Arkady Fiedler (1894–1985)

Forget dry history tomes! Buckle up for a thrilling ride through the skies of the Battle of Britain with Arkady Fiedler's "303 Squadron." This isn't just a story about warplanes and dogfights; it's a heart-pounding saga of courage, camaraderie, and the underdog spirit soaring against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Fiedler transports us to the desperate summer of 1940. Britain stands alone, facing the Luftwaffe's relentless onslaught. Enter the 303 Squadron, a band of Polish fighter pilots brimming with skill and unwavering determination. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, they seamlessly integrate into the Royal Air Force, their Hawker Hurricanes becoming extensions of their fighting spirit.

The book doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of war. We witness the adrenaline-pumping aerial battles, the agonizing losses, and the quiet moments of camaraderie that fueled their resilience. Fiedler masterfully weaves personal stories into the historical narrative, making the heroes more than just names on a page. We connect with their hopes, fears, and unwavering dedication to defending their adopted home.

However, prepare for a bumpy ride. Fiedler's passionate storytelling sometimes verges on romanticization, and the lack of citations might leave history buffs hungry for deeper context. Additionally, the narrative occasionally gets bogged down in technical details of aircraft and maneuvers, potentially losing some non-aviation enthusiasts.

But here's the truth: these minor quibbles fade away when you consider the book's strengths. Fiedler's vivid descriptions put you right in the cockpit, feeling the G-forces and the thrill of the chase. The human stories resonate, reminding us that even in the darkest hours, courage and perseverance can shine through.

So, should you "take off" with this book? Absolutely! If you're looking for an exciting and inspiring read that brings the Battle of Britain to life, "303 Squadron" is a surefire winner. Just be prepared to navigate a few turbulence patches along the way. Remember, even the most legendary journeys sometimes encounter a bit of headwind.

Would I recommend it?

For history buffs with a soft spot for underdog stories and thrilling tales of aerial combat, a resounding yes! Just manage your expectations for historical rigor and buckle up for an emotional rollercoaster.… (meer)

Książka ta jest zapisem kilkumiesięcznej wyprawy do północnej części kanadyjskiej prowincji Ontario, którą Fiedler odbył w latach 30-tych ubiegłego wieku. Pomimo tego, iż książka ta ukazała się na rynku blisko 80 lat temu, wydaje się być nadal w miarę aktualna, szczególnie, że dotyczy głównie przyrody i "dzikich" terenów, których nadal jest wiele w Kanadzie. Fiedler wspomina tu kanadyjską Polonię (m.in z Montrealu czy z Wilna - najstarszej polskiej/ kaszubskiej osady w Kanadzie), ale spędza większość lata w "dziczy", na podziwianiu dzikich kanadyjskich lasów i jezior, w których poluje i obozuje wraz z lokalnymi traperami i Indianami. I to właśnie ta część książki - mówiąca o przyrodzie i jej związku z człowiekiem - jest zasadniczą częścią tej pięknej pozycji. Mnóstwo jest tu również ciekawych dygresji, historycznych wydarzeń i osób, niejednokrotnie związanych z Polską, które miały znaczenie dla rozwoju Kanady jako państwa, czy też jej poszczególnych regionów.
W moim odczuciu jest to naprawdę ciekawa i dobrze napisana pozycja, która zainteresuje wszystkich pasjonatów przyrody oraz tych, którzy marzą o odkrywaniu nowych miejsc na mapie świata. Dla mnie, jako osoby mieszkającej w rejonie Kanady jeszcze bardziej wysuniętym na północ niż prowincja, którą Fiedler odkrywał 80 lat temu, książka ta wydała się w pewnym sensie zaskakująco aktualna. Do tego została napisana przepięknym, wręcz poetyckim stylem narracji, którego nie spotyka się juz zbyt często we współczesnej nam literaturze podróżniczej. Gorąco polecam, "Kanadę..." czyta się lekko i z przyjemnością!… (meer)

“303 Squadron” is both an important primary historical document and, it turns out, a pretty good adventure story too. Though definitely a product of its time and place (Battle of Britain-era England), it holds up well for the twenty-first century reader interested in dramatic first-person war narratives and forgotten heroism.

Following the fall of Poland to Nazi (and, lest we forget, Soviet) invaders, a fair number of Polish pilots managed to escape through Hungary and Romania and make their way to France, arriving just in time to take on the Germans again in the invasion that began (coincidentally) 71 years ago today. After France fell, they escaped again to Britain, where they flew in special Polish Air Force squadrons established and maintained by the RAF. Polish writer Arkady Fiedler chronicled the exploits of 303 Squadron, though he did so using pseudonyms for the pilots and ground crews so their families would not be exposed to Nazi reprisals.

In this great new edition from publishers Aquila Polonica, the subjects’ real names are revealed, and a great deal of additional material has been added as well. Most notable is a long section featuring the biographies of many heroic 303 Squadron pilots detailing their individual achievements and what they did after the war if they were fortunate enough to survive.

For the modern reader, author Fiedler’s style comes as a bit of a surprise. It doesn’t have the objective tone we expect historians to have (or simulate), nor much feeling of a journalist standing a step back from his story. Himself a patriotic Pole far from home, Fiedler justly celebrates brave pilots, hardworking and under-recognized ground crews, and the heroism they showed standing alongside their British allies to defeat the Nazi hordes. Indeed, Fiedler explicitly states he hopes his book will be testimony in post-war times to the strong bond that united Briton and Pole during the Finest Hour. In an era when “Polish plumber” has become shorthand for ethnic and economic tensions within the EU, we could all use a reminder of that bond. I recommend this highly.… (meer)

So much fun. This was a great, quick read, written as anti-NAZI propaganda and dropped into occupied Poland to tell them the story of their countrymen fighting their occupiers in the skies over Britain and the English Channel, the language is over-the-top newsreel pomp and embellishment at its finest.

This book is written in the epic tone that portrays Poles--and particularly the Polish pilots of Squadron 303--as superhuman, mythic figures.

It makes this book an unbelievably energetic, wonderful read, though it's purpose was not to be an objective history but a public relations campaign, with unalloyed biases and soda-straw tunnel vision.

But I think this less objective style manages to portray the frenetic emergence of the situation, the drama, the passion of human feeling and the direness of the war much better than more objective accounts of the events.

This book--or perhaps its translator--manages to convey much more of the meaning and individual experience of a pivotal moment in history than a mere accounting of events could do. Written with unaccustomed panache and overdrama, I thought it was such a fun read.'… (meer)