The 1st of September 1939 has a great significance for us Poles and for Jews and for the civilized world at large. This was not only the date when the German army invaded Poland but the day when the civilized world was destroyed. This was the date which marked the beginning of WWII, a war which lasted 6 whole years and in which some 60 000 000 people perished amongst them 6 million Jews, over ½ million fighting Poles and 6 million Polish civilians.

Both Poles and Jews mourn 6 million of their own people. It is therefore that I feel great sympathy about the colossal Jewish loss but often feel very hurt that Jews look upon my own people as perpetrators rather than fellow victims.

My own grandfather was forced to work in Germany. When he somehow managed to escape, he had to hide because the Gestapo policemen were looking for him. Once when he went to his house to see his family, much to his own and to the family's horror, he met the German policemen on the stairs. Although terrified, he tried to pretend that he was someone else just a family friend. He managed to escape again although his younger sister's face, showing shock and panic, almost gave him away. Unfortunately not everyone had so much luck as he did...

I think that it is important to highlight a few points to serve as mourning for ourselves and generations to come.

1. There are bad and good people in any group or nation and generalising "all Poles" and "all Jews" is a fatal error, creating stereotyping, prejudice and unnecessary hatred.

Yad Vashem Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles is full of trees in memory of Poles who saved Jews at great peril to themselves and their families- a fact that should be remembered and appreciated.

2. One of the tragedies of WWII was that the best minds and most advanced technological know-how were used to operate the machinery of murder and how easy it was to brainwash level headed people with evil theories.

3. When Poland was invaded neither France (which had a pact with Poland) nor England for that matter rushed to help defeat the Germans. Joining the Polish war effort at that time could have not only saved Poland but the rest of the world from the greatest historical tragedy.

4. If you think objectively you can see that the Poles have the right to look upon themselves as victims and have a grudge against the countries which could rescue and did nothing when it was important to aid them.

5. From my point of view as a Pole and as a citizen of the world the 1st September 1939 is the date of the collapse of all morality, a dark mark on humanity.

But for the Jews I think that the date when Mein Kamf was published was the beginning of the end and is just as appropriate to commemorate.