Polish Jews in America are eligible to join Polish battalions in the U.S. Army, it was stated here today following reports that such battalions are now being contemplated.
The reports, published in the Polish press in America, said that the U.S. Army will form Polish units which will consist of natives of Poland or those of Polish extraction. Only those who have served either in the American or Polish Army will be eligible for enlistment. In the meantime officers cadres will be established to which only former officers and privates with military experiences will be admitted.
The decision to organize Polish battalions was acclaimed by the Chicago Dziennik Zwiazkowy. This newspaper declared that the knowledge of the Polish language and Polish conditions possessed by the members of these units will prove valuable “when the time comes.”
The Glos Narodu of Jersey City commented that “it appears the American Government had decided to form various national fighting units in the U.S. Army. These will not be separate armies but separate national units which will be charged with special duties during as well as after the war.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
