<P> In the late 1920s and early 1930s, a complex set of alliances was established among the nations of Europe, in the hope of preventing future wars (either with Germany or the Soviet Union). With the rise of Nazism in Germany, this system of alliances was strengthened by the signing of a series of "mutual assistance" alliances between France, Britain, and Poland (Franco - Polish Alliance and Anglo - Polish Alliance). This agreement stated that in the event of war the other allies were to fully mobilize and carry out a "ground intervention within two weeks" in support of the ally being attacked . Additionally representatives of the Western powers made several military promises to Poland, including such fantastic designs as those made by British General William Edmund Ironside in his July talks with Marshall Rydz - Śmigły who promised an attack from the direction of Black Sea, or placing a British aircraft carrier in the Baltic . </P> <P> In the commentary on the Anglo - Polish Alliance, Polish publicist Stanisław Mackiewicz wrote in his 1964 book "Polityka Becka" (citation needed): </P> <P> England does not need the existence of Poland, it has never needed it . Sometimes the British push us to fight against Russia, sometimes against Germany, as happened in 1939, when they managed to keep Hitler away from them for some time . After their so - called guarantees of March 1939, England was not interested in our army, it did not help us financially in our war preparations, and did not have the slightest intention to aid us during Hitler's invasion of Poland (...) The guarantee of Poland's independence, provided by England, was not a guarantee at all . On the contrary, it was a speculation, whose purpose was the fastest possible liquidation of the Polish state . England wanted Poland to fight Germany first, and to lose that war as quickly as possible, so that Germany would finally face Russia . </P> <P> Upon the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in September 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany . On 3 September a naval blockade of Germany was initiated, and an attempt was made to bomb German warships in harbour on 4 September . Most British bomber activity over Germany was the dropping of propaganda leaflets and reconnaissance . On 4 September, during a Franco - British meeting in France, it was decided that no major land or air operations against Germany would take place, and afterwards French military leader Gamelin issued orders prohibiting Polish military envoys lieutenant Wojciech Fyda and general Stanisław Burhardt - Bukacki from contacting him . In his post-war diaries general Edmund Ironside, the chief of Imperial General Staff commented on French promises "The French had lied to the Poles in saying they are going to attack . There is no idea of it". </P>

Who did not want to give up control of eastern europe after wwii