Problems Arising out of Research into the History of the Jewish Refugees in the U.S.S.R. during the Second World War
Research related to this subject must be based on testimonies from former refugees and from the internal and external policies of the Soviet regime, which remain inaccessible. Initially when the Soviet army invaded eastern Poland the attitudes to refugees was sympathetic. Soon this changed completely and the refugees were isolated and disparaged. Soviet policy was to convert the refugees to Soviet citizens and to prevent them leaving the country. The refugees were spread through vast areas of the Soviet Union. Subjects to be studied include statistics and demography, professional and social upheaval, contact with Soviet Jewry, relations with Poles and mutual assistance. A detailed questionnaire follows for the collection of evidence from Jewish refugees in the Soviet Union during 1939-1946.