Quest for Freedom: A History of the 1st Polish Armoured Division 1939-1946

Quest for Freedom: A History of the 1st Polish Armoured Division 1939-1946

This latest title from the team behind Autumn Gale, Kampfgruppe Walther and The Army That Got Away was created at the request of the Maczek Memorial in Breda. Once again, the authors bring their hallmark blend of meticulous research, gripping narratives, extensive photo coverage and detailed cartography, all firmly grounded in original wartime sources.

The book charts the history of the 1st Polish Armoured Division, from its roots before the outbreak of war through to its disbandment in 1946. Every major campaign is covered: the division’s baptism of fire in Normandy, the decisive stand at Mont Ormel during the Falaise battles, the pursuit of German forces across northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and the autumn drive that culminated at Moerdijk in November 1944. The hard winter that followed brought constant patrolling and the bloody clash at Kapelsche Veer, before the final push into Germany. In April and May 1945, the division fought its way across north-west Germany to the capture of Wilhelmshaven, the heart of the Kriegsmarine.

Too often overlooked in English-language histories, the 1st Polish Armoured Division’s contribution to victory in the West is here given the recognition it deserves. The book not only highlights the achievements of General Maczek’s men but also examines their German opponents in depth, offering fresh insights along the way.

What makes this edition particularly special is that it is the first comprehensive English-language account of the division’s operations. With 110 full-colour maps, readers can follow the movements of each battalion on a day-to-day basis. This is complemented by almost 600 photographs, many previously unpublished, alongside appendices detailing unit structures, officer listings and a concise biography of General Maczek himself.

A significant and long-overdue study, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the campaigns in Western Europe in 1944–45, as well as for descendants of the soldiers who served under the Polish banner.

Book Data

Authors: Jack Didden and Maarten Swarts
ISBN: 97890800393xx
Language: English
Photos: ca. 600
Pages: 416
Physical: Hardcover, 280x220mm, portrait

Chapters

• TBC