1920 Russo-Polish War Project

[Rogerc]

I am revisiting my stalled Russo-Polish War project as the RCW element of my collections is all but done. Review of plans etc on my blog here : https://gapagnw.blogspot.com/2024/03/russo-polish-war-1920-plans.html

[cuprum]

An interesting and beautiful project. Looking forward to the continuation

For the Polish army you can use Russian cannons, machine guns and armored vehicles. The Poles received many such trophies from the Germans, Ukrainians and, later, the Bolsheviks.



The Polish M1917 uniform was a German "gray-green" color, the M1919 uniform was a khaki (mustard) uniform.
The Cossacks were indeed Don Cossacks, had a Russian uniform and were distinguished by the presence of a special patch on the left sleeve.
In addition, I came across stories in the memoirs of eyewitnesses that the author saw an attack by a hundred Cossacks who served on the Polish side, dressed in Budennovkas, on which a white cross was sewn instead of a star.



Cossack - left, above is his patch on the sleeve.

You could also create a unit of Ukrainians who fought in the 1920 war as allies of the Poles.

[carlos marighela]

Love the bloke in the fedora and the hussar breeches. It's like someone who has turned up to a party on the mistaken assumption that it was a fancy dress do.

[cuprum]

Unfortunately, I received this drawing without an annotation and I don’t know exactly who all the characters in it are. But specifically in the case you described, the opposite is true: trousers embroidered with patterns are part of the national costume of Czechs, Hungarians and other residents of Eastern Europe. And it was from them that the hussars borrowed their uniform.
This most likely depicts a Kashubian - one of the Slavic peoples living in Poland.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashubians

[carlos marighela]

Well at least they aren't Kardashians.

[FramFramson]

Well at least they aren't Kardashians.

 

[Freddy]

Love the bloke in the fedora and the hussar breeches. It's like someone who has turned up to a party on the mistaken assumption that it was a fancy dress do.

It does not seem to be hussars breeches, those were made in every European country after Hungarian uniform style, which was based on the Hungarian folklore style embroidery featuring loops and knots made into lily and tulip shapes. This sun motif suggests more of some Slavic folklore clothing. Strange though, as this type of traditional clothing was replaced in the late 19th century with industry-made clothes, traditional clothing remained in use only for special occasions- if even.

[carlos marighela]

Might be a member of a secret internationalist column of Morris Dancers.

[cuprum]

Let's not forget that the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century was the heyday of nationalism in Eastern Europe. Let us at least recall the Sokol movement and the mass imitation of it in Slavic countries, including Poland. Moreover, often members of such paramilitary organizations used their national costume or its elements as the basis for their uniform.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokol_movement



Fighting squad of Krakow.

Also, for example, the Bavarian Freikorps had uniforms in the national style.

[batu]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokol_movement

Thanks for the link! Learned something new today.

[Rogerc]

Some really interesting stuff their Cuprum thank you. I wont paint Cossacks specifically for the Poles but may decide to add in existing White Don Cossacks for particular games. I am however very tempted by the idea of a Ukranian unit or two.

[Mark Plant]

The Ukrainians fought by themselves largely, to the very south -- so away from the best known theatres. It's not like their commitment to the Polish cause was very high. They just wanted to avoid being over-run.

If you want a unit of non-Poles, I would suggest Bulak-Bulakhovich's motley, but effective, "Belarussians".

[Rogerc]

Thanks Mark, are they likely in old Russian uniforms?

[Mark Plant]

I'm going to go with a yes on that, but I'm only guessing.

[Rogerc]

Cheers Mark, I id consider the Belorussion- Ukranian Division, one to come back to, especially if there something to make them look different, I have read a bit about them and they saw plenty of action so a potential addition. That said the forces I have in mind will probably cover enough for a decent sized game.