Keywords
Polonia, Second World War, Windsor, Owen Sound, Recruitment, Polish Armed Forces
Abstract
Following their retreat to Great Britain in 1940, the Polish government and its military sought out fresh reserves to reinforce their depleted armed forces. With mainland Europe being overrun by the enemy, the Poles turned to the prospect of recruiting from the Polish émigré community on the American continent (Polonia). A generation earlier, over 20,000 Polish-Americans had enlisted to fight for the liberation of their homeland in the Blue Army. Seeking to recreate this success, the Poles established a recruitment center in Windsor, Ontario and a training camp in Owen Sound, Ontario. Despite their efforts, by 1942, the Poles only managed to attract just over 800 recruits to their military. The lack of recruits can be linked to several factors such as the Polish government’s mistreatment of Polish-American veterans from the First World War, a changing and more North Americanized youth within the Polonia, and a lack of cultural awareness on the part of the Polish government in terms of what North American Poles prioritized.
Primary Advisor
Robert Nelson
Co-Advisor
N/A
Program Reader
Adam Pole
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
History
Document Type
Major Research Paper
Convocation Year
2021
Included in
Canadian History Commons, European History Commons, Military History Commons, United States History Commons