Overview

The story of one man's escape from Stalin's genocide to heroism in the skies. Military history, war, immigration and an incredible tale of survival collide in this thrilling and personal account of the Second World War. Few beyond those who have escaped the realities of war today can understand some of what was involved in being sent to Stalin's Siberia, and to escape, only to be thrown into the maelstrom of flak over Northern Europe in early 1945. This was the reality that faced Kazimierz Tomas Hubert, known to all as Tomek. The son of the military governor for Lwów (modern-day Lviv), after Russia invaded Poland in September 1939 Tomek was banished as a political prisoner to the notorious Vorkuta Gulag in the Artic Circle. He survived summary executions, starvation and even the threat of cannibalism to escape and walk 6,000 km to freedom. Reaching the relative safety of Tehran, he then crossed war-torn Europe to be recruited by No. 317 (Polish) squadron, flying Spitfires against the Luftwaffe in Belgium, Holland and North Germany. The end of the war saw his home city given to Soviet Ukraine as part of the Yalta Agreement. Like all Polish servicemen, he was ignored by the post-war government and his British wife, Angela Oakshott, lost her citizenship despite working for Bletchley Park because of his Polish nationality. In this moving tale of endurance against all odds, Andrew Hubert traces his father's footsteps from the gulags of Siberia to flying spitfires in the air battles against the Luftwaffe. It is a remarkable account of the Second World War and its impact. 30 b/w illustrations

Full Product Details

9781803995212

Table of Contents

Reviews

'This is an odyssey, the true story of a young man's journey against the background of total war. Tomek yearns to survive and fight to regain his land, but little does he know it, the world he has left behind has vanished forever.' - Mark Urban, writer and broadcaster 'A searing account of one man's struggle for survival, as a man and as a Pole. A deeply personal exploration of one facet of the Polish experience, the author conjures up the horrors of Siberian deportation, the chaos of liberation and the challenges of adapting to life in wartime Britain. Despite it all, Tomek clings to his ultimate ambition: to take the fight to the Germans at the controls of a Spitfire.' – Jenny Grant, historian & specialist of Poles in exile 'A true story that reminds us why Britain went to war with Germany in 1939. The protagonist survived a truly tortuous imprisonment and escape to Britain where he trained and fought as a spitfire pilot during the liberation of Europe. He survived only to see his country occupied by Stalin's Soviet Union whilst all around him celebrated VE Day. That his sanity was saved by the love of an English wife was lucky. May the betrayal of Poland by war-weary allies not be repeated in Ukraine.' – A. V. Smith, Specialist in Humanitarian Mine Action (post-conflict explosive hazard removal). ‘One man’s extraordinary tale of survival during the Second World War.’ * History of War *

'This is an odyssey, the true story of a young man's journey against the background of total war. Tomek yearns to survive and fight to regain his land, but little does he know it, the world he has left behind has vanished forever.' - Mark Urban, writer and broadcaster 'A searing account of one man's struggle for survival, as a man and as a Pole. A deeply personal exploration of one facet of the Polish experience, the author conjures up the horrors of Siberian deportation, the chaos of liberation and the challenges of adapting to life in wartime Britain. Despite it all, Tomek clings to his ultimate ambition: to take the fight to the Germans at the controls of a Spitfire.' – Jenny Grant, historian & specialist of Poles in exile 'A true story that reminds us why Britain went to war with Germany in 1939. The protagonist survived a truly tortuous imprisonment and escape to Britain where he trained and fought as a spitfire pilot during the liberation of Europe. He survived only to see his country occupied by Stalin's Soviet Union whilst all around him celebrated VE Day. That his sanity was saved by the love of an English wife was lucky. May the betrayal of Poland by war-weary allies not be repeated in Ukraine.' – A. V. Smith, Specialist in Humanitarian Mine Action (post-conflict explosive hazard removal).

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available