POLISH SOLDIERS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 7

POLISH SOLDIERS

ESCAPE FROM FRANCE MR CHURCHILL’S PROMISE “CONQUER OR DIE TOGETHER” (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, July 29 The story of the Polish soldiers who escaped from France to England last month can now be told for the first time. On June 17, the day of France’s •urrender, a high Polish official was «ent to France in a British bomber, with orders to bring the Polish Premier and Minister of War, General Sikorski, to safety, even if General Sikorski was surrounded by Germans. After many difficulties, and in spite of the refusal of the French authorities to co-operate, General Sikorski was discovered near Bordeaux, where he had gone to consult Marshal Petain. General Sikorski agreed to go to England on condition that the bomber would return him next day. He met the British Prime Minister, Mr Churchill, on June 18. General Sikorski said: “To-morrow I return to face my army. What am I to tell them?” Mr Churchill replied: “Tell them that we are their comrades in life and death. We shall conquer together or die together.” General Sikorski said: “That is all I want to know.” The two leaders shook hands. Important Handshake “That handshake,” said General Sikorski afterwards, “meant more to me than any treaty, alliance, or any pledged word.” Immediately Mr Churchill called in high Admiralty officials, and General Sikorski explained to them the exact locations of the Polish units and the ports to which they were trying to light their way. Three hours after the interview with Mr Churchill began, signals went to the Navy, and four hours later the first of the Polish troops were being taken off. The evacuation of all Polish troops who had managed to reach the coast, plus members of the Government and a number of officials, was completed four days later without a casualty. General Sikorski returned to France and had a final interview with Marshal Petain, who looked shrunken, worn, and trembling and had aged terribly in a few weeks. General Sikorski preferred not to see General Weygand, who had been his comrade in arms and intimate friend since the Russian-Polish war in 1920.