Poles in Defence of Britain

Fifteen years since it was originally published, Grub Street is proud to present the re-issue of Poles in Defence of Britain. To the Polish volunteers who were to fly and fight so brilliantly and tenaciously throughout the Battle of Britain, the United Kingdom was known as ‘Last Hope Island’. Many lost their lives, such as Antoni Ostowicz, many achieved glory and became aces – such as Glowacki, Skalski and Witorzenc. The RAF came to depend on these men, with over 100 Polish pilots supporting almost thirty fighter squadrons, most especially 302, 303 and 307 (night fighter). The result of years of research, Robert Gretzyngier’s book includes detailed combat descriptions, personal accounts from combat reports, memoirs, and diaries from the Polish, British and German perspective. There is in-depth biographical data of all Polish pilots, giving full RAF and PAF careers and much tabular material in appendix form. This book is a tremendous account of their contribution in those hectic days before the RAF began to take the offensive across the Channel.