Volodymyr Buzhynskyi, a researcher of Lviv Politekhnika, in records of the People's State Security Commissariat for January-July, 1945

Abstract

The paper reviews some reasons for criminal prosecution of Professor Volodymyr M. Buzhynskyi, the Head of the Strength of Materials Department of the Lviv Polytechnic, a Pole, by Soviet security bodies. Alongside with an analysis of his investigatory records, there are some unknown and little-known facts of Professor Volodymyr M. Buzhynskyi's life given. The biographical data are obtained from records of interrogation as well as written testimony by his wife Iryna Stanislavivna, which she attached to an application addressed to the Prosecutor of the Lviv Region in April 1945, where she tried to prove innocence of her husband. Her attempts coincided with intentions of the Soviet government to enrich the socialist Poland with competent researchers. The author describes Professor Buzhynskyi's involvement in the operation of the Higher Professional Courses during the German occupation of Lviv, from June 1941 to July 1944. An analysis is given of all the records of Professor's interrogation, where he attempted to explain his cooperation with the Germans as a step towards the rescue of Polish youth, former polytechnic students, from driving them away for work to Germany. It is shown that Professor Buzhynskyi had authority with the teaching staff of Polish ethnicity and tried to champion national interests of Poland in his conduct. An example is given of his caring for the future operation of his Department in the territory of Poland and his personal attempt to provide Polish higher educational institutions with study and scientific materials. By the example of Professor Buzhynskyi's behavior, the actual state of relationship between the new power and the old Polish professorate is illustrated.