Counter Admiral Józef Unrug was commander in chief of the polish navy and defended Hel Penninsula. He was born to a prussian general and during world war I he commanded U boots of German Imperial Navy, but he had some polish ancestry and when Poland was reborn after world war I he joined newly formed Polish Navy, he is a fascinating figure. When he was a german POW the Germans wanted him to change sides, because he was a german officer during wwI but he refused, and even said that after 1st September 1939 he forgot the german language, although he was a native german speaker he insisted on using translators or spoke in french to the germans when he was held in various camps as POW, he was greatly admired by polish sailors. After the war he couldnt return to now communist Poland and he was working in Morocco and France, in latter as a chauffer. He died in 1973 in exile in France. I think its worth reading or watching more about him. He was a great polish patriot who CHOSE to be polish.
You asked: "How did we allow the Soviets to maintain control over Poland?" Well... It happened mainly because of Roosevelt's actions and attitude towards the USSR. He wanted the USSR's help in the war with Japan. Poland (and other countries in the region) "were a sacrifice he was willing to make". Roosevelt is respected in the US. I understand, but we in Poland have a "slightly" different perspective.
At the Yalta conference, add Churchill to Roosevelt. He wanted Stalin's support for British interests in the fFar East and Mediterranean/ Stalin had promised free elections in Poland (guess what...they never happenes. nor support in the fight against Japan). That is why many Polish soldiers and airmen fighting far from their homeland would not return at the end of the war. They hated Stalin, and weren't exactly enamoured with Churchill. Indeed, when Churchill died in 1965, there was an audible cheer from all Poles living in U.K. at the time (my father included - his story is another study in what happened to Poles upon invasion by the Soviets in 1939)
@@tombusza6401 I don't add Churchill because: 1) Stalin couldn't offer him anything in those regions (except maybe Greece) and he stood up (albeit weakly) for Polish interests. 2) Churchill's words didn't mean much at that time. By then, Great Britain was already in debt up to its ears in the US and was dependent on what the US would say. The claims against Churchill are exaggerated/unfair.
How ghastly War truly is! It's good you are Reacting to these programmes Connor. It reminds us of the great and unbearable suffering of the Polish people. Lest we Forget.
Connor...for a really good video covering what happened to many of the Polish people after the war, you should react to the video on Operation Keelhaul made by this channel...World War Two. ruclips.net/video/LGwBLw9vsmA/видео.html But for the short answer...the main reason the Soviets got control of Poland was because to keep it away from them would have required the Western Allies going to war against the USSR immediately after WW2 ended...but almost nobody was willing to do that. And no...the world war did not begin when Japan and Germany became allies...it began when every continent in the world had nations at war. It is the involvement of every continent (other than Antarctica) that makes a world war. 14:59 The Pan American Security Zone was a "neutral" area...so nobody is supposed to be fighting anyone in that zone. There were violations, such as the Battle of the River Plate between the British and Germans, but since the Germans were going after British merchants the zone helped Britain by preventing German attacks. As Indy explained, it was Germany's violations of the neutrality zone that helped to lead to the American people supporting FDR ending the embargo of arms sales and getting "cash and carry" enacted in the Neutrality Act of 1939.
If interested in Polish forces during WW2, I suggest you watch anyhing about RAF 303 squadron, made up of Polish (and some Czech) fighter pilots, It was the most successful fighter squadron during the Battle of Britain with highest number of "kills". Sadly, When victory celebration parades were held in London, after the end of war, Poles were excluded - "in case Stalin was offended".
There is a better series called The World at War, it's narrated by Laurence Olivier, and when it was created in 1973, it was the most expensive factual series ever made. It uses genuine film from the actual war, and interviews with people from all sides of the war, both military and civilians.
I would suggest watching videos by Drachinifel: "The Polish Navy-Founding to the Fall of Poland" and "Free Navies of World War 2- Small but Deadly (and a little crazy)" there is more about Polish Navy before and during world war 2 and in second video about others like Dutch, Norwegian,Free French, Hellenic and Yugoslav Navies.
