Anders' Army was the informal yet common name of the Polish Armed Forces in the East in the 1941–42 period, in recognition of its commander Władysław Anders. The army was created in the Soviet Union but, in March 1942, based on an understanding between the British, Polish, and Soviets, it was evacuated from the Soviet Union and made its way through Iran to Palestine. There it passed under British command and provided the bulk of the units and troops of the Polish II Corps, which fought in the Italian Campaign. Anders' Army is notable for having been primarily composed of liberated POWs and for Wojtek, a bear who had honorary membership.
Władysław Anders, commander of the Polish Armed Forces in the East
Polish volunteers to Anders' Army, released from a Soviet Gulag camp
Officers of the Polish and Soviet armies during exercises in the winter of 1941. Władysław Anders is sitting on the right.
Polish cemetery in Bandar-e Anzali
Polish Armed Forces in the East
The Polish Armed Forces in the East, also called Polish Army in the USSR, were the Polish military forces established in the Soviet Union during World War II.
Polish volunteers to the army of Władysław Anders, released from a Soviet POW camp
Generals Karol Świerczewski (front), Marian Spychalski and Michał Rola-Żymierski
Soldiers of the Polish Second Army in the area of the Lusatian Neisse River after fording it in April 1945
Polish Army tanks riding to Berlin in 1945.
