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 number of Polish internees during the initial period of their exile is estimated at around 140,000, including approximately 33,000 rank-and-file soldiers 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.

The local cemetery contains the grave of Private (Reserve) Piotr Żak. A granite slab bearing the inscription has been placed on top of a concrete slab lying directly on the ground: “Piotr Żak / born in Mościska – Poland / 1911–1942”.
Poles residing in this town during the Second World War commissioned a tall metal cross bearing the Polish eagle, which was erected in the cemetery.