No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II

by Kenneth K. Koskodan

Overview

There is a chapter of World War 2 history that remains largely untold: the story of the fourth largest Allied military of the war, and the only nation to have fought in the battles of Leningrad, Arnhem, Tobruk and Normandy. This is the story of the Polish forces during the Second World War, the story of millions of young men and women who gave everything for freedom and in the final victory lost all. In a cruel twist of history, the monumental struggles of an entire nation have been largely forgotten, and even intentionally obscured.

Available for the first time in paperback, No Greater Ally redresses the balance, giving a comprehensive overview of Poland's participation in World War 2. Following their valiant but doomed defense of Poland in 1939, members of the Polish armed forces fought with the Allies wherever and however they could. With previously unpublished first-hand accounts, information never before seen in English, and rare photographs, this title provides a detailed analysis of the devastation the war brought to Poland, and the final betrayal when, having fought for freedom for six long years, Poland was handed to the Soviet Union.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849084796
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	02/15/2011
Series:	General Military
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	4.98(w) x 7.72(h) x 0.78(d)

About the Author

Ken Koskodan graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Communications. The emphasis of his degree was in Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations. Of Polish descent himself, he has researched Poland's participation in World War II for many years, and in the course of his research has interviewed many surviving veterans. This is his first book. The author lives in Detroit, MI.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 6

Introduction 7

1 The Dawn of Darkness: Prelude to World War II 12

2 French Misfortunes: The Phony War and the Defense of France 42

3 Everything Was in Secret: The Underground War 59

4 On Wings of Eagles: The Polish Air Force 79

5 Warriors from a Wasteland: The Birth of the Polish 2nd Corps 101

6 A Bloody Job Well Done: 1st Armored Division 136

7 A Bridge Not Far Enough: The 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade 152

8 Poles Under Soviet Command: Berling's Army 177

9 Glory and Heartbreak: The Warsaw Uprising, 1944 186

10 For your Freedom: A Costly Victory for Poland 228

Notes 251

Further Reading 265

Index 268

Editorial Reviews

This fascinating book fills a yawning gap in our knowledge of the Second World War. By bringing in the personal reminiscences of people of all stations, the author gives pace and immediacy to this extraordinary story.” —Adam Zamoyski, author of Forgotten Few: The Polish Air Force in World War II

“No Greater Ally is an absolutely crucial contribution to the history of the Second World War. Anybody who seeks to understand the dynamics of betrayal and resistance as they apply to this period, in Poland, in Europe, must read this book.” —Alan Furst, author of The Polish Soldier

“I hadn't realised, before reading this outstanding book, just how crucial the Polish contribution to [Allied] victory actually was. If it hadn't been for their pilots, for instance, we might well have lost the Battle of Britain...” —Henry Coningsby, Waterstones

From the Publisher