Within the rank and file of many Polish divisions and regiments, were also Polish-Jews, eager to serve their country.
They were among the refugees released from the Russian gulag, and survived the long voyage to freedom with their
Polish compatriots. Unfortunately, once the II Polish Corps landed in Palestine, a large contingent of Polish-Jewish
servicemen deserted their posts. This came as a terrible blow to the Polish army virtually on the eve of battle and no
doubt ignited not a little hostility towards the Jews. Nevertheless General Anders chose to grant them all amnesty.
Despite this devastating setback, many Polish Jews remained committed to fighting for Poland and remained in the
army. They fought many battles including the Battle of Monte Cassino. Among the thousands of Poles killed in
action there were many Polish Jews. Their tombstones, engraved with the Star of David, can be found at Polish war
cemetaries throughout Europe, and at Monte Cassino.
Besides the II Polish Corps, there were other Polish Divisions. During the September Campaign of 1939, the Polish
army had evacuated Poland reorganizing its troops on French soil. There were only four divisions among the 85,000
troops - the First Grenadier Division, Second Infantry Fusiliers Division, 3rd and 4th Infantry Division - the 10th Brigade
of Armored Cavalry, and 10ieme Brigade de cavalerie blindee making up the motorized Brigade, and the Polish
Independent Highland Brigade, the latter having taken part in the 1940 Battle of Narvik.
After the fall of France, Sikorski evacuated many of the Polish troops to England, however only 25,000 of them were
able to escape. In England, the I Polish Corps was formed, comprising of the Polish 1st Armored Division, the
Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, and numerous other regiments. They trained in Scotland, defended the
shored of Great Britain, fought the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of the Falaise Gap, and liberated many towns and
villages in Belgium and Holland
II Polish Corps
Polish 1st Armored Division