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{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}}
[[Image:Szlaszewski Stefan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Stefan Szlaszewski]] in a distinctive uniform of the Podhale Rifles; 1930's, still in the rank of [[podpułkownik|Lt.Col.]]]]
[[Image:Szlaszewski Stefan.jpg|thumb|[[Stefan Szlaszewski]] in a distinctive uniform of the Podhale Rifles; 1930's, still in the rank of [[podpułkownik|Lt.Col.]]]]
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[[File:Kompania reprezentacyjna Wojska Polskiego (9018777668).jpg|thumb|The Representative Honor Guard Unit of the [[Polish Border Guard]] in 2013]]


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'''Podhale Rifles'''{{cn|date=September 2023}} or '''Podhale Riflemen'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.pl/web/national-defence/heroes-in-uniforms-honored|title=Heroes in uniforms honored - Ministry of National Defence - Gov.pl website|website=Ministry of National Defence}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/174975/polish_armed_forces_partner_with_u_s_to_train_ukrainian_soldiers|title=Polish Armed Forces partner with U.S. to train Ukrainian Soldiers|date=2016-09-12|website=www.army.mil}}</ref> ({{langx|pl|Strzelcy podhalańscy}}, nicknamed "Podhalańczycy") is the traditional name of the [[mountain infantry]] units of the [[Polish Army]]. Formed in 1918 out of volunteers of the region of [[Podhale]], in 1919 the smaller detachments of Podhale Rifles were pressed into two mountain infantry divisions, the [[Polish 21st Infantry Division|21st Mountain Infantry]] and [[Polish 22nd Infantry Division|22nd Mountain Infantry Division]]s, as well as into three brigades of mountain infantry and were considered [[elite]] units of the Polish Army.
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[[File:Kompania reprezentacyjna Wojska Polskiego (9018777668).jpg|thumb|The Representative Honor Guard Unit of the [[Polish Border Guard]].]]
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'''Podhale Rifles''' ({{lang-pl|Strzelcy podhalańscy}}) is the traditional name of the [[mountain infantry]] units of the [[Polish Army]]. Formed in 1918 out of volunteers of the region of [[Podhale]], in 1919 the smaller detachments of Podhale Rifles were pressed into two mountain infantry divisions, the [[Polish 21st Infantry Division|21st Mountain Infantry]] and [[Polish 22nd Infantry Division|22nd Mountain Infantry Division]]s, as well as into three brigades of mountain infantry and were considered [[elite]] units of the Polish Army.


After the Polish defeat in the [[Invasion of Poland (1939)|Polish September Campaign]], the Podhale units were recreated in France as [[Polish Independent Highland Brigade]], had seen some action at [[Narvik]], and later fought in the [[Battle of France]] and retreated into [[Switzerland]] upon the French defeat. Some units were also created in the underground as part of the partisan forces of the [[Armia Krajowa]]. The traditions of the Podhale Rifles are continued by the modern [[21st Podhale Rifle Brigade]].
After the Polish defeat in the [[Invasion of Poland (1939)|Polish September Campaign]], the Podhale units were recreated in France as [[Polish Independent Highland Brigade]], fought at the [[Battle of Narvik]], and later fought in the [[Battle of France]] and retreated into [[Switzerland]] upon the French defeat. Some units were also created in the underground as part of the partisan forces of the [[Armia Krajowa]]. The traditions of the Podhale Rifles are continued by the modern [[21st Podhale Rifle Brigade]].


