The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, in partnership with Molloy University, invites you to a compelling and timely program examining one of the most significant and often misunderstood events of World War II history—the Katyn Massacre and the German announcement of the discovery of the graves on April 13, 1943, and the inter-relationship of the NKVD and the Gestapo between 1939 and 1941.
On Sunday, May 17, at 2:00 PM, we are honored to welcome researcher Krystyna Piórkowska, whose extensive international archival work has brought new insight into global awareness of Katyn, specifically the deep knowledge of the crime that the Western Allies had and yet concealed. She will lead a thoughtful lecture and analysis reflecting on the acclaimed film Katyn, exploring its historical context, accuracy, and enduring relevance.
While the film will not be screened during the program, we strongly encourage attendees to view it in advance to fully understand the Massacre and engage in the discussion. You may watch the film here.
This program offers a unique opportunity to reflect on themes of truth, memory, and historical understanding—core to the mission of HMTC and closely aligned with Molloy University’s commitment to education, dialogue, and the pursuit of knowledge.
We hope you will join us for what promises to be a meaningful and enriching afternoon.
About Krystyna Piórkowska
Krystyna Piórkowska is a graduate of CCNY and Columbia University who began researching the subject of what was then referred to as ‘the American officers who went to Katyń’ at the request of the Director of the Polish Army Museum (Warsaw) in 2009. Her parents were both prisoners of the Soviets – her mother arrested in Pinsk for opposing the Soviets and charged with treason, while her father was among the officers taken POW, held in Lithuania and then transferred as Kozielsk II (one of some 400 pre-war Polish officers who survived).
She has discovered a multitude of documents, including a heretofore unknown sworn deposition from Col. John Van Vliet taken in Paris in May 1945, as well as coded letters sent by the USArmy POWs and never presented to either the American Prosecutors in Nuremburg or the Special House Committee formed to study the Katyn Massacre.
Her talk will review the collaboration of the Soviet NKVD with the Gestapo, the (in)actions of the Internation Committee of the Red Cross, the German Junker officers desire to ensure a credible and neutral report, the legally and morally correct actions of the US and Dominion POWs, as well the actions of the OSS-CIA under Wild Bill Donovan to advise US Prosecutors in Nuremberg of the truth of the Crime.
Colonel John Van Vliet, the singular hero, who served as Head of the Escape Committee in Oflag 64, and selected the junior officer who accompanied the group, did not reveal his role in the secret POW structure, nor the fact that he was in contact with a handler in MIS unit in Fort Henry and used codes. He spoke of this only in his final (video) Oral History, shortly before his death.