O n 22 June 1941, after the German attack on the Soviet Union, thanks to British mediation, talks started between the authorities of the Republic of Poland and the USSR. On 30 July, the Sikorski-Mayski agreement was signed, under which both countries resumed diplomatic relations, declared the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 23 August 1939 void and formed an alliance against Germany. On 14 August 1941, the settlement was extended by a military agreement which regulated, in detail, the rules for the formation of the Polish Army in the USSR, into which Polish citizens released from prisons and labour camps were enlisted. The units under formation were to be commanded by Lt. Gen. Władysław Anders. The Army's staff was quartered in the town of Buzuluk.
Initially, there was a plan to form two infantry divisions, which, together with, a reserve center, officer school and command headquarters were to number a total of 30,000 soldiers, but the number of incoming volunteers quickly went beyond the set, and then increased, limits. Towards the end of 1941, a permit was granted to evacuate 25,000 soldiers to the Middle East and Great Britain. At the same time, the number of soldiers and military supplies in the Polish Army in the USSR, which was to comprise six divisions, was increased to 96,000 soldiers.
Pictures come from the National Digital Archives, Polska
Initially, there was a plan to form two infantry divisions, which, together with, a reserve center, officer school and command headquarters were to number a total of 30,000 soldiers, but the number of incoming volunteers quickly went beyond the set, and then increased, limits. Towards the end of 1941, a permit was granted to evacuate 25,000 soldiers to the Middle East and Great Britain. At the same time, the number of soldiers and military supplies in the Polish Army in the USSR, which was to comprise six divisions, was increased to 96,000 soldiers.
Pictures come from the National Digital Archives, Polska