Polish hero freed a country (5)

I believe the answer is:

wales

'country' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for wales that I've seen before include "UK country" , "chooses" , "Former principality" , "Principality, part of the UK" , "International team" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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