Poles in the 19th century struggle for Greece's independence

Abstract

In the article it is indicated that Poles became interested in Greece after the fall and partitions of the Polish Republic in 1795. The political situation prevailing then in Europe disposed both sides to co-operate. There were plans to establish a Polish-Greek Republic.In the 20’s of the 19^th century Poles took part in the Greeks' uprising against Turkish rule whose aim was national independence. Some of them died in July 1822 in the battle of Peta; several others took part in the uprising in other Greek territories. Poles who died in Greece were buried in the Heroes Cemetery in Mesolongion. Some Poles took part in the uprising in Crete in 1866; more participated in the Greek-Turkish war in 1897. Zygmunt Mineyko, one of the most outstanding representatives of the Polish emigration to that country, worked then in the Greek military staff. In Rethimnon there is also a Catholic cemetery where Poles were buried who took part in supervising the cease-fire between the Greek and Turkish populations in 1897-1906.

Poles' participation in the Greek resistance movement during World War II was a continuation of Polish interest in Greece and Greek struggle to keep their national identity.