History by Charles Stubbs, Intelligence Briefing by

Heath Alexander, Todd Schnieder and Wayne Turner


 Polish Forces, Italy 1944
“For this action let the lion spirit enter your hearts, keep deep in your heart God, honour and our land — Poland! Go and take revenge
for all the suffering in our land, for what you have suffered for many years in Russia and for years of separation from your families!”
~ General Anders, addressing the troops before Monte Cassino.
II Polish Corps Formation of only two infantry brigades. The 3rd Division had the 1st
General Wladislaw Sikorski, the head of the Polish government and 2nd Carpathian Rifle Brigades, and the 5th Division had
in exile in London negotiated with the Soviet government to the 5th “Wilenska” and the 6th “Lwowska” Infantry Brigades.
free the Poles detained in the USSR to form a new army. The rest of the divisional order of battle followed along British
After the agreement was signed in 1941 two new Polish lines, i.e. three field artillery regiments, one anti-tank and one
infantry divisions were formed. Major General Wladislaw anti-aircraft artillery regiment, one reconnaissance regiment,
Anders, a former prisoner, was appointed to command the and all the other support and service units of an infantry
new army. In December 1941 it was decided to expand the division. The Corps’s 2nd Armoured Brigade consisted of three
Polish army to six divisions, of which 25,000 were transferred armoured regiments and supporting units.
to the west. A move to Iran started in March 1942, with a
further contingent in August. Replacing battle causalities became a severe problem for the
Polish high command. The Polish infantry suffered heavy
Now in the Middle East, the Poles went through a phase of causalities, especially at Cassino. This caused commanders to
reorganisation and training leading to a new title of Polish scrape the bottom of the barrel for replacements, due to the
Army in the East. The Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade, Polish Government’s policy of deploying the corps together.
which had served with distinction at Tobruk and the Western To solve this problem, reinforcements were enlisted from
Desert, became the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division. Other new Poles who had been forced into the service of the German
formations were the 5th “Kresowa” Infantry Division, the army and been recaptured by the Allies. This allowed units to
2nd Armoured Brigade and the 2nd Artillery Group. In June maintain a level of strength to continue combat operations.
1943 the force was re-designated the II Polish Corps. At the Apart from replacing losses, this rather unconventional
Quebec conference in August 1943, Churchill decided to method also reinforced the II Corps. An additional third
send the II Polish Corps to Italy. brigade was formed for both infantry divisions, which was in
In July and August of 1943, the II Polish Corps moved to line with the British order of battle. The 2nd Armoured Brigade
Palestine for final training. This consisted of manoeuvres in was reinforced to become an armoured division in 1945. A
the mountainous regions to acclimatize the troops to the new armoured brigade, the 14th “Wielkopolska”, and other
terrain they would encounter in Italy. new regiments were also formed. To support the operations
of the II Polish Corps was the 2nd Base Corps. This unit
Due to manpower shortages, both divisions were comprised

Pescara
Ortona

Orsogna
Rome
e
Lin
av
st
Gu
ne
Li

Cassino
er
itl
H

San Pietro
Bari

Naples
Salerno
Taranto


 Polish
consisted of the 7th Infantry Division as a training reserve, an monastery and not frontally assault it. The third offensive

II Corps in Italy
army training centre, four general hospitals and various started on 15 March, which was preceded by an aerial
support and service units. bombardment aimed at total destruction of the monastery
and the town of Cassino. This attack too had failed by 22
The Poles Arrive in Italy March.
Elements of the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division began landing
at Taranto on 21 December 1943. The transfer of all Polish The Fourth Battle of Cassino
units from Egypt and the Middle East continued until the The II Polish Corps was assigned to launch the fourth assault
middle of April 1944. These troops landed at the Italian on the monastery, from the northern flank. The offensive
ports of Taranto, Bari and Naples, which had been captured started on the night of 11/12 May with the 5th “Kresowa”
by the Allies. The II Polish Corps was followed by 2nd Base Infantry Division’s, 5th “Wilenska” Rifle Brigade assaulting
Corps. The first Polish unit to see action in Italy was the Saint Angelo hill, Points 706, 601 and 575. This attack failed
Independent Commando Company. On 29 December with heavy loses due mainly to German artillery. General
1943, it took part in a diversionary raid with No 9 Commando Anders withdrew the division to its start line on the night of
on the Garigliano river estuary defences. 12 May. The 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division’s, 1st Carpathian
Rifle Brigade was to assault Point 593 (Mt Calvary) and
Under the command of the Eighth Army, Lieutenant General
Albaneta Farm. This attack succeeded at the start by taking
Wladislaw Anders led his fellow exiles of the II Polish Corps
Point 593 by surprise. However on 12 May the German
with dash and determination. After the death of General
paratroopers repeatedly assaulted the Polish defenders no less
Sikorski, Anders became the main influence of Polish hopes.
than four times. After desperate defence, the Poles were forced
To his countrymen he was an inspiration, and to his allies he
to withdraw. General Anders now had both divisions back at
was a military leader whose ability commanded the greatest
the start line. Both divisions attacked again four times on 13
respect.
and 14 May. Another attack on 16 May by 6th “Lwowska”
Gustav Line Rifle Brigade on the right and 2nd Carpathian Rifle Brigade on
The Allied armies hoped to be in Rome by December of the left succeeded in capturing Point 593, Albaneta Farm and
1943, and Churchill had assured Alexander ‘You will be in other German strongpoints near the monastery. On 18 May
Rome by the end of the year’. A combination of weather, the 12th “Podolski” Lancers reached the monastery and hoisted
difficult going and skilful German defence had slowed the the Polish flag. The Poles continued fighting until 25 May,
Allies advance to a crawl. Since 21 November 1943 Field when the positions of Saint Angelo hill, Point 575, Passo
Marshal Kesselring was appointed C-in-C Army Group C, a Corno and Mount Cairo were captured. Eight hundred Polish
brilliant commander whose skill, imagination and flexibility soldiers had been killed in the battle.
in defence caused the Allies great
difficulty. By December 1943, the
The Fourth Battle of Cassino
Monte Cairo
defences of the Gustav Line had halted
Alexander’s drive on Rome.
The Gustav Line was the German main

r
ive
defence line in Italy, with Monte Cassino
oR
pid
Passo Corno
as its central point. It crossed the Italian Cairo Ra

peninsula at its narrowest and most

mountainous region, where the 213
mountains extended from the Tyrrhenian Castellone

