Investigation of Anti-semitism in Polish Army Demanded by British Government

The British Government has made representations to the polish Government-in-Exile concerning the complaints of Jewish soldiers in the Polish Army that they were mistreated by anti-Semitic officers and soldiers, it was disclosed in the House of Commons today by Foreign Minister Anthony Eden.

Eden revealed that a number of Jewish “deserters” from the Polish Army have recently been transferred to the British forces because they maintained that they were no longer able to tolerate the conditions in the Polish army. Queried by Tom Driberg, Independent, as to whether it was true that many Polish Jewish soldiers and sailors were awaiting court martials on charges of desertion, and whether their transfer to the British forces could be arranged, Eden replied that under an arrangement with the Polish Government some Jewish deserters had been transferred “which constituted an entirely exceptional departure from normal principles of transfers from one Allied army to another.”

The Foreign Minister added that “His Majesty’s Government took the opportunity to represent to the Polish Government the desirability of a thorough investigation of the men’s grievances and of remedying any that might be found to exist.” The Polish Government, he said has taken steps to ensure that the policy of opposing all manifestations of anti-Semitism will be brought to the attention of all ranks of the Polish armed forces.

Eden concluded by stating that the British and Polish Governments had agreed that in view of the necessity of maintaining morale and discipline in all forces which are preparing to take part in the forthcoming invasion, it was not deemed advisable to make any further transfers. Both Driberg and Emanuel Shinwell, Labor Party leader in Commons, indicated that they still felt that the transfers could be effected without serious dislocation of war plans, and Driberg stated that he would raise the matter again.