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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 |
'''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 an [[elite]] of the Polish Army. |
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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 fled 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 [[Polish 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade|21st Podhale Rifles 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]], had seen some action at [[Narvik]], and later fought in the [[Battle of France]] and fled 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 [[Polish 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade|21st Podhale Rifles Brigade]]. |
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Revision as of 04:23, 28 May 2013
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Podhale Rifles (Template:Lang-pl) 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 an elite 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, had seen some action at Narvik, and later fought in the Battle of France and fled 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 Rifles Brigade.
The traditional symbols of the Podhale Rifles include the edelweiss flower and the Mountain Cross, a swastika symbol 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.
Units and their badges
The table below shows the allegiance of the regiments of Podhale Rifles as of September 1, 1939.
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 Polish army predates the rise of NSDAP.
See also
- Mieczysław Boruta-Spiechowicz
- Tadeusz Klimecki
- France: Chasseurs Alpins
- Germany: Gebirgsjäger
- Italy: Alpini
- Romania: Vânători de Munte
