An Army in Exile: The Story of the Second Polish Corps

by Władysław Anders

An Army in The Story of the Second Polish Corps
by Lt. General W. Anders, C.B. Originally published in 1949 and first reprint by Battery Press in 1981, this book describes the political conflicts which marked the birth of the unit in Russian POW camps in 1942, its training in Iraq under British supervision, and the heavy combat operations in Italy from the battle of Monte Cassino to victory at the River PO. Also covered is the monumental task of the Polish government in exile to find new homes for its men after the Russian occupation of their homeland. Publishing The Battery Press Inc, Nashville 2004
HardCover book measuring 6" x 9"
335 pages, 16 photos/drawings, 7 maps
English Language Version All books are shipped through the U.S. Postal Office using Media Mail service. Typically delivery times are between 1 and 2 weeks. Please be advised, certain destinations in the U.S. may take longer.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, World War II, Poland

319 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

Władysław Albert Anders was a general in the Polish Army and later in life a politician and prominent member of the Polish government-in-exile in London.

When Poland regained its independence in November 1918 Anders joined the newly-formed Polish Army. During the Polish–Soviet War of 1919 - 1921 he commanded the 15th Poznań Uhlans Regiment. After the war Anders continued his military education in France at the Ecole Superieur de Guerre and upon graduation he returned to Poland, where he served on the general staff of the Polish Army under General Tadeusz Jordan-Rozwadowski (Chief of the General Staff from 1920 to 1921).

Anders opposed Józef Piłsudski's coup d'état in Poland in 1926, but unlike Jordan-Rozwadowski, he avoided persecution by the Sanation regime that assumed power after the coup. Piłsudski made him the commander of a cavalry brigade in 1931 and he was promoted to the rank of general three years later.

Reviews

[Dimitri · Rating 3 out of 5]

***1/2 Foremost a political testament to Soviet perfidy, in which the white-red banner fluttering above Cassino & the subsequent slug north along the Adriatic with the Eight Army merit only a few short chapters in the second half.

The first half really kept my attention because so many well-known facts about 1939-40 are present here as unpleasant surprises. The Soviet invasion. The cordon they created in southern Poland to plug the escape route to Hungary. The Orwellian reality of an NKVD prison, populated by loyal communists who have no idea why they are there. The repeated question "where are ten thousand officers ?" as Anders puzzles together divisions out of over a million displaced Poles.

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in Polands contribution during ww2 (often understated). He commanded Polish troops in the defense of Poland, organized a new army comprised of deported/exiled Poles in the Soviet Union (and eventually ones from Palestine and North Africa) and led them in a campaign throughout Italy- from Monte Cassino, to Ancona, Bologna and more. Just as interesting the the explanation of the great betrayal at the Yalta conference, and how the vast majority of the Polish troops did not return to their homes at wars end.

[Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wladyslaw Anders delivered 100 000+ Polish troops to fighting condition after all were imprisoned more than a year in Russia after the ourtbreak of the II World War. He led the rehabilitation of the group with the support of the British and won decisive victories over the German forces in Monte Cassino and Ancona.

[David Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the wartime memoirs of General Anders, leader of the II Polish Army Corps in World War II. The timeframe covered is from August 1939, immediately prior to the Nazi invasion of Poland, to the end of 1946 when the Corps was demobilized/disbanded.

Any student of WWII is probably aware of the role the II Polish Corps played in the fighting in Italy, particularly the assault on Monte Cassino. This book tells the story of how these troops came to be fighting alongside the Allies at that place and time.

Throughout the book, it is not only the Nazis who are the bad guys but the Soviets as well. The Soviets invaded Poland not long after the Germans did. Most of the soldiers who served under Anders were taken prisoner by the Soviets, who sent them to work (and die) in Siberian mines. Anders worked to free those men (and their families) and get them transported out of Soviet Russia so they could fight the Nazis. This is a compelling tale.

The sense of betrayal is palpable. Most students of the war recognize the way the Czechs were betrayed before hostilities started, and most are aware of the political struggle over Eastern Europe through the summits at Teheran, Yalta, and Potsdam. Anders gives us the Polish view on all of this. It's not a pretty story, but it is an important one.

[Robert Gutkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well told account of a lesser known story. General Anders presents both a personal story as well as the story of a nation torn apart between two hostile powers. Very interesting for anyone with an interest in World War II or the early Cold War, especially since Anders documents conversations and other deep details. This book is also good for anyone who thinks Polish and Soviet relations were brotherly and the Poles were treated more benevolently by the Soviets than by the Germans. The stories Anders tells of the imprisonment and abuse under the Soviets are horrifying, but all too familiar for anyone with a knowledge of Communist atrocities towards the populations they "liberate"
This book was written in a time when people had the patience to read, the pace is slow, it's not sensationalized.

[Kashia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Great history

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history and insight into the Polish cause during WWII.