www.mypolishtimes.com - Tygodnik Polonii Amerykańskiej w Metropolii Detroit

Kenneth K. Koskodan, the author of recently published book entitled “No Greater Ally. The Untold Story of Poland’s Forces in World War II” was at the “Polish Art Center” store in Hamtramck for a meeting with readers and to launch the sale of this important and fascinating book. There is a chapter of World War II history that remains largely untold; the story of the fourth largest allied military of the war, the only nation to have fought in the battles of Leningrad, Arnhem, Tobruk and Normandy.  In a cruel twist of history the monumental struggles of an entire nation have been forgotten, and even intentionally obscured.  “No Greater Ally” redresses the balance, giving a comprehensive overview of Poland’s participation 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  Full of previously unpublished first-hand accounts, information never before seen in English, and rare photographs, this title provides a detailed analysis of the devastation the war brought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 Olejarczki 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 an d, through selfless acts of courage, accomplish seemingly impossible tasks against almost insuperable odds.

First-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.
The author of the book, Kenneth Koskodan, was born in Detroit and currently lives in Grand Blanc, MI.  He is a graduate of Michigan State University and currently works in the petro-chemicals industry.  He is of Polish descent and his surname, Koskodan, was originally Koczkodan, which in Polish means “frump,” or in another translation, “green monkey.”

“No Greater Ally” was published by Osprey Publishing and is available for purchase at “Polish Art Center” (9539 Joseph Campau St.. Hamtramck, MI 48212).