Following Germany’s invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 and the Soviet Union’s attack on 17 September 1939, thousands of Poles, both civilians and soldiers, crossed the Hungarian border. Despite the difficult international situation and Hungary’s membership of the Axis powers, the Hungarians showed great goodwill and provided assistance to Polish refugees. The Poles were looked after – both by the Hungarian state and by Polish organisations operating in Hungary. Those interned were housed in numerous military and civilian camps. The camp for Polish refugees in Oroszi was set up in the local community centre.

The number of Polish internees in the early stages of their exile is estimated at around 140,000, including some 33,000 enlisted men and officers. Over time, the number of refugees, primarily military personnel, decreased as a result of an evacuation operation organised by the Poles to France and the Middle East, to join the Polish military units being formed there.

In the cemetery in Oroszi there is the grave of a Polish war refugee, the doctor Józef Smoliński. A wooden cross has been placed on the grave, dug into the ground, bearing an inscription in Hungarian that is now partly worn away: “ITT NYUGSZIK / AZ / URBAN / SZMOLIŃSKI JÓZSEF / ORVOS ÉLT 54 ÉVET / MÉGHALT / 1943” (HERE LIES JÓZEF SMOLINSKI – DOCTOR / LIVED FOR 54 YEARS / DIED IN 1943)