Wojtek Matusiak - Böcker

A unique history of the talented and aggressive Polish Spitfire aces, who were the first to gain combat experience against the Luftwaffe during the fall of Poland, and whose contribution to fighting them was vital.Of all Allied airmen, Polish pilots had had the most experience of fighting the Luftwaffe by the time the war came to Britain. As the Battle of Britain raged, they quickly proved themselves as highly aggressive and skilful interceptors, especially when flying the famous Spitfire. The Polish Air Force eventually became the largest non-Commonwealth Spitfire operator, using some 1,500 Mks I, II, V, IX and XVI to devastating effect. Top scoring USAAF ace of the ETO, Francis "Gabby" Gabreski and a whole host of other Allied and Commonwealth aces flew with Polish squadrons, adding even more to their fighting quality. Conversely, several Polish pilots were attached to other Allied squadrons throughout the war, demonstrating their prowess alongside airmen from a whole host of nations.From an expert on Polish fighter aviation, this is a peerless account of the fiery, talented Polish "Spit" pilots, whose country had been overrun and whose aggression and determination to shoot down Axis aircraft was unmatched.

Pilots of the Polish Air Force saw action from the first day of World War 2 until the final victory in Europe in May 1945. Flying hopelessly outmoded P.11 fighters in defence of their country in September 1939, a handful of pilots inflicted serious losses on the Luftwaffe before being overwhelmed. The survivors escaped to then neutral Hungary and Romania, before being ordered to France by the new C-in-C of exiled Polish Armed Forces, Gen Sikorski. With the invasion of Western Europe by the Germans in May 1940, the surviving pilots were once more thrust into action in newly-formed Polish units, but again defeat ensured. A number of men then fled to Britain, where they were posted to either frontline Fighteer Command units or to generic squadrons formed in July/August 1940. The Polish pilots/squadrons made a significant contribution to the victory of the Battle of Britain, and from that foundation, these squadrons went on to see much action not only in Western Europe, but also in North Africa.Almost 60 Polish pilots achieved ace status with the RAF, with men like Skalski, Urbanowicz, Horbaczewski, Gladych and Zumbach achieving scores well into double figures flying famous Allied types like the Hurricane, Spitfire, Mustang and Thunderbolt.

This book describes in detail the camouflage and markings of the day fighters used by the Polish Air Force from 1939 to 1947. Aircraft of Polish, French, British, American, Soviet, and German origin are shown. The writing team includes the well-known quartet of distinguished Polish aviation historians: Kopanski, Belcarz, Gretzyngier, and Matusiak. The illustrators are Artur Juszczak, Karolina Holda, Robert Gretzyngier, and Robert Grudzien. This profusely illustrated book includes many historical photographs and color profiles showing the colors and markings carried by the aircraft. Detailed color notes and precise description and illustration of national markings over the period complete a book that will be invaluable to aircraft enthusiasts, historians, and modelers.