“The following notes … were not written for publication.” True to his word, it seems this little volume was circulated only amongst Cazalet’s closest circle and this copy is inscribed by him on the upper wrapper.
“Cazalet’s first-hand knowledge of Polish affairs impressed Sikorski, who took an almost paternal interest in him, and on 9 July Cazalet was confirmed as British liaison officer to the free Poles. The great trust that Sikorski placed in Cazalet meant that he was able to reconcile the Polish forces more effectively with the wishes of the British government. But it also gave him the authority to lobby the government in defence of Polish interests, and this he did vigorously, notably in the run-up to the Anglo-Soviet treaty in the spring of 1942. Cazalet’s suspicions about the expansionist intentions of the Soviet Union were unwelcome in ministerial circles, but in Sikorski at least they encouraged a more realistic appraisal of Soviet policy” (ODNB).
As per the title, this work is a first-hand account of the journey. “The object of our trip was to visit the Polish Brigade in Tobruk and then go on to Russia to see how the Polish-Soviet Agreement of July 29, 1941, was working.” Cazalet adds that the “trip was a complete success for [Sikorski] and for the Polish cause.”
His relationship with Sikorski continued and they visited the Middle East, though were both killed on the return journey.
