General Wladyslaw Sikorski, 1881–1943 (Hardback)
The Life and Controversial Death of Poland's Leader in Exile
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Pages: 240
Illustrations: 16 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781526795144
Published: 30th September 2024
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General Władysław Sikorski was the Head of the wartime Polish Government and Polish Commander-in-Chief, 1939-1943. Sikorski rose to prominence in Poland between 1910 and 1918 as part of the movement towards Polish independence, achieved in 1918. In 1920 Sikorski was largely responsible for the defeat of the Red Army. In 1926 he fell from favour following a military coup. During this fallow period, 1926-1939, Sikorski travelled, mainly in France. He also wrote influential military-science treatises.
In September 1939 Germany and the Soviet Union invaded and annexed Poland. Sikorski, his military offices refused by the Polish Government, fled to Romania. There he was intercepted by the French ambassador to Poland and taken to Paris where he established a Polish Government-in-Exile and rebuilt the Polish Army. In May 1940 France was overrun by Germany. Sikorski removed himself and his government to London. There he began to re-build the Polish army largely lost in France.
Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Sikorski was forced by the British Government to accept the Soviets as allies. This led to a larger Polish army being formed in the Soviet Union and sent to the Middle East, commanded by General Anders who was to become a thorn in Sikorski’s side. By 1943, the two men were clearly enemies. Sikorski died in an air crash off Gibraltar. The cause has never been satisfactory established.
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About Evan McGilvray
Evan McGilvray specializes in 20th century military history. His previous works include Hamilton & Gallipoli : British Command in an Age of Military Transformation (2015), Ander's Army: General Wladislaw Anders and the Polish Second Corps 1941-1946 (2018), Poland and the Second World War 1938-48 (2019) and De Gaulle and Churchill (2024). He lives in Leeds, Yorkshire.
Anders' Army General Władysław Anders and the Polish Second Corps 1941-46 (Hardback)
Along with thousands of his compatriots, Wladyslaw Anders was imprisoned by the Soviets when they attacked Poland with their German allies in 1939. They endured terrible treatment until the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 suddenly put Stalin in the Allied camp, after which they were evacuated to Iran and formed into the Polish Second Corps under Anders’ command. Once equipped and trained, the corps was eventually committed to the Italian campaign, notably at Monte Cassino. The author assesses Anders’ performance as a military commander, finding him merely adequate, but his political…
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