On the eve of the Soviet invasion of Poland, in 1920, Felix Dzerzhinsky, an upper class Pole who had moved to Russia and ascended the Bolshevik ranks to lead the infamous butchers of the Cheka, told Lenin: The working masses of Warsaw are awaiting the arrival of the Red Army, but, owing to a lack of leadership and the reign of terror, are not coming forward.
It would have been good to mention that the C-in-C of Germany’s armed forces was supplying intelligence to the Bolsheviks and had agreed lines of demarcation in a newly-partitioned Poland, with Russia and Germany going half-half. The Germans were in an uneasy, unofficial alliance with the Bolsheviks until autumn 1941 — though there was a brief cooling period in 1933-34 while both sides reassessed the new situation. Then, as now, anti-Polish sentiment united them (compare German acquiescence with Putin blowing up Polish President Lech Kaczynski in 2010 — the UK MoD scientists found high explosives residue on the wreckage of the plane that broke up in mid-air; Tusk’s investigation ruled “human error”).
To someone who knows little of modern Polish history and wished to learn more, what are some dependable works you would recommend? I am familiar with Oskar Halecki, but don't think I have any other Polish historians on my personal shelf. Anyway, any suggestions you have would be welcome. Enjoyed reading about the Battle of Warsaw very much.
"... There is no such thing as an entirely unified society. Still, it is inspiring that the Poles came together to defend humbler, more traditional and more transcendent values than the fanatical internationalist utopianism and resentment of the Bolsheviks."
Good stuff, Ben. Love some Norman Davies, but had never heard of Zara Steiner's work - will have to give it a look ;)
From Finland to Japan, the Soviets had a particular, ironic talent for stoking national consciousness...
It would have been good to mention that the C-in-C of Germany’s armed forces was supplying intelligence to the Bolsheviks and had agreed lines of demarcation in a newly-partitioned Poland, with Russia and Germany going half-half. The Germans were in an uneasy, unofficial alliance with the Bolsheviks until autumn 1941 — though there was a brief cooling period in 1933-34 while both sides reassessed the new situation. Then, as now, anti-Polish sentiment united them (compare German acquiescence with Putin blowing up Polish President Lech Kaczynski in 2010 — the UK MoD scientists found high explosives residue on the wreckage of the plane that broke up in mid-air; Tusk’s investigation ruled “human error”).
Mr. Sixsmith,
To someone who knows little of modern Polish history and wished to learn more, what are some dependable works you would recommend? I am familiar with Oskar Halecki, but don't think I have any other Polish historians on my personal shelf. Anyway, any suggestions you have would be welcome. Enjoyed reading about the Battle of Warsaw very much.
Best,
Thomas
"... There is no such thing as an entirely unified society. Still, it is inspiring that the Poles came together to defend humbler, more traditional and more transcendent values than the fanatical internationalist utopianism and resentment of the Bolsheviks."
Good stuff, Ben. Love some Norman Davies, but had never heard of Zara Steiner's work - will have to give it a look ;)