Meet the author of the new book: Project Eagle: The Top-Secret Operation that sent Polish Spies behind German Lines during World War Two.

After the Germans had surprised Allied troops at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, the OSS (Office of Strategic Services–forerunner of the CIA) revamped its intelligence operations in Europe and began enlisting the cooperation of volunteers from occupied countries for wartime intelligence-gathering operations. As part of Project Eagle, Polish soldiers were recruited and trained to go behind the lines of the Third Reich. Project Eagle tells this fascinating World War II story of intelligence and espionage that until now has been hidden away in the archives of the OSS. Professor Micgiel will tell us more about this history and his research on this special visit to Holyoke on September 9. Sponsored by the Holyoke History Room.  Info: (413) 420-8107

John S. Micgiel was born and raised in Holyoke.  His academic career led him to serve as director of the Institute on East Central Europe, associate director of the Harriman Institute, executive director of the Institute for the Study of Europe, and adjunct professor of international and public affairs—all at Columbia University. He is past president of the Kosciuszko Foundation, which promotes cultural exchange between the United States and Poland. In 2011 he received the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, an award honoring service to the Polish-American community. Now retired from Columbia University, Micgiel teaches at the University of Warsaw and makes his home in Connecticut.