ACTS OF PREDATORY VANDALISM BY SOVIET SOLDIERS IN WESTERN POMERANIA IN THE 1940S (Dewastacyjno-rabunkowe dzialania zolnierzy sowieckich na Pomorzu Zachodnim w latach czterdziestych)

On entering the territory of Poland, Soviet soldiers received strict orders to refrain from violence on Polish citizens. However, on crossing the former borders of the Third Reich no such orders were issued. For many of the expulsed Germans, incoming Poles and native inhabitants (Kashubians) excruciating days began. The article presents the role of Soviet war headquarters and the conduct of the Red Army Soldiers toward post-German property and Polish settlers as well as the violence and crimes committed against the population currently staying on that area. Descriptions of the events are well documented by source materials obtained from the archives and based on the recollections of the victims. The information contained in the article on crimes committed by Soviet soldiers, only to a small extent depicts the actual facts, which require further investigation.