the Nazi occupation. Discusses the common view that there are two truths relating to Polish-Jewish relations during the Nazi occupation: a Polish truth and a Jewish truth. Asserts that there are two Polish truths: that of those who saved Jews and that of those who had little idea concerning the fate of the Jews and the rescue activities. Notes a variety of attitudes towards the Jews and the Holocaust, and the moral devastation of Polish society caused by the Holocaust. Stresses psychological aspects of the witnessing of Nazi crimes, and the detrimental effect on the population. States that before the war, before the Holocaust, a pogrom such as occurred in Kielce in 1946 would have been impossible.
Note:
Appeared as "Witnessing the Holocaust; Polish diaries, memoirs and reminiscences" in "Nazi Europe and the Final Solution" (2003) 175-198.
,
Appeared in Spanish as "Presenciado el Holocausto: diarios polacos, memorias y recuerdos" in "La Europa nazi y la Solución Final" (2005) 239-272.
URL:
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