When did the Anglo-Polish alliance treaty get signed?
Britain and Poland signed an agreement for mutual assistance on the 25th of August 1939. This formal agreement followed a series of diplomatic exchanges starting in early 1939.
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Britain and Poland signed an agreement for mutual assistance on the 25th of August 1939. This formal agreement followed a series of diplomatic exchanges starting in early 1939.
A secret protocol specified that the United Kingdom offered assistance only if attacked specifically by Germany. In cases of attack by other countries, parties were required only to consult together on measures to be taken in common.
Stalin refused to pledge Soviet support unless Britain and France first concluded a military alliance with the Soviet Union. Western negotiators in Moscow conducted talks poorly and lacked urgency while Poland refused to allow Soviet troops to cross its border.
An agreement signed on the 5th of August 1940 allowed Polish sailors to wear their uniforms and have Polish commanding officers aboard even though ships were of British make. Another agreement signed on the 5th of August 1940 stated that Polish Armed Forces shall be organized and employed under British Command.
Halifax responded that obligations arising from the Anglo-Polish Agreement were restricted to Germany according to the first clause of the secret protocol. This interpretation excluded the Soviet invasion from treaty protections despite the clear language about European powers.