Aviones militares (GM II) - Polonia: libros - historia

The Forgotten Few - The Polish Air Force in World War II

By the beginning of 1941 there was a fully fledged Polish Air Force operating alongside the RAF. With 14 Squadrons it was larger than any other of the Air Forces from Nazi-occupied Europe that had joined the Allies.
Over 17, 000 men and women passed through the ranks of the Polish Air Force while it was stationed in the UK. They shot down 745 enemy aircraft, with a further 175 unconfirmed. They dropped thousands of bombs and laid hundreds of mines, flying 102, 486 sorties notching up a total of 290, 895 operation flying hours. They achieved this at a cost of 1, 973 killed and 1, 388 wounded. They won 342 British gallantry awards.

This book describes the history, organisation and actions of this forgotten forgotten air force, that helped to liberate Western Europe.

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The Polish Air Force at War - The Official History (Vol. 1) - 1939-1943

After being overrun during the early Blitzkrieg in September 1939, and later in France in 1940, the Polish Air Force - flying British and American made fighters and bombers out of England in their own units - made a tremendous contribution to the Allied air victory.
The PAFs gallant, lonely fight in September 1939 inflicted the first losses on the mighty Luftwaffe and allowed Britain a nine month grace to strengthen her air defenses. Their part in the Battle of Britain became legend, and its contribution to the early RAF bomber offensive on Germany was equally great. PAF exploits over Dieppe, North Africa, and during the invasion of Europe received special commendations from the RAF.

This book (the first of two volumes) is the result of years' painstaking research of the official RAF and PAF documentation, and is fully supported by the Polish Air Force Association. After a brief introduction to the PAF's formative years and to the political background to the war itself, the factors shaping PAF operations in Great Britain and to the abandonment by Britain of her most faithful ally are discussed.
The book also provides a wealth of information about all PAF squadrons, their participation in operations, the great variety of aircraft flown by the PAF - Hurricanes, Spitfires, Mustangs, Warhawks, Mosquitoes, Lancasters, Wellingtons, Bostons, Liberators and many others - their achievements and disappointments, victories, and losses.
These are supplemented by operational statistics in detailed appendices, lists, charts, maps and over 400 black and white and color photographs, and color profiles.

Volume 1 covers: the origins of Polish aviation; the air war against the Luftwaffe during the initial Blitzkrieg; the air battles over France and the formation of the Polish squadrons; the establishment and development of the PAF squadrons in Britain after the battles in France; the Battle of Britain; PAF units over Dieppe and North Africa; expansion of the PAF and operations in 1941-1943; and PAF bomber squadrons and bomber operations 1940-1943.

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The Polish Air Force at War - The Official History (Vol. 2) - 1943-1945

This second book of a two volume set is the result of years' painstaking research of the official RAF and PAF documentation, and is fully supported by the Polish Air Force Association.

Volume 2 covers: PAF fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance operations prior to and during the Normandy invasion; operations in support of the Polish Home Army and Freedom Fighters; Polish air unit operations on the Russian front; Poles in the RAF aircraft ferry and transport operations; training units; Poles in aviation research and technology; postwar activities.
Also included: twenty-nine appendices, bibliography, complete index covering both volumes.

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303 Squadron - The Legendary Battle of Britain Fighter Squadron

The summer of 1940 and the Battle of Britain - the darkest days of World War II. France, Poland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Norway had all been crushed by the powerful Nazi German war machine. Great Britain stood alone, fighting for its life.

Thrilling action story of the celebrated squadron of Polish fighter pilots whose superb daring and aerial combat skills helped save England during its most desperate hours.
The 303 "Kosciuszko" Squadron flew with the RAF, downing three times the average RAF score, while incurring only one-third the average casualties during the Battle of Britain. Underdog heroes who rose to defend against the deadliest German Luftwaffe attacks, the pilots of 303 Squadron were lionized by the British press, congratulated by the King and adored by the British public.

With an immediacy that vividly brings to life those harrowing days, Arkady Fiedler paints the bravery, the poignancy, the breathtaking gambles with death risked daily by this exceptional group of young men far from home, who fought to preserve freedom for all.

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Polish Fighter Colours 1939-1947 (Vol. 1)

This book describes in detail the camouflage and markings of the day fighters used by the Polish Air Force in 1939-1947. Aircraft of Polish, French, British, American, Soviet and German origin are shown.
Written by well-known distinguished Polish aviation historians. Many historical photos and colour profiles.

