Merian Cooper, Conquering Hero

With the war in Ukraine dangerously close to Poland, the specter is raised of the forgotten Polish-Soviet War of 1920. American pilots came to Poland's aid in that war, most importantly World War I veteran and King Kong director Merian C. Cooper . . .

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Comments (7)

An outstanding piece by the only Chronicles contributor whose life resembles Merian Cooper’s in any way!

May 27, 2022 Tom Piatak Reply

Great article about history I knew little about! I was a bit put off, however, by the reference to “Russian Bolsheviks.” Sure, some of the Bolsheviks were ethnic Russians but most of the leadership was Jewish or of other hostile nationalities. It’s hard to see anything culturally or historically Russian about Bolshevism or the Soviet Union until–maybe–the late 1950’s (i.e., after many of the Jews were purged and Stalin died).

May 27, 2022 Sorel McRae Reply

Yes, it is a great story and a most timely article , given that history never repeats itself .
Perhaps the best synthesis of what the essence of communism is you will find in “ The Triumph of Provocation “ by Józef Mackiewicz [ Yale University Press 2009 ; ISBN-13 978 -0300145694 ].
Mackiewicz eloquently maintained that the communism is “ a supranational evil based on public lies, on the negation of individual freedom, law and the basic values of civilization “.
The Polish- Soviet war of 1920 was not a local war , the Red Army under command by Leon Trotsky marching on Berlin and Paris and all the way to Lisbon. It was was 5,400,000 strong , against a small Polish Army of only 960,000 [ “ Warsaw 1920: Lenin’s Failed Conquest of Europe “ by Adam Zamoyski 2014 ; ISBN-13 978-0007225539 ]. And yet Poland won and chased lenino-trotsky’ism to their total military defeat and saved the civilization. Unfortunately only for a time being until 1939.
That asymmetric war is to be studied, not to be forgotten., an example of supremacy of the spirit over the brut force . Poles won to a large measure thanks to their brilliant cryptologists who broke the Soviet code and confused Trotsky communists by sending 24/7 into the ether encrypted verses from the Bible – surely, Trotsky even if he was able to decode the Polish coded traffic he would not understand it. You know why !
The 16 Americans fighting so gallantly with the Poles were then as they are today considered heroes of Poland – in the 30’s a very popular move was made based on the great story of the 16 Americans coming to help Poland in her most dark hours .
There was a splendid monument erected in Lwow (a historical city in eastern Poland , now Lviv in Ukraine ) at the beautiful historical necropolis Cmentarz Orlat Lwowskich ( The Lwowian Eagles Military Cemetery ) in honor of fallen American comrades in arms.
The monument was blown up by the Soviets when the occupied Poland after September 17, 1939 , and the historical necropolis was turned into the city dump during reign of communism in Ukraine . It has been partially reconstructed by the Poles during the last 20 years.
There is a small movement here in the United States to re-build at the same Cmentarz Orlat Lwowskich in Ukraine that splendid memorial to the American heroes of Poland .

Please visit polish-centaur.org to learn more about the 1920 war Poland won not alone , she had good and gallant friends here in the Historical South. The two nations yet not apparat !
There is a beautiful monument in Savannah, Georgia dedicated to the memory of Count Pulaski, funded in mid 1850’s by the grateful Southerners.
“ Count Pulaski of Poland, an Officer famous throughout Europe for his Bravery and Conduct in Defense of Liberties of his Country against the three great invading Powers of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, will have the Honor of delivering this into your Excellency’s Hands. The [ French ] Court here have encouraged and promoted his Voyage, from an Opinion that he may be useful in over Service “ Benjamin Franklin, Paris, 29 May 1777
( 245 years ago today ).
“ I am pleased with the favorable account which you give of Count Pulaski’s Conduct while at Trenton. He is a Gentleman of great activity and unquestionable bravery” George Washington to William Livingstone, Governor of New Jersey , 14 March 1778

May 29, 2022 Mark Maciolowski Reply

Interesting article but don’t you think you should mention that Poland started the war?

May 27, 2022 oliverlu70 Reply

…”Poland started the war” More important for today’s context is that, after enlisting the Ukrainians’ aid, the Poles cut a separate deal with the Reds and abandoned them to their fate versus the Bolshies.

May 28, 2022 Kilo 4/11 Reply
- Well, yes and no. Marshall Pilsudski forger s gravest alliance with the most talented Ukrainian statesman at the time Ataman Simon Petliura Poles were negotiating with the White Russians , namely gen. Anton Denikin, to unite against the Reds.
  Unfortunately for Russians , Poles and Ukrainians , Denikin on question of free and independent Poland after the war was adamant that there will be no Poland outside the Imperial Russia. This hardly was acceptable to the Poles fighting for their country after 123 years of Russo-Prusso-Austro dismemberment of the Polish Republic .
  Pilsudski was still supporting Petliura , unfortunately Ataman Petliura was not able to enlist enough Ukrainian forces and sufficient domestic political support to be a significant player on the battle field and in politics .
  After the war Ataman Petliura with his family was incognito residing in Warsaw under Pilsudski’s support and protection . Later on he moved to Paris where he assasinated by the Soviet agent-assassin Sholom
  
  May 29, 2022 Mark Maciolowski Reply
  - [ continuation ] …. Schwartzbard.
    Poles did not in betray Petliura Ukraine ,it was an expedient necessity in time of war.
    Pilsudski personally went to the Ukrainian officers internment camp in Rembertow and looking them straight in the eyes said : “ Gentleman, I am very sorry “.
    
    May 29, 2022 Mark Maciolowski Reply

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