Polish Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 21) [Paperback]

Robert Gretzyngier (Author), Wojtek Matusiak (Author)

Book Description

Series: Aircraft of the Aces | Publication Date: July 24, 1998

Pilots of the Polish Air Force saw action from the first day of World War 2 until the final victory in Europe. Flying hopelessly outmoded P.11 fighters in defence of their country in September 1939, a handful of aviators inflicted serious losses on the Luftwaffe before being overwhelmed. The survivors escaped to then neutral Hungary and Romania, before being ordered to France by the new C-in-C of exiled Polish Armed Forces, General Sikorski. With the invasion of Western Europe in May 1940, the surviving pilots were once more thrust into desperate action in newly-formed Polish units

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life.

About the Author

Although only in their early 30s, Robert Gretzyngier and Wojtek Matusiak are not only co-editors of Poland's most pre-eminent monthly aviation journal, Skrzydlata Polska, but they have also researched the subject of Polish aces more thoroughly than any other aviation historians in Europe. Indeed, their knowledge of non-Polish RAF aces in general rivals that of many British historians.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (July 24, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855327260
• ISBN-13: 978-1855327269
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #944,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Polish Aces, November 23, 1999

By 

Agelos Tsinas - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polish Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 21) (Paperback)

This book provides a nice escape from the American/ British/ German Japanese focus and concentrates at the deeds of the gallant Polish pilots against the German invaders, covering the era of the Polish Airforce and the RAF Allied squandrons. It is written in the standard Osprey format,which includes an excellent centerpage colour layouts layouts of some of the most famous aircraft.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Polish Pilots played vital role in WWII, July 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Polish Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 21) (Paperback)

Fretzyngier and Matusiak have come up with a fantastically illustrated and detailed account of the role Polish fighter pilots played in WWII as part of the RAF. A wonderful book filled with photographs, images of the aircraft art details and some wonderful stories. I'm happy to say my Grandfather is featured in the book (Alksander Pietrzak) on page # 73. A great honer. A wondeful book! -- Alexander Pietrzak

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Polish Aces of World War 2: A Comprehensive Overview, December 10, 2003

By 

Richard J. Brzostek (New England, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Polish Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 21) (Paperback)

With the eminent approach of war, Poland transferred its air force before September 1, 1939, to various remote locations. In the known airbases were some unserviceable machines for the Luftwaffe to attack. With an intact air force, Poland used this power once the war proceeded. However, the capabilities of the Polish aircraft at this time were much more limited than the German aircraft.

By late 1939 and early 1940, with the collapse of the Polish resistance due to the overwhelming odds, most of the Polish air force escaped to France and England. While in France, the Poles re-grouped and flew French planes to defend France. Then later with the Germans overwhelming France, the Poles fled to England to regroup. The Poles valiantly defended England and fought the Germans, distinguishing themselves as fighters not to be taken lightly.

At the end of the war, however, Poland was handed over to communist Russia. The fighting the Polish aces accomplished throughout the war, with the aim of freeing their country from German rule, was replaced by anguish at their country now being put under Russian rule. Poland, in essence, was betrayed by its allies and handed over to the Russians.

"Polish Aces of World War 2" by Robert Gretzyngier and Wojtek Matusiak lives up to the high standards of Osprey military books. This volume provides a concise, yet detailed, account of every major aspect of Poland's air force in World War II. The book is filled with many black-and-white photographs and pages of color illustrations. Within the 96 pages, the reader becomes acquainted with the accomplishments of the Polish aces and even what happened to them more recently. Skalski returned to Poland and flew in their air force for many years, Zumbach became a smuggler and organized the Katangese Air Force in the early 1960s, and Gladych immigrated to America, obtained a degree in psychology and now works as a doctor in Seattle, Washington.