Description
Featuring rare photos, detailed colour illustrations and insignia tables, this study explores the contribution made by Czech and Slovak troops fighting alongside Allied forces during World War II.
Following the Anglo-French failure at the Munich Conference in March 1938 to prevent a Nazi take-over of Bohemia-Moravia (modern Czech Republic/Czechia), many frustrated Czech and Slovak soldiers sided with Allied forces and fought alongside their armies – first in Poland, then in France, and finally from Britain.
Using depictions of relevant uniforms and equipment plus photos of the troops in action, military uniformology expert Nigel Thomas explains how the Czech Army was organized and how it fought alongside Allied forces in the Middle East and at Normandy. He describes the involvement of free Czech agents operating from Britain in Operation Anthropoid, the assassination of Nazi governor Reinhard Heydrich in occupied Bohemia-Moravia, and the part Czech soldiers played in mutinies in both Italy and Prague against German occupation which ultimately helped to secure a final Allied victory.
Table of Contents
– Czechoslovak Armed Forces, October 1918–March 1920
– The 'Little Entente', 1921–38
PRELUDE, 1933–38
– Czechoslovak Army organization, 10 September 1930–30 September 1938
– Arms and services
– Higher formations
– Combat arms: Infantry
– Mobile Forces
– Artillery
– Engineers
– Air Corps
– Services
UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA
– Officers' and warrant officers' service and field uniforms, 10 September 1930–30 September 1938
– NCOs' and men's service and field uniforms
– Branch-specific items
– Rank insignia, 16 December 1927–11 May 1945
– Branch and unit distinctions, 1 January 1930–15 March 1939
THE FALL OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA, 1938–39
– German annexation and dissolution
– Ruthenia, 1938–39
– The Czech and Slovak Legion, September 1939
WITH THE WESTERN ALLIES, 1939–45
– Czechoslovaks in the French Army, 1939–40
– With the British Army: the Middle East, 1940–43
– The Far East, 1941–42
– Great Britain and NW Europe, 1940–45
– Air Corps
WITH THE RED ARMY, 1941–45
– From Battalion to Army Corps
– The Slovak uprising
– Air Corps
THE HOME FRONT, 1939–45
– Bohemia–Moravia Protectorate Government Army
– Uniforms and insignia
– Operations
– Resistance organizations
– The SOE and Operation 'Anthropoid'
– Continuing resistance
– The battle for Prague
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
PLATE COMMENTARIES
INDEX
Product details
| Published | Jan 18 2024 |
|---|---|
| Format | Ebook (PDF) |
| Edition | 1st |
| Extent | 48 |
| ISBN | 9781472856838 |
| Imprint | Osprey Publishing |
| Illustrations | 8 colour artwork plates; black & white photographs and illustrations. |
| Series | Men-at-Arms |
| Short code | MAA 554 |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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