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The Forgotten Few: The Polish Air Force in the Second World War
The Forgotten Few: The Polish Air Force in the Second World War
Author: Adam Zamoyski
Condition: Good
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Adam Zamoyski's The Forgotten Few: The Polish Air Force in the Second World War tells the story of the Polish airmen who fought alongside the RAF after Poland's defeat in 1939, forming by early 1941 a full‑fledged force of 14 squadrons — larger on British soil than the combined air contingents of the other European exiled allies. Drawing on operational records and personal accounts, the book chronicles their decisive role in the Battle of Britain and the wider Allied air campaign: some 17,000 men and women served, flying 102,486 sorties and 290,895 operational hours, shooting down 745 enemy aircraft (175 unconfirmed), destroying 25 on the ground, damaging 259, dropping thousands of bombs and laying hundreds of mines — all at the cost of 1,973 killed and 1,388 wounded, and earning 342 British and 15 American gallantry awards. Framed as both an operational history and a vindication of a neglected national contribution, it restores the Polish airmen to the centre of the Allied air story.
Published by Hippocrene Books (first English‑language edition 1995) and ISBN 9780781804219, this concise military history focuses on unit and campaign detail for the Polskie Siły Powietrzne in exile, combining operational statistics with squadron‑level narratives and human portraits. Author Adam Zamoyski, a noted historian of Polish and European history, brings scholarly context and readable prose to the subject, making the volume a valuable choice for history enthusiasts seeking an accessible yet factually rich account of Poland's aerial contribution in WWII.
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Keywords, content and topics in this Book
Keywords, content and topics in this Book
Title / Author / Publication
The Forgotten Few: The Polish Air Force in the Second World War
Author: Adam Zamoyski
Publisher: Hippocrene Books
ISBN: 9780781804219 (0781804213)
First published: 1995 (English-language WW2 history)
Type of Book
Non-fiction
Military history
Air force history
Campaign and unit history (Polish Air Force in exile)
Main Nations / Sides
Poland
United Kingdom / Royal Air Force (RAF)
Nazi Germany / Luftwaffe
Allies
Axis
Theaters of War Covered
Operations / Campaigns (as covered in this book)
Focus / Subjects
Polish Air Force in exile during the Second World War
Polish pilots and aircrew serving under RAF command
Operational history of Polish fighter and bomber squadrons based in the UK
Contribution of Polish airmen to the Allied air war against Germany
Units / Formations (as explicitly connected to this book)
Polish Air Force (Polskie Siły Powietrzne) in exile
Aircraft / Weapons (grounded in the book’s subject and descriptions)
Visual Content
Historical Figures / Personalities
Themes / Descriptive Keywords
Polish Air Force
Polish pilots in the RAF
Exiled armed forces
Battle of Britain air operations
Poland 1939 campaign (air war)
Battle of France air operations
Allied air war over Europe
Contribution of smaller Allied nations
Military exile and displacement
Recognition of Polish wartime contributions
Inter-Allied relations (Poland–Britain)
Second World War aviation history
European theatre air operations
Luftwaffe vs Allied air forces
World War II, 1939–1945 – Aerial operations – Polish participation
World War II, 1939–1945 – Aerial operations – British Isles
World War II, 1939–1945 – Aerial operations – Western Front
Book Condition: Good
Book Condition: Good
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Before you enlist a new title into your personal library, check the Condition Report below to see how much action these volumes have seen:
New: Fresh Out of Bootcamp
Flawless and untested. This book is in pristine, new condition and ready for its first assignment.
Like New: Light Combat Experience
Almost new and in great shape. It has clearly been read before and is ready to fight again, but it shows very little wear from its time in the field.
Good: A Few Scars or Shell Shock
A reliable veteran. The book might have some bent corners or a dust cover with a few scratches, but it’s still sturdy and standing tall.
Fair: Battle-Hardened
Visible signs of a long campaign. Expect some stains, bent pages, and perhaps some minor tears on the cover. It’s seen the trenches, but the intel inside is still solid.
Poor: Survived Iwo Jima
This one has been through the meat grinder. It carries noticeable damage, heavy staining, or significant wear—but like any old soldier, it would love to be read one last time before it retires.