Sea in the west to the Adriatic Sea in the

east. Villa San Lucia
705 Barracks
The first offensive against the Gustav
Maiola
Line started on 4 January 1944 with US
706
and French forces unable to break Piedimonte San Angelo
through by the beginning of February. 601

The Indians and New Zealanders 575 Albaneta 593

Farm
replaced the Americans for a new 505
193
569 450
offensive on 15 February from Cassino 452
447 Montecassino
to take Monte Cassino. Bad weather Cassino

halted the attempt. The Germans 374 375

Hig 489
replaced their 15. Panzergrenadier- hw ay 6
division with the 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision
during this period in the Cassino sector. Road
Railway
For three months the Allies had been
held at Monte Cassino, with every attack
repulsed by the German paratroopers.
Thus it was decided to outflank the


On the Adriatic Coast The Gothic Line
After the battles of Monte Cassino, the II Polish Corps was The Allies now reorganised their forces before the impending
deployed on the Adriatic coast. On 15 June the 3rd Carpathian assault on the Gothic Line. The II Polish Corps was on the
Rifle Division replaced the 4th Indian Division and this sector extreme right flank of the Adriatic coast, with the 1st Canadian
now came under command of the II Polish Corps. The Corps on its left. Operation Olive, the break-through in the
II Polish Corps headquarters was located at San Vito near Adriatic sector began on the night 25/26 August. The II Polish
Ortona. Additional British units also arrived to bolster the Corps opened the offensive, capturing the high ground north
strength of the II Polish Corps. The 17th and 26th Heavy of the resort of Pesaro. Their task complete, the II Polish
Artillery Regiments Royal Artillery, the 7th Queens Own Corps now withdrew to become a reserve force. After a short
Hussars and other units were placed under command of the period of rest the II Polish Corps returned to the battlefield
II Polish Corps. The 5th “Kresowa” Infantry Division arrived and occupied Predappio, which was the birthplace of
between 18 and 21 June, followed by the II Polish Corps Mussolini, and Castrocaro on 27 October. The Poles bypassed
artillery and the 2nd Armoured Brigade. Faenza, crossed the Lamone River and captured the town of
Brisighella on their way to the Senio River. All operations
The Poles moved fast up the Adriatic coast and by 20 June
ceased by the end of December 1944.
were at the Aso River. As they advanced, stiffer German
resistance was encountered around the Chienti River. This
Reorganisation
held up the Pole’s offensive temporarily, but by 6 July they
During the period from October 1944 to January 1945, the
had captured Osimo, which was only 10 miles south of the
II Polish Corps was reinforced and reorganised. The 3rd
port at Ancona. After a fierce battle the town was captured on
Carpathian Rifle Division and the 5th “Kresowa” Infantry
18 July. On 19 July the Poles crossed the Osimo River, and
Division had the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Brigade and the
encountered strong German opposition near Ostra. The
4th “Wolynska” Rifle Brigade added respectively. The
Germans had brought part of the 71. Infanteriedivision and
2nd Armoured Brigade was reinforced into an armoured
the 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision into this sector. It was another
division with the addition of the Carpathian Lancer Regiment,
ten days before they reached the next river, the Misa. Another
2nd Motorised Commando Battalion, 16th “Pomorska”
battle developed for the town of Senigallia. On 11 August,
Infantry Brigade, 4th Armoured Regiment “Skorpion”,
the Cesano River was crossed and by 22 August the II Polish
1st “Krechowieckich” Lancer Regiment and the 6th Armoured
Corps was across the Metauro River. This brought them to
Regiment “Dzieci Lwowskich”.
the edge of the Gothic Line.

Poles raise their flag above the ruins of the Monte Cassino Monastery.


 Polish
In January 1945 the Italian front was at a standstill. The The Final Offensive

Special Rules
Eighth Army, after a series of hard fought river crossings stood The final offensive to break the stalemate on the Italian front
on the banks of the Senio River. The country was sodden was scheduled for the night of 9 April 1945. The II Polish
from winter rains and armoured operations were impossible. Corps, spearheaded by the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division
attacked over the Senio River, north of the Via Emilia
A Stab in the Back (Highway 9) towards Bologna. By 14 April the town of Imola
In early March 1945 General McCreery, commander Eighth was captured. At this point the Poles were confronted by their
Army, met with General Anders. During this discussion of old enemy, the German 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision. The Polish
the battle plan, Anders learned of the terms of the Yalta attack was so successful that the 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision was
Agreement. It meant Poland would be handed over to a completely disintegrated. The divisional flag was eventually
Communist regime to be a satellite state of the Soviet Union. presented to General Anders as a trophy. Bologna fell to the
General Anders said, “How can I ask my soldiers to go on 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division on the morning of 21 April.
fighting. I must withdraw them from the line.” To which Victory was declared in Italy on 2 May 1945.
McCreery said, “There were no troops to replace them and a
10 mile gap would be opened up.” Anders remained silent for
a minute and said “You can count on the II Polish Corps for
this coming battle. We must defeat Hitler first.”

