The Polish-Soviet agreement enabled the Polish Embassy to resume operations, and gave Polish people an opportunity to leave their places of exile. Moreover, it created a legal basis for the formation of the Polish Army in the USSR, under the command of Gen. Wladyslaw Anders (hence the name Anders’ Army). The army was a component of the Polish Armed Forces, subordinate to the government in London. The Polish Army (app. 76,000 people) was evacuated to Iran in 1942, along with around 40,000 Polish civilians. It was then that settlements were created for the civilians in Africa, Iran, India, Palestine, Mexico and New Zealand.