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Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User



Chicago NW burbs

Pardon my ignorance!

When it comes to Polish Forces late in WW2
(for example, the the 1st Armoured Division and 1st Airborne Brigade).
My understanding is that these forces were formed and equipped in Britain before deployment.

If I want to model these late war troops in 28mm (e.g. Bolt Action), would they be uniformed and equipped as essentially British troops?
Meaning, would I just purchase British forces, and then perhaps use Specific Division insignia to differentiate them?
Would there be any other, better alternatives? Are there other differences I should consider, like uniform colors, helmets, hats, or unique equipment, etc.?

I suppose it's mostly the uniforms that I'm concerned about, as I have found a number of good Flames of War supplemental information regarding their equipment and unit formation.

Most of the Polish forces I have found in 28mm seem to be based on their early war 1939 uniforms and weapons, so I feel set for that time, but I would like to work on their later campaigns as well.
   
Made in fr
Pyromaniac Hellhound Pilot





France

The exiled polish forced served equipped as British and Under their command. So the best you can do is buy british soldier and give theem different insignia as you suggested. Otherwise you may take a look at Warlord Games's "Polish Airborne" mini range. They've got some good ones and allow you to leave a bit the main ground theater.

But in a general manner, if you were an exiled/volonteer warrior, you got equipped and commanded either by UK or USA (French remained under French command because De Gaulle ). For instance the Poles were UK geared and Brazil's Smoking Snakes were US equipped and led.

40k: Necrons/Imperial Guard/ Space marines
Bolt Action: Germany/ USA
Project Z.

"The Dakka Dive Bar is the only place you'll hear what's really going on in the underhive. Sure you might not find a good amasec but they grill a mean groxburger. Just watch for ratlings being thrown through windows and you'll be alright." Ciaphas Cain, probably.  
   
Made in us
Wing Commander





TCS Midway

 Maréchal des Logis Walter wrote:
The exiled polish forced served equipped as British and Under their command. So the best you can do is buy british soldier and give theem different insignia as you suggested. Otherwise you may take a look at Warlord Games's "Polish Airborne" mini range. They've got some good ones and allow you to leave a bit the main ground theater.

But in a general manner, if you were an exiled/volonteer warrior, you got equipped and commanded either by UK or USA (French remained under French command because De Gaulle ). For instance the Poles were UK geared and Brazil's Smoking Snakes were US equipped and led.


Warlord's 'Polish Airborne' are just their British Airborne with the beret painted black for the most part. If you look closely most are just the Brit models with a slightly different paint job.

That said, I would love to run what-if scenarios and drop the Poles back into Poland to fight the Red Army....

On time, on target, or the next one's free

Gesta Normannorum - A historical minis blog
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/474587.page

 
   
Made in us
Executing Exarch




 Maniac_nmt wrote:
 Maréchal des Logis Walter wrote:
The exiled polish forced served equipped as British and Under their command. So the best you can do is buy british soldier and give theem different insignia as you suggested. Otherwise you may take a look at Warlord Games's "Polish Airborne" mini range. They've got some good ones and allow you to leave a bit the main ground theater.

But in a general manner, if you were an exiled/volonteer warrior, you got equipped and commanded either by UK or USA (French remained under French command because De Gaulle ). For instance the Poles were UK geared and Brazil's Smoking Snakes were US equipped and led.


Warlord's 'Polish Airborne' are just their British Airborne with the beret painted black for the most part. If you look closely most are just the Brit models with a slightly different paint job.

That said, I would love to run what-if scenarios and drop the Poles back into Poland to fight the Red Army....


There was also a contingent of Polish troops fighting on the Eastern Front under Soviet authority. They were, obviously, equipped by the Soviets.
   
Made in fr
Pyromaniac Hellhound Pilot





France

 Maniac_nmt wrote:
 Maréchal des Logis Walter wrote:
The exiled polish forced served equipped as British and Under their command. So the best you can do is buy british soldier and give theem different insignia as you suggested. Otherwise you may take a look at Warlord Games's "Polish Airborne" mini range. They've got some good ones and allow you to leave a bit the main ground theater.

But in a general manner, if you were an exiled/volonteer warrior, you got equipped and commanded either by UK or USA (French remained under French command because De Gaulle ). For instance the Poles were UK geared and Brazil's Smoking Snakes were US equipped and led.


Warlord's 'Polish Airborne' are just their British Airborne with the beret painted black for the most part. If you look closely most are just the Brit models with a slightly different paint job.

That said, I would love to run what-if scenarios and drop the Poles back into Poland to fight the Red Army....


Their gesture aren't the same are they? Or do i remember wrong? I'd have to take another look.

Well, true for the soviets but since he was asking for brits i made the hypotethis that he rather lean towards a western set army, though he's not made any claim about it.

40k: Necrons/Imperial Guard/ Space marines
Bolt Action: Germany/ USA
Project Z.

