The Polish Guards Companies of the U.S. Army After World War II

One of the most interesting, yet obscure phenomena of the Cold War is the quasi-military service of thousands of citizens of countries occupied by the Soviet Union in guard units set up by the United States and other Allies in western Europe from the mid-1940s to the late 1970s. Of these, Poles initially constituted the largest group. This article explores the formation, service, and eventual demobilization of these unique units.