SELECTED ASPECTS OF THE ACTIVITY OF THE POLISH MARITIME ATTACHÉ AT THE POLISH LEGATION IN STOCKHOLM IN THE INITIAL PERIOD OF WORLD WAR II (1939–1940) – CONTRIBUTION TO THE DISCUSSION

Abstract

The article attempts to present selected aspects and areas of interest or activity of the Polish maritime attaché at the Polish Legation in Stockholm in the years 1939–1940. They testify to some extent to the focus of the attention of the Polish government in exile in the initial period after the outbreak of World War II.

The article attempts to present selected aspects and areas of interest or activity of the Polish maritime attaché at the Polish Legation in Stockholm in the years 1939–1940. They testify to some extent to the focus of the attention of the Polish government in exile in the initial period after the outbreak of World War II.

The author concentrated on the analysis of scientific literature and archival materials from the Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London, to raise arguments within the discussed subject-matter. The issues contained in the archival materials from the Archives of the Józef Piłsudski Institute in America, and the Central Archives of Modern Records in Warsaw were also mentioned.

Given the arguments advanced, it can be concluded that the functioning of the Polish maritime attaché in Stockholm was a manifestation of the Polish government's activity in exile in recognizing the internal situation and international environment of neutral Sweden. Moreover, it proved imperative to secure Polish interests concerning the internment of the submarines ORP "Sęp", ORP "Żbik", and ORP "Ryś" in Sweden.