Why Popski?

I started using the name Popski for online gaming about 5 years ago after reading Popski's Private Army and it has stuck as my common alias online. Popski's real name was Vladamir Peniakoff who was born to Russian parents in Belgium. He was a French Artilleryman in WW1 and fought for the British during WW2. He commanded Popski's Private Army or number 1 Demoliton Squadron, PPA.

From the wikapedia entry on Popski (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popski%27s_Private_Army)

Specialising in behind-the-lines raids (but not quite in the same form as the SAS or LRDG), PPA caused problems to the enemy for a short while in North Africa and then mainly in Italy. They entered Italy at Taranto as part of the advance guard of the amphibious landings. By the end of the Second World War, PPA had destroyed several Axis aircraft and thousands of gallons of fuel, and had taken roughly 600 Italian prisoners. The value of their reconnaissance work is hard to assess, but considerable.

Popski's book is a great read.

Peniakoff, Vladimir (2004). Popski's Private Army. Cassell Military Paperbacks. ISBN 0-304-36143-7.

For those who are interested in a bit more on Popski check out (http://users.telenet.be/ppa/homepage.htm)