§ 50. Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Prime Minister if he can make a statement in regard to the rising in Warsaw and the measures taken by the Allies to assist the Polish Forces.
52. Commander Bowerasked the Prime Minister whether the scale of local assistance to be afforded to the rising of General 26 Bor's forces in Warsaw at the beginning of August was determined beforehand by the Allied staffs; and to what extent it has been found possible to implement such decisions.
§ The Prime MinisterI welcome this opportunity of paying tribute to the heroism and tenacity of the Polish home army and population of Warsaw, who, after five years of oppression, have yet fought for nearly two months to contribute all in their power to the expulsion of the Germans from the capital of Poland.
His Majesty's Government have always made it clear to all concerned that they were too far from the scene to undertake responsibility for ordering or supporting a general rising in Poland. At the same time, they have consistently used their good offices to promote co-operation and co-ordination of plans in regard to such matters between the Polish and Soviet authorities, and, despite the formidable practical difficulties, they have furnished military supplies by air to the Polish Home Army. As soon as His Majesty's Government learnt that the rising in Warsaw had begun, they expressed to the Soviet Government their hope that, although such co-ordination had not yet been achieved, they would nevertheless bring such aid to the Polish insurgents as lay in their power. The Soviet armies were at that time engaged in heavy fighting with strong German forces to the east and north-east of Warsaw, but when their operational plans permitted and direct contact had been established with the Polish Commander-in-Chief in Warsaw, they sent supplies to the Polish forces and provided them with air cover and antiaircraft support. This assistance has been gratefully acknowledged by the Polish Prime Minister and by the Polish Commander-in-Chief in Warsaw.
Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force, despite the very great practical difficulties and in the face of heavy losses, themselves made the long flight from Mediterranean bases to Warsaw with supplies on all occasions when weather conditions permitted. In their statement issued on 13th September, the Polish Government published particulars and expressed appreciation of this assistance. On 18th September a large escorted force of United States heavy bombers carried out a successful operation, which was planned in co-operation with the Soviet High Command but which 27 was unavoidably postponed for several days because of bad weather. This force, after dropping a large quantity of supplies in Warsaw, the bulk of which came from British sources, flew on to bases in Soviet territory, escorted by Soviet aircraft.
These successful combined operations have played an important part in sustaining the gallant resistance of the Polish forces and in enabling them to contribute so effectively to the liberation of their country's capital, which will not, I hope, be much longer delayed.