"The Dakka Dive Bar is the only place you'll hear what's really going on in the underhive. Sure you might not find a good amasec but they grill a mean groxburger. Just watch for ratlings being thrown through windows and you'll be alright." Ciaphas Cain, probably.  
   
Made in us
Wing Commander





TCS Midway

 Maréchal des Logis Walter wrote:
 Maniac_nmt wrote:
 Maréchal des Logis Walter wrote:
The exiled polish forced served equipped as British and Under their command. So the best you can do is buy british soldier and give theem different insignia as you suggested. Otherwise you may take a look at Warlord Games's "Polish Airborne" mini range. They've got some good ones and allow you to leave a bit the main ground theater.

But in a general manner, if you were an exiled/volonteer warrior, you got equipped and commanded either by UK or USA (French remained under French command because De Gaulle ). For instance the Poles were UK geared and Brazil's Smoking Snakes were US equipped and led.


Warlord's 'Polish Airborne' are just their British Airborne with the beret painted black for the most part. If you look closely most are just the Brit models with a slightly different paint job.

That said, I would love to run what-if scenarios and drop the Poles back into Poland to fight the Red Army....


Their gesture aren't the same are they? Or do i remember wrong? I'd have to take another look.

Well, true for the soviets but since he was asking for brits i made the hypotethis that he rather lean towards a western set army, though he's not made any claim about it.


I have the British Airborne box, and it has the exact same models:

http://www.warlordgames.com/new-bolt-action-polish-airborne/
http://www.larpinn.co.uk/images/wgb-ba-20-brit-airborne-hq-a_1024x1024.jpeg

On time, on target, or the next one's free

Gesta Normannorum - A historical minis blog
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/474587.page

 
   
Made in gb
Keeper of the Holy Orb of Antioch





avoiding the lorax on Crion

Equpped and uniformed by host country they served.

However you could use historical logos, variations and badges and beret colours tonstand out.

Paras wore red, so black will stand out.

Sgt. Vanden - OOC Hey, that was your doing. I didn't choose to fly in the "Dongerprise'.

"May the odds be ever in your favour"

Hybrid Son Of Oxayotl wrote:
I have no clue how Dakka's moderation work. I expect it involves throwing a lot of d100 and looking at many random tables.

FudgeDumper - It could be that you are just so uncomfortable with the idea of your chapters primarch having his way with a docile tyranid spore cyst, that you must deny they have any feelings at all.  
   
Made in fr
Pyromaniac Hellhound Pilot





France

Seems your right so far.

40k: Necrons/Imperial Guard/ Space marines
Bolt Action: Germany/ USA
Project Z.

"The Dakka Dive Bar is the only place you'll hear what's really going on in the underhive. Sure you might not find a good amasec but they grill a mean groxburger. Just watch for ratlings being thrown through windows and you'll be alright." Ciaphas Cain, probably.  
   
Made in gb
Infiltrating Broodlord






As suggested, it was identical uniform to the Brits, but with different badges. I think black berets were 2nd Corps - which was my dad's unit.

My uncle was conscripted into the German army, then managed to desert and hand himself in to the Yanks who invaded the South of France in Operation Dragoon. they sent him to the 2nd Corps, again, so I don't think the Americans used Polish recruits.

Here's my dad with some mates in Italy. You'll see the black beret; badge was a Polish eagle. Insignia is easily findable if you look for Polish 2nd Corps, the main element is a little red Poland sew-on shoulder badge.
[Thumb - P_Trynka_3a.jpg]

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/09/07 11:19:41


   
Made in fr
Pyromaniac Hellhound Pilot





France

 Hivefleet Oblivion wrote:
As suggested, it was identical uniform to the Brits, but with different badges. I think black berets were 2nd Corps - which was my dad's unit.

My uncle was conscripted into the German army, then managed to desert and hand himself in to the Yanks who invaded the South of France in Operation Dragoon. they sent him to the 2nd Corps, again, so I don't think the Americans used Polish recruits.

Here's my dad with some mates in Italy. You'll see the black beret; badge was a Polish eagle. Insignia is easily findable if you look for Polish 2nd Corps, the main element is a little red Poland sew-on shoulder badge.


Thanks for sharing this mate!

40k: Necrons/Imperial Guard/ Space marines
Bolt Action: Germany/ USA
Project Z.

"The Dakka Dive Bar is the only place you'll hear what's really going on in the underhive. Sure you might not find a good amasec but they grill a mean groxburger. Just watch for ratlings being thrown through windows and you'll be alright." Ciaphas Cain, probably.  
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User



Chicago NW burbs

Many thinks to those who have replied!
This has been a big help to me.
Special thanks for sharing the photo of your Uncle in Italy - that's an amazing shot!

I was mainly interested in the Western front. I had not even considered that there might have been Polish forces under the Soviets.
Now that I know, I'll have something to work on next.

Since posting my question, I've come across this blog post, http://polishgreatness.blogspot.com/2012/04/world-war-2-military-uniforms-polish.html
Which includes photos of the Polish forces from 1939 to 1945, including shots of the Polish Army in the USSR.


   
 
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