Polish Special Rules

The Polish forces in Italy were trained and organised along Fate of the Nation
British lines and use the following British Special Rules: The Poles fight to re-establish their nation, and by fighting
Carry On, Sergeant; Night Attack; Advance Under well alongside the Allies they hope gain support for their
Darkness; Semi-indirect Fire; Eight-gun Batteries; Rounds cause. They display remarkable bravery in combat, often
on the Ground; and Mike Target. pushing on to take objectives when any other men would of
turned back.
A Polish platoon joined by a 2iC Command team may re-roll
failed Platoon Morale Checks.

Poles advance around the hills of Monte Cassino.


 KOMPANIA PIECHOTY Infantry Company

(Infantry Company)
Headquarters

Headquarters
You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box
shaded grey.
7

Kompania Piechoty HQ

Divisional Support Platoons

Combat Platoons

Weapons Platoons

infantry Artillery Armour

19
Armoured Platoon

19
8 British Armoured Platoon

Piechoty Mortar Platoon

7

Piechoty Platoon
Armour

20
Self-propelled Anti-tank Platoon
Infantry
infantry

20
Divisional Anti-tank Platoon

Piechoty Pioneer Platoon

8

Infantry
7

Piechoty Platoon Piechoty Platoon

7
Anti-tank
infantry

Artillery
Piechoty Anti-tank
9

Platoon

21
Field Artillery Battery
7

Piechoty Platoon
Reconnaissance

Artillery

21
Field Artillery Battery
Allied Platoons
9

Piechoty Carrier Platoon

22
Medium Artillery Battery

British Platoons in your Anti-aircraft

Regimental Support Platoons

force are Allies and follow Machine-guns

23
Light Anti-aircraft Platoon
the Allies rules on page 70
of the rulebook.
Piechoty Machine-gun
10

Platoon Aircraft
23

Air Support
Machine-guns

AOP
Piechoty Machine-gun
10

23

Platoon Air Observation Post

Piechoty Heavy Mortar
10

Platoon


 Polish

Piechoty Company
Motivation and Skill Reluctant Conscript
No soldier is more motivated to fight the Germans than the Pole. While adequately equipped Confident Trained
and armed by their British Allies, the soldiers of II Corps had seen little combat until being
Fearless Veteran
transferred to Italy in 1944. What they lack in training, they make up for in bravery. A
Kompania Piechoty is rated as Fearless Trained.

Headquarters

Kompania Piechoty HQ
Kapitan
Headquarters
Kapitan
Company HQ 30 points

Option
Company Command 2iC Command Troop Carrier
• Add Jeep or Troop Carrier for +5 points. Rifle team Rifle team
Company HQ
The core unit of the II Corps, the Polish Infantry company, is
modelled on the British system. A Kompania Piechoty is Kompania Piechoty HQ
tough on offence, tougher on defence, and capable of
achieving the difficult with the right leadership.

Combat platoons

Piechoty Platoon
Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
3 Rifle Squads 135 points
Command PIAT team Light Mortar
2 Rifle Squads 95 points Rifle/MG team team
Options HQ Section

• Add Light Mortar team for +15 points. Kapral Kapral

• Add PIAT team for +15 points.
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
There are a few veterans of previous wars sprinkled through
Rifle Squad Rifle Squad
the Piechoty platoons, and with their lessons, British arms,
and Polish bravery, the soldiers of the platoons will soon be Kapral
on their way back to Poland, the Germans fleeing before
them.
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Rifle Squad
Piechoty Platoon


 Weapons platoons

Piechoty Mortar Platoon

PORUCZNIK
Platoon
PORUCZNIK
HQ Section with:
3 Mortar Sections 150 points
2 Mortar Sections 105 points
1 Mortar Section 50 points
Options Sierzant Sierzant

• Add PIAT teams for +15 points per team.

• Add Troop and Mortar Carriers for +5 points for the
platoon.

The new ML 3” Mark II mortar is a big improvement over

the old Mark I. Its increased range allows it to match the
German weapons and cover a greater area. Added to the new
mortar carriers, the mortar platoons are set to give the infantry
immediate support, wherever and whenever needed.

Sierzant

Piechoty Mortar Platoon

Piechoty Pioneer Platoon

Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
3 Assault Squads 80 points
2 Assault Squads 60 points 15cwt truck

Options
• Add 15 cwt truck and Jeeps with trailers to the Sierzant Sierzant
platoon for +5 points.
• Replace 15 cwt truck with an M5 half-track for
+5 points.

Each infantry regiment had a small compliment of tradesmen

pioneers for minor engineering tasks like clearing mines and Piechoty Pioneer Platoon
repairing bridges.

You may replace up to one Pioneer Rifle team with a Flame-

thrower team at the start of the game before deployment.


 Polish
Piechoty Anti-tank Platoon

Piechoty Company
Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
3 Anti-tank Sections 165 points
2 Anti-tank Sections 115 points
1 Anti-tank Section 60 points

Option Sierzant Sierzant

• Add Troop and Lloyd Carriers to the platoon for
+5 points.

The British 6 pounder is and improvement over what Poland

had in 1939, and while not effective against newer German
tanks, it is still a dangerous weapon in the right hands.
The anti-tank gunners have the new tracked Loyd Carrier to
tow the gun into battle, giving it a good pace cross-country.
Sierzant

Piechoty Anti-tank Platoon

Piechoty Carrier Platoon

Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
4 Carrier Patrols 300 points
3 Carrier Patrols 225 points
2 Carrier Patrols 150 points Command Universal Universal
1 Carrier Patrol 75 points Universal Carrier Carrier Carrier
Carrier Patrol
Options
Sierzant
• Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an extra hull-
mounted MG for +5 points per carrier or 0.5” MG
for +10 points per carrier. Command Universal Universal
• Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG with a Universal Carrier Carrier Carrier
Boys anti-tank rifle or PIAT anti-tank projector per Carrier Patrol
Carrier Patrol at no cost. Sierzant

Although the terrain often wasn’t suited for mobile warfare,

Poles made excellent use of Carrier Patrols.
Command Universal Universal
Universal Carrier Carrier Carrier
Carrier Patrols operate as separate platoons, each with their Carrier Patrol
own command team. Sierzant

Carrier Patrols are Reconnaissance Platoons.

