Polish historian Piotr Zychowicz in the interview to Polish historical edition describes some details of the Genocide in Volhynia.
https://nowahistoria.interia.pl/aktualn ... Id,3077947
According to him the majority of Poles who survived the genocide in Volyn were either the residents of cities, or refugees from the villages. There were strong German garrison and Ukrainian nationalists avoided clashes with armed German soldiers,
Thus cities in Volyn with German garrisons were safe places for the Poles. Of course, the Germans used the situation for their own interests and the majority of refugees coming to the city were taken to forced labor in the Reich. It's a paradox that a Pole from Volhynia was safer, slavishly working in Germany than in their Polish village
It appears that the Germans even formed Polish military units and armed them to defend Polish civilians - the victims of the genocide.
Units of which I speak, were German armed and in many places in Volhynia attacked by Banderites [followers of the leader of Ukrainian nationalists Bandera], defended Polish villages and cities, or helped in the evacuation of survivors.
There was another form of support by the Germans, namely formation in Volyn the Polish police formations. I mean here 202. Schutzmannschaft battalion, which also protected the Poles from Banderovites. Unfortunately, there is another side of the coin. Organized by Germans the Polish officers in the Volyn region also made a series of retaliatory crimes in Ukrainian villages.
As for the clashed between Poles and Ukrainians then according to the historian the Germans believed that the Slavs can to kill each other, and the Germans should not hinder it.
It is known, however, many cases when the Germans came to the Poles for help to evacuate them to the safe place, and often in the framework of revenge pacified neighboring Ukrainian village.
In East Volhynia the Poles were defended by Soviet partisans against Ukrainian nationalists.
...the units of Soviet partisans operating nearby Polish villages were supplied with food and clothing in the Polish localities, often also using the buildings to hide from the cold. In exchange, the Russian defended the Poles from Banderites.
According to the author, as a result a significant part of the Poles in Volhynia was looking forward to be liberated by the Red Army.
But what about Polish Home Army that was directed by Polish government in exile? Did it try to defend the Poles in Volhynia?
The main and the absolute mistake of leadership of the home Army was the marginalization and ignoring the threat posed by Ukrainian nationalists in Volhynia.
In fact the Home Army was mainly passive in Volhynia. But why?
The Army had other priorities, which is evident from the documents.
AK [the Home Army] ... was preparing to conduct revolt and Action "Storm". This was the goal, which command of the home Army, a bit like the horse with the straps on the eyes to achieve the best. Despite the massacre and subsequent offences, it still remains the number one priority.
The command of the home Army did not want to share power and spend resources in the battle with the Ukrainians.
