Page 28 - Winter2010

The Battle to Save the

Polish Countryside

by Sir Julian Rose

oland is a country that is accustomed to fighting
rearguard actions to free itself from unwelcome

Pinvaders. Throughout what is known as “the parti-
tions,” an 18th and 19th century period of occupation by

Russia, Prussia, and Austria, Poles kept in their hearts a
longing for a day when they could be freed from the yoke

of repression and find genuine independence. After finally
succeeding, in 1918, to rid themselves of the unloved

invaders, they were soon engulfed in conflict again—this
time by invading Nazi Germany—and responded by cou-

rageously establishing the renowned 1939-45 resistance
movement, which sprouted up in the fields, small towns
Sir Julian Rose
is a leading and main cities, producing much heroic action.
As many will know, Poles fought alongside the British through-
exponent of out the Second World War—a time when Poland's government in
organic exile had its headquarters in London. I remember quite well, when

farming and I was a boy, a Polish exile who lived in our village (Whitchurch-
raw milk in on-Thames) coming regularly to my family home and diligently
the UK. cleaning the chimneys. He spoke little, but did a very thorough job.

28 Wise Traditions WINTER 2010

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