The Black Devils' March--a Doomed Odyssey: The 1st Polish Armoured Division 1939-1945
by Evan McGilvray /
2005 / English / PDF
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The Black Devils March is an account of how the 1st (and only)
Polish Armoured Division in the West under the leadership of
General Stanislaw Maczek, arose out of the ashes of defeat and
while attempting to avoid the internal politics of the Polish
Government in Exile, was able to return to Europe in August 1944 on
the side of the Western Allies. In Europe the Division achieved
glory, honor and victory but was unable to liberate Poland owing to
the politics of the post-war settlement in Europe.
The Black Devils March is an account of how the 1st (and only)
Polish Armoured Division in the West under the leadership of
General Stanislaw Maczek, arose out of the ashes of defeat and
while attempting to avoid the internal politics of the Polish
Government in Exile, was able to return to Europe in August 1944 on
the side of the Western Allies. In Europe the Division achieved
glory, honor and victory but was unable to liberate Poland owing to
the politics of the post-war settlement in Europe.
The account of the formation and combat service of the Division is
fully researched from Polish, English and German sources, and
includes training in Scotland, the unit's sharp introduction to
warfare in the Normandy bocage, the Falaise Gap and Hill 262, the
advance into Belgium and Holland, and final victory on German soil.
The text is supported by nearly 100 photographs (many previously
unpublished), maps, and detailed appendices, including a list of
the Division's medal recipients. In addition, there are four pages
of outstanding color profiles showing the camouflage and markings
of the unit's tanks and other vehicles.
The account of the formation and combat service of the Division is
fully researched from Polish, English and German sources, and
includes training in Scotland, the unit's sharp introduction to
warfare in the Normandy bocage, the Falaise Gap and Hill 262, the
advance into Belgium and Holland, and final victory on German soil.
The text is supported by nearly 100 photographs (many previously
unpublished), maps, and detailed appendices, including a list of
the Division's medal recipients. In addition, there are four pages
of outstanding color profiles showing the camouflage and markings
of the unit's tanks and other vehicles.
The politics of the Polish Army are examined as well as the
historical legacy of the Polish soldier in exile.
The politics of the Polish Army are examined as well as the
historical legacy of the Polish soldier in exile.
Much of the book was researched from hard-to-find Polish sources.
The text is supported by 4 pages of color AFV profiles, nearly 100
photographs (many previously unpublished), maps and appendices.
Much of the book was researched from hard-to-find Polish sources.
The text is supported by 4 pages of color AFV profiles, nearly 100
photographs (many previously unpublished), maps and appendices.