Savaria - A Vas Megyei Múzeumok értesítője 9-10. (1975-1976) (Szombathely, 1980)
Helytörténet - Lagzi István: A Nyugat-Magyarországon elhelyezett lengyel katonai menekültek történetének néhány kérdése
The closeness of the German (Austrian) border caused much tension in the West Hungarian military camps. In some momoirs there are allusions to how the emigrants feared the Germnans close to them. "Many of us were afraid that one night the Germans might take us to the territory of Austria. As it turned out later, there were some loud Germanomaniacs in the village and some who considered themselves to be German. They were all against us and tried to influence to population, too, but —except for some cases —thier propaganda was not successful. The majority of the population in Nagycenk, Fertőszentmiklós, at Kapuvár and even at Sopreon was very understanding. The political situation of the refugees became unfavourable in some settlements, as the Poles were —naturally —anti-German in their feelings. From September on almost all the camps had a radioservice organized, which was to listen to the news coming from Paris, London and later from Moscow. By spreading the freshly received news among the population, they influenced public opinion. The anti-German propaganda of the refugess soon attracted the attention of the gendermes and of the 2nd, Defensive department of the General Staff. The bulletins reported that the inhabitants of the camps were reading (and spreading) anti-German leaflets. The refugees were well aware of the fact that their anti-German behaviour and propaganda did not, in fact, mean much danger to the Staff. The political atmosphere among the Polish soldiers stationed in the 3rd Army Corps Headquarters in Szombathely became frozen when in February, 1940 29 persons, later 44 soldiers, altogether 73 persons in the Sárvár camp were put under surveillance (and later to penitentiary); this time not for anti-German propaganda, but for communist propaganda and disobedience. This event brought many Poles, even officers, to their senses. Many of the reserve officers became leftisits. Major Marian Sokolowski from the Bregenc-major camp stated that "... the victory of the Germans would be the greatest misfortune ever to hit Hungary and Europe ... there will be no peace in Europe until Germany is hamstrung". The first victories of the allied powers in 1942, (mostly the maneouvres in Africa and in the area of the Pacific Ocean), the air-bombing of Cologne participated by Polish squadrons, too, as well as the strengthening of the partisan movement in Poland inspired the refugees to be more active, even politically. We have several data on the activities of the Poles stationed in the village Nemesbük. In autumn, 1942, some refugees made "bolshevist" propaganda among the population. The alarmists said the "... the victory of the allied powers had no advantage for Hungary, because she will be occupied by Germany in any case and will be deprived of her independence just Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium". General Szécsi of the 3rd Army Corps Headquarters in Szombathely made his statement about the political attitudes of the Polish military men stationed in Western Hungary : "... the anti-axis powers behaviour of the Polish officers known for their patriotism is a fact. . . " 15 ~ 29 Characteristics of Life and Working Conditions After the first month a good part of the refugees entered service. They had thier salary for their work, accomodation, food and medical service was provided partly by military authorities and partly by the employers. Refugees were allowed to enter service as early as October, 1939. Employers recruited soldiers for work. Lieutenant General directed 200 Polsih soldiers ready to work from Kapuvár to Tatabánya, where they were employed in mining. In Brennbergbánya mine and in Sághegy mine 50—70 soldiers worked as miners. Many Poles were employed in the gravel-pits of Western Hungary. They were free to move in the villages, but the administration borders of the settlements could only be crossed with a previous consent. Entering service became common in 1943. 296