The traditional symbols of the Podhale Rifles include the [[edelweiss]] flower and the Mountain Cross, a [[swastika]] symbol (not related to [[NSDAP]]) popular in folk culture of the Polish mountainous regions. The units of Podhale Rifles, both historical and modern, are notable for their high morale and distinctive uniforms. Prior to [[World War II]] the mountain units were one of only two infantry units wearing non-standard uniforms based on Mountaineer folk garment rather than military uniforms. This tradition is continued in units such as the Representative Honor Guard Unit of the [[Polish Border Guard]].<ref>https://kompaniareprezentacyjna.strazgraniczna.pl/kom/o-nas/histori/9065,Historia-Pododdzialu.html</ref>
The traditional symbols of the Podhale Rifles include the [[edelweiss]] flower and the Mountain Cross, a [[swastika]] symbol (not related to [[NSDAP]]) popular in folk culture of the Polish mountainous regions. The units of Podhale Rifles, both historical and modern, are notable for their high morale and distinctive uniforms. Prior to [[World War II]] the mountain units were one of only two infantry units wearing non-standard uniforms based on Mountaineer folk garment rather than military uniforms. This tradition is continued in units such as the Representative Honor Guard Unit of the [[Polish Border Guard]].<ref>https://kompaniareprezentacyjna.strazgraniczna.pl/kom/o-nas/histori/9065,Historia-Pododdzialu.html</ref>
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The table below shows the allegiance of the regiments of Podhale Rifles as of September 1, 1939.
The table below shows the allegiance of the regiments of Podhale Rifles as of September 1, 1939.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Division or Brigade
!Regiment
!Regiment
!Sub-unit
!colspan=2|Notes
!colspan=2|Notes
|-
|-
! rowspan=2|[[21st Mountain Infantry Division]]<br><small>[[Józef Kustroń|Kustroń]]</small>
! rowspan=2|[[21st Mountain Infantry Division]]<br /><small>[[Józef Kustroń|Kustroń]]</small>
| [[3rd Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br><small>[[Julian Czubryt|Czubryt]]</small>
| [[3rd Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br /><small>[[Julian Czubryt|Czubryt]]</small>
| [[Image:3PSPBielsko.jpg|90px]]
| [[Image:3PSPBielsko.jpg|90px]]
| [[Bielsko-Biała]]
| [[Bielsko-Biała]]
|-
|-
| [[4th Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br><small>[[Bronisław Warzybok|Warzybok]]</small>
| [[4th Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br /><small>[[Bronisław Warzybok|Warzybok]]</small>
|[[Image:4PSPCieszyn.jpg|90px]]
|[[Image:4PSPCieszyn.jpg|90px]]
| [[Cieszyn]]
| [[Cieszyn]]
|-
|-
! rowspan=3 |[[22nd Mountain Infantry Division (Poland)|22nd Mountain Infantry Division]]<br><small>[[Leopold Engel-Ragis|Engel-Ragis]]</small>
! rowspan=3 |[[22nd Mountain Infantry Division (Poland)|22nd Mountain Infantry Division]]<br /><small>[[Leopold Engel-Ragis|Engel-Ragis]]</small>
| [[2nd Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br><small>[[Stefan Szlaszewski|Szlaszewski]]</small>
| [[2nd Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br /><small>[[Stefan Szlaszewski|Szlaszewski]]</small>
| [[Image:2PSP odznaka.jpg|90px]]
| [[Image:2PSP odznaka.jpg|90px]]
| [[Sanok]]
| [[Sanok]]
|-
|-
| [[5th Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br><small>[[Antoni Żółkiewski|Żółkiewski]]</small>
| [[5th Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br /><small>[[Antoni Żółkiewski|Żółkiewski]]</small>
|[[Image:5BSP.png|90px]]
|[[Image:5BSP.png|90px]]
| [[Przemyśl]]
| [[Przemyśl]]
|-
|-
| [[6th Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br><small>[[Mieczysław Dobrzański|Dobrzański]]</small>
| [[6th Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br /><small>[[Mieczysław Dobrzański|Dobrzański]]</small>
| [[Image:Odznaka 6. Pulku Strzelcow Podhalanskich.svg|90px]]
| [[Image:Odznaka 6. Pulku Strzelcow Podhalanskich.svg|90px]]
| [[Samborzec|Sambor]]
| [[Samborzec|Sambor]]
|-
|-
![[2nd Mountain Brigade (Poland)|2nd Mountain Brigade]]<br><small>[[Aleksander Stawarz|Stawarz]]</small>
![[2nd Mountain Brigade (Poland)|2nd Mountain Brigade]]<br /><small>[[Aleksander Stawarz|Stawarz]]</small>
| [[1st Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br><small>[[Alfred Krajewski|Krajewski]]</small>
| [[1st Podhale Rifle Regiment]]<br /><small>[[Alfred Krajewski|Krajewski]]</small>
|
|
| [[Nowy Sącz]]
| [[Nowy Sącz]]
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* [[Mieczysław Boruta-Spiechowicz]]
* [[Mieczysław Boruta-Spiechowicz]]
* [[Tadeusz Klimecki]]
* [[Tadeusz Klimecki]]
* France: [[Chasseurs Alpins]]
* Germany: [[Gebirgsjäger]]
* Italy: [[Alpini]]
* Romania: [[Vânători de Munte]]