Command Universal Universal
Universal Carrier Carrier Carrier
Carrier Patrol

Piechoty Carrier Platoon


 Support platoons

Piechoty Machine-gun Platoon

Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
2 MG Sections 125 points
1 MG Section 65 points
Options
• Add PIAT team for +15 point. Sierzant Sierzant
• Add Troop Carrier and MMG Carriers for +15 points
per MG Section.
Polish HMG teams are just as capable as their British
counterparts, and like them can use their weapons in either
direct or indirect fire mode.

Piechoty Machine-gun Platoon

Piechoty Heavy Mortar Platoon
Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
2 Mortar Sections 135 points
1 Mortar Section 70 points
Options
• Add PIAT team for +15 points.
• Add Troop and Lloyd Carriers for +5 points for the
platoon.
Although few in numbers, the Heavy Mortar platoons are
quickly gaining a reputation for quick, accurate fire support.
In the moutains of Italy, where longer ranged indirect fire is
hard for the artillery somedays, the Heavy Mortars are
essential support for the Kompania.
Piechoty Heavy Mortar Platoon

Polish Machine-gun team.

10
 Polish

Wojtek the Soldier Bear

Warrior: Wojtek the Soldier Bear

Wojtek was discovered as a young cub in Iran by a local boy
who sold him to the nearby Polish garrison. The men
embraced him as their unofficial mascot and fed him fruits,
marmalade, honey and syrup. He also enjoyed beer and
cigarettes much to the delight of his comrades. Wojtek’s
hobbies included wrestling and he was trained to salute when
greeted.Wojtek was officially drafted into the 22nd Artillery
Supply Company and travelled with the II Polish Corps to
Italy.
During the battle of Cassino the Polish corps was deployed in
the mountains above the town where they faced off with the
1. Fallschirmjägerdivision on Hill 592 and the Monastery
Hill. Wojtek helped carry ammunition forward over the
mountainous terrain, reportedly never dropping a single
crate.
In the bloody fighting of Cassino, Wojtek was also a source of
inspiration for the men during the long and costly fighting.
Soldiers would come to visit Wojtek, offering him cigarettes
and beer, reportedly his favourite beverage.
Following the war, Wojtek retired to England along with the
rest of Polish troops in exhile from the post war Soviet-
dominated Poland. In 1947 Wojtek was given to the
Edinburgh Zoo where he lived out the rest of his days. He
was visited by former soldiers who would often sneak the bear
some cigarettes as a tribute to their camaraderie.

Wojtek the Soldier Bear in Flames Of War

Wojtek the Soldier Bear is a Warrior Transport team rated Fearless Trained. Wojtek may join a Polish Kompania Piechorty for
+70 points. Wojtek the Soldier Bear is not part of any platoon.

Supply Carrier Ammuntion Bear-er

Wojtek and the rest of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company During the battle of Monte Cassino, Wojtek transported
keep their comrades well supplied with ammunition and hundreds of crates of ammunition to the artillery men. He
supplies. was very reliable and never dropped a single crate.

During your turn a Field Artillery Battery can use Wojtek While Wojtek is off of the table roll a die at the beginning of
the Soldier Bear to allow it to deliver a burst of fire in a your turn when you would normally roll for reserves.
Shooting Step. Wojtek must be In Command with the battery.
• On a result of 5+, Wojtek arrives from Reserve.
Wojtek is removed from the table and placed in Reserve before
any dice are rolled. • On any other result, Wojtek his team are still gathering
A battery delivering a burst of fire can either: more ammuntion and do not arrive this turn.

• Count as having twice as many weapons when firing an Lovable Mascot

Artillery bombardment in this Shooting Step, or Wojtek became a legend among the Polish troops at Cassino,
becoming a universal mascot throughout the Polish
• Roll one extra die to hit for each team that is In
II Corps.
Command when shooting in this Step.
While Wojtek is on the table he may attempt to inspire the
men around him. Wojtek is removed from the table and
placed in Reserve before any dice are rolled to re-roll one
failed Platoon Morale Check of one Polish platoon that is
within Command Distance of Wojtek.

11
 Szwadron Rozpoznawczy Reconnaissance Squadron

(Mechanised Company)
Headquarters

Headquarters
You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box
shaded grey.

Szwadron
13

Rozpoznawczy HQ

Divisional Support Platoons

Combat Platoons

Weapons Platoons

Reconnaissance Artillery Armour

19
Armoured Platoon

19
British Armoured Platoon
8

Piechoty Mortar Platoon

13

Rozpoznawczy Platoon
Armour

20
Self-propelled Anti-tank Platoon
Anti-tank
Reconnaissance

20
Divisional Anti-tank Platoon

Piechoty Anti-tank
9

Infantry
Platoon
13

Rozpoznawczy Platoon Piechoty Platoon

7
Reconnaissance Allied Platoons
Infantry
Piechoty Platoon

7
British Platoons in your
13

Rozpoznawczy Platoon
force are Allies and follow
the Allies rules on page 70
Machine-guns
Infantry of the rulebook.

