Ep 294 Kosciuszko Squadron

What ties together a Revolutionary War hero, a Hollywood film director, and twentieth-century Poland’s quest for political independence? The Kościuszko Squadron was an international flying squad, whose airmen included former prisoners of war, idealistic Americans, and international adventurers. The Polish-Soviet War is a conflict that, having taken place in the shadow of the First World War, is largely overlooked in the US today. But at the time, the conflict and the Kościuszko Squadron, named after Tadeusz Kościuszko, generated international enthusiasm and publications from Polish-American presses. This podcast explores this flamboyant, neglected history.
(Host: Lucy Barnhouse)
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[@Artur_M.]

I love to see this story, as well as the history of Poland (and this part of Europe in general), getting some attention. I also have to congratulate you on your Polish pronunciation, which seems to be notoriously difficult for English-speakers. You did a great job, only stumbling on 'Potocki' at 15:05. The letter 'c' in Polish is pronounced like a short 'ts' (unless it's in diagraphs 'ch' or 'cz', or the diacritic 'ć') and never as 'k'.
Of course, as you said yourself, the history of this part of Europe after WW1 is very complex, and I'm tempted to write some clarifications to just one sentence about Piłsudski and Lithuania but I fear it might end up longer than the script of this episode. Maybe another time. 😉
Fun fact: the famous Polish 303 Squadron of the RAF (the best scoring squadron during the Battle of Britain) was continuing the traditions of the Kościuszko Squadron, including inheriting their insignia.