The Polish state can be traced back to 960 AD and was a major power in Eastern Europe throughout the middle ages. At the end of the 18th century Poland fought and lost several wars against the German and Russian Empires resulting in Poland being annexed, ending the existence of the state.

At the end of World War I with the defeat of Germany and the Fall of the Russian empire to revolutionaries, a new independent Polish state was created after 123 years of occupation.

The end of the Russian empire also lead to the creation of the newly independent state of Ukraine. There were disputes between the two nations over the position of the border which lead to a short war between the two new nations, with Poland emerging victorious.

In February 1919 the newly established Soviet Union invaded Poland, wishing to spread communism westward and reclaim the territory they had lost as part of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Soviet forces managed to advance far into Polish territory but were stopped at the Battle of Warsaw and then pushed back, the conflict ened with the Treaty of Riga, which secured Polish independence.

Following the fall of Poland thousands of men fled the country and headed west to join the Allies to continue the fight against Germany. Most notable are the many Polish pilots who joined the RAF and helped the British defend against the luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

On the eve of the German invasion the Polish navy set sail for Britain to avoid being destroyed or captured. They continued to fight alongside the Royal Navy through out the war, including taking part in the operation that sunk the German battleship Bismark.

The Polish I Corps was also formed in Britain, which included the Polish 1st Armoured Division which played important roles during the liberation of France, Belgium and the Netherlands. A Parachute Brigade was also formed and took part in Operation Market Garden supporting the British 1st airborne troops.

Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union Polish POWs captured during the Soviet invasion of Poland were given amnesty and formed into the Polish First Army which fought alongside the Soviet forces, helping to liberate their homeland and then continuing to fight all the way to Berlin.