crimesandcuriosities:

A mass grave discovered in Katyn Forest by German forces when they invaded Russia in 1943. There were around 4500 corpses, all wearing military uniform and identified as Polish officers holding ranks ranging from generals to lieutenants. It turned out that the killings had occurred three years previously in 1940, and single gunshot wounds to the head of each individual told the tale of a very methodical execution style. The Germans immediately utilised this finding as an opportunity to distribute propaganda depicting Russia as a ruthless enemy, declaring that the deceased had fallen victim to the Soviet NKVD- otherwise known as ‘Stalin’s dreaded butchers.’