vodopad
5 Nov 2013
History / Is there a list of those in the Polish Army during WWII? [193]
Dont forget the 5th Kresowa Infantry Division too!!
Regards.
Dont forget the 5th Kresowa Infantry Division too!!
Regards.
vodopad
6 Nov 2013
History / Polish conscripts to German army [132]
There were in fact 89,300 members of the Polish Armed Forces who had previously served in the German Armed Forces. Once accepted by the Poles, no further stigma was attached to this previous service - many fought bravely and were decorated for their actions. Volksliste Poles were also employed by the communist Polish authorities - several served in the Polish Embassy in London. By the account of the Polish Military Attache of the time they remained proud of their service under Rommel in Africa.
I would direct you to:
"To Return To Poland Or Not To Return" - The Dilemma Facing The Polish Armed Forces At The End Of The Second World War PHD Thesis by Dr Mark Ostrowski at: angelfire.com/ok2/polisharmy
It will answer many of your questions. There was a great deal of anti-Polish feeling in the UK from 1945 onwards, largely instigated by the Trades Unions, but also from a socialized general public who had yet to be made aware of the horrors of Stalinism. Kind "Uncle Joe" was not a view most of the Poles held. Having said that, Britain did have a moral obligation to house the Poles. To quote Churchill:
"In any event, His Majesty's Government will never forget the debt they owe to the Polish troops who have served them so valiantly, and to all those who have fought under our command. I earnestly hope it may be possible to offer the citizenship and freedom of the British Empire, if they so desire.... But so far as we are concerned we should think it an honour to have such faithful and valiant warriors dwelling among us as if they were men of our own blood."
More so, the Poles were deemed non-repatriable by the Terms of the Yalta Agreement. Since they could not be forced back to Poland, they would have to be tolerated.
There were in fact 89,300 members of the Polish Armed Forces who had previously served in the German Armed Forces. Once accepted by the Poles, no further stigma was attached to this previous service - many fought bravely and were decorated for their actions. Volksliste Poles were also employed by the communist Polish authorities - several served in the Polish Embassy in London. By the account of the Polish Military Attache of the time they remained proud of their service under Rommel in Africa.
I would direct you to:
"To Return To Poland Or Not To Return" - The Dilemma Facing The Polish Armed Forces At The End Of The Second World War PHD Thesis by Dr Mark Ostrowski at: angelfire.com/ok2/polisharmy
It will answer many of your questions. There was a great deal of anti-Polish feeling in the UK from 1945 onwards, largely instigated by the Trades Unions, but also from a socialized general public who had yet to be made aware of the horrors of Stalinism. Kind "Uncle Joe" was not a view most of the Poles held. Having said that, Britain did have a moral obligation to house the Poles. To quote Churchill:
"In any event, His Majesty's Government will never forget the debt they owe to the Polish troops who have served them so valiantly, and to all those who have fought under our command. I earnestly hope it may be possible to offer the citizenship and freedom of the British Empire, if they so desire.... But so far as we are concerned we should think it an honour to have such faithful and valiant warriors dwelling among us as if they were men of our own blood."
More so, the Poles were deemed non-repatriable by the Terms of the Yalta Agreement. Since they could not be forced back to Poland, they would have to be tolerated.