On this day 85 years ago, after the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, the United Kingdom declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939. France followed later that same day.

In Poland, the participation was welcomed. Now the army only had to hold out against the German superiority until the British and French arrived. Such support was not forthcoming. Nevertheless, the participation of both countries was crucial. The conflict expanded into what we later called ‘The Second World War’.

Nevertheless, participation was also important for Poland. After the battle against Germany, and from September 17 also against the Soviet Union, was lost in October 1939, the government and army were able to flee. From autumn 1939 to the summer of 1940, work was done in France to rebuild the army. The Poles also fought against the German invasion of France.

After the lost battle in France, they fled to the United Kingdom. From there, another 5 years of fighting followed before Germany was defeated. A battle in which the Poles also lost people in the Netherlands. Struggle that meant freedom for us in Western Europe. For Poland, a period of communism followed and only real freedom with the first free democratic elections in 1989.

Pictured (source IWM): Poles taking to the streets when the news broke that the UK had declared war with a banner saying ‘Long live England’ .