POLES IN THE NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN OF 1940

INTRODUCTION

To a soldier, who loves his country and fights in his country's defence, a defeat is also a personal tragedy. Even, if he knows that he fought a losing battle with all odds against him. Even, if he knows that he gave his best - the feelings of humiliation and guilt are as much overwhelming, as undeserved.

Those feelings were shared by thousands of Polish soldiers who, following Poland's military defeat in the Polish Campaign of 1939, decided to continue their struggle against the Nazi and Soviet invaders abroad. With the assistance of sympathetic nations of Hungary, Rumania, Yugoslavia and Italy, whose governments turned a blind eye on unusually high number of Polish "tourists" hurrying during those tumultuous months en masse and in one direction only, those soldiers reached Polish Army organization centres in France shortly.

They were relentless in their will to fight for Poland and they wanted to prove to the World, that they can defeat their enemies. Soldiers' morale was high and battle readiness achieved quickly.

And the first, good opportunity for proving their military skills, combat worthiness and determination just few short months away.

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title page illustration:
ASSAULT ON BJERKVIK
A watercolour by O.Cdt. Artur Pieronik (II Battalion, I Halfbrigade, Polish Independent Highland Rifle Brigade).

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