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A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II
A Question of Honor is the gripping, little-known story of the refugee Polish pilots who joined the RAF and played an essential role in saving Britain from the Nazis, only to be betrayed by the Allies after the war.
After Poland fell to the Nazis, thousands of Polish pilots, soldiers, and sailors escaped to England. Devoted to liberating their homeland, some would form the RAF’s 303 squadron, known as the Kosciuszko Squadron, after the elite unit in which many had flown back home. Their thrilling exploits and fearless flying made them celebrities in Britain, where they were “adopted” by socialites and seduced by countless women, even as they yearned for news from home. During the Battle of Britain, they downed more German aircraft than any other squadron, but in a stunning twist at the war’s end, the Allies rewarded their valor by abandoning Poland to Joseph Stalin. This moving, fascinating book uncovers a crucial forgotten chapter in World War II–and Polish–history.
After Poland fell to the Nazis, thousands of Polish pilots, soldiers, and sailors escaped to England. Devoted to liberating their homeland, some would form the RAF’s 303 squadron, known as the Kosciuszko Squadron, after the elite unit in which many had flown back home. Their thrilling exploits and fearless flying made them celebrities in Britain, where they were “adopted” by socialites and seduced by countless women, even as they yearned for news from home. During the Battle of Britain, they downed more German aircraft than any other squadron, but in a stunning twist at the war’s end, the Allies rewarded their valor by abandoning Poland to Joseph Stalin. This moving, fascinating book uncovers a crucial forgotten chapter in World War II–and Polish–history.
512 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2003
152 people are currently reading
1877 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Olson
15 books707 followers Lynne Olson is a New York Times bestselling author of ten books of history, most of which focus on World War II. Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has called her "our era's foremost chronicler of World War II politics and diplomacy."
Lynne’s latest book, The Sisterhood of Ravensbruck: How an Intrepid Band of Frenchwomen Resisted the Nazis In Hitler’s All-Female Concentration Camp, will be published by Random House on June 3,2025. Three of her previous books — Madame Fourcade's Secret War, Those Angry Days, and Citizens of London were New York Times bestsellers.
Born in Hawaii, Lynne graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a journalist for ten years, first with the Associated Press as a national feature writer in New York, a foreign correspondent in AP's Moscow bureau, and a political reporter in Washington. She left the AP to join the Washington bureau of the Baltimore Sun, where she covered national politics and eventually the White House.
Lynne lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Stanley Cloud, with whom she co-authored two books. Visit Lynne Olson at http://lynneolson.com.
Lynne’s latest book, The Sisterhood of Ravensbruck: How an Intrepid Band of Frenchwomen Resisted the Nazis In Hitler’s All-Female Concentration Camp, will be published by Random House on June 3,2025. Three of her previous books — Madame Fourcade's Secret War, Those Angry Days, and Citizens of London were New York Times bestsellers.
Born in Hawaii, Lynne graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a journalist for ten years, first with the Associated Press as a national feature writer in New York, a foreign correspondent in AP's Moscow bureau, and a political reporter in Washington. She left the AP to join the Washington bureau of the Baltimore Sun, where she covered national politics and eventually the White House.
Lynne lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Stanley Cloud, with whom she co-authored two books. Visit Lynne Olson at http://lynneolson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
March 13, 2015
Even if I weren't Polish, this book still would have broken my heart. It must have been insanely crushing to be a Pole fighting hard alongside the other Allies in World War II with one goal in mind - the return of your homeland's independence - and yet, despite being on the "winning" side, to have Churchill and FDR hand over your country for foreign occupation by Stalin (certainly with no legal authority to do so).
This book tells the story well; not much previous knowledge of Polish history is required. Despite the title, only about half of it focuses in detail on the pilots of Kosciuszko Squadron in the Battle of Britain, while the other half gives plenty of context about the other Polish military troops, the in-country resistance movement, and the government-in-exile, describing how they fight bravely and how it comes to pass that they are denied the one thing they ask in return.
This is a tragic story that makes it much harder to take freedom for granted - and to take "common knowledge" of history at face value.
This book tells the story well; not much previous knowledge of Polish history is required. Despite the title, only about half of it focuses in detail on the pilots of Kosciuszko Squadron in the Battle of Britain, while the other half gives plenty of context about the other Polish military troops, the in-country resistance movement, and the government-in-exile, describing how they fight bravely and how it comes to pass that they are denied the one thing they ask in return.
This is a tragic story that makes it much harder to take freedom for granted - and to take "common knowledge" of history at face value.
February 9, 2012
An excellent account of the Kosciuszko Squadron and their exploits during WWII. The first two hundered pages moved very quickly telling the story of the squadron and the Polish influence on the war. The second two hundred pages was involved in the slow betrayal of Poland by the allies notably Brittan and the U.S.. Those who quote Churchill should really be careful and consider that the man who was appreciative to have the help of the Polish Air Force as well as the Polish Army and Navy in defending Brittan lacked intestinal fortitude when it came time for him to defend Poland against Stalin as he promised he would. When the allies turned their back on Poland and the men who fought with the allies in such an exemplary way was nothing less than shameful.
After reading this book I have never been so proud of my Polish heritage and would make a case against any other nationality who felt that the Polish people were dumb or foolish. With an understanding of what took place those who would try to put Poland down would just feel foolish themselves. I also now have an appreciation of why my grandparents had serious mistrust of Germans and Russians. No wonder why the few people I have met from Eastern European countries have a great respect for Poland and its people.
As Hollywood justly celebrates the Tuskegee airman, I have to wonder if the Poles who were also highly requested as bomber escorts and who had an astonishing kill record against the Germans besting all other squadrons could also be honored with a movie to tell their story and get their just recognition.
After reading this book I have never been so proud of my Polish heritage and would make a case against any other nationality who felt that the Polish people were dumb or foolish. With an understanding of what took place those who would try to put Poland down would just feel foolish themselves. I also now have an appreciation of why my grandparents had serious mistrust of Germans and Russians. No wonder why the few people I have met from Eastern European countries have a great respect for Poland and its people.
As Hollywood justly celebrates the Tuskegee airman, I have to wonder if the Poles who were also highly requested as bomber escorts and who had an astonishing kill record against the Germans besting all other squadrons could also be honored with a movie to tell their story and get their just recognition.
February 16, 2019
The Kosciuszko Squadron was a group of Polish pilots who joined the RAF following Hitler’s attack on Poland. They became heroes of the Battle of Britain, downing more German planes than any other RAF squadron. These brave, well-trained pilots first had to overcome British misgivings and condescending attitudes about their capabilities and prove their mettle, which they did quickly and decisively. Their contributions and those of the over 140 Polish pilots who participated in the battle were seen as having made a critical difference in staunching Hitler’s massive air assault. For a while, they were feted throughout Britain but their celebrity was short-lived. With Germany’s attack of Russia and the forming of the “Grand Alliance”, things were about to change.
