Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Polish Army Command Called Upon to Curb Anti-semitism in Armed Forces

February 2, 1944
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

The Polish Army command was called upon today to take rigorous action to check the spread of anti-Semitic propaganda in the armed forces and to discipline commissioned and non-commissioned Polish officers responsible for the distribution of anti-Jewish material.

At a meeting with Gen. Kazimierz Sosnokowski, Commander-in-Chief of all Polish armed forces, and Defense Minister Marjan Kukiel, the Jewish Socialist deputy Emanuel Szerer presented the above demands, pointing out that able-bodied Polish Jews were required to serve in the armed forces, and, therefore, were entitled to equal treatment. In addition to disciplinary action, Szerer demanded that an educational campaign be instituted aimed at dispelling the falsehoods spread by the anti-Semites.

Despite much recent evidence to the contrary, both Gen. Sosnckowski and Kukiel denied that there was wide-spread anti-Jewish activity in the army, asserting that only a few isolated cases had been reported. Offenders were dealt with severely, they added. Sosnokowski declared that an educational program, such as that requested by Szerer, was being prepared.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement