"A Question of Honor" is a captivating and relatively unknown story that sheds light on the bravery and betrayal of Polish fighter pilots during World War II, particularly their role in the Battle of Britain and the subsequent abandonment by the United States and England at the war's end.
The narrative revolves around the Kosciuszko Squadron, a group of Polish fighter pilots who aspired to liberate their homeland and became some of the most heroic and successful fighter pilots of World War II. Drawing from a diary kept by members of the squadron, personal experiences in combat, letters, interviews, memoirs, historical accounts, and photographs, the authors vividly depict the squadron's members and their wartime exploits.
Readers are taken on a journey that begins with the pilots' training before the war, their daring escape from Poland to France following its fall, and their subsequent relocation to Britain. Initially met with skepticism by the RAF, the Polish pilots proved themselves invaluable during the Battle of Britain, earning a reputation for their fearless engagement with German Messerschmitts in close combat while protecting their fellow squadron aircraft.
The book delves into the post-war fate of these Polish heroes, highlighting the abandonment of their homeland to the Soviet Union. "A Question of Honor" also provides a broader history of Poland during World War II, chronicling its relentless struggle against both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, as well as its quest for independence and the tragic outcome in the aftermath of the war.
This book offers a powerful and moving account of a lesser-known aspect of World War II history, shedding light on the courage and sacrifices of the Polish fighter pilots while examining the complex geopolitical realities of the era.