The thousands of Polish military refugees who made it to Britain as well as the millions in the resistance within Poland had one goal - to free their homeland. They looked to their allies - first France, then Britain and eventually the United States to stand with them in this effort. But Stalin’s entry into the mix marked a shift in the balance among the Allies. Almost immediately Stalin began pressuring Roosevelt and Churchill to revert to pre-war Polish borders in Russia’s favor. While publicly standing by the principles of the Atlantic Charter, behind the scenes FDR and Churchill signaled agreement to Stalin’s demands to redraw Poland’s borders. At the Tehran Conference, Roosevelt’s naive understanding of Stalin and Churchill’s reluctance to anger him cast the die for Poland with devastating long term effects. Notwithstanding the Polish people’s bravery, sacrifices and tireless battle for independence, Poland was betrayed by those with whom they had treated (Britain) and those they most trusted (US).
The book moves from a thumbnail sketch of Poland’s history, to a focus on the individuals and exploits of the Kosciuszko Squadron (RAF squadron 303) and then to a broader view of the war. Notable were the individual stories of the Kosciuszko pilots, the horrific details of the Katyn massacre and other atrocities perpetrated on the Polish people, and the pro-Russian propaganda campaign carried out in the US with FDR’s tacit approval. I had not read a WWII history from the Polish perspective. This book answered some lingering questions I’ve had about the allied postwar treatment of Poland and shed light on the less than stellar performances of Churchill and Roosevelt in their dealings with Stalin.
Another excellent history by Olson, this one co-written with her husband. Very highly recommended.
The thousands of Polish military refugees who made it to Britain as well as the millions in the resistance within Poland had one goal - to free their homeland. They looked to their allies - first France, then Britain and eventually the United States to stand with them in this effort. But Stalin’s entry into the mix marked a shift in the balance among the Allies. Almost immediately Stalin began pressuring Roosevelt and Churchill to revert to pre-war Polish borders in Russia’s favor. While publicly standing by the principles of the Atlantic Charter, behind the scenes FDR and Churchill signaled agreement to Stalin’s demands to redraw Poland’s borders. At the Tehran Conference, Roosevelt’s naive understanding of Stalin and Churchill’s reluctance to anger him cast the die for Poland with devastating long term effects. Notwithstanding the Polish people’s bravery, sacrifices and tireless battle for independence, Poland was betrayed by those with whom they had treated (Britain) and those they most trusted (US).
The book moves from a thumbnail sketch of Poland’s history, to a focus on the individuals and exploits of the Kosciuszko Squadron (RAF squadron 303) and then to a broader view of the war. Notable were the individual stories of the Kosciuszko pilots, the horrific details of the Katyn massacre and other atrocities perpetrated on the Polish people, and the pro-Russian propaganda campaign carried out in the US with FDR’s tacit approval. I had not read a WWII history from the Polish perspective. This book answered some lingering questions I’ve had about the allied postwar treatment of Poland and shed light on the less than stellar performances of Churchill and Roosevelt in their dealings with Stalin.
Another excellent history by Olson, this one co-written with her husband. Very highly recommended.
Read
March 23, 2014Most Westerners don't realize that there were three constitutional changes in the late 1700s, the (relatively) sedately bloody American Revolution, the horror of the French Revolution . . . and the entirely peaceful Polish Constitution of 1793, with the king presiding.
But scarcely had the Poles began to explore their new government when Russia, Prussia, and Austria teamed up with their enormous armies to wipe Poland off the map. Many Poles, desperate to recover their country, fought loyally and hard for Napoleon, who exploited them to the end.
A century and a half later, once again, Poland was wiped out, this time first by Hitler's Blitzkrieg, whereupon many Poles threw in with the Allies . . . to be forgotten when Stalin overran Poland from the East.
This book opens with a thumbnail history of Poland, which during my generation, at least, was locked behind the Iron Curtain, part of the enormous gray swathe of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Poland didn't exist, except in repulsive Polack jokes.
"Every inhabitant of Warsaw must be killed, and there shall be no taking of prisoners," declared Heinrich Himmler. By 1945, when western Europe was celebrating the end of the war, Warsaw had been systematically destroyed, the only inhabitants unburied corpses . . . and to this, Churchill and Roosevelt expected the Poles who had fought to liberate Europe to return to Poland and Stalin's tender mercies.
Written with passion and intelligence, this book tells the story of Poland and World War II with a special focus on the Kosciuszko Squadron (so appropriately named!), the wild and courageous flying aces of World War II whose feats at the time were legendary. Olson and Cloud do a brilliant job of bringing the players to life, from individual pilots and resistance fighters to the chief statesmen of the war.
Bolstered by nearly fifty pages of small-print notes and bibliography, the book makes all too real the unimaginable, highlighting the faith and courage (and anger and recklessness) of those who resisted being obliterated between the manifold evils of Hitler and Stalin. Not always comfortable reading, though the writers also inject moments of humor, of compassion, or small victories. It's important reading, lighting up a part of history that was hidden for half a century. It's only by understanding where we've been and learning from it that we can prevent it from happening again.
But scarcely had the Poles began to explore their new government when Russia, Prussia, and Austria teamed up with their enormous armies to wipe Poland off the map. Many Poles, desperate to recover their country, fought loyally and hard for Napoleon, who exploited them to the end.
A century and a half later, once again, Poland was wiped out, this time first by Hitler's Blitzkrieg, whereupon many Poles threw in with the Allies . . . to be forgotten when Stalin overran Poland from the East.
This book opens with a thumbnail history of Poland, which during my generation, at least, was locked behind the Iron Curtain, part of the enormous gray swathe of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Poland didn't exist, except in repulsive Polack jokes.
"Every inhabitant of Warsaw must be killed, and there shall be no taking of prisoners," declared Heinrich Himmler. By 1945, when western Europe was celebrating the end of the war, Warsaw had been systematically destroyed, the only inhabitants unburied corpses . . . and to this, Churchill and Roosevelt expected the Poles who had fought to liberate Europe to return to Poland and Stalin's tender mercies.
Written with passion and intelligence, this book tells the story of Poland and World War II with a special focus on the Kosciuszko Squadron (so appropriately named!), the wild and courageous flying aces of World War II whose feats at the time were legendary. Olson and Cloud do a brilliant job of bringing the players to life, from individual pilots and resistance fighters to the chief statesmen of the war.
