The Journal of American Ethnic History | Vol. 22 No. 2 | BRADLEY E. FELS: "Whatever Your Heart Dictates and Your Pocket Permits": Polish-American Aid to Polish Refugees during World War II

Article

Volume 22 • Number 2

Winter 2003

"Whatever Your Heart Dictates and Your Pocket Permits": Polish-American Aid to Polish Refugees during World War II

BRADLEY E. FELS

DURING WORLD WAR II, the geographic entity known as Poland ceased to exist. However, for many of the approximately six million Americans of Polish descent and the majority of Polish refugees who fled to the United States, the fight for Poland was not over. How this battle was fought depended heavily on what exactly "Poland" meant to them. For some, it was the embodiment of a dream of Polish freedom and independence. This dream had been fulfilled in 1918 after over a century of occupation and subjugation by Poland's German, Austrian, and Russian neighbors. These men and women fought throughout World War II as soldiers and political activists to ensure that Poland would once again take its place among the nations of the world. For others, "Poland" was its people, many of whom were under great duress during the war.

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