In this episode, we explore the harrowing experience of Polish civilians under Soviet occupation, as recounted by Stella Synowiec-Tobis. While the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, is widely recognized, fewer people are aware of the Soviet invasion on September 17, 1939, which brought immense suffering to millions of Poles. This was part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and remains a lesser-known chapter of WWII. Many Poles experienced Soviet rule as harshly as Nazi occupation, with as many as 1.7 million deported to Siberia, where a quarter perished due to the severe conditions.

Stella’s story is a personal account of this tragic history. Orphaned young, she and her family fled in fear of Soviet capture, eventually hiding in barns and attics. In April 1940, they were discovered by the NKVD and forced into overcrowded boxcars bound for Siberia. The journey was brutal, with minimal food, water, and hygiene. In Siberia, Stella, only twelve, fought against constant starvation and illness, surviving on meager rations and enduring harsh winters. Her descriptions of gnawing hunger and extreme deprivation illustrate the hardship faced by Polish deportees.

The suffering intensified in Soviet labor camps where children, the elderly, and the weak struggled to survive. Stella’s niece Nina died of dysentery, highlighting the tragic loss endured by countless families. The 1941 agreement between the Polish government-in-exile and the Soviet Union enabled many deportees to join the Polish Armed Forces, leading Stella and her family on a perilous journey to freedom. Stella’s story, like those of other survivors, exemplifies resilience in the face of relentless adversity, capturing a critical yet often overlooked piece of Polish WWII history.

Voice Actor -Trisha Owen

Welcome to today’s episode, where we explore a harrowing and often overlooked aspect of the Holocaust—the death marches in the final months of World War II. Today’s account is from John Fink, a German Jewish youth who survived one such march from Auschwitz to Bergen-Belsen. As the Germans faced defeat, they evacuated concentration camps to prevent Allied liberation, forcing tens of thousands of weakened prisoners to march in brutal winter conditions. Those who could not keep up were mercilessly killed, leaving roads strewn with bodies. These marches were among the final atrocities of the Holocaust, as the Nazis tried to conceal their crimes while exerting total control.

While the Holocaust is often remembered as the Nazis’ attempt to exterminate European Jewry, it's crucial to acknowledge the suffering of millions of non-Jewish victims as well. Ethnic Poles, Romani people, Soviet POWs, and others endured immense suffering under Nazi occupation, particularly in Poland, the epicenter of this cruelty. During the occupation, as many as 3 million Polish Jews and 3 million ethnic Poles were murdered, making Poland one of the hardest-hit populations. The death marches included both Jewish and non-Jewish prisoners, underscoring the widespread devastation inflicted by the Nazis.

John Fink’s survival amidst this brutality highlights the complexity of Nazi actions in the Holocaust’s closing stages. Despite being able to kill many weakened prisoners, the Nazis instead drove them across occupied Europe, raising questions about their motives—whether to exploit labor, maintain bargaining power, or destroy evidence. These lesser-known horrors remind us that remembering the full scope of victims, both Jewish and non-Jewish, is essential to understanding the Holocaust’s magnitude. John’s story is a testament to resilience amid systematic cruelty, urging us to reflect on these dark moments and honor all who suffered.

Voice Actor - Bates O'Brian

This has been a production of Legacy Vision Media

Today, historian Edward Reid will share Michal Moynihan’s vivid account of the kamikaze attacks on the British Pacific Fleet during World War II. "Kamikaze," meaning "divine wind" in Japanese, referred to the suicide pilots used by Japan in a desperate attempt to halt Allied advances in the Pacific. These pilots crashed their planes into enemy ships, turning their aircraft into weapons.

The psychological toll on Allied forces was immense. They were used to combat but facing pilots who willingly sacrificed their lives was a new and deeply unsettling experience. Moynihan’s account details the destruction caused by two kamikaze planes that hit a British aircraft carrier, setting it ablaze. Despite the chaos, the crew’s resilience shone through as they extinguished the flames and resumed operations in under half an hour.

While the physical damage from kamikaze attacks was severe, the psychological impact was equally profound. Allied sailors were haunted by the realization that the enemy was willing to die for glory, adding a new level of tension to naval warfare in the Pacific.

This has been a production of Legacy Vision Media

*Updated Audio*

On today’s episode, historian Edward Reid will explore the history of shell shock, a condition first widely recognized in World War I.

Misunderstood at the time, many believed soldiers were faking symptoms to avoid combat. What we now know as PTSD was a severe reaction to the horrors they witnessed—death, destruction, and loss.

In Association with Legacy Vision Media

Voices from the Past is an immersive history podcast that brings to life firsthand accounts of moments of courage, fear, and hope.

Hosted by historian Edward Reid, each episode transports listeners into the experiences of those who lived through defining events, making history more than just a story—it’s a reliving of memories etched in time.

In Association with Legacy Vision Media