POLAND AND THE SECOND WORLD WAR: 1938-1948

1-221940

Bio of the commander of the 1st Polish Armored Division in Northwest Europe 1944-45. Includes 120 b/w photos and four maps. A limited-edition hardback printing of 500 copies, all copies individually numbered, and signed by the author, Evan McGilvray.

Bio notes Maczek was born in the Austrian sector, which meant in 1914 he was conscripted into the Imperial Austrian Army, with which he served with great credit on the Italian Front, high in the Alps. It was this experience which was to serve Maczek well in his future career in the Polish Army after 1918. Maczek should be remembered for his pioneering use of mixed armor and infantry units as well as the early use of commando-style units during the Polish border wars of 1918-1920.

It was feared that the German forces in Normandy might be able to flee over the River Seine and head eastwards towards Germany. A magnificent, stubborn and costly stand by the Polish 1st Armored Division during August 1944 prevented this happening, and the Normandy Campaign was able to succeed. Maczek's division was later able to advance into Germany, fighting its way through the Low Countries.