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Verk av Peter Sikora

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Poles in the Battle of Britain – A Stunning Collection of Pictures

Peter Sikora has gathered together a wonderful of collection of photographs of Polish Airmen, who also happened to be part of Churchill’s few at the Battle of Britain in 1940. While much is said about the brave men of the RAF, it is often forgotten, that those with the most ‘kills’ were the Polish airmen.

Sikora, uses pictures to explain some of the issues that the Polish faced when they arrived in Britain after the fall of France. Reminding us that the arrival of the Polish airman caused a few complications for the British Government. How the formation or in the Polish case, reformation of a foreign air forces on British soil and that legislation was required.

Some of the most poignant pictures are those of the pilots that were killed in action, some of whom still lie undiscovered in the English Channel. These were men who had flown against the Luftwaffe in Poland, France and then in the Battle of Britain. Pictures of these men with their Hurricanes and Spitfires, both symbols of ‘Standing Alone’ against the Germans.

Sikora has also used a spread of pictures that the Germans had taken of Pilot Officer Witold Głowacki after his crash landing in German occupied France. Also explained that he had 18 operational sorties during the battle, clearly before he was downed and captured. He died in a German military hospital, there has always been speculation about his death, but that is whole different story.

What we are reminded is that the Polish personnel in the RAF were paid according to their RAF rank, which were often higher payments than they had received when in Poland. Which shows that their flying skills were recognised as equal too and sometime better than some of their English colleagues.

Sikora has put together an excellent photographic record that is second to none. It is a clear and concise record, with clear explanations. One can learn so much from this excellent book.
… (mer)
 
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atticusfinch1048 | Apr 5, 2021 |
I am so pleased that over the past few years, at long last, military historians and aviation enthusiasts have been treated to several books, well-researched and of excellent quality, all explaining and detailing the role of Polish men and women during the Second World War. In particular, Polish men and women played a key role in the expansion of the Royal Air Force early in the Second World War. As many airmen were experienced pilots, having fought in Poland, and then France, they were a significant asset for the Royal Air Force.

There was some reluctance in official circles to employing the Poles within Fighter Command, but the U.K. was hardly in a position to ignore the many Poles, Czechs, Dutch, Belgians and French willing to fly in Fighter Command. One thing they had in common, their homelands were under German occupation, and they were keen to avenge that fact. The U.K. was clearly ‘The Island of Last Hopes’, which nicely forms part of the title of the first chapter.

There are nineteen chapters, of which eighteen detail the experiences of the Poles in reaching the U.K., and then their reception in this foreign country. These chapters are well researched and full of remarkable stories as well as historical narratives. Commencing on Page 293 are the individual biographies of ‘The Polish Few’. Each one is a notable story of individual determination and bravery in itself, and as a collection – invaluable.

The author deserves great admiration for his work, and the manner in which he has presented this. In addition, my thanks to Pen & Sword for publishing this valuable work, and allowing me to read and review it. I recommend it highly.
… (mer)
 
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RobPALMER | 1 annan recension | Feb 25, 2019 |
The Polish ‘Few’ – For the Many

When my Grandfather was alive, as a Polish soldier who had fought in the defence of his country from the 1st September. As someone who by 1940 had fought, escaped and got to re-join the Polish ranks in France and then in Britain. He was proud to have served alongside the Polish Airforce and then with those Airmen who made it to Britain.

Ignorance often rears its ugly head when people say what did the Poles ever do for us? They do not realise that the Poles were the largest contingent of foreign airmen to serve in the RAF during the Battle of Britain. This excellently researched book sets the record straight and highlight the role of the 145 Polish Airmen who took part in the Battle of Britain.

This book explains how for over a thousand years Poland had always had problems with her neighbours, and often had to defend herself from powerful neighbours. In 1792 Poland had been conquered and divided by Russia, Austria and Prussia/Germany. It was not until 1918 that Poland once again came blinking out into daylight, and once again a country in her own right.

Once free Poland always knew she may have to defend her borders and while they had an army of sorts, they would need an air force. She built an air force on the backs of pioneers, veterans of the First World War, who had been forced to fight each other under different empires.

By the time the Poles arrived in England in late 1939 early 1940 they were already battle hardened and had fought the Luftwaffe over the Skies of Poland. It was this experience that came to fruition during the Battle of Britain, as the Poles pushed themselves hard and hard to kill the enemy. Both Churchill and Air Chief Marshall Dowding acknowledged the work of the Poles in defending Britain.

This excellently researched and written book is an in depth look at those 145 Polish airmen and their service in the Royal Air Force. Even giving accounts of each individual pilot this really is a magnificent book. Highly recommended book for those interested in the Battle of Britain and Polish Armed Forces.
… (mer)
 
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atticusfinch1048 | 1 annan recension | Feb 5, 2019 |

Statistik

Verk
2
Medlemmar
11
Popularitet
#857,862
Betyg
4.8
Recensioner
3
ISBN
6