Польські бази самооборони на Волині у 40-х роках ХХ століття та їхня співпраця із радянською партизанкою

The article attempts to show the activities of the Polish self-defense bases that existed on the territory of Volyn in the 40s of the 20th century, through the prism of their cooperation with the Soviet partisans. It was found out what was the organization of Polish self-defense bases and in which areas they were mostly located. The main criteria by which the Polish population chose the center of the future self-defense base are shown. The first attempts of the Poles to organize their self-defense in Volyn during the Second World War were highlighted. The reasons for widespread cooperation between Polish self-defense and Soviet partisans in the territory of northern and eastern Volyn have been clarified. It was determined that the main centers of Polish self-defense in Volyn were: Pshebrazhe, Huta Stepanska, Huta Stara, Panska Dolyna, Rafalivka, etc. Based on the analysis of the scientific works of Polish and Ukrainian researchers, the main aspects of the functioning of the most important units of Polish self-defense are reflected and the contacts of the latter with Soviet partisans are described. It was determined that the leading cause of close contacts between Polish self-defense units and Soviet partisans was joint activity directed against UPA units. Soviet partisan units that cooperated with the Poles and helped them in the fight against the Ukrainians are named. The contacts of individual leaders of Polish self-defense bases with leaders of Soviet partisan units are shown. The cooperation between the Polish self-defense bases and the methods of their mutual assistance are described. Attention was drawn to the attitude of the Delegation of the Polish government and the command of the Home Army to the cooperation of Polish self-defense bases in official documents. It was noted that the relations between the Polish self-defense bases and the Soviet partisans at that time cannot be called unambiguous, as they were often accompanied by a feeling of mistrust of each other. It is concluded that cooperation between Polish self-defense units and Soviet partisans in Volyn during the Second World War was a unique phenomenon and was often based on the principles of mutual benefit.