Dirk diggler
12 Jan 2018
History / WWII - who really was the first to help Poland? [900]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Polish_military_alliance#Polish-British_common_defence_pact
On the same day when Britain pledged her support of Poland, Lord Halifax stated: "We do not think this guarantee will be binding". Other British diplomat, Alexander Cadogan wrote in his diary: "Naturally, our guarantee does not give any help to Poland. It can be said that it was cruel to Poland, even cynical".
@doug
... in the event of any action which clearly threatened Polish independence, and which the Polish Government accordingly considered it vital to resist with their national forces, His Majesty's Government would feel themselves bound at once to lend the Polish Government all support in their power. They have given the Polish Government an assurance to this effect.
I may add that the French Government have authorised me to make it plain that they stand in the same position in this matter as do His Majesty's Government
That was Britain's 'word' to help us.... obviously they did not... they didn't even make a half hearted 'attempt' as you claim....
Poles on the other hand helped the allies in the Battle of Britain, at Monte Cassino, all over Italy, and numerous other battles. Poland could have received supplies primarily from the US (not UK) as they were more than willing to fly in military aid but Stalin refused to allow US/UK planes to land in the USSR. To my understanding, only 1 airdrop was completed.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Polish_military_alliance#Polish-British_common_defence_pact
On the same day when Britain pledged her support of Poland, Lord Halifax stated: "We do not think this guarantee will be binding". Other British diplomat, Alexander Cadogan wrote in his diary: "Naturally, our guarantee does not give any help to Poland. It can be said that it was cruel to Poland, even cynical".
@doug
... in the event of any action which clearly threatened Polish independence, and which the Polish Government accordingly considered it vital to resist with their national forces, His Majesty's Government would feel themselves bound at once to lend the Polish Government all support in their power. They have given the Polish Government an assurance to this effect.
I may add that the French Government have authorised me to make it plain that they stand in the same position in this matter as do His Majesty's Government
That was Britain's 'word' to help us.... obviously they did not... they didn't even make a half hearted 'attempt' as you claim....
Poles on the other hand helped the allies in the Battle of Britain, at Monte Cassino, all over Italy, and numerous other battles. Poland could have received supplies primarily from the US (not UK) as they were more than willing to fly in military aid but Stalin refused to allow US/UK planes to land in the USSR. To my understanding, only 1 airdrop was completed.