The Wladyslaw Sikorski Controversy

Who was he? General Sikorski was the Prime Minister of Poland's government-in-exile during World War II. His death has never been satisfactorily explained.

When did he die? July 4, 1943.

Where did he die? Off Gibraltar.

How did he die? His plane crashed shortly after take-off.

Was the aircraft sabotaged? It could have been. And there was evidence of previous attempts to sabotage his plane. But no firm evidence exists.

Who might have wanted him dead? Sikorski was an implacable enemy of Nazi Germany. But he'd also fallen out with the Soviets. The British were finding him difficult to deal with, too.

What was the consequence? Poland's government-in-exile was significantly weakened by Sikorski's death. This made life easier for the Allies – and for the Soviet Union in particular.