Francuska pomoc w wyposażeniu armii polskiej (1919–1939)

Abstract

Shaping of the political and military alliance between France and Poland in the interwar period had a cyclic character. Initially, the relations were close. French companies engaged themselves financially in the development of war industry as well as fuel sector, extraction industry, and light industry. Plans of modernizing the military forces were also developed in unison. Representatives of the French army played an important role in the process of educating the Polish officers. After the May Coup d’État, further cooperation was less close. One of the reasons for this situation was the fact that the Polish establishment gathered around Józef Piłsudski was searching for ways of liberating the country from the restraining patronage. Further relations were resumed in 1936. The financial and technological help of the French was invaluable. However, in spite of the efforts of Warsaw and Vilnius, it was not able to change the results of the defeat in September 1939.