Bolstered by nearly fifty pages of small-print notes and bibliography, the book makes all too real the unimaginable, highlighting the faith and courage (and anger and recklessness) of those who resisted being obliterated between the manifold evils of Hitler and Stalin. Not always comfortable reading, though the writers also inject moments of humor, of compassion, or small victories. It's important reading, lighting up a part of history that was hidden for half a century. It's only by understanding where we've been and learning from it that we can prevent it from happening again.
May 8, 2022
Over the last couple of years, individuals who I had once thought of as heroes, have fallen from that pedestal and I have come to view them less as heroes and more like traitors. In the fog of war, mistakes are made on the battlefield, in the military command structure, and in the governments that pay and sponsor their militaries.
Yet, there are certain acts of betrayal that I find unforgivable and President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill committed acts of betrayal against Poland and the Polish military, who fought beside the British and Americans forces, that were not only despicable, traitorous, and cowardly but in Dante's "Inferno" would land them in the final circle of hell with Lucifer.
In 1939 Poland was attacked by the Nazis and by the Russians. The Germans took control of one half of the country while their friends in arms at the time, the Russians and Stalin, took control of the other half. The U.S. and Britain promised the Polish government support but none showed up. The U.S. still didn't have its act together and Great Britain was trying to hold off the Germans from taking over their country.
Shortly, thereafter, the French surrendered to the Germans without so much as a whimper. If you have ever wondered how Paris remained so much intact during the war, it's because the French did not fight back and for all practical purposes handed their country over to the Germans.
While the French were doing the 'two step' the frame Polish pilots of "The Kosciuszko Squadron" made their way to Britain along with many in the Polish navy and infantry. But it was this Squadron of fighter pilots that would help the British win the the 'Battle of Britain,'... so much so that without them it is very likely the English would have lost the battle and the Germans would have rolled right into Great Britain. The Hit (how many enemy planes you shot down) to Kill (how many of your planes were shot down and flyers killed) was as high as 10 to 1 in favor of the Polish pilots. In short, "The Kossciusko Squadron," was superior to the British and German pilots and one could only imagine how many English lives this Squadron saved.
Their expertise continued throughout the war flying alongside the Americans and British. After being frustrated in their attempt to obliterate England, that madman of all madmen, Hitler, decided to attack his buddy Stalin. Hitler would have very likely conquered the Soviet Union if not for President Roosevelt sending him an abundance of arms and deadly weapons which the dictator did not even have the courtesy to thank our President who for unknown reasons seemed to be in awe of the dictator.
Throughout the first half of the war, Churchill and Roosevelt promised the Polish government in exile, over and over again, that part of their war plan was to liberate Poland from the Nazis and Soviet forces. Actually, according to President Roosevelt the sole purpose of winning this war was to make sure every country in Europe would be liberated and able to choose their own form of government.
The French, who did not give up a fight, were liberated and given a place at the table with the Americans and British. But Poland, was handed over to the Russians, in one of the most underhanded betrayals of an ally in the history warfare. The country, who was arguably the most influential in helping win the war, besides the American and British was tossed to Stalin like a piece in a chess game and for the next forty-five years was under the totalitarian regime of Communist Russia.
President Roosevelt, out of ignorance and lack of empathy, went out of his way to appease the butcher of Moscow, and Churchill, the great orator, followed the President's lead and went so far as to have articles printed in the British newspapers that were unfavorable toward the Polish while praising the leadership and sacrifice of Stalin and the Russian people.
A remarkable book, in a series of remarkable books I have read, that sheds an ugly light on the so called legends of World War 2.
Yet, there are certain acts of betrayal that I find unforgivable and President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill committed acts of betrayal against Poland and the Polish military, who fought beside the British and Americans forces, that were not only despicable, traitorous, and cowardly but in Dante's "Inferno" would land them in the final circle of hell with Lucifer.
In 1939 Poland was attacked by the Nazis and by the Russians. The Germans took control of one half of the country while their friends in arms at the time, the Russians and Stalin, took control of the other half. The U.S. and Britain promised the Polish government support but none showed up. The U.S. still didn't have its act together and Great Britain was trying to hold off the Germans from taking over their country.
Shortly, thereafter, the French surrendered to the Germans without so much as a whimper. If you have ever wondered how Paris remained so much intact during the war, it's because the French did not fight back and for all practical purposes handed their country over to the Germans.
While the French were doing the 'two step' the frame Polish pilots of "The Kosciuszko Squadron" made their way to Britain along with many in the Polish navy and infantry. But it was this Squadron of fighter pilots that would help the British win the the 'Battle of Britain,'... so much so that without them it is very likely the English would have lost the battle and the Germans would have rolled right into Great Britain. The Hit (how many enemy planes you shot down) to Kill (how many of your planes were shot down and flyers killed) was as high as 10 to 1 in favor of the Polish pilots. In short, "The Kossciusko Squadron," was superior to the British and German pilots and one could only imagine how many English lives this Squadron saved.
Their expertise continued throughout the war flying alongside the Americans and British. After being frustrated in their attempt to obliterate England, that madman of all madmen, Hitler, decided to attack his buddy Stalin. Hitler would have very likely conquered the Soviet Union if not for President Roosevelt sending him an abundance of arms and deadly weapons which the dictator did not even have the courtesy to thank our President who for unknown reasons seemed to be in awe of the dictator.
Throughout the first half of the war, Churchill and Roosevelt promised the Polish government in exile, over and over again, that part of their war plan was to liberate Poland from the Nazis and Soviet forces. Actually, according to President Roosevelt the sole purpose of winning this war was to make sure every country in Europe would be liberated and able to choose their own form of government.
The French, who did not give up a fight, were liberated and given a place at the table with the Americans and British. But Poland, was handed over to the Russians, in one of the most underhanded betrayals of an ally in the history warfare. The country, who was arguably the most influential in helping win the war, besides the American and British was tossed to Stalin like a piece in a chess game and for the next forty-five years was under the totalitarian regime of Communist Russia.
President Roosevelt, out of ignorance and lack of empathy, went out of his way to appease the butcher of Moscow, and Churchill, the great orator, followed the President's lead and went so far as to have articles printed in the British newspapers that were unfavorable toward the Polish while praising the leadership and sacrifice of Stalin and the Russian people.
A remarkable book, in a series of remarkable books I have read, that sheds an ugly light on the so called legends of World War 2.
