Image of Britain in “Wiadomości Polskie” and “Polska Walcząca” 1940–1945

Maciej Białous

English version of the article

The article explores the image of the United Kingdom constructed by Polish exile journalism during the period of World War II. Articles published in the weeklies “Wiadomości Polskie” (Polish News) and “Polska Walcząca” (Fighting Poland) between 1940 and 1945 are the example of the evolution of Polish attitudes towards the UK. The author draws attention to the creation of national stereotypes concerning the British society, its postulated role in the war order and the postwar reconstruction period. Furthermore, the text depicts British attitudes towards Poland and Poles, as well as the Germans and Soviets. The author tries to associate the content of articles with both political views of leading journalists and the changing international situation during the wartime, which affected the way Polish immigrants perceived Britain.

KEYWORDS

World War II, exile journalism, Polish journalism, United Kingdom, stereotypes