Following the German aggression against Poland on 1 September 1939 and the attack by the USSR on 17 September 1939, thousands of Poles, both civilians and soldiers, crossed the Hungarian border. Despite the difficult international situation and Hungary's affiliation with the Axis powers, the Hungarians were very sympathetic and provided assistance to the Polish refugees. The Poles were cared for - both by the Hungarian state and by Polish organisations operating in Hungary. The internees were placed in numerous military and civilian camps.
The number of Polish internees in the initial period of the exile is estimated at about 140,000, including about 33,000 privates and officers. Over time, the number of refugees, mainly military, decreased as a result of the evacuation campaign organised by the Poles to France and the Middle East to Polish military units being formed there.
In the local cemetery in Zalabér, in plot II, row XIII, grave No. 1 (i.e. by the stairs, on the left side of the main avenue), there is the grave of Lieutenant Stanislaw Topij, who died on 10.05.1943. The grave bears a concrete cross with an oval gravestone plaque reading: "LATE LT. STANISŁAW TOPIJ / PPOR. POLISH ARMY / DIED 10.V.1943/ LIVED 49 YEARS". The grave field was covered with stoneware and planted with decorative plants.

Elaborated. A.Wojda, MKiDN, VII 2025.