10
Piechoty Machine-gun Platoon

10
Piechoty Heavy Mortar Platoon

Rozpoznawczy Assault
14

Platoon Artillery
21

Field Artillery Battery

The 12. Pułk ułanów podolskich (12th Podolski Lancer
Regiment) worked with the 3rd Carpathan Infantry Division
while 15. Pułk ułanów poznańskich (15th Poznan Lancer Anti-aircraft
Regiment) fought with the 5th Kresowa Infantry Division.
23

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon

Aircraft
23

Air Support

AOP
23

Air Observation Post

12
 Polish

Szwadron Rozpoznawczy
Motivation and Skill Reluctant Conscript
Poland has one of the best and most noble cavalry traditions in all of Europe, from the Confident Trained
Winged Hussars of King Jan to the Uhlans of Napoleon. While the Armoured Car has only
Fearless Veteran
recently supplanted the horse, the esprit and valour of the Polish Cavalry is not in doubt. A
Szwadron Rozpoznawczy is rated as Fearless Trained.

Headquarters

Szwadron Rozpoznawczy HQ
Kapitan
Headquarters
Kapitan
Company HQ 25 points

Option
Company Command
• Replace Otter LRC armoured car with Fox (Humber Otter LRC
III) armoured car at no cost. Company HQ

The infantry division’s recce regiment leads the way, scouting Szwadron Rozpoznawczy HQ
ahead and locating the enemy’s weaknesses and strengths,
probing for the soft spots. This intelligence is gathered and The Company Command team of a Szwadron
reported back in preparation for an attack on the enemy. Rozpoznawczy is a Recce team.

Combat platoons

Rozpoznawczy Platoon
Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Armoured Car with:
Porucznik
2 Recce Sections 165 points
1 Recce Section 100 points

Options Command Staghound I

• Add Scout Patrols for +75 points per patrol. HQ Armoured Car

• Replace Otter LRC armoured cars with Fox (Humber Sierzant Kapral
III) armoured cars at no cost.
• Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an extra hull-
mounted MG for +5 points per carrier or 0.5” MG
Staghound I Otter LRC Staghound I Otter LRC
for +10 points per carrier.
Recce Section Recce Section
• Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG with a
Recce Patrol
Boys anti-tank rifle or PIAT anti-tank projector at
no cost. Sierzant

Recce and Scout Patrols operate as separate platoons, each

with their own command team. Command Universal Universal
Universal Carrier Carrier Carrier
Scout Patrol
Recce and Scout Patrols are Reconnaissance Platoons.
Sierzant

Each Polish infantry division had a Reconnaissance Regiment

as part of its divisional troops. The Poles used Staghound
armoured cars instead of Humber armoured cars, and used Command Universal Universal
Universal Carrier Carrier Carrier
ex-Canadian armoured cars rather than Humber light
Scout Patrol
reconnaissance cars.
Rozpoznawczy Platoon

13
Rozpoznawczy Assault Platoon
PORUCZNIK
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
4 Assault Squads 150 points
3 Assault Squads 120 points Command Pioneer PIAT team 15 cwt truck
MG team
2 Assault Squads 90 points HQ Section

Options Sierzant Sierzant

• Add PIAT team for +15 points.
• Replace all 15 cwt trucks with White Scout Cars or
M5 half-tracks for +5 points for the platoon. 15 cwt truck Pioneer MG team 15 cwt truck Pioneer MG team
Assault Squad Assault Squad
Assault Platoons are well equipped to deal with the enemy’s
harder defences that the armoured cars can’t deal with. Their Sierzant Sierzant
job is to clear roadblocks for the armoured cars so the recce
mission can continue with all haste!
15 cwt truck Pioneer MG team 15 cwt truck Pioneer MG team
Assault Squad Assault Squad
Rozpozawczy Assault Platoon

14
 II Polish Corps Order of Battle 1944
Corps Headquarters 5th “Kresowa” Infantry Division
Carpathian Lancer Regiment (Armoured Cars) Headquarters
7th Armoured Regiment 4th “Wolynska” Rifle Brigade
7th Anti-tank Regiment 10th, 11th, 12th Infantry Battalion
7th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment 5th “Wilenska” Rifle Brigade
8th Medium Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment 13th “Rysiow”, 14th “Zbikow”,
1st Artillery Survey Regiment 5th “Wilkow” Infantry Battalion
663 AOP 6th “Lwowska” Rifle Brigade
2nd Artillery Group Headquarters 16th, 17th, 18th Infantry Battalion
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th Medium Artillery 5th Machine Gun Battalion
Regiments 15th “Poznanski” Lancer Regiment (Recce)
II Corp Engineer Group Headquarters 4th, 5th, 6th Light Artillery Regiment
10th, 20th Engineer Battalion 5th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment
11th Railway Engineer Battalion 5th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment
11th Signal Battalion 5th “Kresowa” Rifle Division Engineer Battalion
II Corp Military Police Group 5th “Kresowa” Rifle Division Signal Battalion
Various service units including Transport, Medical, 2nd Base Corps
Ordinance, Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, Geographic, 7th Infantry Division
Legal, Pay etc. Headquarters
17th Infantry Brigade
2nd Armoured Brigade
21st, 22nd, 23rd Infantry Battalion
4th Armoured Regiment “Skorpion”
17th Machine Gun Company
1st “Krechowieckich” Lancer Regiment
17th Artillery Regiment
6th Armoured Regiment “Dzieci Lwowskich”
17th Engineer Company
3rd Carpathian Rifle Division 17th Signal Company
Headquarters
Army Training Centre
1st Carpathian Rifle Brigade
Chief Instructor Office (Arms)
1st, 2nd, 3rd Infantry Battalion
Special Courses
2nd Carpathian Rifle Brigade
Infantry School
4th, 5th, 6th Infantry Battalion
Artillery School
3rd Carpathian Rifle Brigade
Signal School
7th, 8th Infantry Battalion,
Wireless School
9th “Bolonski” Infantry Battalion
Chief Instructor Office (Services)
3rd Machine Gun Battalion
ASC School
12th “Podolski” Lancer Regiment (Recce)
Ordnance School
1st, 2nd, 3rd Light Artillery Regiment
EME School
3rd Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment
Administration School
3rd Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment
Armoured Corps Training School
3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Engineer Battalion
School of Engineering
3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Signal Battalion
Polish Wing CMTC

In late 1944–early 1945 the Polish II Corps was massively reorganised with and influx of Polish former POWs as reinforcements.
An armoured brigade and a armoured division were formed, but never saw combat.

