1930 European scenarios

[Sunray]

Those new Polish WW2 figures & kit have got me thinking about a late 1930s ear game.  There were border tensions between Poland and Czechoslovakia.  Could I wage a fictional conflict ? In Mollo's illustrated Army Uniforms of WW2  there is an image of a Slovak (they were German allies in 1939 and part of the Invasion of Poland) .

The Slovaks and the Hungarians also had a few differences and border clashes in 1939.  Some worthy of tabletop action.

Now what figures can I use for Czechoslovakian/Slovak ?  In terms of helmet the Japanese comes close.  But spoiled with tropical neck cloths.  I have also considered Italian (got putties) and even Russian.  Have I missed any possible substitutes?  

[GrumpyOldMan]

Hello Sunray

Alas and alack, the question of Czech/Slovak troops has sorely vexed me too. .

There is nothing much that 'fits' within the Pendraken ranges without a lot of work (French Chasseurs with a new head/helmet). You could try Romanians at arm length (gaiters instead of puttees) or some of the SCW types (mostly shirt sleeved). Another option is WW1 Serbs with the Czech type forage cap:-





From here http://uotw.heavenforum.org/t1147-the-inter-war-czech-army

Another manufacturer has Slovak troops but they are not great figures, and there are some slim, tall Japanese figures from yet another manufacturer that could fit the bill.

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

[Sunray]

Thanks Vic.   There is a marketing point in designing figures with generic factor.  My Falklands British Paras have served in many post war scraps and as various modern armies. As has the ubiquitous WW2 commandos.

Japanese without the protective neck cloth under the helmet (a bit like my boyhood  HO&OO Airfix Japanese ) could serve as passable  Slovak late 1930s figures.

I have reiterated this generic design plea for the oncoming Korean war range.  Stay away from winter thermals - dress them for summer and get more sales!

[Hwiccee]

Both Poland and Hungary invaded Czechoslovakia/Slovakia in 1938-39 to seize part of their lands. AFAIK there was no fighting but obviously there could have been.

[KTravlos]

While a bit earlier the Dog War between Bulgaria and Greece could also lead to scenarios, though Bulgaria was severely restricted in military ability by the Treaty of Neuilly.

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

Poland was kinda of a bully towards Lithuania and it might had led to war. You could always postulate a Trotsky defeats Stalin scenario and a general war in the East in the 1930s. There is also the Austrian Civil War. Hungary in general was hard core irredentist and had friction with everyone.

Other scenarios: Both Venizelos and Panglaos (the dictator) were considering an invasion of Turkey in the late 1920s ealry 1930s. At that point the two states were more even-matched than today.

Hapsburg restoration? Could begin with a restoration in Hungary by a more radical Hapsburg heir, which leads to war, or civil war in Austria, which leads to war with Yugoslavia, Czechslovakia, Romania and maybe Poland.

[Sunray]

Both Poland and Hungary invaded Czechoslovakia/Slovakia in 1938-39 to seize part of their lands. AFAIK there was no fighting but obviously there could have been.

I was based in Ostrava in the 1990s and got a chance to see contested areas such as Cieszyn seized by Poland in 1938.  It was a propaganda victory for Germany as Poland could be cast as an accomplice in the carve up of Czechoslovakia.    There is potential for a good fictional tabletop action.   And a chance to use my Dropzone city.

The Slovaks and Hungarians had their little (sic) war 23 March to 31 March 1939.   800 dead and eclipsed by WW2.   Czech L35 v Italian L3.  Interesting and largely forgotten campaign.

Three divisions of the Slovak army were part of Army Group South in the 1939 invasion of Poland.  Their kit was still original. 

[Sunray]

My old opponent Dan dropped by this afternoon. (He's mainly 6mm modern), and he recalled a campaign we ran back 10 years ago using Pendraken Franco-Prussian figures and 'To the Last Gaiter button' rules, but set in the fictional kingdom of Ruritania.   It was a lot of fun. 

There's a lot of 1930s kit on  the market-  The Avia B534 (Euard), Revell's JU52, and Zveada's  HS126 & Battle- add the a mix of Germanic, Polish and Czech troops/artillery/tanks, use BKC and let the dice roll.  Will Hentzau's panzers reach Strelasu ?   A VBCW genre of game, only set in central Europe.

Perhaps we will even get some Pendraken Slovaks (useful also on Barbarossa) ?

[Steve J]

Very tempted to do something around this period, but then am tempted by lots of other 'periods'. So many ideas, so little time

[Hwiccee]

I was based in Ostrava in the 1990s and got a chance to see contested areas such as Cieszyn seized by Poland in 1938.  It was a propaganda victory for Germany as Poland could be cast as an accomplice in the carve up of Czechoslovakia.    There is potential for a good fictional tabletop action.   And a chance to use my Dropzone city.

The Slovaks and Hungarians had their little (sic) war 23 March to 31 March 1939.   800 dead and eclipsed by WW2.   Czech L35 v Italian L3.  Interesting and largely forgotten campaign.

Three divisions of the Slovak army were part of Army Group South in the 1939 invasion of Poland.  Their kit was still original. 

Yes it is interesting. I too was in the area and I have friends from Czech Silesia.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Hello

TSOA used to have a rule set and background up on a hypothetical Belgian Civil War set in the 1930s, "To Arms" I think it was called. Can't see it on the web site but I probably have it on one of my 'periodic cleansing of the hard drive' DVDs.

I can rummage around and try to find it if anybody is interested.

Also the list of wars/battles/rebellions is always handy for working on minor conflicts or what-ifs:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_1900%E2%80%9344

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

[FierceKitty]

Those new Polish WW2 figures & kit have got me thinking about a late 1930s ear game.  There were border tensions between Poland and Czechoslovakia.  Could I wage a fictional conflict ? In Mollo's illustrated Army Uniforms of WW2  there is an image of a Slovak (they were German allies in 1939 and part of the Invasion of Poland) .

The Slovaks and the Hungarians also had a few differences and border clashes in 1939.  Some worthy of tabletop action.

Now what figures can I use for Czechoslovakian/Slovak ?  In terms of helmet the Japanese comes close.  But spoiled with tropical neck cloths.  I have also considered Italian (got putties) and even Russian.  Have I missed any possible substitutes?  

I am pleased to say that in my memories of Czechs, uniforms don't feature.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Not even initially ?