HaT 1/72 WWII Polish Infantry |  | Introduction
Poland was the first country that actively opposed Hitler. Since 1st September 1939, almost surrounded by enemy, in uneven war, without support of passive Allies, about million of Polish soldiers fought valiantly for over a month, despite the fact that 17th September Stalin's Soviet Russia joined the Hitler's invasion, attacking Eastern territories of Poland.
 Contrary to the common belief, Polish great units (Armies) were performing counterattacks on the operational level until 15th September (attack on Lowicz during Battle of Bzura which was Polish offensive operation). Warsaw, the Capital, under attack since 8th September was effectively defended for 20 days and surrendered not for military, but humanitarian reasons, and the last Polish regular units capitulated 5th October (Polesie Group), while several others immediately went "to the forest" to fight as partisan units, and tens of thousands escaped, in organized way, through Hungary and Romania to join Allies in France and Britain.
The Polish Army was not as modern as Wehrmacht, but the difference was mostly in
mechanized units and aviation. Infantries were pretty similar, and when the Germans didn't have a big technical or numerical superiority, Poles proved that they could fight very effectively, were better trained and had higher morale than their opponents. Especially famous was night attack of Polish 49th Infantry Regiment on the positions of Waffen SS Germania Regiment near Muzylowice. SS elite unit was completely dispersed, losing all its vehicles and artillery. The Uniform Polish uniform of line infantry units was designed in 1936 and was modern and comfortable. Base colour was khaki olive, but summer uniforms, made of linen fabric had tendency to fade after several washings. Polish helmet was characteristic: deep and slightly conical, rather narrow. It was covered with paint mixed with powdered cork to reduce glare. Reserve divisions mobilised in 1939 were mostly equipped with older uniforms, similar to French ones, with puttees and French Hadrian helmets. Shoes and harness were brown leather. The Armament Polish infantrymen was armed with weapons produced almost exclusively in Poland, but sometimes on foreign license: Polish Mauser wz.98 rifle, almost identical to those used by Wehrmacht, VIS pistol, Polish Browning wz.28 LMG, Polish Browning wz.30 HMG on universal tripod, 46mm grenade launcher and excellent Polish AT rifle wz.35 (captured ones were used later by Afrika Korps). The Figures  Finally somebody provided the first set of 1939 Polish infantry on the market! While almost every serious WWII related computer wargame (Steel Panthers, Panzer General, Blitzkrieg etc.) includes also Polish units, more traditional figure/table wargamers, figure collectors and diorama builders had no possibility of having Poles other than short-run resin or white metal, rather hard to find figures. But Hat comes to the rescue!
HaT offering is complete set of the Polish first line Infantry in 1936 pattern uniforms and helmets with all typical infantry armament, from officer's pistols and soldier's rifles to heavier support weapons. Figures are molded in new type of medium. It looks and behaves like standard grey "soft plastic", but is much better - it wonderfully accepts paint and even can be easily glued with normal plastic glue. I checked it, and it really works.  Figures look very good and almost all are very accurate. Equipment and armament was researched very carefully, and there are only few small mistakes I can find: Mauser rifle barrels have too short "free" section, so their muzzles resemble rater British Enfields, also sharpshooter has wrong ammo pouches, not for Mauser but for Browning LMG. I will reveal a secret: it happened because originally this figure was LMG Browning gunner, but HaT researchers weren't able to prove that this, rather heavy, weapon was used in that position, so for better historical accuracy this figure became Mauser-armed sharpshooter, and the LMG was given to the soldier in prone
position, well known from various photographs. But the Browning ammo pouches has been apparently forgotten, and remained on the sharpshooter's belt, which should be equipped with smaller pouches for Mauser. But - couldn't LMG gunner have taken sniper's rifle from wounded comrade in the trench?
I have also little complain about the box picture. It is first class, realistic artwork, and the soldier looks very impressive, but there are some minor problems with historical accuracy: in general the uniform is a bit too"Americanized". Color of the uniform should be more olive and less green, trousers should be more narrow - especially immediately above the shoes, and the helmet should be a bit more narrow in front view. The rest is OK. Conclusion This is very interesting set for both wargamers and diorama builders. Plastic is easily paintable and figures are nice, in interesting poses. I especially like "bayoneting" soldier. Detailing of the weapons could be improved, but in general: very good! Thank you HaT, for the review sample, but mostly for providing finally set of Polish soldiers in 1/72 to the market!
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