15
 Szwadron Samochodów Opancerzonych Armoured Car Squadron

(Mechanised Company)
Headquarters

Headquarters
You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box
shaded grey.

Szwadron Samochodów
17

Opancerzonych HQ

Divisional Support Platoons

Combat Platoons

Weapons Platoons

Reconnaissance Armoured Armour

19
Armoured Platoon

19
British Armoured Platoon

Samochód Pancerny
18
17

Assault Gun Platoon

Platoon Armour

20
Self-propelled Anti-tank Platoon
Reconnaissance

20
Divisional Anti-tank Platoon

Allied Platoons Infantry

Samochód Pancerny
17

Platoon Piechoty Platoon

7
Reconnaissance British Platoons in your
force are Allies and follow
the Allies rules on page 70 Infantry
of the rulebook. Piechoty Platoon

7
Samochód Pancerny
17

Platoon

Reconnaissance Artillery

10
Piechoty Heavy Mortar Platoon

21
Field Artillery Battery

Samochód Pancerny
17

Platoon Anti-aircraft
23

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon

Reconnaissance

Aircraft
Samochód Pancerny
17

23

Platoon Air Support

Infantry
AOP
23

Air Observation Post

Samochód Pancerny
18

Support Platoon

16
 Polish

Szwadron Samochodów Opancerzonych

Motivation and Skill Reluctant Conscript
Poland has one of the best and most noble cavalry traditions in all of Europe, from the Confident Trained
Winged Hussars of King Jan to the Uhlans of Napoleon. While the Armoured Car has only
Fearless Veteran
recently supplanted the horse, the esprit and valour of the Polish Cavalry is not in doubt. A
Szwadron Samochodów Opancerzonych is rated as Fearless Trained.

Headquarters

Szwadron Samochodów Opancerzonych HQ

Kapitan
Headquarters
Kapitan Kapral
Company HQ 75 points

Options
• Add up to two Staghound I armoured cars for +40 Company Command 2iC Command Staghound A/A
Staghound I Staghound I
points per armoured car.
• Add an Anti-aircraft Section for +75 points.
Staghound A/A
Staghound I Staghound I
The teams of a SSzwadron Samochodów Opancerzonych Anti-aircraft
Company HQ section
are Recce teams.
Szwadron Samochodów Opancerzonych HQ

Combat platoons

Samochód Pancerny Platoon

Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
2 Staghound I and 1 Staghound II 115 points

Samochód Pancerny Platoons are Reconnaissance Platoons. Command Staghound II

HQ Armoured Car
The Pułk ułanów karpackich (Carpathian Lancer Regiment)
was the Polish II Corps armoured car regiment until it moved Sierzant Kapral
to the newly forming 2nd Armoured Division to become an
armoured regiment.
Their role as the II Corps reconnaissance unit was taken over Staghound I Staghound I
by the 12. Pułk ułanów podolskich (12th Podolsli Lancer Armoured Car Armoured Car
Regiment) who refitted from a Reconnaissance Regiment to Samochód Pancerny Platoon
become an Armoured Car Regiment.

17
Samochód Pancerny Support Platoon
Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
3 Support Squads 120 points
Command White Scout Car PIAT team Light Mortar
2 Support Squads 90 points Pioneer MG team team
HQ Section
Options
• Add Light Mortar team for +15 points. Kapral Kapral
• Add PIAT team for +15 points.
• Replace all White Scout Cars with M5 half-tracks at
Pioneer MG team Pioneer MG team
no cost.

Each squadron had supporting infantry equipped for light White Scout Car White Scout Car
combat engineering work. Support Squad Support Squad
Kapral

Pioneer MG team White Scout Car

Support Squad
Samochód Pancerny Support Platoon

Weapons Platoons

Assault Gun Platoon

Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
2 Autocar 75mm SP 75 points
Command Rifle Jeep
2 AEC III 110 points team
HQ Section
Option
• Replace Jeep with a Daimler Dingo scout car for Kapral Kapral
+5 points.

Sometimes the armoured cars will need the back-up of some Self-propelled gun Self-propelled gun
heavy firepower from the self-propelled guns of the squadron’s Gun Section Gun Section
assault gun platoon. These American built half-tracks are
fitted with 75mm guns to give the squadron some hitting Assault Gun Platoon
power against both enemy armour and dug-in infantry and
guns.

18
 Polish

Divisional Support
Divisional Support
Motivation and Skill Reluctant Conscript
Polish divisional troops are all old hands who long ago ‘got their knees brown’ from the harsh Confident Trained
desert sun. All Divisional Support Platoons are rated as Fearless Trained unless otherwise
Fearless Veteran
noted.

Armoured Platoon
Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
3 Sherman III 225 points

Option
• Arm any or all Sherman tanks with a 0.5 cal AA MG Command Sherman
for +5 points per tank. HQ Tank

While not the equivalent of some German tanks, the Sherman Sierzant Kapral
tanks of the Polish 2nd Armoured Brigade are more than a
match for many of them.
With all the Firefly’s being needed for the upcoming invasion Sherman Sherman
of France the Poles in Italy didn’t get any until after February
Tank Tank
1945.
Armoured Platoon

British Armoured Platoon

Subaltern
Platoon
Subaltern
3 Sherman III or V 260 points

Option
• Arm any or all Sherman tanks with a 0.5 cal AA MG Command Sherman
for +5 points per tank. HQ Tank

The tanks of the British 7th Queens Own Hussars supported Sergeant Lance Corporal
the troops of the II Polish Corps during 1944.

