I will not talk about the course of the 3rd Reich invasion of the USSR, about the infamous “Fall Barbarossa”. This will be a brief historical reflection on the paradoxes of history. Especially due to the fact that the date of the attack on the USSR is not present in Poland present in any way in memory and history, despite its absolutely fundamental, groundbreaking importance for the destiny of planet War II.
And what is even more crucial for us – for the destiny of the Polish cause. Erasing the meaning of this date “helps” in Poland hatred of the USSR and modern Russia. If spoken of, it is only in the context of mocking the russian and Russian ideas of the “Great Patriotic War”. To realize that time, to realize that world, but besides in general, to realize the essence of global relations, a deeper reflection on 22 June 1941 is simply a work sine qua non – without this reflection, nothing will be understood from history, leaving the main roles of myths and legends.
Let's take a look at the situation on the verge of implementing the Barbarossa plan. The 3rd Reich is just after the Balkan run – which, incidentally, lasts until the beginning of June 1941 and will fundamentally affect the destiny of the invasion of the USSR, but little so, due to the fact that these are definitely military issues. Continental Europe lies at the ft of Hitler. He has defeated all of his enemies whom he occupies here, created a network of dependent states – the Vichy State, Slovakia, Croatia; he has public allies – Italy, Hungary, Romania, Finland; there are besides neutral countries, openly friendly to Hitler like Spain, or at least not disturbing, like Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland. In occupied countries, outside Poland (even in Serbia there is simply a alleged government Milana Nedicia under German supervision), there are many environments looking with sympathy at Germany and acknowledging that in a situation of full German triumph it is better to arrange a future with the winners than to fight without a possible of victory. Moreover, specified a trend besides exists in the UK, which itself, but as lonely virtually and figuratively, faces the 3rd Reich, although limited by its modest capabilities. The not yet awakened power behind the ocean – the United States – does not want to save Europe again, as in planet War I. And 1 more thing – the 3rd Reich, as the aftermath of the Ribbentrop Pact – Molotov, binds to the USSR trade treaties – dated 19 August 1939, 11 February 1940 and 10 January 1941. During the period from the first contract to practically the same day on 22 June 1941, USSR delivered III The Reichs of giant quantities of oil, cereals, ores of metals, phosphates, platinum, etc. In another words, all invasions of the 3rd Reich, until May 1941 were held with large material assistance from the USSR.
So Hitler is the winner, he controls Europe, and the lonely England (who did not give in to Germany just due to the fact that they did not have dense strategical bombers like the US and the large Britain, which later devastated the 3rd Reich) is the only point as specified resistance, in fact only by force of will Winston Churchill and likewise his reasoning British, armed mostly with beautiful words and without the anticipation of making a serious attack. The prospects for the 3rd Reich are excellent. The calming of the situation in continental Europe and the passing of time will only increase the force of communities who want to live simply and usually (although in the German system, but what of it), to decision to the peaceful phase of Hitler's reign over the continent. The 3rd Reich besides has any prospects of gaining colonial areas, as well as gaining arabian politicians and hearts. Let us not fool ourselves – in specified a situation the United States will not lift a finger to save a Europe that already wants to establish peaceful relations with Hitler. Churchill? Well, it'll last a small longer, but for realists, Hitler's peaceful regulation will be a clue to change. And Churchill will lose the election. What attitude Stalin may have in this situation, who does not believe Hitler's intentions and is well placed in commercial cooperation (including military technology, equipment, acquisition of an unfinished dense cruiser Lutzow – from an excellent Admiral Hipper kind – along with everything needed to complete it) with Germany. She will not think of breaking relations or of any reflection of Europe from German hands. Hitler so has all the assets in his hand. But then obsession and madness prevail in him. But about that in a minute.
The Polish substance – in the strategy described above, understood as restoring independent Poland in pre-war borders – not only does not exist, but there are absolutely no views. All we can number on in the quasi-peaceful conditions of German Europe is simply a tiny autonomy and formal power over the General Governorate, of course the original, smaller one, without Lviv and east Małopolska. And without a dream that individual in Europe would break copies of the hegemon from Berlin. And the London government (plus another emigration governments)? After a political change in Britain, he would come deliberately and say, “Well, it was good talking to you gentlemen, but you must go.” So the possible of Hitler's full dominance of Europe, and the world's accepted one, hangs over us like the sword of Damocles. Like the worst possible disaster, with no chance of reversing the situation. All Hitler has to do is get free of and even soften his bloodthirsty instincts. And at that point, Hitler is taking over his madness. Providence, the nature of this man? most likely quite a few things at once.
Hitler, obsessed with defeating the USSR, acquiring lebensraum in the east and racial hatred and ideas of the uber- and untermesch etc., however, decides to – late – invade. The first successes are stunning. The defeats of the Red Army, the magnitude of human losses and equipment, and yet millions of prisoners of war captured by the Germans, who were later mostly murdered and starved by the German doomsday strategy – this is present the center of celebration of this tragic day from the point of view of Russia. This can be understood – the Russian perspective, although inherently subjective, is not objectively false. But the Polish perspective, as well as the British perspective, is fundamentally different. In fact, what is the origin of tears and pain for Russia, for us and for England, was a political breakthrough absolutely essential. There was no second specified minute during planet War II – beyond its very beginning – which would have a akin fundamental meaning. Churchill immediately understood this, who, being a extremist anti-communist, rushed with a declaration of full support for the attacked USSR. He knew perfectly well that there was a communicative in front of him that Hitler was entering a road that could destruct everything he had achieved objectively so far. For him, for Britain, it was the breath he needed to proceed to exist, to survive.
For us too, for the Polish cause, immense opportunities have been opened up. From a marginal group of people, which only existed thanks to the good will of the British, the Polish government in London became a return entity, a real and serious origin in global relations at the time. Just due to the fact that he didn't take his chance, it's a full another communicative I'm not going to talk about here.
Another word about Churchill and Britain. In Poland, there has been far-flung hatred (often irrational) to the island country for failing to comply with allied obligations, and to Churchill as a traitor to the Polish origin in particular. Of course, there are many arguments to support this position. But political reasoning requires more. JMaster of the Game He noted that Britain has failed us in many respects, but it is not possible to underestimate its act of declaring war on the 3rd Reich, due to the fact that without it there would be no Polish substance at all, and Britain itself for this act, in the end paid by the fall of the empire and degradation in the hierarchy of countries on the global stage, and that is not a tiny price. Churchill, on the another hand, fought from 1943 to save the position of large Britain (which he failed to do), and treated the Polish substance as a stepmother, just like hanging over his head an unwanted burden. But this is political realism – focusing primarily on your country and removing external problems, even if it means mistrusting the agreements whose provisions are inactive incapable to be fulfilled. You're not the first to eat, and this is not the last time he's absolutely right. Political reasoning requires more than an emotional response, even the most justified response. It requires a broad perspective, anticipating the various possibilities of development, balancing positives and negatives.
Churchill and the English, we do not gotta love, or even like, but a blunt apriorous hatred of them (and the Anglo-Saxons in general), must be removed from Polish political thinking, as should not usage emotions and feelings in it, as a major tool.
Let me briefly outline the fundamental issues related to the importance of 22 June 1941 as a reason to reflect on these issues.
Adam Laughter
Think Poland, No. 27-28 (5-12.07.2026)
