The Cursed Soldiers are not only those who after 1945 did not lay down their arms and were persecuted by the communist regime. The Cursed Soldiers also included those who were denied the right to return to their Homeland, forced to remain in exile in countries where no one wanted them.
In 1940, when British propaganda created the image of the Polish pilot, the British and other Western allies were exceedingly kind, but by 1945 no one remembered that anymore. Unfortunately, after the end of hostilities, pilots and soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces in the West also experienced indifference, rejection, poverty and depression, hearing phrases like “Vile Poles!” in public places. The British “fell in love with the Russians”, as the February decisions of the Big Three from the Allied conference in Yalta were made public, and many Polish soldiers already knew they would never return to their homes.
Among those treated in this way was Gen. Stanisław Sosabowski, who was blamed for the failures of the allies. Commanding the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, Sosabowski played a key role in Operation Market Garden, one of the largest Allied airborne assaults in occupied Europe. However, the operation did not achieve its intended objectives, for which Sosabowski faced enormous criticism.
Gen. Stanisław Maczek was denied employment, other distinguished soldiers were reduced to the rank of shop assistants or ticket sellers in the underground… This was the fate of many Polish heroes. They too were “cursed” — both there in exile and here in communist Poland…
On a day like today, let us remember all those who fought for our freedom, and especially those who were ridiculed, persecuted and punished for that fight. Glory to the heroes!