The British Armoured Brigades operating in Italy are

veterans of many campaigns in North Africa and Sicily. Sherman Sherman
They are rated Tank Tank
Confident Veteran. Confident Veteran
British Armoured Platoon

19
Self-propelled Anti-tank Platoon
Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik Sierzant
4 M10 3” SP 270 points
2 M10 3” SP 135 points

The Poles had 24 M-10 tank-destroyer, which were part of

the 7th Self-propelled Anti-tank Regiment.

HQ Section Anti-tank Section

Self-propelled Anti-tank Platoon

Divisional Anti-tank Platoon

Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
2 Anti-tank Sections 120 points
1 Anti-tank Section 60 points

Option
• Replace all 6 pdr guns and Lloyd Carriers with 17 Sierzant Sierzant
pdr guns and M5 half-tracks for +40 points per
Anti-tank Section.

When the companies own anti-tank assets may not be

enough, the guns of the division are often added to help out.

Divisional Anti-tank Platoon

Polish Sherman parked next to a British Staghound armoured car.

20
 Polish

Divisional Support
Field Artillery Battery
Major
Platoon
Major
HQ Troop with:
Two Gun troops with a total of:
4 Gun Sections 285 points
One Gun troop with a total of: HQ Troop

2 Gun Sections 150 points Porcucznik

1 Gun Section 100 points Porcucznik

Options
• Add 15 cwt trucks and Quad tractors for +5 points
per Gun Troop.
HQ Section
• Replace the HQ Troop jeep with a White scout car
for +5 points. SierZant SierZant

Polish artillerymen have been well trained by their British

allies, and are just as competent in handling their weapons as
their Allies. The Poles have a abundance of artillery weapons,
and will put them to good use when they are needed.

Although a Field Artillery Batteries is a single Support choice,

each Gun Troop operates as a separate platoon with its own
Command team. The Command team and Staff team of the
HQ Troop must be attached to a Gun Troop from its battery
at the start of the game before deployment, see the British
Artillery special rules on page 248 of the rulebook.
GUN Section GUN Section
GUN Troop

Porcucznik
Porcucznik

HQ Section

SierZant SierZant

GUN Section GUN Section

GUN Troop

Field Artillery Battery

21
Medium Artillery Battery
Platoon
HQ Troop with:
Two Gun troops with a total of:
4 Gun Sections 480 points
One Gun troop with a total of:
2 Gun Sections 280 points Porcucznik

1 Gun Section 155 points Porcucznik

Options
• Add 15 cwt trucks and Matador tractors for +5 points
per Gun Troop.
You may not field a Medium Artillery Battery unless you
are also fielding a Field Artillery Battery with at least as Sierzant Sierzant
many guns.

The II Polish Corps has their own 2nd Artillery Group. It BL 5.5” gun BL 5.5” gun
contains the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th Medium Artillery
Regiments.
The mainstay of the medium regiments is the BL 5.5” gun- Matador tractor Matador tractor
howitzer. This superb weapon fires a 100lb/45kg shell and
can reach targets over 9 miles (nearly 15km) away and adds
BL 5.5” gun BL 5.5” gun
considerable punch to the Polish artillery capabilities in
Italy.
Matador tractor Matador tractor
Although a Medium Artillery Battery is a single Support
choice, each Gun Troop operates as a separate platoon with its
own Command team. The Command team and Staff team of
the HQ Troop must be attached to a Gun Troop from its Porcucznik
battery at the start of the game before deployment, see the
Porcucznik
British Artillery special rules on page 248 of the rulebook.

Medium Artillery Batteries may not be placed from Ambush

within 16”/40cm of enemy teams.

Sierzant Sierzant

BL 5.5” gun BL 5.5” gun

Matador tractor Matador tractor

BL 5.5” gun BL 5.5” gun

Matador tractor Matador tractor

Medium Artillery Battery

22
 Polish

Divisional Support
Light Anti-aircraft Platoon
Porucznik
Platoon
Porucznik
HQ Section with:
2 Anti-aircraft Sections 155 points
1 Anti-aircraft Section 85 points

Option
• Replace all Bofors 40mm guns and AA tractors with Sierzant Sierzant
Oerlikon 20mm SP for -10 points per Anti-aircraft
Section, or with Bofors 40mm SP for +30 points per
Anti-aircraft Section.

While the wail of Stukas and other German machines are no

longer as prevalent, they still make sorties from time to time.
With it’s light anti-aircraft guns, the Divisional Anti-aircraft
Platoon is quite capable of keeping the skies over the Infantry
clear of enemy planes.

Air Support
Flight Lieutenant
Priority Air Support
Flight Lieutenant
Kittyhawk 160 points

Limited Air Support

Aircraft
Kittyhawk 130 points
Flight

Flight

Air Observation Post

Flight Lieutenant
AOP
Flight Lieutenant
Auster AOP 25 points

Air Observation Posts follow the rules for Air Observation Auster AOP
Posts found on page 139 of the rulebook as well as the Dixie AOP
Air Support special rule below. Air Observation Post

