Polskie Lotnictwo we Francji 1940

Polish text

In previous historiography, the history of Polish aviation in France was often regarded as a marginal subject. How great a mistake this was is shown by the fact that in June 1940 the Polish Air Force in France numbered nearly 10,000 personnel. Earlier studies rarely explored this topic in depth, reinforcing the mistaken belief among readers that it was of little significance.

Sixty-two years after those events, Stratus Publishing undertook the challenge of producing a book that reshapes this perception. The material for the publication was gathered over many years, with access to numerous original documents. During the work, the author frequently consulted surviving participants of the events described.

The result is a book in which the reader will find:

• a detailed history of all air units in which Poles served (fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, and training), together with the origins of their formation,

• an extensive photographic collection – over 650 photographs, many never published before,

• a gallery of plans of the equipment used by Poles in France (29 aircraft types, each shown in four views),

• dozens of colour profiles, along with numerous tables, charts, and maps.