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Arnhem: A Debt

of Dishonour

 

Arnhem DVD

 

A Debt of Dishonour is a unique documentary film dedicated Major General Sosabowski and all ranks who served in the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade Group and to their Comrades-in-Arms of the 1st British Airborne Division that fought in the ill-fated “Operation Market Garden” at Arnhem and Driel during September 1944.

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Polish Forces in WWII

The Perfect

Chopin Gift!


Chopin_module_image

 

Two exclusive presentations of Chopin: An Augmented Experience performed by Alexander Ardakov
and Masayuki Tayama.

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 Latest news from
The Polish Heritage
Society UK 

 

PHS

 


We must never forget Poland’s unique
contribution to Britain’s freedom
and the defeat of Nazi Germany

 

Seventy years after the invasion of Poland, leading British statesmen and military leaders from Baroness Thatcher to Lord Guthrie, unite to remind us: “We must never forget Poland’s unique contribution to Britain’s freedom and the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Polish veterans were profoundly shocked to find young people in the UK asking whether Poland fought alongside Nazi Germany in WW2. To ensure that Poland’s contribution to Britain’s war effort is remembered a new book 'First to Fight' is being launched today, ahead of the dedication of the first national memorial to Polish Forces in the UK later this month.First to Fight Book Cover

 

 

First to Fight: Poland's contribution
to the Allied Victory in WWII

ISBN: 978-0-9557824-4-2
296 pages
Softcover
Illustrated with many photographs
UK £19.95

 

 

 

Buy the Book—Download Order Form (PDF)

 


The Polish veterans ‘last campaign’ is being vigorously supported by Britain’s senior political and military establishment, including Baroness Thatcher, patron of Conservative Friends of Poland, who said in a statement:

Today, as we mark the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Poland and the subsequent outbreak of World War II, we remember the unique contribution of the Polish armed forces towards the freedom of Britain, of Europe and indeed of the world. Poland fought alongside us from the first day of the war to the last. Her people showed extraordinary bravery: many giving their lives as the ultimate sacrifice. But the freedoms for which they fought were to be cruelly denied them in the post-war world. Those who remained in exile could only look on as a new wave of oppression engulfed their country. Some would never achieve their heart-felt goal of returning to their homeland. But, finally, after more than four decades under communist tyranny, the people of Poland were able to set their own destiny.

In Britain, we remember the steadfastness of the Polish people; we treasure the bond of history which ties our peoples together; and we look forward to a flourishing friendship which will serve our nations well into the future.”

General The Lord Guthrie, former Chief of the Defence Staff writes in the book:

We owe much to the Poles who came to join us in our struggle. There was a time when the only allies the British Commonwealth had were Polish and large numbers died in battle many miles from their country. We are right to remember those gallant men and women, who at a very difficult time in both our countries’ histories were our firm friends and allies.

Other contributors to the book and supporters of the campaign include:

HRH The Duke of Kent, KG
HRH The Duke of Gloucester, KG GVCO
Major General The Duke of Westminster, KG CB OBE TD CD DL
General the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, GCB LVO OBE DL
General Sir Mike Jackson GCB CBE DSO
Winston S. Churchill MP (grandson of the wartime Premier)
Sir Martin Gilbert (Churchill’s official biographer)
Frederick Forsyth MBE

First to Fight’ recounts Poland’s epic six-year struggle—with some historically significant texts being published for the first time, such as the English translation of Stalin’s signed order to execute 14,736 of the Polish officer corps at Katyn Forest in 1940.

The story is brought to life with moving personal stories from Poles who fought in the air, on land and at sea, on many fronts.

For example, the myth of Polish cavalry charging German Panzers is put to bed: yes they did charge, but to good effect as recounted by Lieutenant Andrzej Zylinski. Leading the 4th Squadron of the Polish 11th Uhlan Regiment they charged with sabres drawn, breaching the German defences of Kaluszyn. After fierce fighting the town was captured with the almost complete destruction of the German 44th Regiment, whose commander committed suicide.

First to Fight’ is being launched ahead of the dedication of the first official war memorial in the UK for the 500,000 members of the Polish forces who fought in WW2 under British command. The event, in the presence of the Duke of Kent, will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum on 19th September.

With the publication of ‘First to Fight’ and the unveiling of the Polish War Memorial this September, the last remaining veterans now know that their struggles, and those of their departed comrades, will be duly remembered in Britain for generations to come.