FORGOTTEN FEW: The Polish Air Force in World War II [Hardcover]

Adam Zamoyski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004

By the beginning of 1941 there was a fully fledged Polish Air Force operating alongside the RAF. With 14 Squadrons it was larger than any other of the Air Force from Nazi-occupied Europe that had joined the Allies. Over 17,000 men and women passed through the ranks of the Polish Air Force while it was stationed in the UK.

They shot down 745 enemy aircraft, with a further 175 unconfirmed. They dropped thousands of bombs and laid hundreds of mines, flying 102,486 sorties notching up a total of 290,895 operation flying hours. They achieved this at a cost of 1,973 killed and 1,388 wounded. They won 342 British gallantry awards.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Pen and Sword; Second edition (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844150909
• ISBN-13: 978-1844150908
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,591,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poland's aerial contribution to WW2., February 7, 2010

By 

Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: FORGOTTEN FEW, THE: The Polish Air Force in World War II (Paperback)

Being born in 1950, though not really aware of it at the time, I was brought up in post-war Britain. That was a time when anyone from Poland attracted a great deal of respect. It was Hitler's invasion of that country which had precipitated WW2 and, the general perception was, any Polish person living in the UK at that time was there because they had made some sort of contribution towards the final victory.

One of the most vital contributions during 1939-1945, was made by Polish pilots who, not only manned a Polish Air Force (PAF), which ran alongside the RAF, but were also integrated into the wider RAF. Before that, however, one of the most remarkable aspects of this compelling story is that the PAF itself had been equipped with a mere 159 A P-11 fighter aircraft (something which resembles an old bi-plane but with the lower wing missing!) with which they attempted to defend Poland from the 2,000 plus German aircraft with pilots fresh from the "training" grounds of the Spanish civil war. It was an impossible task and Poland was quickly overrun. Nevertheless, many trained people managed to escape and were evacuated from France in 1940 after which they continued the fight from the UK.

Fully operational as a separate air force based in the UK by 1941, the PAF had no fewer than 14 operational squadrons through which over 17,000 personnel passed during those war years. As part of Fighter and Bomber Commands they completed 102,486 sorties and over 290,000 flying hours accounting for 745 enemy aircraft shot down and a further 175 unconfirmed. In addition they dropped many thousands of bombs and mines. The cost was 1,973 killed and 1,388 wounded in return for 342 gallantry awards and their country dominated by Communist Russia.

And this is their story. As such it is well researched with the list of sources and bibliography running to 10 pages. A selection of 30 wide-ranging black and white photographs are found between pages 112 and 113. Author Adam Zamoyski has produced a readable account in which the dedication becomes all the more poignant when one considers what became of post-war Poland.

Altogether, this is an excellent product and one which will be regarded as an important addition to the histories of Poland, The Polish Air Force, WW2 and the RAF.

NM

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Forgotten, November 6, 2005

By 

Antoni "Ancient Mastermind" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: FORGOTTEN FEW: The Polish Air Force in World War II (Hardcover)

At first i picked this book up reluctantly i was never really interested in air force tales but witin a few pages i was hooked the bravery and sacrifice that these men gave rivals that of any and then too only be betrayed by the very countries you help save makes this book a heart renching read Zamoyski i thank you for writing this long over due book a definate must read

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wow, December 17, 2008

By 

L. Wilson (Kerrville, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FORGOTTEN FEW: The Polish Air Force in World War II (Hardcover)

My father and his friends were much more interested in this era than I was, but I picked up the book one day and was instantly absorbed in the personal stories and remarkable heroism. The book is written in a spare, almost impersonal manner - but you cannot be impersonal with these depictions.