Poland & the Second World War 1938–48 (Hardback)
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Pages: 352
Illustrations: 16
ISBN: 9781473834101
Published: 9th September 2019
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The invasion of Poland by German forces (quickly joined by their then-allies the Soviets) ignited the Second World War. Despite determined resistance, Poland was quickly conquered but Poles continued the struggle to the very last day of the war against Germany, resisting the occupier within their homeland and fighting in exile with the Allied forces.
Evan McGilvray, drawing on intensive research in Polish sources, gives a comprehensive account of Poland’s war. He reveals the complexities of Poland’s relationship with the Allies (forced to accept their Soviet enemies as allies after 1941, then betrayed to Soviet occupation in the post-war settlement), as well as the divisions between Polish factions that led to civil war even before the defeat of Germany.
The author narrates all the fighting involving Polish forces, including such famous actions as the Battle of Britain, Tobruk, Normandy, Arnhem and the Warsaw Rising, but also lesser known aspects such as Kopinski’s Carpathian Brigade in Italy, Polish troops under Soviet command and the capture of Wilhelmshaven on the last day of the war.
Britain and Poland’s relationship developed in March 1939 when Czechoslovakia fell to Nazi Germany as soon as Poland was invaded that was when Britain declared war on Germany. Personally, I believe the role of Poland and the Polish roles has been diminished over time and I am pleased to see quite a comprehensive book on Poland’s War, through the complexities of their relationships with allies as well as their roles within the bigger battles of the war from Battle of Britain to Arnhem and Normandy and many others.
Tastes Through Time website
This book has been researched from Polish sources which allows a different perspective not normally perceived in British reports and research.
Certainly worth investing in a copy if you want to understand the history of Poland and its neighbours.
Royal Anglian News, April 2021
McGilvray does a good job interspersing overviews with specific details, particularly when discussing the internecine political squabbling among Polish exiles – including a literal coup within the Polish government-in exile while in London. He paints a vivid picture of people who fought throughout the war and who deserved a better fate than the one handed to them in 1945.
World at War #71 - reviewed by John D. Burtt
Evan McGilvray makes very good use of documentary sources, both British and Polish, and this provides a very strong foundation for his interpretation. This latter may be rather stark but it does provide a sound footing for a debate about what we see happening in modern-day Poland.
Historical Association, reviewed by Trevor James
The Second World War had different dates for different countries, starting first in China. The politicians of Britain and France proved unequal to the duplicity of Hitler and his Nazis with the real start date in Europe being the appeasement at Munich in 1938 – Highly Recommended.
Firetrench
Read the full review here
The compelling story of the invasion of Poland and the efforts of the Polish underground to undermine and frustrate the acts of cowardice and genocide of Hitler's invading troops. Some grim but essential reading in this fascinating book.
Books Monthly
This really is an excellent book, and not written by a bias historian of Polish descent such as me, but by an excellent military historian. McGilvray is an excellent researcher and writer who masters the subject he writes about. This is the beginning of putting further knowledge of the Polish response to war out to the general reader. An excellent book.
GoodReads, Paul Diggett
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The full story of Poland's part in World War II from the failure of pre-war diplomacy to betrayal by the Allies leading to civil war and Soviet occupation in the postwar years.
Bookseller Buyers Guide
This is a first class book, well researched and giving a comprehensive account of Poland between 1938 and 1948 that is delivered without obvious prejudice to post war politics. The narrative is well presented and reads well. As a general description of that country during that difficult time, written by a man with deep Polish connections, it cannot be bettered.
Michael McCarthy
Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide
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.
First Polish Armoured Division 1938-47 A History (Hardback)
The First Polish Armoured Division was formed in Scotland in February 1942 from Polish exiles who had escaped first Poland and then France. Its commander, Stanislaw Maczek, and many of its men had previously served in Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade (10 BKS), which had taken part in the Polish invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and given a good account of itself in the defence of Poland against German and Soviet invasion of 1939. Under Maczek’s leadership the division was trained and equipped along British lines in preparation for the invasion of France. Attached to 1st Canadian Army,…
By Evan McGilvrayClick here to buy both titles for £50.00