Polish Times - Czas Polski - tygodnik polski w Detroit, USA

On Friday, January 15, over 150 people came to the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy to meet Kenneth K. Koskodan, the author of a fascinating book entitled “No Greater Ally. The Untold Story of Poland’s Forces in World War II”

Following their valiant but doomed defense of Poland in 1939, members of the Polish armed forces fought with the Allies wherever and however they could.  Full of previously unpublished first-hand accounts, information never before seen in English, and rare photographs, “No Greater Ally” provides a detailed analysis of the devastation the war brought to Poland, and the final betrayal when, having fought for freedom for six long years, Poland was handed to the Soviet Union.

For the people of Poland, used to the threat of war throughout their history, life was still relatively ordinary when they went to sleep on August 31, 1939.  Soldiers Edward Bućko and Jerzy Zagrodzki were both near the end of their compulsory service commitment.  Bohdan Grodzki had enlisted in the army, but had not yet reported for duty.  Czesław Korzycki had recently enlisted, but he believed that, surely, the Germans would not dare to attack.  Edward Alt was also a soldier.  Antoni Szmankowicz was a farmer’s son.  Zygmunt Kornaś and Juliusz Przesmycki were boy scouts.  Kazimierz Olejarczyk and Edward Kuczyński were students.  Anna Dadlas and Halina Konwiak were schoolgirls.

When they awoke, their lives, along with those of each and every Pole, would be changed forever.  They were about to begin epic journeys through unimaginable hardships, heartaches and inhumane brutality.  Somehow they and all of Poland would persevere and, through selfless acts of courage, accomplish seemingly impossible tasks against almost insuperable odds.

irst-time author, Kenneth Koskodan, has interviewed the aforementioned Polish-American survivors of WWII and includes their unique and moving stories in this all new account of Poland’s little-known yet astounding military experience of the war.
During the Friday’s meeting Koskodan gave a lecture detailing the Poland’s contributions to the World War II, including combative actions of regular units of the Polish Army in western and eastern Europe, as well as in north Africa and Asia and on the Atlantic.  Despite such a huge military undertaking Poland was mearly an object in the great game of the super-powers and, after the war ended, Poland did not have the feeling of being among the winners.

Some of the heroes that Koskodan written about in the “No Greater Ally” were present at the meeting, namely Kazimierz Olejarczyk, Edward Kuczyński and Juliusz Przesmycki.  They all were praising Koskodan for writing the book.  Olejarczyk said that the book should eventually be translated into Polish and find its way into Polish schools.

The event was organized by the Polish American Congress Michigan Division.  The President of the organization, Mariusz Szajnert revealed that the Polish government is planning to award Koskodan for his contributions into promoting Polish history abroad.
“No Greater Ally” was published by Osprey Publishing and is available for purchase at “Polish Art Center” (9539 Joseph Campau St.. Hamtramck, MI 48212) and most of the major book-sellers (Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble and others).