No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II (General Military) [Hardcover]

Kenneth Koskodan (Author)

Book Description

Series: General Military | Publication Date: June 23, 2009

There is a chapter of World War II history that remains largely untold, the story of the fourth largest allied military of the war, the only nation to have fought in the battles of Leningrad, Arnhem, Tobruk and Normandy. The story of millions of young men and women who gave everything for freedom and in the final victory lost all. In a cruel twist of history the monumental struggles of an entire nation have been forgotten, and even intentionally obscured. This book redresses the balance, giving a comprehensive overview of Poland's participation in World War II. Following their valiant but doomed defense of Poland in 1939, members of the Polish armed forces fought with the Allies wherever and however they could. With previously unpublished first-hand accounts, information never before seen in English, and rare photographs, this title provides a detailed analysis of the devastation the war brought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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"No Greater Ally is an absolutely crucial contribution to the history of the Second World War. Anybody who seeks to understand the dynamics of betrayal and resistance as they apply to this period, in Poland, in Europe, must read this book." -Alan Furst, auhor of The Polish Soldier

"This fascinating book fills a yawning gap in our knowledge of the Second
World War. By bringing in the personal reminiscences of people of all
stations, the author gives pace and immediacy to this extraordinary story."
Adam Zamoyski, author of Forgotten Few: The Polish Air Force in World War II

"This book should prove to be interesting to any WW2 history enthusiast who yearns to learn more about Poland and the Polish people in the war." -C Peter Chen, www.ww2db.com (June 2009)

"Koskodan presents a moving history of the long Polish involvement in World War II, with many details of the brigades, air squadrons, and infantry divisions under the Home Army or with Allied Forces... [He] has shown the bravery and undaunted spirit of the Polish people. He has provided details of the Home Army, the Polish Air Force, the many cavalry and infantry divisions, their battles in Europe and Africa and a history of the atrocities of the Polish population as well as testimonials from twelve Polish people. They were soldiers, school-girls, boy scouts, farmers, doctors and lawyers, determined to aid in saving their nation and their lives." -Florence Waszkelelwicz, Clowes, Polish American Journal (June 2009)

"I hadn’t realised, before reading this outstanding book, just how crucial the Polish contribution to our victory actually was. If it hadn’t been for their pilots, for instance, we might well have lost the Battle of Britain: on some days, Fighter Command could scramble only 350 pilots, of which 100 were Poles..." -Henry Coningsby, Waterstones (July 2009)

"Kenneth K. Koskodan’s book No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland’s Forces in World War II covers every aspect of Poland’s contributions during the war. It is the perfect starting point for learning about that nation’s struggle during those dark days. It gives an overview of all the major Polish operations during the war as well as the betrayal they suffer at the hands of their friends and allies at the end of the war." - Historia Infinitus (November 2009)

"Koskodan spent years researching his subject, which included many hours of interviews with Polish veterans, and his immensely readable book is a giant leap towards an increased understanding of the incredible and heartbreaking story of the Polish contributions to the Allied cause during WWII." -Kathryn Attwood, bookpleasures.com (December 2009)

"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." -Frederick Boucher, Armorama

About the Author

Ken Koskodan graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Communications. The emphasis of his degree was in Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations. Of Polish descent himself, he has researched Poland's participation in World War II for many years, and in the course of his research has interviewed many surviving veterans. This is his first book. The author lives in Detroit, MI.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing; 1ST edition (June 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846033659
• ISBN-13: 978-1846033650
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.2 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #565,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, educational examination of the largely forgotten and/or ignored sacrifices of the Poles, November 30, 2009

By 

Mannie Liscum (Columbia, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II (General Military) (Hardcover)

Too few books in the Second World War genre are really new and novel in historical content; fortunately Kenneth K. Koskodan's "No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II (General Military)" doesn't fall into this category. Koskodan has produced a first class piece of historiography that is both new and novel, and simultaneously engaging and extremely enjoyable to read. Even if you think you know something about Poland during the war you'll certainly find something to merit your time spent with this book!

