Book Review: A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II by Lynne Olson - Page 2

It is an open question as to how much Britain gained by becoming beholden to the Red Tsar’s whims. The great fear that Stalin and Germany’s Adolph Hitler would join forces was almost certainly entirely unfounded; both men hated one another, and Stalin would not ally himself with someone who had already betrayed him. More than likely, Stalin used the possibility of such an alliance to manipulate the British — who were in the iron grip of fear of losing the war — to sacrifice their ally.

One can only speculate as to what would have happened if Britain had been stauncher in its resolve toward Poland. But the degree of power that Stalin seemed to wield over Churchill was undeniable: For fear of offending Stalin, who detested Polish nationalism, the British excluded their Polish allies from the victory parade. Only months before, some of those pilots had been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their efforts during the Battle of Britain.

A Question of Honor presents a vast canvas against which are set the personal stories of the Polish pilots. The writing seamlessly weaves a grand tapestry of history, allowing readers to share in the tragic events of the time, moving effortlessly between personal stories and the grand narratives of great-power politics. It is also unique in that it presents the events of World War II through a Polish perspective. By doing so, it allows a fresh look at the past and at the forgotten heroes of that era.