POLISH ARMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1940, Page 7

POLISH ARMY

WORK AGAINST GERMANS.

I have been hearing a few details of the indomitable spirit of the Polish army, many members of which ate now in this country after fighting in France and Norway, said a writer in the London “Daily Telegraph” on July 1. This army is much smaller than it was, but it is still a formidable fighting instrument. The most dramatic story is probably that of the so-called "Padhale Brigade,” which from the day of its arrival in Norway on May 13 was fighting almost continuously for a month. It collaborated with the French in capturing Narvik. Germany's defences in Norway were strongly organised. Small forts were carved in the granite rocks, and all the tunnels of the Narvik railway were defensive positions. The Polish forces advanced continually. taking tunnel after tunnel. They were in the middle of a victorious advance when they were recalled. Their casualties were 92 dead and 140 wounded. They arrived in this country about June 10 and were immediately sent to Brest to continue the fight. Finding the French in full retreat, they fought their way through the Germans to a port where (hoy could embark for England. Another force of Poles, the "Grenadier Division." was holding what the French called the "hinge at Montmedy” at the northern end of the Maginot Line. They fought furiously with very severe losses. Their final fate is still unknown, but there are hopes that some fought a way to Switzerland. Many members of the training camps in France fought a way to the sea. One batch of 1600 who left camp with 600 rifles boarded a ship at St Jean do Luz. fully armed and equipped with light and heavy machine-guns abandoned by the retreating French. The Polish navy has fought under English command throughout and its: record is known. The Polish air forcei also has done fine work. I