RELATIONS BETWEEN POLISH AND SOVIET SOLDIERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A000700050004-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 13, 2002
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: April 9, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2004/02/10 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA000700050004-5
CENTRAL INTELLI-GENC.E. AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
SECT
25X1
COUNTRY Poland
Relations between Polish and
Soviet Soldiers
25X1
DATE OF INFO.
This Document,containe Information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the. United States, within the mean-
ing' of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Oode, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person to prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OP CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
25X1
25X1
9 April 1953
2
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There was no mutual respect or friendliness between the Polish soldiers and the
Soviets. The Poles disliked the Soviets and usually laughed at them because they
considered most Soviets primitive. A common source of mockery was the strange
uniforms worn by the Soviet soldiers. This mockery-in turn produced resentment in
the Soviets. The Poles., on the other hand., resented the superior,, patronizing
air evinced by the Soviets and the flaunting of this feelin
of su
eriorit
i
g
p
y
n
minor situations.
2. Since 1948, Soviet soldiers have not been allowed to enter any of the more popular
Polish restaurants. The reason was that they brought their own liquor and made
advances to and accosted some of the Polish women. This frequently resulted in
serious brawls between Polish and Soviet soldiers. If an argument or fight developed
between a Pole and a Soviet, you would usually find whatever Poles there were in
the vicinity lined up on one side, and whatever Soviets there were lined up on the
other. Generally speaking., the Soviet soldiers were avoided by both Polish military
and civilian personnel.
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TherE Wa8 little fraternization. There WereA few people who tried
to irtgrat ate theaieelves with the Soviets, but this was usually for
sorr.e persona. Cain. 'This sycophancy was referred to by the general
population as podlizywacze, (bootlicking). If a Soviet officer
approached a.Polish soldier and spoke to him, the Polish soldier
would stand at attention and speak because he feltihe.must. This
usually happened in a situation where the Pole was not successful in
avoiding the Soviet.
In order to develop a more friendly atmosphere between the Poles and
.the Soviets, Soviet theatrical groups (Teats Armji Czerwonej) gave
shows-at-Polish army camps. Before the music and dances were given,
a .Polish officer Would give a speech on the merits of the Soviets
and the kindred spirit that prevails between the Poles and the Soviets,
A Soviet officer would then give a short speech and the show-would be
presented. In'order to ease the Polish soldierst minds about Soviet
oppression of their'.families and civilian friends, the speeches
usually told about the outings Attended by civilians,sponsored by the
Polish-Soviet Friendship Society (Towarzystwo Przyjazn Poisko
Radzieoko TPPR). The speeches also told about visits by' the.
civilians to the Ukraine, Moscow, or Leningrad and the Wonderful
treatment they received in the USSR. These speeches were laughea.at.
by the soldiers.
With Marshall (fnu).1K w L : as head of Poland's armed forces, the
average Polish soldier' felt that the Po'li'Bh Army had finally been
Sovietized, It was a soviet Army with Polish soldiers. Soviet army..
regulations and Soviet training met ode were Introduced. Uniforms,
especially those of the Air Force, sere gradually being Sovietised,.`
When ?OSSOW'SEI' took over as- head of the army, he extended army
service from two to three years. This-further added to-the dislike
the.;,soldiers have for the Marshall.,
In order to increase the dissatisfaction of the Polish soldiers,
25X1 tell them how the American soldier lives, how he serves, what
s so dier does with his free time, what he eats, the money he
25X1 gets tell them of his rights and what happens to him after
he fini'shes his army service. Polish soldiers are told by the
Soviets that their lot as soldiers Wbetter than that of any.
Wester4 soldier. They tell the Polish soldiers that they live and
sat best. An important theme is that of the Katyn Forest massacre,
A,greater part of the Poles believe the Germans responsible. The
Poles ,are, told that America is responsible for the non exoh'ahrging of
the PW's in Korea. The Soviets do not say that the PWts held by the
Americans do have certain "rights, that they can choose not to be
released to the North Koreans.- Finally, the Soviets tell the Poles
that the Polish soldier is being trained for a defensive war,, but
the Polish soldier does not believe it and could be encouraged to
feel more strongly about it.
SECRET
Approved For Release 2004/02/10 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA000700050004-5