CMBB and nationalities?

[Molotov Cocktail]

Germany and Soviet Union are of course included in CMBB and Finland, Hungary, Italy and Romania if I remember right.(Perhaps Polish also :confused: ?

What about Slovakia?

For the German invasion of the Soviet Union the Slovaks placed at the disposal of the Germans a light brigade of 3500 men which was partially motorised and included a battalion of Czech light tanks, and an army corps of two infantry divisions and divisional troops. The total strength of the Slovak Commitment in July 1941 was 40,393 men, 1346 officers, 2011 motor vehicles and 695 lorries.

(The Armed Forces of World War II Uniforms, Insignia & organisation, Andrew Mollo).

These Slovak units fighting on the Eastern Front suffered heavy casualties and 1943 were withdrawn to carry out security duties.

The Slovak Army had their own uniform and helmet, basically uniform and helmet were same as uniform and helmet of the former Czechoslovak Army, only with some minor alterations to uniform.

In Talonsoft's Eastern Front 2, Slovakians are covered (at least in one scenario).

Some info about Slovak commitment to "Operation Barbarossa" from the net.

http://www.feldgrau.com/a-slovakia.html

http://axis101.bizland.com/Slovakian.html

http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/axis-sk-army-div-fast.htm

http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/axis-sk-army-tanks.htm

http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/axis-sk-gallery.htm

What about Spanish volunteers of Wehrmacht (The Blue Division, Division Azul)?

In return for help in the Spanish civil war, Franco agreed to formation of a Spanish Volunteer Division of 18,000 men, most of whom were regular soldiers, to participate "crusade" against Bolshevism on the Eastern Front.

On 25th July 1941 the Spanish "Blue" (Azul) Division became the 250th Infantry Division of the German Army. Personnel strength was 641 officers, 2272 noncommissioned officers and 15,780 men. After sustaining 12,776 casualties, the Division was withdrawn from the front in October 1943.

Following the general retreat into Estonia the Legion began to leave for Spain in April 1944.

Uniform

Standard Wehrmact uniform althogh the blue shirt of the fascist Falangist Party continued to be worn under the field-blouse with the collar showing; hence the name "Blue Division".

On the right sleeve of the field blouse and greatcoat, and on the right side of the steel Spanish volunteers wore a shield-shaped badge in the national colours.

The Yoke and Arrows emblem of Falange and other falangist insignia appeared in various places on some items of head-dress and on the field-blouse. Spanish and German medals were often worn in the Spanish manner.

(The Armed Forces of World War II Uniforms, Insignia & organisation, Andrew Mollo).

In Talonsoft's Eastern Front 2,The Blue Division is covered (at least in one scenario).

http://www.feldgrau.com/spain.html

http://members.es.tripod.de/jnroldan/

What about Croatian volunteers of Wehrmacht? (The Croatian 369th Reinforced Regiment or Croatian Legion and Hrvatska Legija)

The Regiment had 3,895 officers, NCO's and men.

Uniform

As part of the Wehrmacht the men of the unit were to wear German uniforms and use German rank insignia. A Croatian armshield consisting of 24 red and white checkers with the title Hrvatska (Croatia) above it was to be worn on the left arm and on the left side of the helmet.

(http://www.feldgrau.com/croatia.html)

The 369th Regiment thus became the only unit of non-Germans to participate in the attack on Stalingrad. This was actually viewed as a great honor - a reward for its hard fought battles and excellent successes to this point. ...

... On the 16th of October 1942, Colonel-General Sanne decorated Croatian Sergeant Dragutin Podobnik with the Iron Cross 1st Class for extreme heroism during the taking of the Red October factory on the 30th of September. Colonel Pavicic is also decorated with this medal for his excellent leadership of the Regiment.

(http://www.feldgrau.com/croatia.html)

The Croats fought bravely, and eventually participated in the battle of Stalingrad. The unit

was assigned to the northern sector of Stalingrad, and fought with extreme courage in the

area of the "Red October" factory.

The entire Regiment was caught in the encirclement of the 6th Army in November of 1942,

and trapped inside Stalingrad. The Croats continued to fight, and sustained heavy losses. In

fact, by the time the 6th Army capitulated in February of 1943, the 369th Regiment had only

one, reduced battalion remaining. These survivors were herded into Soviet captivity, together

with the other 6th Army POWs. Few survived Soviet captivity to return to their homeland

after the end of the war.

(http://users.pandora.be/stalingrad/croatia.html)

http://www.feldgrau.com/croatia.html

http://users.pandora.be/stalingrad/croatia.html

http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/heer-infanterie-reg-369.htm

What about polish volunteers of Soviet Red Army?

Polish Armed Forces

In 1941, the Soviet goverment began to allow the organisation of a fightin force from the Poles in labour and prisoner of war camps, but the bulk of the forces raised were transferred to the United Kingdom or to the Middle East.

By the end of 1943 there were over 40,000 poles in arms. In the spring of 1944, the Polish Army in the USSR consisted ofthe 1st Polish Army, and a formation staff for the 2nd Polish Army under General Carol Swierczewski with three infantry divisions, artillery and engineer brigades and units of a tank corps under training.

Polish forces took part in the crossing of the Vistula, the liberation of Warsaw, the breaching of the "Pomeranian Wall" and the capture of Berlin. When the war ended on 8 May 1945 the Poles were approaching the northern suburbs of Prague. By these final offensives, there were over 200,000 Poles serving the fight against Germany, organised in two armies and comprising ten infantry divisions, two armoured brigades and some independent tank and artillery formations. During 1945, they suffered 32,000 casualties.

