The Polish Armed Forces in the West refers to the Polish military formations formed to fight alongside the Western Allies against Nazi Germany and its allies during World War II. Polish forces were also raised within Soviet territories; these were the Polish Armed Forces in the East.
Shoulder sleeve insignia of the Polish Armed Forces in the West
Polish soldiers welcomed by the residents of Breda, Netherlands, 1944
Polish military grave (the text reads "unknown soldiers") in the cemetery at Grainville-Langannerie, France
126 German airplanes shot down by the 303 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. Painted on a Hurricane.
The Polish Army in France formed in France under the command of General Władysław Sikorski in late 1939, after the fall of Poland resulting from the Polish Defensive War. About 85,000 troops were in the process of being organized into fighting formations when the Battle of France started. The army was partially destroyed in the hostilities, but over 20,000 soldiers were evacuated and formed a new Polish army in the United Kingdom.
Polish soldiers in training with MAS 36 rifles, France, 1940.
Wladyslaw Sikorski presents the banner for the Polish sapper unit in France.
Polish Renault UE column in France, 1940.
The ceremony parade presenting the banner of the Independent Podhale Rifle Brigade, 1940.