March 26, 2013
A QUESTION OF HONOR by Lynne Olson and Stanley Cloud contains a subtitle; The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II. The book itself is more than raising the reader’s consciousness as to the heroic work of Polish pilots during the war. It is a wonderful narrative that encompasses the plight of Poland that historically has been in the crosshairs of Germany and Russia resulting in its disappearance as a nation in 1795, only to reappear after World War I. The authors develop the poignant story of the Polish flyers in the context of Polish history. They tell the personal stories of these men and their role in saving the British during the Battle of Britain. They emerge as heroes until Poland became an obstacle of “Big Three” diplomacy during the war and its conclusion. There is really nothing new in terms of the duplicitous and disingenuous behavior of Franklin D. Roosevelt during the war as he tried to implement his vision of a postwar Europe by playing into the hands of Joseph Stalin. Winston Churchill emerges as a willing, if at times, reluctant cohort in FDR’s game. All the familiar topics are discussed in detail including the murder of Polish officers by the Soviet Union at the Katyn forest, the failure to assist the Polish Home Army in its attempt to throw off the Nazi yoke in Warsaw in 1944, and the failure of the British to honor and support those who had assisted them when they were in dire straits in 1940. The book is well researched and brings to its pages a story that during the war and well into the Cold War was buried for fear of upsetting the Soviet Union. This is a story that needs to be told and the truth about the plight of Poland during and after the Second World War provides insights into the behavior of the major personalities who were responsible for events.
August 8, 2020
What an incredible wealth of information this book was... One of the best books I've read. Period.
The tumultuous, horrendous, heroic and romantic history of Poland is not something that many people are aware in todays world, and what an eye-opening insight did I have while reading this book..
This book is mainly centred around the experiences of a specific group of polish fighter pilots belonging to the Kościuszko squadron. But it starts with the dawning of ww2 in 1939 when hitler and his armies invaded Poland, which gained their freedom as a free nation only after the conclusion of the ww2.
Armed with a long and tiring history of being occupied by either USSR or Germany for many of its existence, it was the first country to be run over by the powerful and unstoppable nazi reich. It was the first country to resist the german onslaught and is the country that suffered the most under the germans. The records of loss of lives, infrastructure, land as well as the acts of heroism and resistance shown against the nazis by the Poland is unparalleled to any other occupied country during and after the ww2.
'None of Germany's enemies on the continent fought more bravely and more hopelessly; none of Germany's enemies was handled with such a frightful mixture of brutality,torture and truly inhuman contempt.'
'Hitler's firing parties are busy in a dozen lands. Mondays he shoots Dutchmen. Tuesdays,Norwegians. Wednesdays, French or Belgians stand against the wall. Thursdays, it's the Czechs who must suffer, and now there are Serbs and the Greeks to fill his repulsive bill of executions. But always, all days, there are the poles. - Winston Churchill.
Hitler personally, was enraged by the sheer amount of resistance shown by the poles and reserved specific brutal methods to handle the poles and singled them out in the inhuman treatment of millions of polish citizens.
Unable to fight in their own country, the polish soldiers of its air force, navy and army travelled thousands of miles around the world to other countries to fight in foreign soil against the germans. Never did they fail to believe in their dream of getting their country back from the hands of the germans, while going to great lengths to help other allied countries in the hope of freeing their own.
The records of achievement by the polish forces involved in the allied offences are unparalleled to any other country. While their own countryman and families were being burdened, murdered or tortured under the nazis,they gave their hearts,souls and their lives to the allied countries fight for freedom in the hope that they will be repaid back with the freedom of their own. This was most boldly shown by the polish fighter pilots who defended the UK in the battle for Britain. These polish pilots were considered by many to have been the best and most skilled fighter group in the RAF.
Poland also had the most largest and active resistance army out of all the occupies nations.
'Poland's resistance movement,the largest, most sophisticated, and best organized in all of Europe, made clear that it expected poles to defy the Germans in every possible way. Many, if not most, Poles met the resistance's expectations and then some.
The home (resistance) army also played a huge part in providing refuge and safe passage to the many jews in Poland and those who escaped the ghettos. This task was done by the źegota, the relief council established under the home army.
'After the war, Źegota was one of the only three organizations singled out by Yad Vashem, the Israeli memorial to the Holocaust, for their work in rescuing jews.'
'Of the some 19,000 individuals honoured by Yad Vashem, almost 6000-nearly a third- are Poles. Of the 40 countries whose citizens are cited as "the righteous among nations", Poland ranks FIRST, even though only in Poland were citizens immediately executed if caught helping jews.'
Yet what happened during the last years of ww2 and after it was unforgivable. Poland, which was the first to rise against hitler and his armies, Poland whose soldiers gave their lives in foreign lands in the name of freedom to their motherland, Poland whose citizens suffered and lost the most, whose citizens rose against the germans time and time again, were abandoned by it's own allies- US and great Britain. They were merely handed in a platter by the allies to Stalin in order to apease him and his red army as the Soviet union was heavily involved in the allies fight against Germany at that point.
'...Occupied Poland lived by faith in the Allies, in Churchill and Roosevelt'....'Above all, nothing could shake the Poles belief that Britain and the US, with their ideals of justice, truth, and freedom, would help to liberate their country.'
They were utterly betrayed...
While the other countries celebrated the end of ww2, Poland will lay in ruins with 20% (the most) of its population reduced and living under a different type of occupation-the soviet communism.
It would be long before they would be free again.
The tumultuous, horrendous, heroic and romantic history of Poland is not something that many people are aware in todays world, and what an eye-opening insight did I have while reading this book..
This book is mainly centred around the experiences of a specific group of polish fighter pilots belonging to the Kościuszko squadron. But it starts with the dawning of ww2 in 1939 when hitler and his armies invaded Poland, which gained their freedom as a free nation only after the conclusion of the ww2.
Armed with a long and tiring history of being occupied by either USSR or Germany for many of its existence, it was the first country to be run over by the powerful and unstoppable nazi reich. It was the first country to resist the german onslaught and is the country that suffered the most under the germans. The records of loss of lives, infrastructure, land as well as the acts of heroism and resistance shown against the nazis by the Poland is unparalleled to any other occupied country during and after the ww2.
'None of Germany's enemies on the continent fought more bravely and more hopelessly; none of Germany's enemies was handled with such a frightful mixture of brutality,torture and truly inhuman contempt.'
'Hitler's firing parties are busy in a dozen lands. Mondays he shoots Dutchmen. Tuesdays,Norwegians. Wednesdays, French or Belgians stand against the wall. Thursdays, it's the Czechs who must suffer, and now there are Serbs and the Greeks to fill his repulsive bill of executions. But always, all days, there are the poles. - Winston Churchill.
Hitler personally, was enraged by the sheer amount of resistance shown by the poles and reserved specific brutal methods to handle the poles and singled them out in the inhuman treatment of millions of polish citizens.
