"DIFFICULT" POLES

Evening Star, Issue 25494, 26 May 1945, Page 12

"DIFFICULT" POLES

HATRED OF RUSSIANS MID-EAST IMPRESSIONS [By A. S. Muik.] The disclosure at the San Francisco Conference that the Russians have in custody the Polish delegation which some time ago went to Russia to negotiate with the Russian Government, and about whom there has been a complete mystery, reveals that Russia is inclined to go her own road in international politics. The strong action taken by Britain and U.S.A. in breaking off the conversations on the Polish question until Russia makes a satisfactory explanation of what is apparently a restriction of the rights of minor nations is to be commended, and it will be interesting to see if Russia will climb down and release the captives.

The story that the Poles conducted subversive operations behind the Russian lines may or may not be true, but it is difficult to see to what extent a small Polish delegation proceeding to Moscow could harm the mighty Russian army. The Poles would certanily have requested permission to call at the Kremlin, and they would be under surveillance from the time they set foot in Russian territory. That they had a wireless set with them does not constitute a major crime, for it is the practice of important delegations from one nation, if it is considered necessary, to maintain their own, wireless communication with their home territory. ARMY FOR MIDDLE EAST.

The Poles are difficult people with whom to deal, and their treatment by Russia in the days before that country was attacked by Germany has not endeared the Russians to the Poles. When Britain decided to assist the Poles to build an army for service in the Middle East, and Russia agreed to release a lot of Poles held in concentration camps in the Black Sea area, •New Zealand transport was used to carry many thousands pf these refugees along the final.stages of their journey io the encampment area in Palestine Actually the camps allocated to this embryo Polish army were those built and occupied by the Australian Corps while Australians were serving in the Middle East. The tales of hardship and harsh treatment by the Russians, told by these: Polish refugees, gave evidence that all had not been well with them in captivity. Under good British food and comfortable camp conditions they very quickly regained their physique and health", and welded into a splendid fighting force which has served well the cause of the Allies in the desert and in Italy, but there remains'with these Poles a hatred of Russ.a, the intensiveness of which has to be experienced to be realised. POLISH THEME SONG.

A few months ago in Italy I lived amongst the Polish Army Corps for some weeks. Many of them spoke English and voiced freely their hatred of Russia. In fact, it was a paramount topic of conversation in canteens and messes. Polish officers lost no opportunity to point out that Russia did not assist Britain until she herself was attacked by Germany. They maintained that had Germany not invaded Russia that country would .have remained at peace and would quite willingly have seen Britain beaten to her knees.

That was the Poles' theme song to Englishmen, and when after the fall of Ancona the Polish army corps was withdrawn from' the line and it was thought that the Eighth Army would, iinish the Italian campaign before winter set in the Poles openly boasted that they were now going to train and; re-equip so as to be able to deal with the Russians. The idea that Poland could ever successfully fight Rus-' sia, was, of course, fantastic, but the Poles thought of little else, and their expressions of hatred of the Russians were-not one whit abated as the news of Russian successes against Germany became apparent. INDEPENDENT SPIRIT.

The Poles are difficult people to deal with. They have their own methods and ways of doing things, and are not at all enthusiastic about co-operation if such action does not meet with their full ■ approval. New Zealand troops get on very well with Polish soldiers. Both have the name independent spirit, and each admires the other for their fine- fighting qualities. The Polish army employs large numbers of their -womenfolk as transport drivers, who work well up into the danger zone, carting supplies and ammunition to forward dumps. They are sturdy women, good drivers, keep very much to themselves, and have suffered casualties from shellfire. The Polish men look askance at their women who mix with Allied soldiers, and any New Zealand gay Lotharios who made friendly advances invariably received rebuffs which left no doubt that the Polish girl looked with favour only on men of her own nation. What must be the solution of the Polish question no one can tell. The Russians know them and don't trust them. The Poles are not particularly appreciative of what has been done for them, and may continue to be a disruptive influence in middle Europe for a long time to come.