Due to its partitions and dissolution in the late eighteenth century, hundreds of thousands of Polish soldiers enlisted in distinct units in the armies of many countries – primarily those of the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires, but also that of the German Reich and the French Republic.
All these forces were uniformed and equipped by the parent armies, though often with explicitly Polish features. The collapse of Tsarist Russia in 1917 and of the Central Powers in 1918 allowed these diverse forces to unite in a re-created Polish Army under the new-born Second Polish Republic in November 1918. With full colour illustrations of their unique and colourful uniforms as well as contemporary photographs, this is the fascinating story of the Poles who fought on both sides of the trenches in World War I and then united to fight for their freedom in the Russian Civil War.
By:
Nigel Thomas
Illustrated by:
Johnny Shumate
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 518
Dimensions:
Height: 248mm,
Width: 184mm,
Weight: 167g
ISBN: 9781472825445
ISBN 10: 1472825446
Series: Men-at-Arms
Pages: 48
Publication Date: 01 June 2018
Audience:
General/trade
,
Professional and scholarly
,
ELT Advanced
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Overview of Polish forces during World War I/Organization, order of battle, combat record, uniforms and insignia of Polish Legions in the Austro-Hungarian Army, 1914–18/Organization, order of battle, combat record, uniforms and insignia of Polish Corps in Russian Army, 1914–18/Organization, order of battle, combat record, uniforms and insignia of Polish Army in France, 1914–18/Organization, order of battle, combat record, uniforms and insignia of the Greater Poland Army, 1919, formed from Polish corps in the German Army 1917–18/Plate Commentaries.
Dr Nigel Thomas is an accomplished linguist and military historian, formerly a Principal Lecturer at Northumbria University, now a freelance military author, translator and military uniform consultant. His interests are 20th century military and civil uniformed organizations, with a special interest in Germany, Central and Eastern Europe. He was awarded a PhD on the Eastern enlargement of NATO. He lives in Tyne and Wear, UK. Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator living in Nashville, Tennessee. He began his career in 1987 after graduating from Austin Peay State University. Most of his work is rendered in Adobe Photoshop using a Cintiq monitor. His greatest influences are Angus McBride, Don Troiani, and Edouard Detaille.
Reviews for Polish Legions 1914–19
""This is a great reference for figure modelers addressing the Polish soldiers of World War I."" --IPMS / USA ""A plethora of photos, maps and fine color plates painted by Johnny Shumate illustrate the British writer's concise narrative. Tables of insignia and detailed orders of battle support the text."" --Toy Soldier & Model Figure
