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.

In Vasvar, at the cemetery on Attilla Street, in its north-western corner, in the third row of graves, lies the grave of Gunner Edward Drozdowski, who died on 26 May 1942 in Pascony.
A small metal cross has been placed on the grave, in front of which stands a stone plaque with a bilingual inscription, most likely funded by the internee’s comrades whilst he was still in captivity during the Second World War: “Here lies / a Polish soldier / who was interned / a gunner / EDWARD DROZDOWSKI / born 4 May 1916, died 26 May 1942 / Sleep, comrade, in this dark grave / may Poland appear in your dreams /”.

It is worth noting that, in the past, the grave of gunner E. Drozdowski was looked after by a Hungarian citizen, Mr Ferenc Weber from the village of Koszeg.