The First Polish Armoured Division was formed in Scotland in February 1942 by Polish exiles who had first escaped from Poland and then from France. Its commander, Stanisław Maczek, and many of his men had previously served in the Polish 10th Mechanized Brigade (10 BKS), which had participated in the Polish invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and had performed well in defending Poland against the German and Soviet invasion in 1939. Under Maczek's leadership, the division was trained and equipped according to British standards in anticipation of the invasion of France.
Attached to the 1st Canadian Army, the division was sent to Normandy in late July 1944. It suffered heavy losses during Operation Totalize but then played a crucial role in preventing an orderly German withdrawal from the Falaise Pocket with its stand at Hill 262. They also played their part in the advance through Western Europe and into Germany.
This detailed history, supported by dozens of archival photos, concludes by highlighting the often poor treatment of Maczek and his men after the war. Pages: 352, Dimensions: 17.2x17.2cm
Manufacturer
- Publisher
- Pen & Sword Books
- Skroutz Book Awards 2025
- -
- Type
- General History
- Theme
- World History, Historical Archives
- Language
- English
- Subtitle
- -
- Cover
- Hardcover
- Number of Pages
- 312
- Release Date
- -
- Publication Date
- 2022
- Dimensions
- 17x24.6 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9781526724151
Important information
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