Unable to fight in their own country, the polish soldiers of its air force, navy and army travelled thousands of miles around the world to other countries to fight in foreign soil against the germans. Never did they fail to believe in their dream of getting their country back from the hands of the germans, while going to great lengths to help other allied countries in the hope of freeing their own.
The records of achievement by the polish forces involved in the allied offences are unparalleled to any other country. While their own countryman and families were being burdened, murdered or tortured under the nazis,they gave their hearts,souls and their lives to the allied countries fight for freedom in the hope that they will be repaid back with the freedom of their own. This was most boldly shown by the polish fighter pilots who defended the UK in the battle for Britain. These polish pilots were considered by many to have been the best and most skilled fighter group in the RAF.
Poland also had the most largest and active resistance army out of all the occupies nations.
'Poland's resistance movement,the largest, most sophisticated, and best organized in all of Europe, made clear that it expected poles to defy the Germans in every possible way. Many, if not most, Poles met the resistance's expectations and then some.
The home (resistance) army also played a huge part in providing refuge and safe passage to the many jews in Poland and those who escaped the ghettos. This task was done by the źegota, the relief council established under the home army.
'After the war, Źegota was one of the only three organizations singled out by Yad Vashem, the Israeli memorial to the Holocaust, for their work in rescuing jews.'
'Of the some 19,000 individuals honoured by Yad Vashem, almost 6000-nearly a third- are Poles. Of the 40 countries whose citizens are cited as "the righteous among nations", Poland ranks FIRST, even though only in Poland were citizens immediately executed if caught helping jews.'
Yet what happened during the last years of ww2 and after it was unforgivable. Poland, which was the first to rise against hitler and his armies, Poland whose soldiers gave their lives in foreign lands in the name of freedom to their motherland, Poland whose citizens suffered and lost the most, whose citizens rose against the germans time and time again, were abandoned by it's own allies- US and great Britain. They were merely handed in a platter by the allies to Stalin in order to apease him and his red army as the Soviet union was heavily involved in the allies fight against Germany at that point.
'...Occupied Poland lived by faith in the Allies, in Churchill and Roosevelt'....'Above all, nothing could shake the Poles belief that Britain and the US, with their ideals of justice, truth, and freedom, would help to liberate their country.'
They were utterly betrayed...
While the other countries celebrated the end of ww2, Poland will lay in ruins with 20% (the most) of its population reduced and living under a different type of occupation-the soviet communism.
It would be long before they would be free again.
May 9, 2022
This book is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in WWII history. It is about war, politics, and what bargaining chips one country needs to be on a winning team. We find that devotion and honor in the form of blood sweat and tears do not count as bargaining chips. I am learning from recent reads, how ill-informed I have been on world history and American history.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Central to the story is The Kosciuszko Squadron; the ace Polish pilots who were adopted by the British and were brothers-in-arms in The Battle of Britain. In order to participate in the war effort, the Polish airmen had to be a part of the RAF and hence under British rule. Their success was phenomenal. Sprinkled throughout the book were many other heroic pursuits by Polish fighters. By the war's end, Poland was the fourth largest contributor to the Allied effort in Europe, after the Soviet Union, the United States, and Britain and its Commonwealth.
Polish fighters and pilots were not allowed to leave Britain to defend their own nation when Poland was overtaken by the Nazis, and then by the Red Army. They had to sit by helplessly and listen to Home Army Underground broadcasts to realize that their beloved Warsaw was being razed and their countrymen were being marched off to concentration camps or gulags, starved or otherwise annihilated.
Churchill and FDR both pledged repeatedly to help recover Polish land and sovereignty. Those pledges were made when necessary to Polish war generals and the P.M. The Great Allied Triad (Churchill, FDR and Stalin) met several times to try to iron out the future. No such pledges were made within hearing distance of Stalin. In fact the conciliatory behavior of both FDR and Churchill was revolting. So fearful were they of angering the temperamental dictator.
I was almost reminded of Donald Trump trying to placate Valdimir Putin.
Churchill was master of flowery rhetoric. "Poland must be mistress in her own house and captain of her own soul."
Less than a week after Warsaw Home Army surrendered, Churchill traveled to Moscow to meet with Stalin to carve up the Baltic States.
"So far as Britain and Russia are concerned, how would it do for you to have ninety percent predominance in Rumania, for us to have ninety percent of the say in Greece, and go fifty/fifty about Yugoslavia?" He jotted down the percentages on a sheet of paper, along with additional figures for Hungary (also 50/50) and Bulgaria (the Soviets, 75/the British, 25). He pushed the paper across the table to Stalin, who took out a blue pencil, made a large checkmark on it, and returned it to Churchill. The carving up of much of southeastern Europe, Churchill said in his memoirs, "was all settled in no more time than it takes to write it down."
I was absolutely outraged at the shabby injustices, and I teared up at the hopeless brutality. My deep and abiding admiration of FDR and Winston Churchill has dropped down quite a few notches. Thank you again Lynne Olson for enlightening me.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Central to the story is The Kosciuszko Squadron; the ace Polish pilots who were adopted by the British and were brothers-in-arms in The Battle of Britain. In order to participate in the war effort, the Polish airmen had to be a part of the RAF and hence under British rule. Their success was phenomenal. Sprinkled throughout the book were many other heroic pursuits by Polish fighters. By the war's end, Poland was the fourth largest contributor to the Allied effort in Europe, after the Soviet Union, the United States, and Britain and its Commonwealth.
Polish fighters and pilots were not allowed to leave Britain to defend their own nation when Poland was overtaken by the Nazis, and then by the Red Army. They had to sit by helplessly and listen to Home Army Underground broadcasts to realize that their beloved Warsaw was being razed and their countrymen were being marched off to concentration camps or gulags, starved or otherwise annihilated.
Churchill and FDR both pledged repeatedly to help recover Polish land and sovereignty. Those pledges were made when necessary to Polish war generals and the P.M. The Great Allied Triad (Churchill, FDR and Stalin) met several times to try to iron out the future. No such pledges were made within hearing distance of Stalin. In fact the conciliatory behavior of both FDR and Churchill was revolting. So fearful were they of angering the temperamental dictator.
I was almost reminded of Donald Trump trying to placate Valdimir Putin.
Churchill was master of flowery rhetoric. "Poland must be mistress in her own house and captain of her own soul."
Less than a week after Warsaw Home Army surrendered, Churchill traveled to Moscow to meet with Stalin to carve up the Baltic States.
