The Opening Years of World War II:  September 1939-June 1941

World War II began on September 1, 1939, when the German army invaded Poland and conquered the country within weeks.  Just prior to the war, Gemrany had signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with the Soviet Union, agreeing that the two countries would divide Poland in the event of war.  In accordance with this pact, Western Belarus, as well as the Bielskis and their friends and family, came under Soviet occupation.

Jews in Soviet-occupied Poland had to make adjustments, but were spared the intense humiliation, ghettoization and mass killings that were taking place in German-occupied Poland.  There were restrictions on Jewish culture, language and community activities.  Businessman, including Jews, were forced to close their businesses. 

This had an immediate impact on Tuvia's marriage to Rifka.  He left the general store in Subotniki and relocated to Lida, but Rifka wouldn't leave her family.  In Lida, Tuvia found work as a bookkeeper and met the Alter Ticktin and his family.  After some time, Tuvia received a divorce from Rifka and began life with the sister-in-law of Ticktin.  It was through this connection that Tuvia became acquainted with Lilka, Alter's daughter, who was a teenager at the time. 

In early 1941, Asael and Zus were recruited into the Red Army.  Zus was stationed in Tykocin while Asael was just north of his home.