Polish Military Aircraft 1918-1939: From Regaining Independence to Hitler’s Blitzkrieg

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Peter Sikora

Polish Military Aircraft 1918-1939

Name: Polish Military Aircraft 1918-1939
Price: 80 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9781036147662

From Regaining Independence to Hitler’s Blitzkrieg

Peter Sikora

$80

Hardback

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English

Pen & Sword Books Ltd
16 March 2026

Air forces & warfare; Aircraft: general interest

Despite not existing as a free country for 123 years until the end of the First World War, the roots of Polish aviation, including military aviation, reach as far back as the days of pioneers such as Otto Lilienthal or the Wright Brothers. The Polish Air Force can trace its origins to the second half of 1917, and was officially established when Poland regained her independence on 11 November 1918. The country was then able to build its own air force officially known as Aerial and Air Defence Forces with men being proud to call themselves Poles again. Despite its difficult rebirth, in the 1930s Poland developed a wide range of its own aircraft. These included the PZL P.6 fighter which gained fame for being the most advanced of its day and the first fighter aircraft made of metal in the world, or PZL P.24 fighter considered by the RAF as a purchase option. Towards the end of the decade, however, foreign aircraft design had overtaken them. In 1939, Poland fought its lonely war against overwhelming might of the German Third Reich, the fascist state of Slovakia and the Soviet Russia. Though surrounded, massively outnumbered and flying mostly inferior aircraft, Polish fliers caused the attacking forces considerable losses, including 500 aircraft, destroyed and damaged. As well as telling the story of the valiant Polish flyers, Polish Military Aircraft 1918-1939 includes a wonderful collection of photographs, the majority of which have never seen in the West. Together, these take the reader on a journey throughout the early years of Polish military aviation, showing amazing pictures of German, Austro-Hungarian or Russian aeroplanes, in many cases scavenged by the Poles. Also included is selection of British aircraft which were used in Poland, as well as a host of photographs of Polish-designed and built machines, including these that had to face Luftwaffe in September of 1939.

AUTHOR: Peter Sikora is an aviation researcher, historian and writer who specialises in the history of the Polish Air Force between 1918 and 1946, with a particular interest in the achievements of the Polish airmen during Second World War. Peter has already had a number of books published in Poland, including Aces of the Polish Air Force, Battles of the Polish Air Force 1918-1945 and Polish Wings Over Ireland. He also writes historical articles for the leading Polish aviation magazines.

250 b/w illustrations

By: Peter Sikora
Imprint: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 246mm, Width: 172mm,
ISBN: 9781036147662
ISBN 10: 1036147665
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 16 March 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

PETER SIKORA is an aviation researcher, historian and writer who specialises in the history of the Polish Air Force between 1918 and 1946, with a particular interest in the achievements of the Polish airmen during Second World War. Peter has already had a number of books published in Poland, including Aces of the Polish Air Force, Battles of the Polish Air Force 1918-1945 and Polish Wings Over Ireland. He also writes historical articles for the leading Polish aviation magazines.