On the 20th March, 1946, British Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, issued a statement to the Polish forces in Britain urging, in the strongest possible terms, that they should go back to Poland. Around 123,000 did not.

In the same year (1946) Roman Dąbrowski wrote an essay titled DLACZEGO NIE WRACAMY [Eng: Why We Do Not Go Back] which was a highly influential and emotional account of the dilemma faced by Polish Armed Forces and refugees in Britain at the end of the Second World War. It examines the origins and the legacy of bitterness the war left, and gives insights on why so many Poles came to the decision they did - choosing a life of exile rather than return to a destroyed homeland now under repressive communist rule.

The original Polish language Società Anonima Editrice Sallustiana publication is now available to view or download at GRAFF ARCHIVE Historical Photographs and Documents An English language translation is in progress, and will also be available soon.