A Question of Honor : The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II

Rating:
Summary: An Affirmation of Honor
Review: What a terrific book. It begins with the terribly dramatic and heroic saga of the men of the Kosciuszko Squadron and builds from that to the parallel saga of Polish history - especially its history in the Twentieth Century. I knew that the men of the Kosciuszko Squadron had been the most successful squadron in the RAF during the Battle of Britain. I knew something about the terrible tragedy of the Warsaw rising. I even remember visiting Warsaw, seeing photographs of the old city as it had been before WWII followed by photographs of the flattened ruin it was at the end of the war - and then walking out into a restored old city that looked absolutely like the old photographs and bespoke the indomitable spirit of the Polish nation. I did not know the extent of our responsibility for masking what happened to Poland after the War. That was sobering. Olson and Cloud's book affirms the very impressive heroics without resorting to hyperbole. It is a well told tale. It manages to be passionate about the commitment of these men without letting passion distort the telling of a complex historical tale. Absolutely first rate.

Rating:
Summary: My Grandfather's brother flew in that division
Review: When German pilots saw fury and rage these pilots fought with, some of them where jumping out their planes even before the contact was made. Lesson that Poles should learn for the future? Do not make alliances with countries who do not know what HONOR is!

Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: While not agreeimg with every point the book makes, I still have to give it 5 stars for its readability which will make Poland's WWII story more widely known...and dampen the enthusiasm usually accorded FDR and Churchill.