Abstract: The purpose of this chapter is to describe the fate of the children of the Bialystok region under Soviet and German totalitarianism during World War II. These two powers conducted a policy of expansive militarization, leading to terrifying crimes, exemplified by the extermination of the Jewish and Polish populations. The lethal machinery of Hitler and Stalin did not spare children. The ruling regimes were equally ruthless and criminal towards children, not only violating fundamental rules of war, but also failing to observe the most universal human rights. Both the Nazi and Soviet occupiers deprived Polish children of the right to education, the right to normal physical development, the right to organize any form of social life, the right to their own nationality, and the right to life.

Out of the total number of children who died in the Bialystok region in 1939–1944 as a result of activities of the German and Soviet occupying powers, only about 10% died as a result of direct warfare. The overwhelming majority were victims of repressive operations. What is most shocking is the fact that small children aged from several days to 14 years old were treated with particular cruelty, about 72% of whom died, while the remaining 28% were young people aged 14 to 18.

Keywords: Białystok region, children, extermination, terror, World War II