Aircraft described in volume 1: PWS-10, PZL P.7a, PZL P.11a & PZL P.11c, Morane Saulnier MS.406, Bloch MB.151 & 152, Caudron-Renault CR.714, Curtiss H-75A, Dewoitine D.520, Koolhoven FK.58, Dewoitine D.501/510, Hawker Hurricane I-IV, Supermarine Spitfire I-II, Supermarine Spitfire V.

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Polish Air Force Fighter Aircraft, 1940-1942

NUEVO

Los pilotos de caza polacos entraron en combate por primera vez en septiembre de 1939, defendiendo a su país contra las fuerzas alemanas y soviéticas. A pesar de estar en inferioridad numérica, lograron destruir más de 120 aviones enemigos. Tras la caída de Polonia, se reagruparon en Francia, adquiriendo experiencia y adaptándose a nuevos aviones y tácticas enemigas.
Durante la Batalla de Inglaterra, 145 pilotos polacos, el grupo no británico más grande del Mando de Cazas, desempeñaron un papel crucial. Destruyeron 202 aviones enemigos, siendo el Escuadrón 303 la unidad más exitosa. Antes de unirse a la RAF, los aviadores polacos tuvieron que entrenarse bajo el mando británico y aprender inglés, esencial para la comunicación en batalla. En un momento dado, casi el 20% de los pilotos del Mando de Cazas eran polacos.

A partir de 1941, diez escuadrones de cazas polacos participaron en operaciones de la RAF en el norte de Europa, logrando éxitos notables pero también sufriendo pérdidas.

Este libro cubre su viaje desde la Batalla de Francia hasta el ataque a Dieppe, donde sus habilidades se pusieron a prueba en condiciones difíciles. Más que un simple registro de aeronaves, explora las vidas y las luchas de los pilotos polacos en los primeros años de la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

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Poles in the Battle of Britain - A Photographic Album of the Polish 'Few'

La Fuerza Aérea Polaca, reformada en Gran Bretaña en el verano de 1940, fue reconstruida con personal evacuado de Polonia y Francia. A pesar de las barreras lingüísticas y las condiciones desconocidas, se convirtió en una de las fuerzas más eficaces contra la Luftwaffe durante la Batalla de Inglaterra. A diferencia de antes, operó como una rama independiente de las Fuerzas Armadas polacas en lugar de ser parte de la RAF.
Un total de 145 pilotos polacos participaron en la batalla, muchos de ellos con experiencia en combates anteriores. Lucharon no solo por la libertad de su patria, sino también por Gran Bretaña, un país del que sabían poco. Los polacos formaron cuatro escuadrones, dos de caza y dos de bombarderos, mientras que muchos otros se integraron en unidades de la RAF. Sus contribuciones fueron cruciales en un momento decisivo, ganándose la admiración tanto de los pilotos británicos como del público.

Este libro ilustrado cuenta la historia de estos aviadores polacos, desde su peligroso viaje a Gran Bretaña hasta su papel en las intensas batallas aéreas de 1940. A través de una notable colección de fotografías, destaca su dedicación y sus logros en una de las fases más críticas de la guerra.

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Polish Spitfire Aces (Osprey)

Of all Allied airmen, Polish pilots had had the most experience of fighting the Luftwaffe by the time the war came to Britain. As the Battle of Britain raged, they quickly proved themselves as highly aggressive and skilful interceptors, especially when flying the famous Spitfire.

The Polish Air Force eventually became the largest non-Commonwealth Spitfire operator, using some 1,500 Mks I, II, V, IX and XVI to devastating effect. Top scoring USAAF ace of the ETO, Francis "Gabby" Gabreski and a whole host of other Allied and Commonwealth aces flew with Polish squadrons, adding even more to their fighting quality.
Conversely, several Polish pilots were attached to other Allied squadrons throughout the war, demonstrating their prowess alongside airmen from a whole host of nations.

From an expert on Polish fighter aviation, this is a peerless account of the fiery, talented Polish "Spit" pilots, whose country had been overrun and whose aggression and determination to shoot down Axis aircraft was unmatched.

Contents: Get the Spitfire - Defending Britain - Hot summer of 1941 - Against the Focke-Wulfs - Dieppe landings - Mk IXs - Mediterranean adventures - Tactical air force - Get a Spitfire - Appendices.

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