THE FORGOTTEN FEW: The Polish Air Force in the Second World War

The part played by the Poles in the air during the Second World War and the colourful stories of their doings have become part of British folklore. But very few people have any idea of the extent of their involvement, or how they came to be in Britain in the first place.

More than 150 Polish pilots took part in the decisive phase of the Battle of Britain in 1940. By the beginning of 1941, there was a fully fledged Polish Air Force operating alongside the RAF. With 14 squadrons and support services, it was larger than the air forces of the Free French, Dutch, Belgians and all the other European Allies operating from Britain put together. Some 17,000 men and women passed through its ranks while it was stationed on British soil. They not only played a crucial part in the Battle of Britain, they also contributed significantly to the Allied war effort in the air overall and took part in virtually every type of RAF operation, including the bombing of Germany, the Battle of the Atlantic and Special Operations.

This book is not intended as a full history of the Polish Air Force. Nor does it pretend to assess the exact contribution of these men and women to the Allied cause. The intention is to give a picture of who they were, where they came from, how they got here and what they did. Also to take a look at their, at times, strained but ultimately successful collaboration with the RAF and their sometimes difficult, often notorious, but ultimately happy relationship with the British people.

A final chapter recounts the fate of those who returned to Poland, where many faced Communist firing-squads, and of those who stayed behind to build a new life for themselves in Britain and other Western countries.

Extracts from reviews of THE FORGOTTEN FEW

'Zamoyski's affectionate tribute is both disarmingly honest and impressively researched. The result is a fascinating and superbly told story.'

Antony Beevor, The Daily Telegraph

'Adam Zamoyski has written a moving book full of lively anecdotes and memories, but also of sharp insights into political, military and especially wartime social and cultural history. Its striking achievement is to make vivid the characters of these forgotten few and their post-war fate.'

Mark Almond, The Sunday Telegraph

'Zamoyski handles the story with the verve and wit we have come to expect of him.'

The Times

'Adam Zamoyski treats his subject not with the heavy hand of military scholarship, but generally with a light and easy touch. He deserves our thanks for writing such an absorbing account of what the Polish Air Force achieved from its fighter and bomber bases in a battered Britain.'

Catholic Herald

'In spite of the great betrayal and the enormity of Polish suffering and sacrifice, Zamoyski's is an incredibly colourful and humorous book detailing many heroic, bizarre and funny exploits.'

Cencrastus

'Anyone interested in flying - or in sheer human courage and dedication - is sure to enjoy this book, which is remarkable for its balance as well as for the thrilling, tragic story it tells.'

Country Life

'Adam Zamoyski tells a marvellous and often humorous adventure story, full of bravery, commitment, pride, and determination.'

Joseph Kotarba, Sarmatian Review

'Jak pisze autor, nie bylo jego zamiarem napisanie pelnej historii lotnictwa polskiego. Niemniej, ksiazka jego jest miniatura historyczna w jak najszerszym tego slowa znaczeniu. To, ze jest to miniatura, a nie sucha historia, daje latwosc czytania.'

Tydzien Polski