"So far as Britain and Russia are concerned, how would it do for you to have ninety percent predominance in Rumania, for us to have ninety percent of the say in Greece, and go fifty/fifty about Yugoslavia?" He jotted down the percentages on a sheet of paper, along with additional figures for Hungary (also 50/50) and Bulgaria (the Soviets, 75/the British, 25). He pushed the paper across the table to Stalin, who took out a blue pencil, made a large checkmark on it, and returned it to Churchill. The carving up of much of southeastern Europe, Churchill said in his memoirs, "was all settled in no more time than it takes to write it down."
I was absolutely outraged at the shabby injustices, and I teared up at the hopeless brutality. My deep and abiding admiration of FDR and Winston Churchill has dropped down quite a few notches. Thank you again Lynne Olson for enlightening me.
June 10, 2018
When my Polish friend insisted that I read this book, I responded with a bad joke. How do you stop a Polish tank? Shoot the man pushing it... And I've always copied my dad's passionate argument about how the French and Polish rolled over to Hitler and the holocaust. But Olson easily swats these common misconceptions aside. Poland was the only nation in WW2 that was defeated and occupied by Hitler--and still never surrendered or negotiated a German-approved government (a la Vichy France). Poland was conquered in little over a month, but this is something that should elicit support and sympathy rather than disgust. Poland was one of the first nations invaded in WW2. It had been an independent nation only since WWI, its military was terribly overmatched in the face of Hitler's massive, cutting edge military, and perhaps (as Olson argues) its Allies were more keen on appeasing (or preventing war) Hitler rather than coming to Poland's defense.
And despite Poland's defeat, thousands of Polish fighters continued fighting. Most escaped to England, and the most famous of the bunch were the Polish pilots of the Kosciuszko Squadron. Polish pilots helped defend England in the crucial early months of the war (the Kosciuszko Squadron had the most kills during these early months). Polish pilots helped the Allies win the Battle of Britain. When the English feared, and Hitler hoped, that an invasion of Britain was imminent, hundreds of Polish pilots helped prevent this.
The sad second half of this story is dedicated to explaining how Poland then became a Soviet satelite. How Churchill and FDR essentially treated Polish sovereignty as a bargaining chip with Stalin. How the cold, realistic realism (i know that's redundant) of the US and UK led them to in some ways sell-out their friendship and alliance with Poland.
This was a very good book. I didn't think I'd really go for the personal-story part of the book that deals with the lives of the fighter pilots. Books that deal with brotherly comraderie and chummy tales seem sort of lame on the surface. But there's a ton of depth, a ton of courage and a ton of sadness to these stories. People fighting for the idea of a nation through the help and facilitation of Britain. It's a story I didn't know much about, and I appreciated learning. As with most books I enjoy, it makes me want to read more. I'd like to read more books on World War 2. A sad, dizzying time that is beyond my imagination.
And despite Poland's defeat, thousands of Polish fighters continued fighting. Most escaped to England, and the most famous of the bunch were the Polish pilots of the Kosciuszko Squadron. Polish pilots helped defend England in the crucial early months of the war (the Kosciuszko Squadron had the most kills during these early months). Polish pilots helped the Allies win the Battle of Britain. When the English feared, and Hitler hoped, that an invasion of Britain was imminent, hundreds of Polish pilots helped prevent this.
The sad second half of this story is dedicated to explaining how Poland then became a Soviet satelite. How Churchill and FDR essentially treated Polish sovereignty as a bargaining chip with Stalin. How the cold, realistic realism (i know that's redundant) of the US and UK led them to in some ways sell-out their friendship and alliance with Poland.
This was a very good book. I didn't think I'd really go for the personal-story part of the book that deals with the lives of the fighter pilots. Books that deal with brotherly comraderie and chummy tales seem sort of lame on the surface. But there's a ton of depth, a ton of courage and a ton of sadness to these stories. People fighting for the idea of a nation through the help and facilitation of Britain. It's a story I didn't know much about, and I appreciated learning. As with most books I enjoy, it makes me want to read more. I'd like to read more books on World War 2. A sad, dizzying time that is beyond my imagination.
November 24, 2007
Very interesting book about not only the exploits of the Kosciuszko Squadron, but also an overview of the particulars of how Churchill and Roosevelt sold-out Poland to Stalin in WWII. The daring and commitment of the Polish pilots in WWII makes all the more shameful degree to which the Allies sold-out Poland is laid bare in this book, and it is a good antidote to the usual WWII history hoakum claims that Poland should bear a great responsibility for her own fate (claims which come at least in part from US and UK acceptance of Soviet propaganda in the name of "allied unity" during WWII). Even people who are not normally interested in WWII may find this easy to read, engaging book an interesting read.
December 25, 2018
Any book that deals with Poland in WWII secures a 4-star rating from me, yet nothing is perfect after a few books on the same subject. This squandron study flies off too often into the general story of Poland in WWII. Noteworthy is the post-war controversy where one of their number rises to become a General of the Air Force under the communist government, which his old co-fighter never forgave him.
December 15, 2018
This is the fourth of Lynne Olson's books I've read, and much of the information in this book about Polish fliers in the RAF was covered in Last Hope Island as well. That said, the contribution of the Polish pilots to the Brits winning the Battle of Britain was immense. It can reasonably be postulated that the Brits would have lost the battle without the contributions of the Poles, and this is not something generally taught in history class.
Olson also points out that Poland was the only country conquered by the Germans which never stopped fighting, and which never had a collaboration government like Vichy in France or Quisling in Norway. The Poles fought from start to finish, with almost no help from the Allies. Indeed, Churchill and Roosevelt sold out the Poles in order to appease Stalin, which was always a fool's game, but FDR was too naive to know it. Or maybe his judgment was impaired by poor health and approaching death. Stalin viewed any appeasement as weakness, and it just made him more demanding. It was unlikely that a D-Day style landing could have been effected in Poland, but at least the Polish Airborne Brigade could have been parachuted in, and supplies could have been dropped to the Polish Home Army in the Warsaw uprising. Instead of doing that, the Allies wasted air force resources on raids of extremely questionable value while the Poles died in Warsaw in the uprising. This was a truly shameful chapter for the US and UK in WW2. By contrast, the bravery of the Poles in taking on the Germans is breathtaking and tragic, and it should be remembered better than it is in most histories.
After the Russians overran Poland, the US and UK shamelessly made haste to recognize Stalin's puppet Polish government and to throw overboard the legal government-in-exile of the Poles in London. Of course, by then there was nothing the Americans or Brits could have done to affect the situation, even if they were so inclined. Even if it was doomed to failure, and it is not completely clear that it would have been, the Anglo-Americans should have made a real effort to support the Poles in 1944, and even try to fight their way to their aid either through the Baltic Sea or via air drop. The Poles deserved that much; to go down fighting with real support from their allies. The air drop aid that was provided was so little, so late that it was almost an insult.
