No Greater Ally, the Untold Story of Poland’s Forces in World War II
Author: Kenneth K. Koskodan
ISBN: 9781849084796
272 pages

Introduction

The Polish armed forces after 1939 is a chapter of World War II history that remains largely untold; the monumental struggles of an entire nation have been forgotten, and even intentionally obscured. Following their valiant but doomed defence of Poland in 1939, members of the Polish armed forces fought with the Allies wherever and however they could. Full of previously unpublished accounts, and rare photographs, this title from Osprey Publishing provides a detailed analysis of the devastation the war brought to Poland, and the final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.

Tragedy and triumph

Hitler’s Wehrmacht crashed into Poland in September of 1939 and started World War Two. We know that when Hitler, and his fellow tyrant Stalin, released their hordes upon Poland, the country was soon conquered. What many do not realize is just what a fight the Polish military put up! Even after the collapse of the Polish government, Polish soldiers soldiered on with the Western Allies and with the Soviets. Free Poles fought almost everywhere: Russia, North Africa, the Middle East, Normandy, Holland, and Germany. Polish pilots exacted revenge on the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, then took the fight over occupied Europe in fighters and bombers. Polish tankers and infantry closed the Falaise Pocket that trapped the retreating German Army in Normandy. Polish paratroopers played a significant, if tragic, part in Field Marshal Montgomery’s disastrous operation market garden.

Perhaps most famously, Poles lead an uprising against the Nazis in Warsaw, drawing away German troops from combat against the Soviet juggernaut. The uprising again must have made the Polish people wonder who their friends and enemies really were. After their surrender the Poles, considered subhuman by the Nazi regime and its SS enforcers, were honored for their skill and tenacity by the very SS who previously denigrated Poland! This valiant fight once again found the Soviet dictator knifing the Poles in the back, holding off expected supplies and military aide. Stalin even forbade American and British planes from dropping expected supplies to the Warsaw garrison by closing Communist airspace to their allies. This was four years after Stalin ordered the infamous massacre of Polish officers at Katyn.

Ultimately, victory in Europe did not bring peace and freedom to Poland, which continued to suffer under the yoke of the Communists. It took some 40 more years before they were able to rid themselves of the Evil Empire.

contents

Accomplished author and researcher Kenneth K. Koskodan brings this story of our WW2 Polish allies to us in his first title for Osprey. Through fine research and writing, Mr. Koskodan reveals the triumphs, tragedies, heroism, and accomplishments of those patriots who fought to reclaim their homeland.

If you enjoy reading of intrigue, politics, conventional and guerrilla combat, combat reports and reminiscences of these men and women, examining photographs of aircraft, tanks and weapons, then this is the book for you. This book delves into the origins, organization, history, milestones, and the lives of the Free Poles who shouldered great burdens to defeat the Nazi regime.

From blasting great holes in the ranks of Panzers in 1939 Warsaw, dramatic Calvary charges against Nazi tanks and infantry, to their equipping with weapons both obsolete and cutting-edge, Mr. Koskodan weaves together this amazing story.

No Greater Ally is brought to you in 272 pages through 10 chapters:

• Introduction
• Dawn of Darkness: Prelude to World War II
• French Misfortunes: The Phony war and the Defense of France
• Everything was in Secret: The Underground War
• On Wings of Eagles: The Polish Air Force
• Warriors from a Wasteland: The Birth of the Polish 2nd Corps
• A Bloody Job Well Done: 1st Armored Division
• A Bridge Not Far Enough: The 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade
• Poles Under Soviet Command: Berling’s Army
• Glory and Heartbreak: The Warsaw Uprising, 1944
• For Your Freedom: A Costly Victory for Poland
• Notes
• Further Reading
• Index

Photographs:
This dramatic story is fortified by dozens of photographs. These are fascinating and poignant images of Poland’s people in a conflict with two of history’s horrific regimes, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Only two maps are in the book, a strategic overview and a map of Warsaw during the uprising.

conclusion

The text is very detailed and captivating. The two maps and many photographs enrich and support the text.

Whether you are a historian or modeler, No Greater Ally is a captivating book. With the amount of authoritative detailed information, clarity of delivery, and abundance of supporting photographs and images, Poland’s fight for liberation is an educating and fascinating book.
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