FACTORS MOTIVATING THE POLISH ARMED FORCES IN THE WEST TO RETURN TO POLAND (Motywacje do powrotu zolnierzy PSZ na Zachodzie)

The motivations of soldiers belonging to the Polish Armed Forces in the West in deciding whether to return to Poland or remain abroad are extremely difficult to study, each soldier being guided by individual premises. However, some factors can be highlighted which played a decisive role for the majority of Polish Armed Forces members. They encompass: family considerations, financial reasons, attachment to Poland and the desire to pursue a military career. Other factors may have been fear of antagonism towards themselves or their families, or a need to maintain the bond with their unit or commander by taking the line of their brothers in arms. Living factors also affected soldiers' decision to repatriate. Problems with finding their feet abroad, finding a job as well as language barriers discouraged soldiers from staying abroad and influenced the number of applicants willing to return to Poland. The activities of immigration and communist authorities could have either encouraged or discouraged the decision to remain or return. Research progress and available data do not allow for the accurate gradation of the above-mentioned factors. However, there are some indications that decisions to return to Poland were primarily of a personal and family nature.