So if you do not know about the Poles' role in WW2, this is a good overview, and it may change your view of Churchill and FDR.
Olson also points out that Poland was the only country conquered by the Germans which never stopped fighting, and which never had a collaboration government like Vichy in France or Quisling in Norway. The Poles fought from start to finish, with almost no help from the Allies. Indeed, Churchill and Roosevelt sold out the Poles in order to appease Stalin, which was always a fool's game, but FDR was too naive to know it. Or maybe his judgment was impaired by poor health and approaching death. Stalin viewed any appeasement as weakness, and it just made him more demanding. It was unlikely that a D-Day style landing could have been effected in Poland, but at least the Polish Airborne Brigade could have been parachuted in, and supplies could have been dropped to the Polish Home Army in the Warsaw uprising. Instead of doing that, the Allies wasted air force resources on raids of extremely questionable value while the Poles died in Warsaw in the uprising. This was a truly shameful chapter for the US and UK in WW2. By contrast, the bravery of the Poles in taking on the Germans is breathtaking and tragic, and it should be remembered better than it is in most histories.
After the Russians overran Poland, the US and UK shamelessly made haste to recognize Stalin's puppet Polish government and to throw overboard the legal government-in-exile of the Poles in London. Of course, by then there was nothing the Americans or Brits could have done to affect the situation, even if they were so inclined. Even if it was doomed to failure, and it is not completely clear that it would have been, the Anglo-Americans should have made a real effort to support the Poles in 1944, and even try to fight their way to their aid either through the Baltic Sea or via air drop. The Poles deserved that much; to go down fighting with real support from their allies. The air drop aid that was provided was so little, so late that it was almost an insult.
So if you do not know about the Poles' role in WW2, this is a good overview, and it may change your view of Churchill and FDR.
March 21, 2016
I always had a thing for Poland...Now I know why.
I consider myself quite well informed on the events of the Second World War, but this story--a story of a nation who would not die--really shred through any illusions I had.
The story unfolds organically and reads like fiction, though through it all, you realize what you're reading is the truth (the truth always feels different, doesn't it?) and you can't tear your eyes away from the page until your eyes burn and you need to sleep. And then you sleep a restless, troubled sleep, full of dreams of Golden boys who burst with pride and romance and who desire one thing only and that is to free their most beloved home, and in this dream, you witness the boys epic courage and chivalry and watch as they fly side by side with France and England and join the ranks of the RAF and die and bleed for their ideals. And with hope and pride you hear the promises of Churchill and FDR and you sigh with relief, but then out of the corner of your eye, you see him coming, big bad Uncle Joe and his Red Army and you pray someone will remember his pledge to Poland and you toss and turn and watch with horror as everything is forgotten--sacrifices and gifts swept under the thick carpet of cowardice--and you witness the world leaders, the Big Three, as they meet in the desert and write history, write a map...Write off Poland.
But still, you read on because you know the wall will fall....And it does, many many years later...
Now you hope the walls between the truth and lies about what really goes down undisclosed to us, every day, every minute, will eventually fall and you pray that when they do, you'll still be here.
I consider myself quite well informed on the events of the Second World War, but this story--a story of a nation who would not die--really shred through any illusions I had.
The story unfolds organically and reads like fiction, though through it all, you realize what you're reading is the truth (the truth always feels different, doesn't it?) and you can't tear your eyes away from the page until your eyes burn and you need to sleep. And then you sleep a restless, troubled sleep, full of dreams of Golden boys who burst with pride and romance and who desire one thing only and that is to free their most beloved home, and in this dream, you witness the boys epic courage and chivalry and watch as they fly side by side with France and England and join the ranks of the RAF and die and bleed for their ideals. And with hope and pride you hear the promises of Churchill and FDR and you sigh with relief, but then out of the corner of your eye, you see him coming, big bad Uncle Joe and his Red Army and you pray someone will remember his pledge to Poland and you toss and turn and watch with horror as everything is forgotten--sacrifices and gifts swept under the thick carpet of cowardice--and you witness the world leaders, the Big Three, as they meet in the desert and write history, write a map...Write off Poland.
But still, you read on because you know the wall will fall....And it does, many many years later...
Now you hope the walls between the truth and lies about what really goes down undisclosed to us, every day, every minute, will eventually fall and you pray that when they do, you'll still be here.
January 20, 2015
For those interest in learning details about WW II and its affect on Europe and specifically Poland this is a must read book. This book contains an extraordinary amount of detail about the Polish people and their support of the West including Great Britain and the United States in fighting the Germans. After the defeat of Germany Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt did not live up to their promises to support Poland and allowed Russia to take over the country. Poland suffered under communist rule until the collapse of communism and the USSR. This book was a real eye opener to one who thought he knew the fundamentals of the WW II conflict and the relationship of the Western alliance. The Poles fought along side the British and were double crossed by both the British and American governments. A very sad but true tale of what really happened. This is a must read for students of History in any country. Hopefully these mistakes will never be repeated.
November 27, 2008
Absolute must-read. Should be obligatory read in highschool. The story close friendship, real patriotism, fighting for your believes and your country even you can lose your life in a fight. Story of Polish fighter pilots and mechanic crews that fought in the Battle of England with all their skills. People from flesh and blood, not a paper heroes. Honour to them.
Polish soldier fights for the freedom of other nations, but dies only for Poland - gen. Stanisław Maczek
Polish soldier fights for the freedom of other nations, but dies only for Poland - gen. Stanisław Maczek
August 10, 2022
In 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, thousands of Poles escaped. Many of those Polish citizens were military men, intent on fighting with the French and British to stop Hitler. This is the story of one squad from the Polish Air Force who ended up in England and were attached to The Royal Air Force. The British forces were not too happy about it.
All I knew about the Polish Air Force was that it had only lasted about three days against the Luftwaffe, and i had no reason to suppose it would shine any more brightly operating from England
It took no time at all for the Poles to make that gentlemen eat his words. The Polish Air Force was one of the finest in the world, and these men had fire in their belly. Their only intent was to reclaim their country, no matter what it took. Without the Polish squads, chances are the Battle of Britain would have been lost.
The author gives insight into the Tehran and Yalta conferences . What was said, what was promised to Stalin, behind closed doors. The public persona of these two leaders (Churchill and Roosevelt) was something quite different. From the very beginning both of these leaders praised the Polish, promising them that they would not be forsaken or forgotten. That every person, every country had the right to freedom. All the while, behind those closed doors, chopping up Eastern Europe to please Stalin and keep him in the fight.
