Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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

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.

Excellent coverage of the vital role played by Polish pilots in the air war against Germany. Written without hyperbole, and all the better for it. Personally very moving as my father is featured in these pages. Poles and descendants of Poles can read this book with pride: too few US citizens know about this epic part of Polish history, and I encourage those with an interest in learning more to buy this book.