So, with 2012 looking to contain at least two 'Arnhem Area' games I think it is time to do a bit of Polish Parchutist recruiting.
So, Firstly: The Polish Parachute Brigade is neither British, nor Commonwealth - in fact it is defiantly not, but that is a longer talk. However it wore clothes remarkably similar to them, so here is the closest for it to go.
So, point the first - what is the difference in look between the Polish and British Airborne Soldier? The most striking, obvious and important thing is the Beret. The Polish Airborne wore blue-grey berets. Not Maroon. This Beret was worn in the Polish style, and has either a metal, or embroidered eagle on the front.
Secondly they had had a yellow eagle stencilled on the front of their Helmets. This is less obvious as scrim on a helmet easily 'covers' this eagle.
After that the 'in battle' look is? Exactly the same. They wore Denison Smocks - that were completely unbadged - and other equipment the same. (further debate can be had about the blancoing of webbing, but I will conveniently ignore it).
So, brief intro as that is, your question is as follows - what do I need to turn my regular British Airborne impression into a Polish one? the answer is - maybe nothing. SO long as you wear a scrimmed up helmet you are sorted. And if you want a soft hat, then all you need is Blue Grey beret.
The Extras
There are insignia distinctions on the Battledress itself, which can be used to good effect for those who do not have a denison smock to 'join in', and also for those who want to badge it up for any social. There is also, compared to other units, not a lot of it!
The battle dress has:
a pair of POLAND shoulder titles
a Pair of Parachute collar tabs
a Diving Eagle badge on the left breast
The only other thing you would have on you battledress is Rank, and we will ignore that as we are all lowly privates. Your battledress would look like this:
*Edit: my apologies, your BD would look ALMOST like this. the funky business on the epaulettes is in fact the rank, that we have collectedly decided to ignore until a later day. Your BD would look like this, but with plain old regular epaulettes.
So, where can you get hold of these precious items then?
The simplest answer is - Soldier of Fortune.
They do the Beret, Beret Eagle, Collar Tab, Diving Eagle Badge and a stencil for the helmet.
The only other thing you would need for the whole hog is a pair of shoulder titles. Some of you already have these form previous game usage, they can be found easily on ebay, and other insignia makers sell them.
Did I send you any pics of my original Polish battledress complete with insignia? I cant remember.
Damn they were small chaps!
I'm a hero with coward's legs.
Did I send you any pics of my original Polish battledress complete with insignia? I cant remember.
Damn they were small chaps!
You did, back in the days of Monte Cassino. Your relative was an NCO in Italy if I remember correctly.
I know you're not looking at using rank, but just for general reference if anyone is interested:
"I was fabulous, and it was a bloody good laugh."
I'm soooooo in!
I'm a hero with coward's legs.
I may well be tempted...
"I was fabulous, and it was a bloody good laugh."