Free Polish

The term Free Polish can refer to the following:

  • Polish government-in-exile - The remnants of the Polish government, based in the United Kingdom, following the Invasion of Poland during World War II
  • Polish Armed Forces in the West - The military forces of the Polish government-in-exile serving with the Western Allies in many of the major battles of World War II.

However, the expression "Free Polish" (inspired by the term Free French) is technically misleading and unnecessary since, unlike France, Poland never surrenderred to the Third Reich. Poland's armed forces, under an exilé but fully legitimate government, continued their fight from bases in the United Kingdom and there was no official collaborator regime in their homeland to differentiate from in political terms.

Famous quotes containing the words free and/or polish:

    I am thankful to God for this approval of the people. But while deeply grateful for this mark of their confidence in me, if I know my heart, my gratitude is free from any taint of personal triumph. I do not impugn the motives of any one opposed to me. It is no pleasure to me to triumph over any one.
    Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)

    Use the stones of another hill to polish your own jade.
    Chinese proverb.