Dixie Air Support

The German habit of fighting rear-guard actions by day and At the start of your turn, you may elect to either use your
withdrawing to a new line of defence each night meant that Auster AOP as normal (using the Air Observation Post rules
the Allied troops were frequently unable to make contact until on page 139 of the rulebook) or to coordinate Dixie Air
late afternoon because of the extensive German demolitions. Support. The Auster AOP cannot do both in the same turn.
On those occasions when contact could be made early in the
If you chose to use the AOP to coordinate Dixie Air Support,
day, the Germans were usually forced to withdraw before dark
all air attacks against targets within Line of Sight of the
and then targets became available for the fighter-bombers.
Auster AOP are under its control.
A new system, called Dixie, was introduced to make the best
Aircraft under the control of an Auster AOP may re-roll a
use of the few hours of daylight left. When enemy targets
failed first attempt to Range In.
appeared, a call was made by Corps for Dixie.
Unlike normal air attacks that cannot be within 16”/40cm
The tactical reconnaissance aircraft’s task was to find suitable
from any friendly teams (see Safety Distance rule on page
targets for the fighter-bombers and report them. Throughout
184 of the rulebook), aircraft under the control of an Auster
the Dixie period fighter-bomber aircraft were to be kept in the
AOP will only abort if friendly teams are within 12”/30cm
cab rank in successive formations of six. This allowed the
from the base of any aircraft.
fighter-bombers to engage targets as they tried to disengage
from Allied ground units.
23
 Arsenal
Tank Teams
Armour
Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes
Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower

Medium Tanks
Sherman III or V Standard Tank 6 4 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Tow hook.
M3 75mm gun 32”/80cm 2 10 3+ Semi-indirect fire, Smoke.

Self-propelled Anti-aircraft Guns

Oerlikon 20mm SP Wheeled - - -
Oerlikon 20mm gun 16”/40cm 4 5 5+ Anti-aircraft.
Bofors 40mm SP Wheeled - - - Awkward layout.
Bofors 40mm gun 24”/60cm 4 6 4+ Anti-aircraft.

Self-propelled Anti-tank Guns

M10 3” SP Standard Tank 4 2 0 .50 cal AA MG.
M7 3” gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Slow traverse.
Reconnaissance
Universal Carrier Half-tracked 0 0 0 Hull MG.
With Boys anti-tank rifle 16”/40cm 2 4 5+ Hull-mounted.
With PIAT anti-tank projector 8”/20cm 1 10 5+ Hull-mounted.
With .5” MG 16”/40cm 3 4 5+ Hull-mounted.
Otter LRC Jeep 0 0 0 AA MG.
Boys anti-tank rifle 16”/40cm 2 4 5+ Hull-mounted.

Armoured cars
Staghound I Wheeled 3 1 0 Co-ax MG, Hull MG.
M5 37mm gun 24”/60cm 2 7 4+
Staghound II Wheeled 3 1 0 Co-ax MG.
OQF 3” howitzer 24”/60cm 2 5 3+ Smoke.
Firing bombardments 40”/100cm - 3 6
Staghound AA Wheeled 3 1 0
Twin .50 cal MG 16”/40cm 5 4 5+ Anti-aircraft.
Fox (Humber III) Wheeled 1 0 0 Co-ax MG.
15mm Besa gun 16”/40cm 3 5 5+
Autocar 75mm SP Half-tracked 1 0 0
M1897 75mm gun 24”/60cm 2 9 3+ Hull mounted, Smoke.
Firing bombardments 64”/160cm - 3 6 Smoke bombardment.
AEC III Wheeled 4 2 0 Co-ax MG, Overloaded, Slow.
M3 75mm gun 32”/80cm 2 10 3+ Smoke.
Daimler Dingo scout car Jeep 1 0 0 Hull MG

Vehicle Machine-guns
Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 1 if other weapons fire.
.50 cal Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 4 5+ ROF 1 if other weapons fire

AIRCRAFT
Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower Notes
Kittyhawk MG 3+ 6 5+
Bombs 4+ 5 2+

24
 Polish

Arsenal
GUN Teams
Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes
Vickers HMG Man-packed 24”/60cm 6 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down.
Firing bombardments 40”/100cm - - -
ML 3” Mk II mortar Man-packed 24”/60cm 2 2 3+ Minimum range 8”/20cm, Smoke.
Firing bombardments 40”/100cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment.
ML 4.2” mortar Light 48”/120cm - 3 4+ Smoke bombardment.
Bofors 40mm gun Immobile 24”/60cm 4 6 4+ Anti-aircraft, Turntable.
OQF 6 pdr gun Medium 24”/60cm 3 10 4+ Gun shield.
OQF 17 pdr gun Immobile 32”/80cm 2 13 3+ Gun shield, No HE.
OQF 25 pdr gun Heavy 24”/60cm 2 9 3+ Gun shield, Smoke, Turntable.
Firing bombardments 80”/200cm - 4 5+ Smoke bombardment.
BL 5.5” gun Immobile 32”/80cm 1 13 1+ Bunker buster.
Firing bombardments 84”/220cm - 5 2+

Infantry Teams
Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes
Rifle team 16”/40cm 1 2 6
Rifle/MG team 16”/40cm 2 2 6
MG team 16”/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down.
SMG team 4”/10cm 3 1 6 Full ROF when moving.
Light Mortar team 16”/40cm 1 1 4+ Smoke, Can fire over friendly teams.
PIAT team 8”/20cm 1 10 5+ Tank Assault 4.
Staff team 16”/40cm 1 2 6 Moves as a Heavy Gun team.

Additional Training and Equipment

Pioneer teams are rated as Tank Assault 3.

Transport Teams
Armour
Vehicle Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes
Jeep Jeep - - -
CMP or Bedford 15 cwt or 3-ton truck Wheeled - - -
Quad, Matador, or Morris AA tractor Wheeled - - -
White scout car Jeep 1 0 0
Troop, OP, Mortar, or Loyd Carrier Half-tracked 0 0 0
MMG Carrier Half-tracked 0 0 0 HMG Carrier, Passenger-fired hull MG.
M5 half-track Half-tracked 1 0 0

Poles make their way through the mountains of Italy.

25
26