When the Poles stood up to Germany in 1939, when they poured out of Poland to fight on, when they tried to defend France, and when they flew against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, they could have never imagined that their country would be disposed of-by their allies-in so casual and callous a way
Olson is a fabulous writer, her research impeccable. Highly recommended for history fans.
All I knew about the Polish Air Force was that it had only lasted about three days against the Luftwaffe, and i had no reason to suppose it would shine any more brightly operating from England
It took no time at all for the Poles to make that gentlemen eat his words. The Polish Air Force was one of the finest in the world, and these men had fire in their belly. Their only intent was to reclaim their country, no matter what it took. Without the Polish squads, chances are the Battle of Britain would have been lost.
The author gives insight into the Tehran and Yalta conferences . What was said, what was promised to Stalin, behind closed doors. The public persona of these two leaders (Churchill and Roosevelt) was something quite different. From the very beginning both of these leaders praised the Polish, promising them that they would not be forsaken or forgotten. That every person, every country had the right to freedom. All the while, behind those closed doors, chopping up Eastern Europe to please Stalin and keep him in the fight.
When the Poles stood up to Germany in 1939, when they poured out of Poland to fight on, when they tried to defend France, and when they flew against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, they could have never imagined that their country would be disposed of-by their allies-in so casual and callous a way
Olson is a fabulous writer, her research impeccable. Highly recommended for history fans.
May 3, 2011
Have you ever told Polish jokes? I have (I grew up in Chicago in aPolish/Italian neighborhood and I knew them all). After reading this book, never again will I do anything to downgrade the Poles. The daring and bravery of these Polish flyers was amazing. And, what they put up with before, during and after the war was also amazing (but in a reverse sense). This book helps in understanding why the Poles keep the Zloty as their currency instead of the Euro, why the entire nation is so proud of Pope John Paul II and why their national identity is so strong. Plus, it's a good read!
April 17, 2012
I have been scanning some old photos of my farther who was one of the Polish Pilot's who came to the UK at the start of the second world war, which brings to mind this wonderful book charting their history and contribution to the Allied victory. It is not just a set of dates and figures but goes into the characters and personal histories of the pilots. Even if you do not have any links to Poland or the baltic states, please do read it, It had me in tears at the end
June 23, 2013
Lynne Olson is pretty hard to beat. She gives you what could be very dull details in an entertaining way. Sometimes I look at one of her sentences and ask myself what made it better. Often a simple word choice, or the way the sentence is assembled. This book is as good as all her others!
March 6, 2016
I put off reading this after a friend first made the recommendation, thinking it would be dry history book. Wrong! The story and the history are compelling. There is so much I didn't know about Poland's glorious history and its people's military achievements during WWII. What they suffered is horrifying, and that they were subjected to further mistreatment by their allies is disturbing.
Several times, when I shared tidbits with my husband, he asked why I continued to read it since it clearly was upsetting me. "Because it's important. Because we need to know about this. Because I now feel so compelled to honor the memories of these heroes."
Helps, too, that the writing is excellent. It's a big book and a slow read (lot of info to take in), but a page-turner. Well worth the investment of your time.
Several times, when I shared tidbits with my husband, he asked why I continued to read it since it clearly was upsetting me. "Because it's important. Because we need to know about this. Because I now feel so compelled to honor the memories of these heroes."
Helps, too, that the writing is excellent. It's a big book and a slow read (lot of info to take in), but a page-turner. Well worth the investment of your time.
September 30, 2012
This book exposes the ugly underbelly of allied politicking during World War II. Poland suffered the greatest percentage of losses through either death or permanent displacement during World War II and fought both Hitler and Stalin, two of the most bloody-handed monsters in modern history. Instead of recognizing their gallantry and supporting their territorial claims against the Soviets, both Roosevelt and Churchill threw them under the bus of expedience. This was an enormously shameful act and proves to the idealists that valor runs a poor second to raw power. Because of their enormous resources, both the US and the USSR were able to effectively destroy a smaller, much less wealthy nation. This is a very sobering work.
March 20, 2016
My opinion is this: everyone needs to read this book. People need to know about these Polish fighters who helped win WWII. Without them the outcome would have been different. The book tells the stories of the Polish RAF fighters who helped win multiple battles in the war. The later part of the book is the politics and what happened after the war. I wish more people new about these brave men and what they did for their country.
August 14, 2015
Riveting read. Now I understand why the Dutch have always mentioned the Poles along with the Americans and Canadians who were crucial for our freedom. It's also shameful to read how many times the Poles were underestimated and of course in the end left to Stalin, denying them the freedom they fought and died for so valiantly.
April 5, 2013
This was a revelation. A beautiful and sad story. As usual with Lynne Olson, the research was exhaustive and the writing was flowing and smooth.
January 7, 2022
This book was excellent
April 29, 2010
It would be hard to overstate the need to read this book if you are at all interested in WWII or Europe generally. Told in a clear voice by two journalists (apparently this was originally started as an article), this fantastic book details WWII and the fundamental role that Poles played in the battle as well as the broken treaties by the British and French to back them up. This book also details the Soviet overtaking of Poland, how FDR rolled over on his stomach in defense of Poland, and how help for the Warsaw uprising was non-existent. More than I could hope to detail here, this is a must read.
November 16, 2019
Ta książka to w zasadzie dwie książki w jednej okładce. Jest to najpierw biografia 5 polskich pilotów. Druga część książki to historia ich potraktowania przez Aliantów. Pierwsza część jest bardzo ciekawa, druga część bardzo trudna, ale równocześnie bardzo pouczająca. Myślałem, że znałem historię Teheranu, Jałty oraz Poczdamu - okazało się, że nie do końca. Pierwszą część polecam wszystkim, drugą część zainteresowanym historią.
December 19, 2010
ja kupowalem ta ksiazke kiedy mieszkalem w polsce. Oczywiscie nie moglem sie doczekac az do kiedy mialem mozliwosci poczytac. Pokreslenie ta kziazke jest tak ze podczas wojny, zapomnimy o tym dlaczego walczymy. ta historia jest taka smutna jak czytasz to co sie dzieje nie tylko w anglii ale i tak w polsce. polecam do wszystkich.
November 18, 2008
This is an amazing story, and fills a significant knowledge gap that is somehow conveniently left out of every history textbook we had to read in school. We can all take a lesson from the courage, skill and honor of Polish airmen during WWII.
August 8, 2012
Every now and then you read something that completely changes your entire view of an era of history. This book did that. More than that, it made me realize once again how the things we masses ignorantly praise may actually be the pinnacle of injustice in reality.
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