As you may have read from our “veteran interviews” page, Stanley was a Polish officer cadet
just before the fateful September campaign of ’39. After making his escape from the country
he quickly got to France where the Polish army was reforming. We will therefore begin
with his pictures from the artillery officer’s school at Coetquidan.
Click on any picture for full size and description…
(Before Fall of France Photos)
Early war cadet group photo
Before the Fall of France
Back of the cadet group photo
Before the Fall of France
75mm guns in practice, France 1940
Before the Fall of France
Back of the 75mm guns photo
Before the Fall of France
Officers in France
Before the Fall of France
Wider photo of officers in France
Before the Fall of France
Back of the officers in France photo(s)
Before the Fall of France
After the fall of France the Poles made their way to the UK by any means possible. The next picture shows Stan and friend shortly after arrival. As you can see some troops had not yet swapped out into British battle dress uniforms.
(After Fall of France Photos)
Stanley and a French soldier
After the Fall of France
As typical the Poles quickly went to work training on their new equipment.
After the Fall of France
Early photo in England
After the Fall of France
As is typical in any army, there were numerous occasions for dress parades and military ceremonies.
After the Fall of France
King George VI and his wife
After the Fall of France
King George VI and his wife
After the Fall of France
Several towed guns - artillery practice in Scotland, 1943
After the Fall of France
Back of the towed guns photo
After the Fall of France
Photo taken during campaign
After the Fall of France