{"product_id":"first-polish-armoured-division-193847-a-history-9781526724151","title":"First Polish Armoured Division 1938-47: A History","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eThe First Polish Armoured Division was formed in Scotland in 1942 from Polish exiles who had escaped Poland and France. It was trained and equipped along British lines and sent to Normandy in 1944. It played a crucial role in preventing an orderly German withdrawal from the Falaise Pocket and advancing across Western Europe and into Germany. However, it suffered from poor treatment after the war. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 352 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 08 June 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pen \u0026amp; Sword Books Ltd\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe First Polish Armoured Division, a remarkable unit formed in February 1942 in Scotland from Polish exiles who had escaped Poland and then France, holds a significant place in military history. Commanded by the esteemed Stanislaw Maczek, many of the division's men had prior experience serving in the Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade (10 BKS), which had played a pivotal role in the Polish invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and demonstrated remarkable bravery in defending Poland against the German and Soviet invasions in 1939.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnder Maczek's leadership, the division underwent rigorous training and equipping in alignment with British military standards, preparing for the invasion of France. Attached to the 1st Canadian Army, the division was deployed to Normandy in late July 1944. Despite facing immense challenges during Operation Totalize, the division persevered and played a crucial role in preventing a coordinated German withdrawal from the Falaise Pocket through its heroic stand at Hill 262.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the subsequent phases of the war, the First Polish Armoured Division played a vital role in advancing across Western Europe and into Germany. This comprehensive history, supported by an abundance of archival photos, concludes by examining the often-unfair treatment Maczek and his men received after the war. The First Polish Armoured Division's story serves as a testament to the resilience and bravery of Polish soldiers during World War II, and their contributions to the Allied victory are immeasurable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 1094g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 181 x 253 x 31 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781526724151\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Evan McGilvray","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":44101036310778,"sku":"9781526724151","price":17.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1656072800140_book.jpg?v=1656163372","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/first-polish-armoured-division-193847-a-history-9781526724151","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}