POLISH CONTINGENT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 265, 7 August 1942, Page 5

POLISH CONTINGENT

Small Army In Middle East (Received August 6, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, August 5. Poles are now by far the largest of the various Allied contingents comprising tlie Middle East armies, says the Jerusalem correspondent of “The Times.” A large draft of Poles from Russia three months ago raised them to the rank of a small army, complete with all arms and auxiliary services, including a women’s corps. The commander of the Poles, General Zajac, believes that the Polish force will total 100,600 when the reserve of Polish manpower in Russia is fully drawn Oil.

The Poles are quartert'd in huge camps in Palestine where they are accustoming themselves Io new British equipment. 'They include entire units who fought in Poland. Their physical standard is high and their discipline good. It seems they are destined to be an army to be reckoned wit it. The officer cadet training unit has 160 gunner cadets alone. Most of the instructors are drawn like Gem-rul Zajac- from Polish divisions in Scotland and they are tints familiar with British weapons and material.

The pets of the camp are I hi' boy soldiers, numbering 1500, aged between eight and 17. who were brought from Russia and forthwith attached to the army mid put into khaki. It hits now been decided to send those under 14 to school. 'The others are being trained for signallers, mechanics, drivers and aircraft fitters when they reach military age. They are already specialists.