Counter Admiral Józef Unrug was commander in chief of the polish navy and defended Hel Penninsula. He was born to a prussian general and during world war I he commanded U boots of German Imperial Navy, but he had some polish ancestry and when Poland was reborn after world war I he joined newly formed Polish Navy, he is a fascinating figure. When he was a german POW the Germans wanted him to change sides, because he was a german officer during wwI but he refused, and even said that after 1st September 1939 he forgot the german language, although he was a native german speaker he insisted on using translators or spoke in french to the germans when he was held in various camps as POW, he was greatly admired by polish sailors. After the war he couldnt return to now communist Poland and he was working in Morocco and France, in latter as a chauffer. He died in 1973 in exile in France. I think its worth reading or watching more about him. He was a great polish patriot who CHOSE to be polish.
Love these reactions
Complying with international law in that case meant to do what the Germans wanted and not allowing the Poles to escape
You asked: "How did we allow the Soviets to maintain control over Poland?"
Well... It happened mainly because of Roosevelt's actions and attitude towards the USSR. He wanted the USSR's help in the war with Japan. Poland (and other countries in the region) "were a sacrifice he was willing to make".
Roosevelt is respected in the US. I understand, but we in Poland have a "slightly" different perspective.
At the Yalta conference, add Churchill to Roosevelt. He wanted Stalin's support for British interests in the fFar East and Mediterranean/ Stalin had promised free elections in Poland (guess what...they never happenes. nor support in the fight against Japan).
That is why many Polish soldiers and airmen fighting far from their homeland would not return at the end of the war. They hated Stalin, and weren't exactly enamoured with Churchill. Indeed, when Churchill died in 1965, there was an audible cheer from all Poles living in U.K. at the time (my father included - his story is another study in what happened to Poles upon invasion by the Soviets in 1939)
Add to that the mysterious crash of the aircraft carrying General Sikorski of the coast of Gibraltar.
@@tombusza6401 I don't add Churchill because:
1) Stalin couldn't offer him anything in those regions (except maybe Greece) and he stood up (albeit weakly) for Polish interests.
2) Churchill's words didn't mean much at that time. By then, Great Britain was already in debt up to its ears in the US and was dependent on what the US would say.
The claims against Churchill are exaggerated/unfair.
@@tombusza6401the soviets did support the US in their fight against the Japanese
Look up RAF 303 squadron, one of the Polish squadrons within the RAF. Amazing
Yes another reaction. Loving these videos and hope you continue. :)
How ghastly War truly is! It's good you are Reacting to these programmes Connor. It reminds us of the great and unbearable suffering of the Polish people. Lest we Forget.
Connor...for a really good video covering what happened to many of the Polish people after the war, you should react to the video on Operation Keelhaul made by this channel...World War Two. ruclips.net/video/LGwBLw9vsmA/видео.html
But for the short answer...the main reason the Soviets got control of Poland was because to keep it away from them would have required the Western Allies going to war against the USSR immediately after WW2 ended...but almost nobody was willing to do that.
And no...the world war did not begin when Japan and Germany became allies...it began when every continent in the world had nations at war. It is the involvement of every continent (other than Antarctica) that makes a world war.
14:59 The Pan American Security Zone was a "neutral" area...so nobody is supposed to be fighting anyone in that zone. There were violations, such as the Battle of the River Plate between the British and Germans, but since the Germans were going after British merchants the zone helped Britain by preventing German attacks. As Indy explained, it was Germany's violations of the neutrality zone that helped to lead to the American people supporting FDR ending the embargo of arms sales and getting "cash and carry" enacted in the Neutrality Act of 1939.
If interested in Polish forces during WW2, I suggest you watch anyhing about RAF 303 squadron, made up of Polish (and some Czech) fighter pilots, It was the most successful fighter squadron during the Battle of Britain with highest number of "kills". Sadly, When victory celebration parades were held in London, after the end of war, Poles were excluded - "in case Stalin was offended".
There is a better series called The World at War, it's narrated by Laurence Olivier, and when it was created in 1973, it was the most expensive factual series ever made. It uses genuine film from the actual war, and interviews with people from all sides of the war, both military and civilians.
7:08 what else are the allies gonna do? Go to war?
I would suggest watching videos by Drachinifel: "The Polish Navy-Founding to the Fall of Poland" and "Free Navies of World War 2- Small but Deadly (and a little crazy)" there is more about Polish Navy before and during world war 2 and in second video about others like Dutch, Norwegian,Free French, Hellenic and Yugoslav Navies.
Untold Battle of Britain
Connor, please watch the between the wars Video mate would love to see your reaction..