In the defence of Western Europe

	In the defence of Western Europe

The September defeat did not terminate the Poles' fight against the occupying forces. On the 30 of September 1939 the president's post has been taken over by Władysław Raczkiewicz. On the same day the new government was created, headed by General Władysław Sikorski, who, from 7 November, also performed the function of the Supreme Commander.

On 12th September the French authorities made a training camp in the town of Coëtquidan, available for use by the Poles. An infantry division was to be formed there.

The new Polish authorities signed an agreement with the French and the British, giving a legal basis for the activities of the Polish Army abroad. On 18 November an agreement was signed in London, pertaining to the collaboration between the Polish and British navies and, on 4 January 1940, a similar Polish - French agreement was signed on the re-establishment of the Polish Army in France as well as an agreement specifying the collaboration of the air forces. On the basis of this latter agreement the Polish Air Force, constituting a component of the Polish Army, was subordinated to the French Supreme Command.

These agreements made it possible to start the organizational work on the recreation of the national army in France and the United Kingdom. It progressed until the capitulation of France in June 1940.
 

 

 

Pennant of the General Inspector of the Armed Forces
- the Supreme Commander, from 1939

 

The supreme authorities of Poland during the Second World War Presidents of the Republic: - Ignacy Mościcki; until 30 Sept. 1939 - Władysław Raczkiewicz; from 30 Sept. 1939 Prime Ministers of the Polish government: - Sławoj Felicjan Składkowski; until 30 Sept. 1939 - Władysław Eugeniusz Sikorski; 30 Sept. 1939 - 4 July 1943 - Stanisław Mikołajczyk; 14 July 1943 - 24 Nov. 1944 - Tomasz Arciszewski; from 29 Nov.1944 Supreme Commanders of the Polish Army: - marsz. Edward Rydz-Śmigły; until 7 Nov. 1939 - gen. Władysław Eugeniusz Sikorski; 7 Nov. 1939 - 4 July 1943 - gen. Kazimierz Sosnkowski; 8 July 1943 - 30 Sept. 1944 - gen. Tadeusz Komorowski; from 30 Sept. 1944 (from 2 Oct. in German captivity) - gen. Władysław Anders (formally appointed 26 Feb.1945)