Discovery of Katyn slaughter on Polish officers
- please note, in that time they are still a bit
abandoned and left alone, but lawful allies
of France and England, was never properly
reflected by the western historians.

One of the possible reasons is that soviet
Russia and now comrade Putin are refusing
historians access to the archives and even
the film is based more on Red Cross and
third-party reports that source files.

Now, you claim Polish roots Evan
and even some degree in history...

Stop talking rubbish then.
Persecuted Jews... where, in 1930's Poland?

Please be more specific telling these stories
more likely about members of the terrorist
and de-legalised Communist Party of Poland,
mostly of the Jewish-origin I agree...
and imprisoned in Bereza Kartuska.
But even in this case nobody got mass-executed.

(...)

Martin, Bedford, UK

two things: as a result of the Soviet invasion of 17 September 1939 - Poland and the Soviet Union were at war. A point lost on the British War Cabinet
After 1935 until the Spring of 1939 - Poland was very close to Germany and persecuted Jews and other minorities including the Ukrainians in Polish occupied Ukraine. It is about time that history was taught properly in Poland and not nationalist nonsense. I have Polish in-laws and a degree in Polish history but I am English. At times it is better to be an observer. Quite simply until Poland addresses its own historical legacy it can have very little to say in modern Europe especially the question of Polish anti-Semitism - an on-going problem which nearly all Poles deny but so many people have witnessed and continue to witness

Evan , Leeds,

I am gutted,
Germany tried so much since 1945 to get good and friendly relationships with its neighbours. We boosted Polands application for EU and NATO membership and Germany disclaimed for our former eastern areas years ago! We allways apollogised for war crimes and took account for them.( You cannot say this about the Allies of WWII. Their war crimes have never been condemned ) There is existing a contract with poland, that assures Oder- Neisse borderline for good. So I think too, that some politicians in Poland try to win elections by fueling fears and hate. But do those leaders think it will be profitable for Poland to damage relationships with its neighbours on purpose? Poland benefits much from EU! Adverseness against todays Germany is unfounded and destructive to the development of our both countries economy. I say this because I hope that Poland will soon become a net contributor to the EU budget just like the UK, Netherlands, Germany, ec.

Alexander, Frankfurt, Germany

I suppose by these standards Mr. Boyes would consider any British or American film about WWII as catering to 'nationalists'.

Marcin, Warsaw, Poland

wayne - I agree with your statement. After Britain and France declared war on Germany a fortnight later the Sovietunion invaded the eastern half of Poland not being invaded by German troops. This didn`t cause the same reaction because I think both countries hadn`t been interested in a war with the Sovietunion. I the peace of Versailles after ww1 wasn`t really accepted by both sides. For most of the Germans it was not acceptable because they thought they wh not defeat and the French and British politicians would have liked an unconditioned surrender of Germany as after ww2, which was the continuation of ww1.

The polish writers should mention that the claims of some Germans who lost their properties in the country now belonging to Poland are not the claims of the German government. The German government cannot stop them going to courts although the German goverment doesn`t support those people.

Gerhard Huebenett, Leidersbach, Germany

I grew up in the USA and even though I considered myself a wwll expert it took marrying a woman from Poland who lived through 9/11/39, saw Auscwitz first hand and lived accross from a starvation whole in the Warsaw ghetto to even get a small glimpse of the horror of wwII. I can't imagine in my wildest dreams that the people of Poland would want to join the EU that would include Germany and the new Arab Europe.

I think Poland would be better off forming a new Eastern EU with Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, etc. that could form a new alliance with the USA.

Tom, Naples, FL.

tom , naples, USA

Last year European Parlament refused to commemorate with 1 minute silence at the anniversary of Katyń Massacre. It was Polish MP who asked for this. But they were wrong. The Europe commemorate with silence for 65 years.

wojciech, Szczecin, Poland

There are four issues to deal with in this article
a) the title which is misleading
The film does not exploit hatred, rather it exposes people to something most of them knew nothing about. Rzeczpospolita (newspaper) presented stats prior to the film which showed that only 40% of the Polish population knew about Katyn and of that only 60% knew the Soviets had committed the massacre. Thus the audience, which had either been taught lies or taught nothing about what had happened to an entire educated generation (yes educated Polish women were sent to the Gulags, while the wives of officers and the intelligentsia were sent to settle Kazachstan and many died there).
Of course these people are now going through an emotionally wrenching awakening an anger over what occured.
b) the schedule for the election and the opening of the film
the election occuring in the fall had been discussed since the spring. Perhaps Mr. Wajda could have delayed the film opening.