==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category|Podhale Rifles}}
{{commons category|Podhale Rifles}}
*{{Official|https://1bsp.wp.mil.pl/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120717025114/http://www.wawel.net/images/14_listopad_2004/11_list/htm/6.htm Banner of the 21st Brigade]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050127213039/http://www.pilsudski.krakow.pl/aktual/3maja/3maj4.htm Podhale Rifles in Kraków]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927212339/http://www.przemysl.pl/serwis/IMGallery/galeria.php?kategoria=15 Podhale Rifles in Przemyśl, 2007]
* [http://www.nowytarg.pl/picofday.php?cat=38 Podhale Rifles in Nowy Targ, 2007]


{{Podhale Rifles}}
{{Podhale Rifles}}
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[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1918]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1918]]
[[Category:Mountain infantry brigades]]
[[Category:Mountain infantry brigades]]


{{Poland-mil-stub}}

Latest revision as of 01:26, 27 October 2024

Stefan Szlaszewski in a distinctive uniform of the Podhale Rifles; 1930's, still in the rank of Lt.Col.
The Representative Honor Guard Unit of the Polish Border Guard in 2013

Podhale Rifles[citation needed] or Podhale Riflemen[1][2] (Polish: Strzelcy podhalańscy, nicknamed "Podhalańczycy") is the traditional name of the mountain infantry units of the Polish Army. Formed in 1918 out of volunteers of the region of Podhale, in 1919 the smaller detachments of Podhale Rifles were pressed into two mountain infantry divisions, the 21st Mountain Infantry and 22nd Mountain Infantry Divisions, as well as into three brigades of mountain infantry and were considered elite units of the Polish Army.

After the Polish defeat in the Polish September Campaign, the Podhale units were recreated in France as Polish Independent Highland Brigade, fought at the Battle of Narvik, and later fought in the Battle of France and retreated into Switzerland upon the French defeat. Some units were also created in the underground as part of the partisan forces of the Armia Krajowa. The traditions of the Podhale Rifles are continued by the modern 21st Podhale Rifle Brigade.

The traditional symbols of the Podhale Rifles include the edelweiss flower and the Mountain Cross, a swastika symbol (not related to NSDAP) popular in folk culture of the Polish mountainous regions. The units of Podhale Rifles, both historical and modern, are notable for their high morale and distinctive uniforms. Prior to World War II the mountain units were one of only two infantry units wearing non-standard uniforms based on Mountaineer folk garment rather than military uniforms. This tradition is continued in units such as the Representative Honor Guard Unit of the Polish Border Guard.[3]

Units and their badges

[edit]
The present Edelweiss insignia
The Highlander Cross badge worn on the collars of the Podhale Rifle Regiment, until 1945
Soldiers of the Polish 2nd Podhale Rifle Regiment in full gala dress-suit, Sanok, 1936
Soldiers of the 21st Podhale Rifle Brigade in full gala dress-suit, Warsaw, 2006

The table below shows the allegiance of the regiments of Podhale Rifles as of September 1, 1939.

Division or Brigade Regiment Notes
21st Mountain Infantry Division
Kustroń 		3rd Podhale Rifle Regiment
Czubryt 		Bielsko-Biała
4th Podhale Rifle Regiment
Warzybok 		Cieszyn
22nd Mountain Infantry Division
Engel-Ragis 		2nd Podhale Rifle Regiment
Szlaszewski 		Sanok
5th Podhale Rifle Regiment
Żółkiewski 		Przemyśl
6th Podhale Rifle Regiment
Dobrzański 		Sambor
2nd Mountain Brigade
Stawarz 		1st Podhale Rifle Regiment
Krajewski 		Nowy Sącz

The swastikas which appear in unit's logos have no relation whatsoever to the swastikas used by German Nazi movement. Swastika was a common geometric ornament in the folk culture of Tatra mountains and for that reason it was adopted by highlander units of Polish army. The usage of swastikas by highlander regiments of the Wojsko Polskie is an ancient slavic symbol which predates the rise of the NSDAP in Germany.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Heroes in uniforms honored - Ministry of National Defence - Gov.pl website". Ministry of National Defence.
  2. ^ "Polish Armed Forces partner with U.S. to train Ukrainian Soldiers". www.army.mil. 2016-09-12.
  3. ^ https://kompaniareprezentacyjna.strazgraniczna.pl/kom/o-nas/histori/9065,Historia-Pododdzialu.html
[edit]
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