Army of Poland Being Sent Back From Britain

Grey River Argus, 26 May 1947, Page 8

Army of Poland Being Sent Back From Britain

LONDON, Maj- 18. It has already been observed that a serious attempt is now being made to improve Anglo-Polish relations by clearing away any outstanding points of friction and opening up new avenues of intercourse and trade. In this connection Mr. Bevin’s conversations with the Polish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’ in Warsaw at the end of April may be regarded as the turning point. One question which has long been the source of misunderstanding is the demobilisation of Polish armed forces under British command. The Polish Government has been critical of the rate of demobilisation, of the volume of repatriation, of the conception of the Polish Resettlement Corps. In making these criticisms the Polish Government does not seem to have been fully aware of the practical economic difficulties with wl.icn the United Kingdom Government has had and still has to content. On the other hand the Polish Government can have been in no doubt as to the United Kingd •r. Government’? intentions. The United Kingdom Government has given repeated assurances of its desire to be relieved of responsibilitv for the Polish armed forces and to set? as many Poles as possible return to Poland. The latest and most em phatic expression of this attitude was given by Mr. Bevin in the House of Commons on April 30 when he dedared: “The best service which car be rendered to Poland now is that every Pole should make up his mind to go home and take part in the re.construction, of Poland.” The United Kingdom Government has now sent a Note to the Polish Government explaining in detail the position regarding demobilisation ol the Polish forces. It is made clear that the United Kingdom Government is doing everything in its power to complete the process of demobilisation with all possible speed. This, indeed, is British as well as Polish interest .

The British Note, dated May 12, is in reply to a Polish Note of April 15. The Polish communication made it may be pointed out, nearly a fortinight before Mi’. Bevin’s ,vis?it (to Warsaw, expressed concern at the continued existence of some units of the Polish armed forces under British command and especially of those units at present outside the United Kingdom. The Polish Government intimated that speedy demobilisation of the Polish armed forces under British command would contribute to the strengthening of Anglo-Pol-ish friendship as desired by the Polish Government.

The British Note in reply states? “The United Kingdom Government are no less anxious than the Polish Government that demobilisation of all units of the Polish armed forces should be accomplished at the earliest possible moment. The difficulties are of a practical nature. In particular, 'the desperate shortage of accommodation in this country has greatly complicated the formation of the Polish Resettlement Corps and the placing in employment of those men who do not wish to return to Poland, and has also delayed the withdrawal of Polish armed forces from Germany and the Middle East, which is now being arranged. “As I am sure you will realise, it is essential that demobilisation of the Polish armed forces should take place in an orderly and regular manner. Otherwise the economy of this country would be dislocated and the men demobilised would also- suffer considerable hardships. This, as has already been explained to the Polish authorities, is the sole reason, for the formation of the Polish Resettlement Corps for those who do not wish to return to Poland.

“Meanwhile, a great deal has already been done 'to disband the Polish armed forces and encourage their repatriation. “All Polish servicemen who have been or will be brought to the United Kingdom for demobilisation are given the choice of volunteering either for repatriation or for enlistment in the Polish Resettlement Corps. No fewer than 59,239 Polish servicemen have up to the present been repatriated to Poland, and the rate of repatriation has now been raised to 15,000 monthly. At this rate the number of men awaiting repatriation will be reduced to only a few thousand at the end of June Volunteers for repatriation are coming forward at the rate of over 4.000 monthly, and repatriations will continue in close co-operation with the Polish authorities.

“Meanwhile 96,700 men of the Second Corps (in Italy), that is, almost all those who have not previously volunteered for return to Poland (together with over 10,000 of their descendants) have already been brought to the United Kingdom foi disbandment. Many/’have, I am glad to say, since volunteered for return to Poland. About 2,500 Polish soldiers and airmen who have married Italians have been demobilised with effect from the Ist. May. The problem of Polish soldiers in Italy is thus virtually liquidated. “The Polish Armoured Division is at present being brought to the United Kingdom from Germany for disbandment, and their move will, it is expected, be complete by June 1 The United Kingdom Government intend in the same way to bring here members of the Polish armed forces under British command still in the Middle East as soon as accommodation is ready for them and shipping (an be arranged to bring them here.”

The British Note states that Polish liquidation missions in Belgium and France, mentioned in the Polish Note, will be withdrawn as soon as their administrative tasks have been completed—the former in connection with the lines of communication of the Polish Armoured Corps in Germany and the latter with the superintending of demobilisation of Polish troops in France, now numbering anlv 5.000.

The British Note concludes: "Demobilisation .of the Polish armed forces under British command is being proceeded with as rapidly as circumstances permit. It is in British interests to reach as soon as possible thereafter a situation in which members of the Resettlement. Corps have all either returned to PninnH nr 'w n placed in civil employment o l ' overseas. Tt will, however, be obvious that this must inevitably be a

lengthy process.” It is felt that this clear statement of the United Kingdom Government’s difficulties and intentions should dissipate any remaining concern entertained by the Polish Government.