Poster – Polish Army Hand in Hand with U.S.A.

Historically, military and wartime posters have been used to recruit, inspire, build morale, instruct, and/or influence allies and enemies.

The “hand-in-hand” series is clearly intended to influence Poland’s Western allies Britain, Canada and the U.S. In addition to targeting those governments and their military, the posters may also have been used to reach out to Polish communities in those countries, who might in turn be able to exert influence on their respective governments. This particular poster, “Polish Army Hand in Hand with U.S.A.,” is obviously aimed at Americans.

The need for such Polish propaganda became acute following the Teheran Conference of the “Big Three” Allied leaders — Roosevelt (U.S.), Churchill (U.K.) and Stalin (Russia) — in late 1943. The main topic of this meeting was the opening of a second front. At that time, Russia was bearing the brunt of the German assaults, and Stalin was pressing for a second front to be opened in Western Europe to lighten the pressure on his country.

They also discussed postwar settlements, including redrawing of Poland’s borders. However Poland, the fourth largest Allied military force in the European Theater, was not invited to this meeting at which its future was being arranged.

The “hand-in-hand” posters help remind the Western Allies that Poland is actively in the fight as their dedicated ally. Nevertheless, in February 1945 the Big Three met again at Yalta, where Poland (once again not invited to the meeting) was finally consigned to the Soviet sphere of influence.

Despite this shameful treatment by its Allies, Poland continued to fight as part of the Allied coalition until the end of the war.