1939EN

If we are to tell the world about Poland, about us, about our identity, history, and our Polish heroes, then we should not forget this story

The Germans believed what Hitler had told them – that their destiny was to rule over all of Europe.

Unlike the Americans and the British, Witold Pilecki put a lot of effort into understanding the Holocaust. He closely observed the tragedy that was taking place in the camp. He was the first man in the world to understand what the Holocaust and Auschwitz really were.

In Polish museums and collections, there are still empty spots after the plundering which took place during the Second World War.

The sacrifice made by the tens of thousands of victims is still alive in the memory of Poles.

It was clear to the occupier that the condition for effective Germanisation of Poles was the elimination of the Polish intelligentsia.

The scar of September ’39 was so strong that it has remained to this day.

An incredible story recently discovered in Swiss archives testifies to the heroism and sacrifice of Poles who saved others during the war.

During the war, Poles received no wartime Allied support in explaining the Russian crime against Polish officers.

Political changes in Poland after 1989 gave the Polish-British relations new dynamics and enabled the return to close cooperation that united us during World War II.

There is nothing more valuable than people. This is the most valuable resource the state has. After experiencing the demographic catastrophe of the Second World War, we are particularly determined to support families in Poland.

The history of twentieth-century Poland is not only difficult, but it is also an uncomfortable topic for the leading countries in the world.

Even British prime minister Neville Chamberlain – who was the biggest supporter of the Munich agreement – had no doubts, that war was on the way.

Poland was the first state to stand up to Hitler and paid the price in a long and brutal occupation not only by the Germans but by the Soviet invaders who joined the destruction of the Polish state on 17 September 1939.

The West urged Poland to fight, but it did not lift a finger to help.

The British and French working on breaking the German cipher actually abandoned their work, believing the task to be impossible. They were amazed to find out how much the Poles had achieved.

Polish lands were among the most devastated in Europe after both world wars.

Poland sent a quarter of a million soldiers from its infantry, navy and air force to the Allied front, despite being occupied by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.