Divided loyalty
Subtitle: Britain's Polish ally during the Second World War
By: Wiesław Rogalski
Publisher: Helion & Company Limited
Published: 2017
Place of publication: Solihull, West Midlands
Language: eng
Number of pages: 257
ISBN-13: 9781911096641
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; Governments in exile; History; Foreign relations
Description: EUROPEAN HISTORY. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Poland was a quasi-military State undergoing rapid political and social change. Nevertheless, Britain signed an agreement with the country as part of its decision to adopt a policy of encircling Germany: a resolution requiring an ally in the East. On the collapse of Poland in October 1939, the country's political opposition executed a coup against the Polish Government and formed a new administration, which was recognised by the Allies as the Polish Government in Exile. This regime change precipitated a feud between the supporters of the new and old governments, which lasted throughout the war. In 1945, the British removed their recognition of the exiled government - now based in London - to pave the way for the Soviet Union to impose a communist administration in Poland. However striking and fateful these events were, the history of how regime change came to Britain's Polish ally has largely been ignored until now.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.