Now I've done a bit of digging around on the web and found out that the Polish in W W I fought for or with the Austro-Hungarians, the Russians and the French. There are pics on the Western Front of Haller's 'Blue' troops in French equipment, pictures of Poles in Austro-Hungarian uniforms so I am assuming that those that fought alongside the Russians wore Russian uniform. If so where did the czapka fit in? Was it only the Western Polish Legion that wore it? Or did the army wear it in 1919?
Also, (2) has anybody got any idea of organisation ie was it different to the armies they fought with or did it follow the rest? I'm assuming it followed whichever army they were with but just wanted clarification. Also, (3) I have the orbat but does anybody know the TOE of the Legion in 1915 and what small arms and artillery it used. My bet is French but again am open to clarification.
Any help in info or site pointers would be spiffinig, chaps.
Thanks.
MickS
Hello Subedai
Haven't been able to find the specific info you were after but found some more uniform, etc sources:-
http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/polish-armed-forces-second-republic-si-y-zbrojne-ii-rzeczypospolitej-polskiej-1918-1939/polish-legions-wwi-13513/ (http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/polish-armed-forces-second-republic-si-y-zbrojne-ii-rzeczypospolitej-polskiej-1918-1939/polish-legions-wwi-13513/)
It might be helpful to also look for Ukrainian and Galician Legions as well.
Have you looked at the Pygmy Wars site and their TOEs?
http://pygmy-wars.50megs.com/technical/toes/toesintro.html (http://pygmy-wars.50megs.com/technical/toes/toesintro.html)
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
The Osprey book on the Austro-Hungarian army 1914-1916 shows Polish infantry and uhlans in Austrian uniform but wearing the czapka. However these vary in height (some of the uhlans sport a very tall one), and furthermore there are troops in the same units wearing alternative headwear as well, similar to the Russian peaked cap.
Great, thanks both for your help.
Grumps, I have bookmarked the uniform site for future reference. I had already exhausted the Pygmy Wars site which was very informative, especially on later battles and stuff. The pics he took at the Warsasw Museum are very useful as well.
Dour, I will have a butchers at that next time I am in our local Waterstones.
MickS
I have found it very useful for putting together my early war Austrian army. The pike grey uniforms seem to have a slight bluish tinge to them. I found Anita's acrylis Periwinkle replicated this quite well.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/dourpuritan/WWI%20Eastern%20Front/2013-12-02201919_zps0ac1a1e0.jpg)
When the Works in Brum had some Anit'a acrylics -about eight years ago- I bought one of each colour they had and I'm still using them now. Unfortunately Periwinkle wasn't one of them. Unbelievable. The closest I have is Uniform Blue which is looking likely for Hallers Blue chaps. Thanks for that though, I'll keep an eye out for a comparable colour. Nice looking chaps as well.
Hello Subedai
I was finally able to dig up my old copy of Almark's Austro-Hungarian infantry. I've scanned the relevant bits (not much info though, unless you're keen on painting zigzag piping on 10mm collars :) ) :-
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
Hi
Also interesting postings http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=111&t=54694 (http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=111&t=54694) showing Polish uniforms c1919
(http://forum.axishistory.com/download/file.php?id=52995)
Figures are still wearing Austro-Hungarian uniforms with zigzag piping.
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
Great stuff, thanks a lot Grumps, thats just the sort of stuff I was after. Especially the bit about the Legion.