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

The Forgotten Few chronicles the story of Polish airmen who escaped their homeland after the German invasion in 1939 and made their way to Britain to continue fighting. These pilots joined the Royal Air Force and formed Polish squadrons that played a crucial role throughout World War II. Zamoyski details the complex political situation these men faced, caught between their loyalty to Poland and the realities of serving under British command. The book tracks their journey from the fall of Poland through their integration into the RAF and subsequent combat operations. The narrative follows key figures and squadrons through major campaigns including the Battle of Britain, while documenting their achievements and sacrifices. Technical aspects of air combat and squadron operations are balanced with personal accounts from the pilots themselves. This history brings attention to a overlooked chapter of World War II while exploring themes of exile, national identity, and the human cost of war. The Polish airmen's story raises questions about loyalty, sacrifice, and the complex relationship between allies in wartime.

Readers appreciate Zamoyski's depth of research into the Polish Air Force's WWII contributions, particularly regarding the Battle of Britain. They note the book fills an important historical gap, with detailed accounts of Polish squadrons and their impact on RAF operations. Liked: - Personal stories and first-hand accounts - Technical details about aircraft and operations - Coverage of political challenges faced by Polish airmen - Documentation of specific missions and achievements Disliked: - Dense writing style can be difficult to follow - Limited coverage of post-war fates of Polish airmen - Some readers wanted more photographs - Translation issues in certain editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (28 reviews) Notable reader comment: "A thorough account of a neglected aspect of WWII aviation history, though the narrative sometimes gets bogged down in operational details" - Amazon reviewer "Excellent research but could use better organization" - Goodreads reviewer

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No Greater Ally by Kenneth Koskodan. The book documents the Polish military's contributions across all fronts of World War II, from the September Campaign through the Battle of Britain and beyond.

First Light by Geoffrey Wellum. A RAF pilot's account of the Battle of Britain provides perspective on the aerial combat experiences shared by Polish airmen during the same period.

Rising '44 by Norman Davies. This examination of the Warsaw Uprising includes accounts of Polish Air Force efforts to support the resistance movement and their collaboration with RAF operations.

Squadron 303 by Arkady Fiedler. Written during the war, this account follows the Polish fighter squadron's participation in the Battle of Britain and their integration into RAF operations.

🛩️ Polish pilots accounted for approximately 12% of RAF Fighter Command's victories during the Battle of Britain, despite making up only 5% of the pilots. ✈️ Author Adam Zamoyski is himself a member of the Polish nobility and descends from the aristocratic Zamoyski family, giving him unique insights into Polish military history. 🎖️ The Polish 303 Squadron became the most successful RAF unit during the Battle of Britain, shooting down 126 German aircraft in just 42 days. 🗺️ Many Polish airmen reached Britain after incredible journeys through Romania, France, and across the Mediterranean, often facing capture and imprisonment along the way. ⚔️ Despite their crucial contribution to the Allied victory, Polish airmen were excluded from the London Victory Parade of 1946 due to political pressure from the Soviet Union.