Gladiators Of World War II

Free Polish Forces (1x11)

: 19, 2002

In September 1939 Poland was overrun by the Germans and Russians, yet the Polish fighting spirit remained unbroken. Under the leadership of General Wladyslaw Sikorski, the Free Polish Army was formed. They were a displaced fighting force, which would exact revenge for the occupation of Poland, fighting first in France, and then alongside British forces in almost every campaign in the desert and western Europe. When Hitler invaded Russian Poland found itself in a new alliance with its former aggressor, but the historical antogonism between the two countries was always lurking.Tragically, the loyalty and courage of its armies on the battlefield, did not win Poland the independence its people hoped for. After 8 years of fighting, many of those Free Poles who returned home from the war were arrested, murdered, or deported by the Soviet troops who now occupied their country. Many never saw their home country again. The Free Polish Forces will be remembered as the Gladiators who were willing to sacrifice everything to rescue their country. Poland, it's democracy and true independence finally won in 1989, stands as a testimonial to those who gave so muchfor what seemed like so little.