History /
What British unit liberated Poland in 1945?? [445]
The
only more or less proven fact of allied troops' presence on today's Polish territory were general Patton's tanks seen in Swieradow April,1945 .
regioset.pl/mapkagif.php?x=121&y=618
According to prof.Lojek who investigated the local population of Swieradow, Patton's tanks were withdrew after two days because of Soviet political intervention.
However there are no reports on this "raid" in Patton's memories.
From April 17 Patton occupied western Czech Republic and probably south-western corner of Lower Silesia, acting against orders of Eisenhower. We can only guess what were his intentions. Without a doubt, he saw the possibility of liberating large areas before the Soviets would conduct them. Does he also considered the realization of his idea according to which "after the defeat of Hitler, it has to be deal with Stalin"? Well known for his aversion to the Soviets, but the most capable and most erratic of the American generals, he was close to establishing contact with the army, which he saw as an enemy rather than an ally. Was he close to provoke - conflict or major incident between the superpowers? Patton alone does not solve the riddle of this book, published a collection of his war experiences. In fact, however, it does not contain general structured memories. He did not manage to write it down, since in the autumn of 1945., near Mannheim, he had died in a mysterious car accident. Perhaps there are archives, and maybe also a credible reports that could shed more light on the Patton activities in the area of Świeradów Zdroj. Meanwhile, we are left to remember that one of the corners of our country was liberated in 1945 by the United States Army.
insomnia.pl/II_woj._światowa:_US_Army_w_1945r._na_Dolnym_Śląsku_-t573687.html
