General Sikorski to be Exhumed

 

Polish prosecutors have been given the go ahead to exhume the remains of General Wladyslaw Sikorski in an attempt to finally settle the mystery surrounding his death in an air crash off the coast of Gibraltar in July 1943.

A 1969 British led investigation into the case concluded that it was an accident caused by a technical malfunction in the Liberator aircraft in which Sikorski was a passenger.

Many Polish historians believe that his death was a more sinister affair and numerous conspiracy theories abound. Some of the more widespread theories include; Winston Churchill himself ordering Sikorski's death in order to continue good relations with the Soviet Union or that Stalin ordered his assassination, Sikorski's role as prime minister of the Polish government-in-exile was seen as somewhat embarrassing and problematic to the Soviets. Kim Philby, the British intelligence officer who had worked as an agent for the Soviet Union is also often linked to theories concerning the death of Sikorski.

Although many of these colourful theories make for interesting reading, as do many conspiracy theories, none of them really present any convincing evidence.

The current Polish investigation has the full backing of Poland's president and prime minister and prosecutors believe that the exhumation will provide vital clues as to whether Sikorski's death was indeed a planned murder.

Although Sikorski was initially buried in the Polish pilot's cemetery in Newark, UK his remains were brought to Poland in 1993 and re-interred in the crypt of Wawel cathedral in Cracow where the exhumation is due to be carried out in two weeks time.

The current investigation seems very much in keeping with Poland's obsession of not letting sleeping dogs lie and the constant digging away at the recent and not so recent past. Polish prosecutors have already referred to this case as an investigation into a 'communist crime' making it quite clear that they already believe the Soviet Union was involved.

Source: Warsaw Life

Nov.11.2008

add your comments

I will be very interested in the outcome of this exhumation.

I researched the life of the former Buckingham MP JOHN P WHITELEY in 1999 and put on a very successful exhibition about him, Sikorski, the crash and a brief history of the Free Polish Army at Buckingham Library during July of 1999.

The whole crew on that ill fated Liberator were very brave and may they all RIP, whatever the reason for the crash !!!!

reviewed by IAN PAYNE from United Kingdom on Dec.01.2008

There is a suggestion in the Telegraph newspaper that Polish officers who were anti - Sikorski may have been involved in his death.

reviewed by Marek from United Kingdom on Nov.26.2008

Lightening the tone a little, I read yesterday that the 'town guard' had hung posters around Krakow informing people that certain streets would be closed today for the ceremonies linked to the re-burial of....General PILSUDSKI! Jeez, heads will roll for that blunder.

reviewed by Jeff from United States on Nov.26.2008

"It annoys me how Poles insist on harassing people and digging away at everything and everybody."

Who cares what annoys you? We, the Polish people want to know what happened to our General. He was a good man and a strong leader, and both Stalin and Churchill didn't like that. But for General's death, Poland would be a different country today - we would have a REAL POLISH government. There is no question in my mind that the "accident" was orchestrated. I'm sure the General himself would have liked the mystery of his death to be solved. Let it be so.

reviewed by Zofia from Poland on Nov.25.2008

It annoys me how Poles insist on harassing people and digging away at everything and everybody. I hear they are even accusing poor old Lech Walesa. What exactly does this obsessional behaviour achieve?

reviewed by Roy Stone from United States on Nov.25.2008

We need to know the truth about history. Without the truth it can be confused.

reviewed by Wilczur from Poland on Nov.24.2008

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