3 - Britain's only fighting ally

Summary

The Polish government-in-exile's ambition to be accorded the status of a major ally was achieved ironically, and briefly, during the period between the fall of France and the German attack on the Soviet Union. For one whole year, the Poles felt that they and Britain faced the German menace united in purpose. Furthermore, as they were wont to stress in future war years, Poland was then Britain's only fighting ally. The government-in-exile failed to note that this prestigious association had only come about in the wake of the defeat of France. The very exclusiveness of the alliance at that time decreased the likelihood of the Polish exile army fighting on the continent of Europe. As long as there had been a hope of France leading the struggle to defeat Germany, the Poles could plan for continental action and direct participation in the liberation of Poland. In 1940 Britain, with a penchant to plan for the defeat of Germany by indirect means and an unwillingness to address the question of the Soviet Union, was the worst of the two possible Allies for the Poles. Between the summer of 1940 and the summer of 1941, the status and recognition obtained by the Poles was achieved at the expense of their stated military and political objectives. Within two months of the outbreak of the war most British politicians had consigned the fate of Poland to the distant outcome of that war.