Consulate of Poland

Consulate of Poland

Salisbury

On 11 September, 1942, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed request to establish new consular offices in African territories in anticipation of the massive influx of the Polish refugees. However, in November, the Polish consular network was still not operational as intense discussions between the Poles and the British about the organisation of the refugee administration in Africa were held at the Foreign Office in London.

As the Northern and Southern Rhodesian governments agreed to host Polish settlements on their territories, another consulate was planned to be set up in Salisbury, while the Polish consulate in Northern Rhodesia was expanded.

Between 1942 and 1944 approximately 18,000 Polish refugees were transferred from Persia (Iran) to settlements in Africa. Several Polish settlements were established in Southern and Northern Rhodesia.

References

• To Govern a Community of Refugees:Some Insights into the History of the Polish Refugee Administration in East Africa, 1942–1945 (pdf) – Mikołaj Murkociński
• World War II: The deportation of Polish Refugees to Abercorn Camp in Northern Rhodesia (PDF) – Mary Ann Sandifort

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