This special series will focus on Poland's struggle throughout the cataclysmic years of World War Two, the rise of fascism, the notorious NKVD, Hitler and Stalin's pact, the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, the murders and treachery perpetrated by Germany and Russia on Polish citizens (upon both Christians and Jews), the Katyn Massacre, the Nazi German concentration camps and death camps, deportations, work camps, pogroms, and most sinister of all, the propaganda created by the Nazis to destroy the very soul of a nation. It is essential, I believe that an understanding of Poland must include some knowledge about its distant history, therefore I also provide some posts about the partitions of Poland, its interwar years, as well as some facts from time to time about its medieval period. There will be a post every day from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.
Unbeknownst to many people, Poland was the fourth greatest ally during the World War Two, and is credited with having made great contributions to the allied war effort - the Poles were the first to break the Enigma Code, the Polish armed forces fought in almost every battle of World War Two, such as the Battle of Britain, the Battle of Monte Cassino,and the Battle of Berlin. The Poles organized the largest underground resistance in all of Europe, and provided the Allies with the first eye-witness reports about the Warsaw Ghetto, and Nazi German extermination camps. The history of Poland is filled with stories of monumental struggles, great heroism, and courageous Polish men and women who fought against all odds against the Nazi and Soviet war machines during the Warsaw Uprising.
Polish Greatness Daily Chronicles of History consists of informative, yet brief summaries of events of each day, rather than full-scale articles. The stories are intense, shocking, but unforgettable.
Polish Greatness' Daily Chronicles of History is for everybody, from students of history, to researchers, and even seasoned history enthusiasts. You will certainly discover many things you never knew before.
I invite you to follow this special series, or subscribe so that you do not miss any posts. Just click on the subscription box located at the top right-hand side panel and sign up to begin receiving posts every day starting on January 1, 2018. It is completely free, and there is no obligation whatsoever.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my readers for their interest in Polish history, and for following Polish Greatness (Blog).
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, or Happy Chanuka, or a Happy Kwanza.
Happy New Year to all for 2018.
Please join Polish Greatness (Blog) as we journey back in time throughout 2018!
P.S. Several years ago, I posted a series entitled, "The Invasion of Poland (Day by Day)" which traced the chronological sequence of events, complete with photos and videos. The unique thing about the posts was the use of the present tense in its writing - a factor which contributed to the sense that the reporting was happening as a real time news report! This was followed much later by a series regarding the Warsaw Uprising (Day By Day) which was also met with considerable interest and excitement by my readers. Below I have provided links to the index of each of these series, so that you can follow the posts at your pace.
September 1939; Invasion of Poland: - Day by Day: An Index
Warsaw Uprising 1944: Complete Index
was the costliest and most controversial battle of World War II. Churchill
was determined to wage this battle, refering to the Italian Campaign
as the "soft underbelly of Europe." It was anything but "soft". The Battle of Monte Cassino was regarded an act of insanity - a disaster waiting to happen.
under the command of General Wladyslaw Anders
. 
,
- Churchill, Roosevelt,and Stalin, at the Yalta Conference
. Over 3,500 Poles died at Monte Cassino.
, Churchill gave only scant mention to the Polish participation.
. In coordinated military operations, the British, French, Americans, Indian, New Zealanders, Moroccans, and Polish Regiments converged on key German strongholds in a bitter struggle that lasted several months and cost the lives of thousands upon thousands of men.
, made it virtually impossible for the Allies to advance without suffering heavy casualties. The Gustav Line was erected by the Germans along the course of the Rapido, Gari, and Garogliano Rivers, behind which the Germans were solidly entrenched.Their positions were further secured by garrisons posted on every peak of the surrounding mountain ranges.
, towering to almost 1,700m (5,500 ft), surrounded by smaller but no less imposing series of mountains. This natural terrain gave the Germans an excellent vantage point from which to observe and attack Allied positions. To obstruct the Allied advances the Germans dammed the Rapido River causing it to flood the Liri Valley. The combination of natural terrain, bad weather, forced flooding and solid German defenses all conspired to frustrate and defeat Allied efforts time and time again. It took all of six months of the most bitter of fighting for the Allies to penetrate enemy lines.
