Statement by the Coalition of Polish Americans on the Report on World War II Losses suffered by Poland

Today, on the 83^rd anniversary of the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Government of the Republic of Poland published the long-awaited Report on Losses Resulting from the Aggression and Occupation by Germany during World War II, 1939-1945.

The Report is a detailed account of the human and material losses suffered by Poland, not only as a result of war hostilities, but primarily as a result of the planned, methodical, murderous depopulation of Poland and permanent destruction of the Polish State.  Compilation of the Report has taken 5 years of intense work by the Parliamentary Team headed by MP Arkadiusz Mularczyk, and expert researchers.  It is worth remembering that:

• During the Second World War, 5.2 million Polish citizens lost their lives, killed in war operations or murdered, amounting to 15% of Poland’s entire population;
• The material losses were estimated at 6,220,609 million PLN (about $1.53 trillion);
• Poland is the only country in Europe that has never received financial compensation from Germany for human and material losses suffered during World War II.

The report on Polish war losses was presented to the German side.  Publication of the Report is a historic event for both Poland and Germany.  It creates a chance and hope for a new model of mutual relations recognizing and respecting true dimension of Poland’s human sacrifices during the World War II.  The Coalition of Polish Americans strongly supports this initiative of the Polish Government related to the Report on War Losses.  We call on the Polish Americans and compatriots everywhere to support these actions of the Polish Government.  We appeal to public figures and political parties in Poland for unity regarding the matter of war reparations, to overcome significant political differences in support of  the actions of the Government and the Polish State in this regard.  The Polish raison d’état as well as laying foundation for future good-neighborly relations with the German nation and the German State call for such support.  We also appeal to the German authorities to enter into goodwill dialog with Poland on the matter of war reparations, in accordance with the spirit of their admission of “accepting moral responsibility for causing the World War II”.

Poland rightfully can expect international support, specifically from the United States, Great Britain and France in the matter of compensation for war losses, not only as an erstwhile ally in the war, but also as the only victim of that war, whose losses have never been compensated.

We appeal to the Polish community in the United States to support Resolution H. Res.664 of the House of Representatives of the US Congress.  This resolution, important for Poland and Polonia, was proposed in the US House of Representatives by Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY) in cooperation with Polonia and its organizations, including members of the CPA.  Its purpose is to commemorate the tragic history of Poland during the World War II and to counter false narratives and myths about the participation of Poland and Poles in these events.  This resolution places Poland and its war losses on the agenda of the US Congress.  If adopted, it can be of great help to demand that the United States Government exerts pressure on Germany to compensate Poland for war losses.  For more information and detailed instructions to contact US Congress members, please visit the Coalition’s website: www.coalitionpa.org.   Your participation in gaining support for H.Res.664 in the US Congress will be a real contribution in the efforts of the Polish Government to obtain due compensation.

The Polish American Coalition is a nationwide social and political organization established to represent the interests of Americans of Polish descent.  It was founded in 2017.

September 1, 2022