Each of the ten chapters in Koskodan's 250 pp of formal prose is essentially dedicated to a single story, whether a discussion of a single time period or group of Poles engaged in fighting the Nazis. Some of the stories are not unknown, while others have been only vaguely covered in the past, and still others are quite new. Simply what Koskodan has done is to put all major the pieces of the Polish puzzle into one book, something never done previously at this level. Appropriately, if somewhat predictably, Koskodan bookends his prose with appropriate discussions of political and military environments associated with Poland and her `allies' and `potential adversaries' at the beginning (Chapt 1 and 2) and end of the war (Chapt 10), respectively. Buttressing these `bookends' from either inside edges are stories of the Polish underground. In Chapter 3 Koskodan does a wonderful job setting up the overall story of the Polish underground and Home Army (AK), which were arguably the most organized and effective resistance groups of the the Second World War. There is much to learn in this chapter as Koskodan has certainly done his research. In Chapter 9 the story of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising is told. Certainly this is not `new' ground to be covered, but Koskodan does an admirable job providing a concise and gripping story; especially as related to the idleness of the Red Army it sat across the River Vistula just East of Warsaw for nearly a month waiting for the Germans to rid Warsaw of its life. The middle five chapters (4-8) discuss actions of particular Polish military components as they fought from the fall of Poland in 1939 to the Red Army entering Warsaw after the Germans squashed the uprising [military actions at the end of the war are covered in the final chapter]. Each of the chapters tells a separate story: Chapter 4 discusses the heroic service of the Polish airmen during the Battle for Britian. Chapter 5 deals largely with the majority of the Polish ground troops to fight with the Western Allies, starting with the North Africa actions of the Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade/1 Samodzielna Brygada Strzelcow Karpackich formed from troops who escaped Poland in 1939, and ending with the actions of General Wladyslaw Anders' Polish 2nd Corps in Italy especially as part of the sharp end at Cassino. Splitting these two stories is the story of the massacre of the ~20,000 Poles that occurred in Katyn Forest. Koskodan's discussion of Katyn is not long or particularly detailed but it gets the point across loudly - a mass murder laid at the feet of the Nazi's until 1993 when, after the fall of the Soviet Union, it was revealed that the murders were in fact committed by the Soviets, a fact the Germans told the world in 1943! Chapter 6 details the actions of the Polish 1st Armored Division, with special focus on their role in closing of the Falaise Gap in mid-to-late August 1944. Chapter 7 tells the story of the General Stanislaw Sosabowski's 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade and their role in Operation Market-Garden. While much of the material in this chapter is not particularly new Koskodan tells the story aptly, and it certainly belongs in a book like this. Chapter 8 chronicles the oft forgotten Polish troops who fought for the other portion of the Allied team, the Red Army. This portion of Koskodan's book as really riveting and provides a context of discussion just not told anywhere else.

In total "No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II (General Military)" is a wonderful book and historiography that should provide every reader with something worthy of their time. While this reviewer could be a little `primed' toward a positive review because of his Polish heritage, one does not need to have a single drop of Polish blood to enjoy and appreciate this seminal piece of work. Let's all hope that Koskodan continues his research and writing. 5 solid stars all the way around.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poles apart, November 16, 2009

By 

R. Williams (Kingsville, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II (General Military) (Hardcover)

This is a good "look" at the contributions of Polish citizens to the defeat of Germany in WW II. It is interesting that Poland's contribution to victory in WW II has been so slighted. What is very interesting was the way Poland was treated by the West as Roosevelt snuggled up to "Uncle Joe". What a travesty of justice. Interesting to consider the reasons why none of this was covered in my 147 hours of undergraduate and graduate history and political science.

38 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars POLES WERE BASICALLY THE TRUIST MARTYRS AND HEROES OF WWII., August 4, 2009

By 

Forhasta (Sweden) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II (General Military) (Hardcover)

The truth always surfaces in the end. The truth in this true book about how the Poles fought and died on every front, and then to be handed to the terrors of Stalin's world for an even worse 50 year occupation.

Book club started with: I Saw Poland Betrayed: An American ambassador reports to the American people (The Americanist library). Arthur Bliss Lane's book will open your eyes to see how Poland was abandoned and lied to by Roosevelt and Stalin. A must read to acknowledge all the suffering that Poland has been through. Book will make your blood boil,i.e., how Roosevelt, cowardly, betrayed and sold Poland out.

Also read: Forgotten Holocaust: The Poles Under German Occupation 1939-1944
Between Nazis and Soviets: Occupation Politics in Poland, 1939-1947
Zegota: The rescue of Jews in wartime Poland
Your Life Is Worth Mine: How Polish Nuns Saved Hundreds of Jewish Children in German- Occupied Poland, 1939-1945
The Polish Way: A Thousand-Year History of the Poles and Their Culture Worth it chapter 21 alone!
KATYN - 2 discs Set [NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Poland] (works fine on U.S.A
systems too)

Yes, the truth always does surface in the end. This book and the others we've recommended finally give Poland and the Poles respect for all they have contributed to world peace through their great sacrifices and sufferings.

This book, and all these books, should be in every school and library: a course of study in itself.

We thank you Poland for all you have done for world peace!

P.S. American Revolution/Polish interest readers: a must read, about Thaddeus Kosciuszko (#1 in 3 categories on amazon!) you will read in one sitting:The Peasant Prince: and the Age of Revolution. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous book!!!