Uniform

After suspension of diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and the British-based Polish Government in-Exile, when the Soviet Union began to raise the new Polish 'Kósciuszko' Division personnel were given Red Army uniforms on which were worn Polish rank badges and uncrowned Polish eagle on the head-dress.

(The Armed Forces of World War II Uniforms, Insignia & organisation, Andrew Mollo).

By the way info about "überfinns" in Waffen-SS.

http://www.feldgrau.com/finland.html

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2130/index.htm

http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/ss-finnisches.htm

[Molotov Cocktail]

Sorry, there was two times picture about Spaniard serving in Wehrmact, this is right picture for Croat soldier of Wehrmact

[Michael Dorosh]

Can't these all be portrayed by standard German troops? If they didn't use different organization or weapons, the only difference in game terms would be - well, none except maybe speaking the wrong language and missing a colourful bit or two on the sleeves of the uniform.

[ 01-19-2002: Message edited by: Michael Dorosh ]</p>

[Boris Balaban]

Did the 2 Ukrainian divisions for the German army have special uniforms? :confused:

[Michael Dorosh]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Boris Balaban:

Did the 2 Ukrainian divisions for the German army have special uniforms? :confused: <hr></blockquote>

I know the ROA did, were they part of that? Kind of irrelevant - I am sure the modders will be jumping at the chance to make the different uniforms once CMBB is released. As for siginficant differences in game terms, would there really be any?

[Mattias]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

Can't these all be portrayed by standard German troops? If they didn't use different organization or weapons, the only difference in game terms would be - well, none except maybe speaking the wrong language and missing a colourful bit or two on the sleeves of the uniform.<hr></blockquote>

Just like the Poles, French and, pretty much, the Canadians in CM:BO you mean?

M

[Michael Dorosh]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mattias:

Just like the Poles, French and, pretty much, the Canadians in CM:BO you mean?

M <hr></blockquote>

Exactly.

[Andreas]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mattias:

Just like the Poles, French and, pretty much, the Canadians in CM:BO you mean?

M <hr></blockquote>

I never noticed all of these were portrayed by standard German troops.

[Mattias]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Andreas:

I never noticed all of these were portrayed by standard German troops.<hr></blockquote>

Ouch, stop it Andreas, your funnier than Jonthan Ross!

M

[Molotov Cocktail]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

Can't these all be portrayed by standard German troops? If they didn't use different organization or weapons, the only difference in game terms would be - well, none except maybe speaking the wrong language and missing a colourful bit or two on the sleeves of the uniform.

[ 01-19-2002: Message edited by: Michael Dorosh ]<hr></blockquote>

Yes, spaniards and croats can portrayed by standard German troops and Poles can portrayed by standars Soviet troops.

But exception is Slovakia, Slovakians had their own army in Soviet Union the Slovak Light Division. Slovaks had their own uniforms. They had their shorter version of German Mauser rifle VZ.

The Invasion of Poland 1939

Slovakia:Corporal of infantry, Southern Poland 1939

This uniform, the standard field dress of the former Czech army, continued to form the basics of Slovak uniform until the end of the war.

Equipment: Made of brown leather and khaki canvas, Czech equipment combined features of World War I Austrian and more recent German equipment.

Weapons: Czech VZ (short) M.1924 Mauser service rifle.

(World Army Uniforms Since 1939, Andrew Mollo and Digby Smith)

The Eastern Front

Sergeant, Slovak Army 1942

This is the uniform of the former Czechoslovak Army but with the special markings of the Slovak Light Division.

Rank badges were worn on the collar patches which were in the arm-of-service colour. The rifle is the Czech version of the German Mauser. It was designated VZ (short rifle)

(The Armed Forces of World War II Uniforms, Insignia & organisation, Andrew Mollo)

They had also Czech Skoda Light tanks (Although if I remember right germans also used Skoda tanks, and Hetzer was developed from Skoda tank) and armoured cars, other armoured equipment was german.

Slovak equipment

In May 1944 Slovakian armored troops had the following:

37mm vz. 37M AT-guns 17

50mm vz. 38 PaK 2

75mm vz. 40 PaK 2

PzKpfw. III ?

PzKpfw. II 16

LT vz. 38 61

LT vz. 40 14

LT vz. 35 49

LT vz. 34 27

vz. 33 tankettes 27

OA vz. 30 armored cars 13

Pictures of Slovak armour

http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/axis-sk-gallery.htm

[Andrew H.]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

Can't these all be portrayed by standard German troops? If they didn't use different organization or weapons, the only difference in game terms would be - well, none except maybe speaking the wrong language and missing a colourful bit or two on the sleeves of the uniform.

[ 01-19-2002: Message edited by: Michael Dorosh ]<hr></blockquote>

Even if the equipment carried by the troops was standard German, the availability of armor and artillery was probably more limited than that available to the German army. I don't know whether it's worth the time to specially code this stuff in, or if it can be left to (1) scenario designers or (2) players (i.e., "if you want to simulate the Croats, the only available tank is the 35(t) and the only artillery they can purchase is 81mm mortars").

I supppose the option of having moddable languages for rare units would be available, too. I wonder if it would be unrealistic for one of my Blue Division troops to occasionally say "Arriba! Arriba! Ich bin Speedy Gonzalez, the schnellste Maus in ganzem Mexiko!" .