Bohdan Hryniewicz was just 8 years old when the Second World War began in September 1939. Poland was first invaded by Germany and then, seventeen days later, by Russia. The Battle for Warsaw was the largest and longest urban battle of the conflict, between lightly armed, irregular forces and the most experienced, well-equipped army of the day. With his brother, Bohdan fought alongside these amateur resistance troops in a bid to free his homeland. Like many others, his young life was turned upside down and his family torn apart as they were caught up in one of the most tumultuous and historic events of the twentieth century. His story is uniquely personal and at the same time tells the wider story of a pivotal battle that was virtually unheard of until the fall of communism. 30 b/w illustrations
