THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion

This thread is open to discuss Poland's contribution to the Second World War with a theme month for reading books on the topic.

Here's a recent release:

The Eagle Unbowed: Poland and the Poles in the Second World War

by Halik Kochanski

Synopsis

The Second World War gripped Poland as it did no other country in Europe. Invaded by both Germany and the Soviet Union, it remained under occupation by foreign armies from the first day of the war to the last. The conflict was brutal, as Polish armies battled the enemy on four different fronts. It was on Polish soil that the architects of the Final Solution assembled their most elaborate network of extermination camps, culminating in the deliberate destruction of millions of lives, including three million Polish Jews. In "The Eagle Unbowed," Halik Kochanski tells, for the first time, the story of Poland's war in its entirety, a story that captures both the diversity and the depth of the lives of those who endured its horrors.

Most histories of the European war focus on the Allies' determination to liberate the continent from the fascist onslaught. Yet the "good war" looks quite different when viewed from Lodz or Krakow than from London or Washington, D.C. Poland emerged from the war trapped behind the Iron Curtain, and it would be nearly a half-century until Poland gained the freedom that its partners had secured with the defeat of Hitler. Rescuing the stories of those who died and those who vanished, those who fought and those who escaped, Kochanski deftly reconstructs the world of wartime Poland in all its complexity-from collaboration to resistance, from expulsion to exile, from Warsaw to Treblinka. "The Eagle Unbowed" provides in a single volume the first truly comprehensive account of one of the most harrowing periods in modern history.

Another:

No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II

by Kenneth K. Koskodan

Synopsis

There is a chapter of World War II history that remains largely untold, the story of the fourth largest allied military of the war, the only nation to have fought in the battles of Leningrad, Arnhem, Tobruk and Normandy. The story of millions of young men and women who gave everything for freedom and in the final victory lost all. In a cruel twist of history the monumental struggles of an entire nation have been forgotten, and even intentionally obscured. This book redresses the balance, giving a comprehensive overview of Poland's participation in World War II. Following their valiant but doomed defense of Poland in 1939, members of the Polish armed forces fought with the Allies wherever and however they could. With previously unpublished first-hand accounts, information never before seen in English, and rare photographs, this title provides a detailed analysis of the devastation the war brought to Poland, and the final betrayal when, having fought for freedom for six long years, Poland was handed to the Soviet Union.

Some books to consider for our theme month:


by Halik Kochanski

by Kenneth K. Koskodan

by Matthew Brzezinski

by Lynne Olson

by Adam Zamoyski

Any other suggestions?

Looks like I moved a little too quickly, sorry about that, Rick :)

There's also this:

Blitzkrieg Unleashed: The German Invasion of Poland 1939

by Richard Hargreaves

Synopsis

At dawn on Friday 1 September 1939 the Germans launched their land, sea and air assault on Poland. The World became aware of the awesome power of Hitler's Third Reich and the limitless and ruthless nature of his ambition.The Blitzkrieg (Lightning War) attack, spearheaded by Panzers, took the German forces to the gates of Warsaw in a week. The vital port of Danzig fell, crushed by naval and air bombardment and land assaults. The Polish Air Force, out-numbered and out-gunned, were driven from the skies. In a month Warsaw fell amid great bloodshed and in six weeks the Poles were defeated.

The speed of the German conquest was matched by its brutality. Lives and property meant little to the invaders and civilians and POWs were summarily executed. Jews received particular attention and these atrocities were not just perpetrated by the SS but soldiers of the Wehrmacht.

Blitzkrieg Unleashed is told in the words of those who conquered Poland, thanks to the author's research into letters, diaries, unpublished accounts, official documents and histories and newspapers.

That's OK Jerome :)

I would like to reread at some point but will continue to look for something new, maybe one of the 5 you listed AR.

That's a good book Mike, glad you mentioned it!

Thanks Rick, Jerome and Mike I now have the difficult decision on what one to read but may well plump for by Kenneth K. Koskodan as my library has it :)

Looks like a good book Geevee and I have a copy so that makes it a bit easier :)

Geevee wrote: "Thanks Rick, Jerome and Mike I now have the difficult decision on what one to read but may well plump for by..."

That's the one I was thinking of getting too. Maybe we won't be reading different books...:)

I am always changing my mind at the last minute - something shiny attracts the eye and that's it! I's sort of keen on Issac's Army as well at the moment.

by Matthew Brzezinski

Perhaps it might be a good idea to pick a general topic and have folks read several related books at once (as opposed to all of us reading a single volume). We can share perspectives based on what the different authors write. Just a thought... What does everyone else think about that idea?

I'm happy with that Paul.

Sorry, AR, I hope I'm not usurping your authority. I just was floating a trial balloon. :)

Hey Paul he has no authority he's just the moderator in chief ;)

I know, but he's so darn good at it that I don't want him to think I'd like his job!

