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The Katyn Forest Massacre was the mass execution of 21,774 Polish army officers and civilians in by Communist Russian troops in the Katyn Forest during the Second World War.  

The Katyn Forest Massacre was the mass execution of 21,774 Polish army officers and civilians in by [[Communist]] Russian troops in the Katyn Forest during the [[Second World War]].  

In August 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty between the two countries. As part of the agreement, the two nations determined respective spheres of influence in Eastern Europe, including a division of Poland (despite the existence of a Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact signed in 1932).

In August 1939, [[Nazi Germany]] and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty between the two countries. As part of the agreement, the two nations determined respective spheres of influence in Eastern Europe, including a division of Poland (despite the existence of a Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact signed in 1932).

Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Despite the peace between them, the alliance between Russia and Germany was a suspicious one, largely due to massive political and ideological differences between the Socialist Nazi government and the Communist Russians. Soviet leader Josef Stalin did not trust the Germans to halt their invasion within the predetermined sphere of influence stated in the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. Because of this, and seeking to protect its own interests there, Russia invaded Poland on September 17.  

Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Despite the peace between them, the alliance between Russia and Germany was a suspicious one, largely due to massive political and ideological differences between the Socialist Nazi government and the Communist Russians. Soviet leader [[Josef Stalin]] did not trust the Germans to halt their invasion within the predetermined sphere of influence stated in the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. Because of this, and seeking to protect its own interests there, Russia invaded Poland on September 17.  

Already defeated by the Nazi ''Blitzkrieg'' invading from the east, Polish soldiers fleeing the Germans were easily captured Soviet forces advancing from the west. The Red Army took over 40,000 Polish soldiers hostage, including approximately 8,500 officers. These prisoners (mostly men) were herded into prison camps in the towns of Yuzhe, Kozelsk, Ostashkov, Starobielsk and Kryazovets.[http://www.warsawuprising.com/katyn.htm]

Already defeated by the Nazi ''Blitzkrieg'' invading from the east, Polish soldiers fleeing the Germans were easily captured Soviet forces advancing from the west. The Red Army took over 40,000 Polish soldiers hostage, including approximately 8,500 officers. These prisoners (mostly men) were herded into prison camps in the towns of Yuzhe, Kozelsk, Ostashkov, Starobielsk and Kryazovets.[http://www.warsawuprising.com/katyn.htm]

Nazi forces gained ground quickly, advancing over 300 miles (321 kilometers) within a week. Part of that territory included the city of Smolensk and the surrounding area, where the bulk of the executions took place. However, the murders remained undiscovered another two years.

Nazi forces gained ground quickly, advancing over 300 miles (321 kilometers) within a week. Part of that territory included the city of Smolensk and the surrounding area, where the bulk of the executions took place. However, the murders remained undiscovered another two years.

In April 1943, German troops unearthed a mass grave of over 4,000 Polish officers.[http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/poland/p/katyn-massacre.htm] Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels quickly seized the opportunity to use this news to discredit Stalin and unbalance the already-delicate alliance between the Western Powers and the Soviet Union. German radio revealed news of the atrocity,[http://www.warsawuprising.com/paper/time_042643.htm] and the Germans garnered further publicity by convening a panel of forensic experts to examine the bodies. Numerous photos of the mass graves were published as well.

In April 1943, German troops unearthed a mass grave of over 4,000 Polish officers.[http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/poland/p/katyn-massacre.htm] Nazi Propaganda Minister [[Joseph Goebbels]] quickly seized the opportunity to use this news to discredit Stalin and unbalance the already-delicate alliance between the Western Powers and the Soviet Union. German radio revealed news of the atrocity,[http://www.warsawuprising.com/paper/time_042643.htm] and the Germans garnered further publicity by convening a panel of forensic experts to examine the bodies. Numerous photos of the mass graves were published as well.

Russian authorities quickly denied any responsibility, instead blaming the Germans for the atrocity. The Soviets clung to this position even after forensic examinations quickly established the bullets to be of Russian manufacture and that the executions took place in 1940, when the area was still under Russian control. The Soviet Union denied responsibility for the murders until 1990.[http://www.anti-communist.net/katyn.html]

Russian authorities quickly denied any responsibility, instead blaming the Germans for the atrocity. The Soviets clung to this position even after forensic examinations quickly established the bullets to be of Russian manufacture and that the executions took place in 1940, when the area was still under Russian control. The Soviet Union denied responsibility for the murders until 1990.[http://www.anti-communist.net/katyn.html]