Intended AudienceTrade
Reviews"No Greater Allyis 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 ofThe 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 ofForgotten Few: The Polish Air Force in World War II "I hadn't realised, before reading this outstanding book, just how crucial the Polish contribution to [Allied] victory actually was. If it hadn't been for their pilots, for instance, we might well have lost the Battle of Britain..." -Henry Coningsby, Waterstones, "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 "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, author of The Polish Soldier "I hadn't realised, before reading this outstanding book, just how crucial the Polish contribution to [Allied] victory actually was. If it hadn't been for their pilots, for instance, we might well have lost the Battle of Britain..." -- Henry Coningsby, Waterstones, " 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 "I hadn't realised, before reading this outstanding book, just how crucial the Polish contribution to [Allied] victory actually was. If it hadn't been for their pilots, for instance, we might well have lost the Battle of Britain..." -Henry Coningsby, Waterstones
Table Of ContentAcknowledgements Introduction 1 The Dawn of Darkness: Prelude to World War II 2 French Misfortunes: The Phony War and the Defense of France 3 Everything Was in Secret: The Underground War 4 On Wings of Eagles: The Polish Air Force 5 Warriors from a Wasteland: The Birth of the Polish 2nd Corps 6 A Bloody Job Well Done: 1st Armored Division 7 A Bridge Not Far Enough: The 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade 8 Poles Under Soviet Command: Berling's Army 9 Glory and Heartbreak: The Warsaw Uprising, 1944 10 For your Freedom: A Costly Victory for Poland Notes Further Reading Index
SynopsisThere is a chapter of World War 2 history that remains largely untold: the story of the fourth largest Allied military of the war, and the only nation to have fought in the battles of Leningrad, Arnhem, Tobruk and Normandy. This is the story of the Polish forces during the Second World War, 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 largely forgotten, and even intentionally obscured. Available for the first time in paperback, No Greater Ally redresses the balance, giving a comprehensive overview of Poland's participation in World War 2. 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.