Reorganisation Of Polish Fighting Forces

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1939, Page 6

Reorganisation Of Polish Fighting Forces

LONDON, December 19,

In an interview with journalists in London, Major Ilinsky, one 'of the Polish Military Mission, outlined Poland’s efforts to reorganise her fighting forces.

He said; ‘‘Poles who were able to escape from Poland and make their way towards the friendly borders of France and Britain form the first nucleus of our army, the reorganisation of which in both countries is in progress, according to the agreement concluded with the British and French Governments. “The Army, Navy and Air Force, of Poland exist again,” said Major Ilinsky. Naval Activities. Speaking of naval activities, he recalled the fact that Polish ships now form* part of the Allied forces. They were, he said, operating under the Polish flag, under the command of Polish officers and manned by Polish crews. A special naval depot would be established for the purpose of training further personnel and the formation of reserves. “As to our land forces, which are being trained somewhere in France,” said Major Ilinsky, “it is intended to form four or five infantry divisions, as well as armoured and mechanised units. , " ' . Army Command. “The Polish Army will be under the Polish High Command, and will remain at the end of the hostilities as one of the Allied armies under the inter-Allied Supreme Command. “Training centres for our officers and men are already in full swing. “The average duration of such training centres is three months, and, as the first of these courses was started in the autumn, we may calculate how soon the first large Polish units, fully trained, will be ready to leave their camps and again face the enemy. Air Force Organisation. “The organisation of Polish- Air Force units is divided into two equal groups. “One is in Britain and the other in France. “We were lucky to get out of Poland a fairly large number -of our air force personnel, and we shall be able to organise several squadrons for a Start. , •; . , '• . >,v, : V - “The machines for our squadrons will be British in Britain, and French in France.” v