First Polish Armoured Division 1938-47: A History
The First Polish armored Division was formed in Scotland in February 1942 from Polish exiles who had escaped first Poland and then France. Its commander, Stanislaw Maczek, and many of its men had previously served in Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade (10 BKS), which had taken part in the Polish invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and given a good account of itself in the defense of Poland against German and Soviet invasion of 1939. Under Maczek’s leadership the division was trained and equipped along British lines in preparation for the invasion of France.

Attached to 1st Canadian Army, the division was sent to Normandy in late July 1944. It suffered heavily during Operation Totalize but went on to play a crucial role in preventing an orderly German withdrawal from the Falaise Pocket by its stand at Hill 262. They then played their part in the advance across Western Europe and into Germany.

This detailed history, supported by dozens of archive photos, concludes by looking at the often-poor treatment of Maczek and his men after the war.
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First Polish Armoured Division 1938-47: A History
The First Polish armored Division was formed in Scotland in February 1942 from Polish exiles who had escaped first Poland and then France. Its commander, Stanislaw Maczek, and many of its men had previously served in Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade (10 BKS), which had taken part in the Polish invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and given a good account of itself in the defense of Poland against German and Soviet invasion of 1939. Under Maczek’s leadership the division was trained and equipped along British lines in preparation for the invasion of France.

Attached to 1st Canadian Army, the division was sent to Normandy in late July 1944. It suffered heavily during Operation Totalize but went on to play a crucial role in preventing an orderly German withdrawal from the Falaise Pocket by its stand at Hill 262. They then played their part in the advance across Western Europe and into Germany.

This detailed history, supported by dozens of archive photos, concludes by looking at the often-poor treatment of Maczek and his men after the war.
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First Polish Armoured Division 1938-47: A History

First Polish Armoured Division 1938-47: A History

by Evan McGilvray
First Polish Armoured Division 1938-47: A History

First Polish Armoured Division 1938-47: A History

by Evan McGilvray

Hardcover

$42.95 
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Overview

The First Polish armored Division was formed in Scotland in February 1942 from Polish exiles who had escaped first Poland and then France. Its commander, Stanislaw Maczek, and many of its men had previously served in Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade (10 BKS), which had taken part in the Polish invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and given a good account of itself in the defense of Poland against German and Soviet invasion of 1939. Under Maczek’s leadership the division was trained and equipped along British lines in preparation for the invasion of France.

Attached to 1st Canadian Army, the division was sent to Normandy in late July 1944. It suffered heavily during Operation Totalize but went on to play a crucial role in preventing an orderly German withdrawal from the Falaise Pocket by its stand at Hill 262. They then played their part in the advance across Western Europe and into Germany.

This detailed history, supported by dozens of archive photos, concludes by looking at the often-poor treatment of Maczek and his men after the war.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781526724151
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 07/29/2022
Pages: 312
Product dimensions: 6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x (d)

About the Author

Evan McGilvray has written several books on Polish military history for Helion and is writing a book about Poland, NATO and the failure of democracy in Poland since joining the European Union.

Table of Contents

List of Colour Plates viii

Correspondence and Acknowledgements xiii

Preface xvi

Chapter 1 1938-1940 1

Chapter 2 Regrouping in the United Kingdom 19

Chapter 3 New Formation, Same Old Politics 1942-1944 48

Chapter 4 Fresh Blooding: Normandy, August 1944 63

Chapter 5 The Forgotten Polish Victory: August 1944 115

Chapter 6 The Battle on the Maczuga 150

Chapter 7 Clearing France, September 1944 168

Chapter 8 Into Belgium 193

Chapter 9 The Netherlands 216

Chapter 10 The End Game 247

Order of Battle 285

Notes 287

Index 294

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