Czech Legion Osprey book

[Ignatieff]

Arrived yesterday, and a good read and overview it is. it covers Czech inolvement on all fronts. Illustrations are also of good quality. However like all Ospreys it is infuriatingly lacking in some details.  For instance, how were the 70,000 Czechs in the RCW organised?  There are numerous references to various units, but no clear orbat.  Does anyone know how their organisation developed over 1918-20?

[Siaba]

As far as I know, they were organized in 2 divisions of 6 regiments.

[former user]

yup, I was a bit disappointed too, especially because the fighting is covered only anecdotically.

If You read it carefully and make notes, You will get an orbat and also the development - but it is stretched over the whole "book"

[Siaba]

For very good informations about the fighting done by the Legion, you can read the "Lost Legion" pdf book on the pygmy wars website 

[former user]

has anyone seen the documentary about the Legion?

[Ignatieff]

You mean 'Accidental Army' (with a 'message from Madeline Albright'  )??  Just been sent it by a mate in Virginia.  Will be watching it at the weekend after our latest leadfest....

[former user]

yeah, right
thought about buying it myself

[Ignatieff]

Initial reports from my normally reliable mate in Virginia is that its 'nice pictures and poor history'  let me have a look and report back.  To be honest I'd be happy with this!

[former user]

how authentic is the content of the Osprey book analyzed to be?
I would be curious to know. Anyway, be the sources referenced it can't be that wrong.
I will try to make a Czechoslovak Orbat over the weekend.

Another aspect involving the Western Czechoslovak troops I never before encountered is the war between the "Little Entente" and the Hungarian Soviet Republic - not exactly part of RCW but somehow connected to it, like the Russo-Polish war. From this quite elaborate account:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian%E2%80%93Romanian_War_of_1919
a very interesting campaign.
Historically it links up with the CS troops leaving Italy and France after the armistice of November 1918.

In termy of wargaming it is Hungarians in AH uniform and Romanians in french uniforms.
Cavalry, armoured trains, manouvre war etc.

[Ignatieff]

Fascinating, this period just keeps getting better!  Anyway, off to pick up Westfalia Chris from Peterborough station for his first induction to life in 'The League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers'!

[Hammers]

Fascinating, this period just keeps getting better!  Anyway, off to pick up Westfalia Chris from Peterborough station for his first induction to life in 'The League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers'!

You do guided tours?! Chris, who did you have to, well you know the saying, to get a back stage pass *there*? 

[Ignatieff]

You do guided tours?! Chris, who did you have to, well you know the saying, to get a back stage pass *there*? 

No one deserves to spend as long in Hull as poor Chris has, despite the brave face he puts on it.  Ask him about the DH10 and the barge full of Bolshevik sailors!

[potter666]

They had this in Waterstones Truro, nearly bought it too, but spent the dollar elsewhere hoping they'd still have it in next week. Is it worth the coin then? Typicaly the CL is something I know little of but since getting the figs last year or whenever from Copplestone, I've just started them as a-typical RCW Whites. May have to dip and strip the buggers....

[former user]

OK, since the thread is already diverted, I'll push a bit back on track:

while searching for the second Czech armoured train  "UDERNIK", I stumbled over this forum in polish:
http://www.ioh.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?p=164514
apart from many pictures of ORLIK new to me and the usual improvised armoured trains, there are many pictures of "railway art", the Czechs used to decorate their waggons with.
Very interesting - just scroll down

btw - anyone heard anything about UDERNIK ? found nothing apart the opening note in the Osprey book

[Ignatieff]

Absolutely cracking source former user   Superb!  I must figure out a way of painting (or more likely printing) these types of pictures onto the side of my Company B armoured train.  Anyone got any hints or tips???