Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume II

860c.20/7–2045

No. 1123
The Deputy Political Adviser at Allied Force Headquarters (Offie) to the Secretary of State

top secret
No. 1247

Allied Force Headquarters, July 20, 1945.

Subject: Transmitting Minutes of the Meeting between Field Marshal Alexander and Lieutenant General Anders.

Sir: With reference to my telegram No. 2979, July 18, 10 a.m.,¹ I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the minutes of a meeting between Field Marshal Alexander and Lieutenant General Anders, Commander of the Second Polish Corps, Italy, held at Caserta on July 13, 1945. The Department will note that General Anders stated that he would do everything possible to expedite the repatriation to Poland of those members of his army who desired to be repatriated.

It should also be observed that General Anders reassured to the Supreme Allied Commander that he would maintain the morale and discipline of Polish troops in Italy.

Respectfully yours,

C. Offie

[Enclosure—Extracts]

top secret

Minutes of the Conversation Between SAC and Lt-Gen. Anders, Commander 2 Polish Corps, 13 July 1945, in the Office of the Supreme Allied Commander

Present:	Field Marshal Sir Harold R. L. G. Alexander, SAC
	Lt-Gen. W. Anders, Commander 2 Polish Corps
	Lt-Gen. W. D. Morgan, Chief of Staff
	Brig. E. H. C. Frith, Comd, 26 BLU.
	Col. J. L. Tappin, Chief, Liaison Section
	Lt-Col. J. T. Rankin, Liaison Section
	Capt. Łomnicky, Interpreter to General Anders

The following Minutes were prepared by Brigadier E. H. C. Frith, Comd, 26 BLU.

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2. General Anders raised the question of those Poles who wished to return to Poland, and outlined his policy of freedom of choice, his views on the handling of them once he had demobilized them, and pointed out that once he had passed them to British or Allied repatriation camps, he did not wish to interfere with them and could not be responsible for their further fortunes. It was pointed out that this whole question is a subject of staff study at AFHQ.

S. A. C. agreed with Gen Anders’ policy, and said that he wished it to be carefully gone into—especially the route by which they would be sent to Poland.

Gen. Anders pointed out that he wished to avoid giving the Soviet or the Warsaw Govt any handle whereby they could allege that he was using force or in any way interfering with their freedom of choice, and hence his earnest desire that repatriation camps should be British run.

He further said that, for this reason as well as to give evidence of good faith, he hoped that arrangements would be made early so that he could evacuate to British camps in parties as they came forward those Poles wishing to return to Poland.

The S. A. C. asked what the total numbers were likely to be as it was a matter of importance in planning that this should be known.

Gen Anders said that he could give no figures now but he would, he considered, be able to give this information in, at the most two weeks. He also pointed out that, even after that, there might be further applicants.

The S. A. C. asked, in this connection, what the strength of the Polish Corps was, and Gen Anders replied that in Italy the strength was approx 110,000.

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1. Document No. 1119.