U.S. #909
5¢ Flag of Poland
Overrun Countries Series
Issue Date: June 22, 1943
City: Washington, D.C.; Chicago, IL
Quantity: 19,999,646
Printed by: American Bank Note Company
Printing Method: Flat-Plate
Perforations: 12
Color: Blue violet, red, and black
U.S. #909 is part of the Overrun Countries Series, which honors each of the nations invaded by Axis powers during World War II. It pictures the flag of Poland, which features red and white bars, the national colors since 1831.
Poland History
Poland has a long and varied history. At one time, Poland ruled an empire that stretched across much of central Europe. In 1795, Poland was conquered and divided among Russia, Germany, and Austria. This brought an end to Poland’s centuries-old existence as a separate nation. The Poles fought with Austria against the Russians in World War I. In 1917, a Polish National Committee was formed in Paris to win allied support for an independent Poland. Under the 1919 Treaty in Versailles, Poland regained large amounts of land from Germany. In 1921, the Russian Treaty of Riga established a border that gave back some of the Russian territory. The new Polish state faced many problems, but during the 1920s and 1930s, Poland slowly rebuilt its economy and developed uniform systems of government, transportation, and education.
During World War II, postponed mobilization of Poland’s troops left the nation unable to withstand the overwhelming German forces. They were invaded on September 1, 1939. Warsaw, although severely bombed, defended itself heroically until September 27. In 1941, Germany seized all of Poland and a Polish government in exile was formed in