Polish Military Plans for the Defeat of Germany and the Soviet Union,1939–41

After the defeat of Poland in September 1939 the Polish leaders were determined to fight the two enemies. A government-in-exile was formed in Paris with the aim of creating military units that would fight with Poland’s allies and establish Poland’s right to have a say in matters relating to the war and post-war decisions. General Sikorski’s position as Prime Minister of the government-in-exile, though supported by the French, was never secure and he and his policies were subject to constant criticism. Two dilemmas preoccupied the Polish leadership. The first focused on the trustworthiness of France and Britain to defend Polish interests.The second concerned the Polish units. Were they to be used to liberate Poland or to build up a debt of gratitude? Germany’s attack on France cut short these debates and effectively reduced the Polish government’s political choices to that of dependence on Churchill’s decisions.