(am attaching response

Bielanska, New York, USA

"History belongs to the winners." Not any more.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano

By now Poland feel efects of Warld War Two, while UK, USA, France, Spain, and other countries from Western Europe forgot it. That is a reason, why Poles react to Russian German cooperation. I am sure if Poland achieve a success, the way how we see present Europe will change. However, we never allow to loose our history.

Marcin, Warsaw, Poland

Well, the movie is telin only truth and even though it's not likeable by some parties it has nothing to do with ultranationalist course. What's more, it's not Polish side who is trying to denied results of WWII, but German since they stated that Poland is responsible for so-called "banishments" of German people from their rightfully owned estates. If author would be as kind as to check a bit bout history of WWII, he would reckon that it was Soviet Union who had the responsibility for that expulsion and would kindly mention about expulsion of many Polish citizens by German invaders; moreover German government didn't retort from Erika Steinbach organisation claims and though the statement was given it didn't stop leadin German politicians from going to foremention organistion gatherings.

Finally, it's really hard to forgive when murderers are trying to change history and make victims of themselves instead.

Snuffles, Warsaw,

Although the author has made very bad choice of the title the overall conclusion of the article is well crafted, correct and in sync with Polish perception.

Atom, Tampa, FL, USA

Beniaminek - self pity is very undignified you know. I do not supose for one moment that you spare a thought for Ukraine, which was subjugated by Casimir The Great of Poland in the 14th C and then carved-up By the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under the Union of Lublin. Polish interference in Ukraine, particularly in religious affairs, has caused untold misery over the years and created a schism between East & West Ukraine that lasts to this day.

Nick, Tbilisi, Georgia

I sympethise with Polish because their past is bitter and ugly, and everyone should learn from it, even more Russia that seems to be sliding into it's past even more now days.

Scoder, London,

Russians, Germans - what a noncense! Grow up and call the sides by their names as they were called while it was all happening: Nazi ans Soviet troops. Current generations are not to blame and it is a pity to see that the blame game goes on forever.

Janek K, London, UK

Jews don't forget the exodus from 1940-45, we should just do the same, why one's expect us we forget about exodus of our best citizens killed like animals. Iit WAS a masacre. It's not about the policy, it's about the truth and justice and memory. We need good relations nowadays, both with Ruusia, Germany UE, USA and so on I agree. We ask just for a little respect.

Matthew, Bogucin Maly, PL

Yeah Richard it was quite a long time ago. But as you can see the Germans can forgot what they did during 2WorldWar but still remember the estate they left in Poland.

Swede, Westmoreland, PA

Really, this was quite a long time ago. It helps noone to keep going over this tragic part of history, and certainly does not help the image of Poland to the rest of Europe. If Israel and Germany can move on, surely Poland can. And also with respect to Russia, 10s of millions of russians died during the war and under Stalin. They have moved on too. Stop being ridiculous

Richard, York, UK

It is difficult for Americans or British to understand the reactions of Poles to Germany or Russia as neither country has been invaded by foreign forces for centuries. When there paople alive who can remember vividly the oppression of invaders and their brutality Poland will always be wary of both Russia and Germany - and who can blame them. We should listen to Poland as these people know at first hand what the Russians are capable of. Russia is already flexing its muscles in Ukriane. Chechnya, Georgia etc and propping up a corrupt regime in Belarus. What next?

Eastern traveller, lincoln, UK

It's just so hard for Poland and no one realises it. Everytime you look at our history there's always something that went wrong when something else went right. Poland defeats germany and the soviets kill 15,000 of us which was untouched for so many years. Who's to blame? the uk? france? russia? germany? We pretty much can't trust anyone its just so hard for us

Beniaminek, Krakow, Poland

It is hard to understand why the Poles like the US, agreeing to renditions and this silly missile busness, when it was Roosevelt that sold them out to the Russians at the end of World War Two.
He was going behind Chirchill`s back, meeting up with Stalin, when the three of them should have been meeting together.

margie, Wodonga, australia

when germany invaded poland in 1939 the uk declard war on germany why did the not do the same when the ussr did so france and the uk are to blame to for this mess anybody see this to in there finst momant was a dark spot so where do you or why is poland so nervous i dont blame them look at there ailies

wayne , ocala , fla