Suggestions are always welcome Paul :)

Your idea is a good one and it is intended that we have a theme month on Poland so members can read any book on the subject of Poland during WW2 and they can all talk about the various issues from their book offering a wide ranging discussion.

Paul wrote: "I know, but he's so darn good at it that I don't want him to think I'd like his job!"

LOL nice one :)

So did we decide when we wanted to start the "Polish" theme month?

If this works I'd like to try it with other subjects - like books on WW2 Generals/leaders or any subject folks want to try - great battles/campaigns, great weapons, etc.

April would suit me please.

I'm fine with April, others?

April works

April sounds good to me.

April's good.

OK, deal, lets make it April and you can read what ever book you like that covers Poland's involvement in WW2 and post comments and observations here in this thread.

Great, and thanks to all for suggesting and responding. We should have a really interesting discussion.

I think so too Geevee :)

So I just finally read the Naval Campaigns thread where this idea was first discussed, and you guys had all talked about reading more than one book. I had no idea... Too funny!

Paul wrote: "So I just finally read the Naval Campaigns thread where this idea was first discussed, and you guys had all talked about reading more than one book. I had no idea... Too funny!"

I guess great minds think alike!

I'm flattered that you would think I have a mind as great as Aussie Rick's. :)

If only you knew me you would be shocked at the state of my mind :)

If anyone is interested in the holocaust side of things for Poland, this book is a really interesting look into a town in Poland that committed genocide of its Jewish residents.

On Poland and the Holocaust, look at Mila 18 by Leon Uris, The Stroop Report, by Jurgen Stroop, just to name two.

Mila 18
The Stroop Report

Thanks for those recommendations, Colin!

No problem, I interviewed three SS men, including the last living commander of the 5th SS Division Wiking, Muhelkamp, who was second in command under Obergruppenfuehrer Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski in the 1944 general uprising.

This is great! I have an excellent recommendation:



http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65...

This is an excellent book about the resistance in Warsaw and the betrayal by the Soviets.

Also, I know there are a few good books on the Katyn Massacre (Stalin's annihilation of the Polish communists) but if anyone could recommend a specific title that would be great.

Thanks Tami I've often considered his books but have yet to read one so perhaps if I can get a copy from my library I may go with that or this one by Kenneth K. Koskodan

Good recommendation Tami, thanks,

Colin wrote: "No problem, I interviewed three SS men, including the last living commander of the 5th SS Division Wiking, Muhelkamp, who was second in command under Obergruppenfuehrer Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski ..."

I loved Mila 18! I had to read it before my Holocaust trip to Poland. Colin, you interviewed SS men? How extraordinary and chilling!

I think I will tackle The Eagle Unbowed: Poland and the Poles in the Second World War, which I had on my reading list since December '12. Sounds interesting.

Of the books mentioned in this thread, I've read Rising '44: The Battle for Warsaw, No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland's Forces in World War II, and A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II. All worthwhile reads, in my opinion. I especially recommend Rising '44: The Battle for Warsaw, superbly written by a British historian specializing in Polish history.

For anyone interested, I've created a Polish history list a couple of years ago. You just may find some additional WWII material to add to your reading list >8)

ib.

Hi Ireney, thanks for access to your list, I am sure a few members will check it out :)

A bit late .... but i found this one (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...) also informative about polish underground activities ... hope it helps..

Hi Amit, never too late, thank you for the link :)

Also, I know there are a few good books on the Katyn Massacre (Stalin's annihilation of the Polish communists) but if anyone could recommend a specific title that would be great.



I've purchased this, but haven't checked it out yet. Came recommended to me number of times. I will read it one day ... >8)

However, the Katyn massacre is not about annihilation of Polish communists. Quite the opposite. At the outset of WWII, Katyn was the site of mass execution of Polish nationals comprising primarily of Polish military officers captured during the initial partition of Poland by Germany and Soviet Russia, police officers, and intelligentsia ... members of Polish society who were deemed most resistant to the Soviet ideals.

ib.

Very interesting group read indeed. I'll join in and finally read

Altough many of the other books mentioned here sound very interesting as well.

Ireney wrote: "Also, I know there are a few good books on the Katyn Massacre (Stalin's annihilation of the Polish communists) but if anyone could recommend a specific title that would be great.

[bookcover:Katyn:..."

Yes of course. I should have said the massacre of any potential opposition to the official CP that eventually took over the government at Stalin's behest. :)

Amit wrote: "A bit late .... but i found this one (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...) also informative about polish underground activities ... hope it helps.."

Thanks Amit this is a book I've not seen before.

That also looks like a very interesting book Singleton, will be interested in hearing your thoughts during the theme read in April.

Helen wrote: "Colin wrote: "No problem, I interviewed three SS men, including the last living commander of the 5th SS Division Wiking, Muhelkamp, who was second in command under Obergruppenfuehrer Erich von dem ..."

Go to my website, and see the page Future Books, and look at my SS men I interviewed