Service of Jews in the Army of the Second Polish Republic (1921–1939)

The article examines the engagement of Jews in the Polish army during the interwar period, with particular attention to the nascent Second Polish Republic. The inception of Jewish involvement in Polish military units can be traced back to World War I, where a considerable number participated in the Polish Legions aligned with Austria-Hungary and later in the Polish army during the Polish-Bolshevik War. The cessation of hostilities marked the transition of the army to peacetime operations and the gradual implementation of general military conscription. Commencing in 1921, Jews were conscripted into the army, constituting approximately 4 to 7% of the total force in different years. Attempts by Jews to evade military service were not uncommon, often involving the bribery of officers in district recruitment units or personnel in medical examination commissions. However, if deemed suitable for service, they were obligated to report to designated locations for deployment. The majority of Jewish recruits were assigned to infantry, cavalry, and artillery units, with only a minority serving in sanitary, engineering, and sapper troops. Aviation, gendarmerie, Border Guard Corps cavalry, communications units, and armored troops saw minimal Jewish representation. It is noteworthy that within the army, Jews sought opportunities for temporary release from service or assumed specific roles to circumvent military training. While within military units, Jews often maintained a certain separation from other groups, and their interactions with representatives of other nationalities ranged from amicable to openly antagonistic. Hostile relations were more frequently observed with the Polish contingent, while interactions with other nationalities generally tended towards friendliness, albeit not without occasional minor misunderstandings. Instances of conflicts among Jews from different regions of Poland surfaced, primarily driven by ideological and religious disparities. During their service, Jews exhibited qualities of obedience, adherence to orders, and minimal conflicts with officers, adhering to principles of subordination. Nonetheless, commanders underscored that this outward compliance was often illusory and motivated primarily by the fear of reprisals. Despite societal perceptions associating Jews with Soviet ideals, there was an absence of overt political expression or propaganda within the army. Nevertheless, a lingering uncertainty among commanders persisted regarding the loyalty of Jews in the event of war.