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摘要

The Polish 'Few' - Polish Airmen in the Battle of Britain, by Peter Sikora, Frontline Books, hbk, illus, 574pp, £30 This masterful book is perhaps the ultimate document describing the essential contribution of Polish airmen to success in the Battle of Britain. Author Peter Sikora's research leaves no stone unturned, and the detail included in this epic work will take some beating. The story of Polish participation in the dramatic struggles over Britain in 1940 is brilliantly told, and the publication includes biographies of all the pilots involved who hailed from Poland. Many of that nation's airmen were already battle-hardened by the time they reached British shores. Some had previously encountered the Luftwaffe over their homeland and beyond. It is perhaps unsurprising that 303 (Polish) Squadron became Fighter Command's highest scoring Hurricane unit in the Battle of Britain. Reflecting on their contribution, ACM Sir Hugh Dowding wrote: "Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say that the outcome of the battle would have been the same."