No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II [Paperback]

Too few books in the Second World War genre are really new and novel in historical content; fortunately Kenneth K. Koskodan's "No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II (General Military)" doesn't fall into this category. Koskodan has produced a first class piece of historiography that is both new and novel, and simultaneously engaging and extremely enjoyable to read. Even if you think you know something about Poland during the war you'll certainly find something to merit your time spent with this book!

Each of the ten chapters in Koskodan's 250 pp of formal prose is essentially dedicated to a single story, whether a discussion of a single time period or group of Poles engaged in fighting the Nazis. Some of the stories are not unknown, while others have been only vaguely covered in the past, and still others are quite new. Simply what Koskodan has done is to put all major the pieces of the Polish puzzle into one book, something never done previously at this level. Appropriately, if somewhat predictably, Koskodan bookends his prose with appropriate discussions of political and military environments associated with Poland and her `allies' and `potential adversaries' at the beginning (Chapt 1 and 2) and end of the war (Chapt 10), respectively. Buttressing these `bookends' from either inside edges are stories of the Polish underground. In Chapter 3 Koskodan does a wonderful job setting up the overall story of the Polish underground and Home Army (AK), which were arguably the most organized and effective resistance groups of the the Second World War. There is much to learn in this chapter as Koskodan has certainly done his research. In Chapter 9 the story of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising is told. Certainly this is not `new' ground to be covered, but Koskodan does an admirable job providing a concise and gripping story; especially as related to the idleness of the Red Army it sat across the River Vistula just East of Warsaw for nearly a month waiting for the Germans to rid Warsaw of its life. The middle five chapters (4-8) discuss actions of particular Polish military components as they fought from the fall of Poland in 1939 to the Red Army entering Warsaw after the Germans squashed the uprising [military actions at the end of the war are covered in the final chapter]. Each of the chapters tells a separate story: Chapter 4 discusses the heroic service of the Polish airmen during the Battle for Britian. Chapter 5 deals largely with the majority of the Polish ground troops to fight with the Western Allies, starting with the North Africa actions of the Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade/1 Samodzielna Brygada Strzelcow Karpackich formed from troops who escaped Poland in 1939, and ending with the actions of General Wladyslaw Anders' Polish 2nd Corps in Italy especially as part of the sharp end at Cassino. Splitting these two stories is the story of the massacre of the ~20,000 Poles that occurred in Katyn Forest. Koskodan's discussion of Katyn is not long or particularly detailed but it gets the point across loudly - a mass murder laid at the feet of the Nazi's until 1993 when, after the fall of the Soviet Union, it was revealed that the murders were in fact committed by the Soviets, a fact the Germans told the world in 1943! Chapter 6 details the actions of the Polish 1st Armored Division, with special focus on their role in closing of the Falaise Gap in mid-to-late August 1944. Chapter 7 tells the story of the General Stanislaw Sosabowski's 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade and their role in Operation Market-Garden. While much of the material in this chapter is not particularly new Koskodan tells the story aptly, and it certainly belongs in a book like this. Chapter 8 chronicles the oft forgotten Polish troops who fought for the other portion of the Allied team, the Red Army. This portion of Koskodan's book as really riveting and provides a context of discussion just not told anywhere else.

In total "No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II (General Military)" is a wonderful book and historiography that should provide every reader with something worthy of their time. While this reviewer could be a little `primed' toward a positive review because of his Polish heritage, one does not need to have a single drop of Polish blood to enjoy and appreciate this seminal piece of work. Let's all hope that Koskodan continues his research and writing. 5 solid stars all the way around.

This is a good "look" at the contributions of Polish citizens to the defeat of Germany in WW II. It is interesting that Poland's contribution to victory in WW II has been so slighted. What is very interesting was the way Poland was treated by the West as Roosevelt snuggled up to "Uncle Joe". What a travesty of justice. Interesting to consider the reasons why none of this was covered in my 147 hours of undergraduate and graduate history and political science.

The truth always surfaces in the end. The truth in this true book about how the Poles fought and died on every front, and then to be handed to the terrors of Stalin's world for an even worse 50 year occupation.

Book club started with: I Saw Poland Betrayed: An American ambassador reports to the American people (The Americanist library). Arthur Bliss Lane's book will open your eyes to see how Poland was abandoned and lied to by Roosevelt and Stalin. A must read to acknowledge all the suffering that Poland has been through. Book will make your blood boil,i.e., how Roosevelt, cowardly, betrayed and sold Poland out.

Also read: Forgotten Holocaust: The Poles Under German Occupation 1939-1944
Between Nazis and Soviets: Occupation Politics in Poland, 1939-1947
Zegota: The rescue of Jews in wartime Poland
Your Life Is Worth Mine: How Polish Nuns Saved Hundreds of Jewish Children in German- Occupied Poland, 1939-1945
The Polish Way: A Thousand-Year History of the Poles and Their Culture Worth it chapter 21 alone!
KATYN - 2 discs Set [NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Poland] (works fine on U.S.A
systems too)

Yes, the truth always does surface in the end. This book and the others we've recommended finally give Poland and the Poles respect for all they have contributed to world peace through their great sacrifices and sufferings.

This book, and all these books, should be in every school and library: a course of study in itself.

We thank you Poland for all you have done for world peace!

P.S. American Revolution/Polish interest readers: a must read, about Thaddeus Kosciuszko (#1 in 3 categories on amazon!) you will read in one sitting:The Peasant Prince: and the Age of Revolution. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous book!!!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 22 reviews  4.3 out of 5 stars