The 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade
(1 Samodzielna Brygada Spadochronowa)
Fund For Poles
Fighting In Poland
Although the pay for being a parachutist with the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade was better than other posts in the army, the Polish men did not keep this to themselves.
Instead, they all contributed 20% of the pay to something called the "Fund For Poles Fighting In Poland". This money was used to provide necessary items to the Poles still fighting from inside Poland.
General Sosabowski initiated this when he issued a Special Order on 29th March 1943:
"I have ordered payment of the current and outstanding parachute supplement. I wish to state, on this occasion, that we did not join the parachute brigade and go through all the necessary training for the purpose of this supplement.
In fact, most of us completed the training before there was a possibility of getting this supplement." In total, this fund raised over £5500 in donations from the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade.
Please Donate!
Uncover The Past - Support The Future
Each year, about 12,000 people visit this website to trace their Polish ancestry, uncover family stories, and connect with their roots. I believe that history should be accessible to all - but keeping this website alive comes at a cost, 7 years @ £1000 with has left a £7K dent...with only £11 in total donated up to 8/4/25 😱😱😱
Every detail you uncover and every story you piece together helps you piece family history together. Please donate if you found this site useful, help me keep the site alive! Thanks! Jason Nellyer (Researcher & Site Owner)