Levéltári Közlemények, 93. (2022)

Angol nyelvű összefoglalók

Abstracts

Ferdinand Cservenka

SLOVAKS IN SOVIET CAPTIVITY,

WITH A LOOK AT THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FATES OF SLOVAK AND HUNGARIAN PRISONERS OF WAR

Founded on 14 March 1939, the Slovak state was the first and only ally of Germany to take part in the campaign against Poland, and in June 1941 it was one of the first to go to war with Germany against the Soviet Union. The Slovak political and military leadership sent first a Fast Group and then a larger Fast Brigade, created from reinforcements of the previous unit, to fight on the Eastern Front. The first Slovak soldiers were captured by the Soviets during the battle of Tipovec on 22-23 July 1941. In July-August 1941, Slovak military participation was increased, and two corps (the Rapid Brigade and the Assurance Division) were created by reinforcing the remnants of the Brigade. The number of prisoners increased gradually, especially from 1943. The number of desertions also showed an upward trend, especially among the soldiers of the Security Division, which was active in the hinterland and had occupation duties. Slovak soldiers and officers who were taken prisoner were persuaded to join Czechoslovak units fighting against Germany and its allies. Slovak prisoners of war thus had a much better chance of survival than in the POW camps. The vast majority of them joined Czechoslovak units. Many, however, did not join for the sake of ‘Czechoslovakism’, but were driven by the hope of returning home. In many cases, prisoners of Slavic nationality in the POW camps enjoyed, or were allowed to enjoy, advantages over non-Slavic prisoners of war. This could be reflected in the quantity and quality of food, the accommodation conditions and their relations with Soviet guards. In June 1945, there were 12 116 Slovak prisoners of war (including one hundred and seventy-two officers) in the GUPVI camps, who were involved in reconstruction work after the end of the war. In the context of the release of prisoners of war, belonging to the Slavic ethnic group was a clear advantage, and prisoners of Slavic nationality were allowed to return home earlier.

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