Denys Beauchemin <[log in to unmask]> wrote in message news:<[log in to unmask]>...

> Poland was overrun by the Germans and the Soviets in a matter of a few
> weeks, with minimal losses to the invaders.  Czechoslovakia had already

Just nitpicking:
Comparable to German losses in France, also duration of campaign (
september - 5 october) (taking into factor that Poland was invaded by
Germany, USSR AND Slovakia ;), that Poland was fighting alone while
French were fighting with Poles and British, and that Poland was
virtually encircled while france was invaded from one side) comparable
to fall of France.

> terribly dangerous routes of the North Atlantic and elsewhere.  In fact,
> after the initial lighting-fast invasion of most of Europe, the only
> people fighting the Axis were the Americans, the Soviets and the British
> "along with Empire Boys," and let's not forget the Chinese.  America was
> supplying everyone through Lend-Lease.

Once again, reminder. Apologise that it has nothing to do with the
group interests, but the thread if off-topic anyway, so...

During Battle of French 80.000 Polish soldiers - many of them veterans
of 1939 campaign who made it through half of Europe, others recruits
from Polish emmigrants in France etc)  fought alongside French and
British. During whole war Polish soldiers were fighting everywhere in
Europe - Polish navy, aircrafts, etc. Finally in 1945 Polish
government-in-exile fielded  more than 200.000 soldiers, communists
commanded about 500.000 Polish soldiers and about 200.000 soldiers
were fighting in Polish AK plus some other resitance group.

Even if you will count only Soldiers fighting in Polish uniforms under
Polish commanders, not underground fighers, still it seems unfair to
say that 700.000 soldiers was "minimal" contribution.

In fact Polish fighting army (that is, not counting forces of
countries who fielded large armies which never left their homeland)
was fifth in allied camp: after USSR (the first) USA (the second
iirc), British and China.

We weren't upset after the Yalta for no reason. Polish soldiers in the
west BTW were later forced to leave UK and no Polish soldier was
allowed to take part in victory parades in the west.

A.D.Danilecki

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