The strange odyssey of Poland's national treasures, 1939-1961: a Polish-Canadian story

Poland, 1939. Facing An Imminent Nazi Invasion, The Decision Is Made To Transport Some Of The Country's Most Ancient And Valuable Historical Objects To Prevent Their Plunder By The Invading Army. After A Perilous Journey That Takes Them Through Romania, France, And England In Search Of A Safe Haven, The Royal Treasures Arrive In Canada, Where They Are Expected To Remain For The Duration Of The War. However, The Treasures' Odyssey Has Only Begun. The War's End Marks The Beginning Of A Rivalry Between Poland's Wartime Government-in-exile, Operating Out Of London, And A Newly Established Communist Government In Warsaw. While Both Sides Vie For Control Of The Treasures, Their Custodians In Canada Spirit Them Away. Over The Next 16 Years The Struggle Ensnares The Roman Catholic Church, The Rcmp, The Federal Government, And The Quebec Government, Led By The Strong-willed Maurice Duplessis. All The While, The Outcry From The People Of Poland, Who Believe The Treasures Have Been Stolen By The Very Country Meant To Protect Them, Grows Louder. Canada, 1961. The Release Of The Historic Treasures Is Finally Negotiated And They Are Returned To Their Native Soil. The Strange Odyssey Ends Where It Began, With The Treasures Returned To The Very Castle From Which They Were Removed, After An Absence Of More Than Two Decades.--book Jacket. Gordon Swoger. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [191]-196). The Strange Odyssey of Poland's National Treasures, 1939-1961 tells the story of the Polish national treasures --their evacuation from their homeland under perilous conditions after the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and their subsequent removal to western Europe and then to Canada. At the end of the war two Polish governments, a Communist one in Warsaw and a non-Communist one in London, vied for control of the national treasures. Before long the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, the RCMP, and the Canadian and Quebec governments all became involved in the desperate hide-and-seek confrontation between the two Polish governments. Eventually, in February 1961, the release of the historic treasures was negotiated and they were returned to their native land, twenty-two years after their wartime departure. It was indeed a long voyage home! The Strange Odyssey of Poland's National Treasures, 1939--1961 tells the story of the Polish national treasures--their evacuation from their homeland under perilous conditions after the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and their subsequent removal to western Europe and then to Canada. At the end of the war, two Polish governments, a Communist one in Warsaw and a non-Communist one in London, vied for control of the national treasures. Before long, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, the RCMP, and the Canadian and Quebec governments all became involved in the desperate hide-and-seek confrontation between the two Polish governments. Eventually, in February 1961, the release of the historic treasures was negotiated and they were returned to their native land, 22 years after their wartime departure. It was indeed a long voyage home!