Militaire vliegtuigen (WO 2) - Polen: boeken - historie

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

NIEUW

Poolse gevechtspiloten kwamen voor het eerst in gevecht in september 1939, toen ze hun land verdedigden tegen Duitse en Sovjettroepen. Ondanks dat ze in de minderheid waren, wisten ze meer dan 120 vijandelijke vliegtuigen te vernietigen. Na de val van Polen hergroepeerden ze zich in Frankrijk, waar ze ervaring opdeden en zich aanpasten aan nieuwe vliegtuigen en vijandelijke tactieken.
Tijdens de Slag om Engeland speelden 145 Poolse piloten, de grootste niet-Britse groep in Fighter Command, een cruciale rol. Ze vernietigden 202 vijandelijke vliegtuigen, waarbij 303 Squadron de meest succesvolle eenheid werd. Voordat ze zich bij de RAF voegden, moesten Poolse piloten trainen onder Brits commando en Engels leren, essentieel voor communicatie in de strijd. Op een gegeven moment was bijna 20% van de piloten van Fighter Command Pools.

Vanaf 1941 namen tien Poolse gevechtssquadrons deel aan RAF-operaties boven Noord-Europa, waarbij ze opmerkelijke successen behaalden, maar ook verliezen leden.

Dit boek beschrijft hun reis van de Slag om Frankrijk tot de Dieppe Raid, waar hun vaardigheden werden getest onder moeilijke omstandigheden. Het is meer dan alleen een verslag van vliegtuigen; Het beschrijft de levens en strijd van Poolse piloten in de eerste jaren van de Tweede Wereldoorlog.

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

De Poolse luchtmacht werd in de zomer van 1940 in Groot-Brittannië hervormd en herbouwd met personeel dat uit Polen en Frankrijk werd geëvacueerd. Ondanks taalbarrières en onbekende omstandigheden werd het een van de meest effectieve strijdkrachten tegen de Luftwaffe tijdens de Slag om Engeland. In tegenstelling tot voorheen opereerde het als een onafhankelijke tak van de Poolse strijdkrachten in plaats van als onderdeel van de RAF.
In totaal namen 145 Poolse piloten deel aan de strijd, waarvan velen ervaring hadden met eerdere gevechten. Ze vochten niet alleen voor de vrijheid van hun vaderland, maar ook voor Groot-Brittannië, een land waar ze weinig van wisten. De Polen vormden vier squadrons - twee jagers en twee bommenwerpers - terwijl veel anderen werden geïntegreerd in RAF-eenheden. Hun bijdragen waren cruciaal op een beslissend moment en verdienden de bewondering van zowel Britse piloten als het publiek.

Dit geïllustreerde boek vertelt het verhaal van deze Poolse piloten, van hun gevaarlijke reis naar Groot-Brittannië tot hun rol in de intense luchtgevechten van 1940. Door middel van een opmerkelijke verzameling foto's worden hun toewijding en prestaties in een van de meest kritieke fasen van de oorlog belicht.

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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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