FoW: Slovak Cavalry Reconnaissance Troops

...snd so ladies and gentlemen we move onto the next instalment of our journey through the military might of Slovakia in World War 2.

Today I would like to introduce you to the Slovakian Cavalry Patrols a much scaled down version of their Czech forebears and sadly (I believe) under represented on the modern wargames table but they were present and they were important for the tasks that they fulfilled.

So, let me convince you why I like these guys so much...

OK, so as with most things Slovakian, if we are going to scrutinise them we need to start way back with the Czechoslovakian Army and in this case the Czechoslovakian Dragoon Regiments that served the State.

The cavalry of the Czechoslovakian Republic was primarily geared towards conducting reconnaissance duties and raiding enemy territory, however when appropriate they were also tasked with pursuing broken and fleeing foes or else conducting staunch rearguard activity if the Czechs were forced into retreat. Generally they were asked to complete any task where a speed faster than that of the infantry became important.

It was a part of the Czech military doctrine not to use the cavalry to conduct activities that could just as easily be completed by other parts of the military due to the fact that the replacement of men and horses was a long and drawn out process and the quality of the cavalry regiments was likely to decline sharply.

"Because of its special qualities - the mobility that is based on the speed of its horse and its ability to move in almost every terrain and equipping the cavalry with weapons to destroy all sorts of field targets - the cavalry has the task of searching for messages, fighting and maintaining contact with other formations. The most important battle for the cavalry is the fight on foot - small horse mounted attack units are to attack the enemy whenever the opportunity arises!"

Equestrian training was much longer than, for example, infantry training with the training itself placing much higher demands on the rider (By the end of the Czechoslovakian Republic all riders were termed 'Dragoons'. Dragoons originated in the 16th Century and as an arm of service expanded greatly during the 30 Years War. They were horse mobile troops which dismounted to fight like light infantry, termed Hippomobile infantry).

"The way of combat cavalry will more often force the rider to fight alone, without precise orders, under very vague, supremely unfavourable and great odds. These circumstances will place special demands on his high spirit. He would have to be accustomed not to fall into fear of loneliness, to fall prey to panicked helplessness in the absence of orders, but to act proactively, not to lose reason and heart in unclear, sudden, unfavourable and outnumbered situations, but to dig deep!"

Even the training of a cavalry horse was very much dependant on the right choice of horse and long, intensive preparations. That is why it would not be easy to replace heavy losses in the cavalry arm.

The training of cavalry troopers began in October when the new conscription year started. Gradually during the year the depth of training intensified. The troopers started training individually, then in teams [the UK equivalent of a team would be the section], then platoons, squadrons and then in early summer they began practising regimental manoeuvres. The training year ended in early autumn with the annual military manoeuvres. After this the oldest year were returned to civilian life to coincide with the influx of the new annual conscripts with each conscripted year being retained for a total of two years active service.

In 1933 and 1936 there were extensive reorganisations of the Horse Mounted and Dragoon regiments. All cavalry regiments from this point forward were designated as Dragoon Regiments which was more consistent with the military function that they fulfilled. 

Horse Mounted and, post 1933, the Dragoon Regiments consisted of the Regimental Headquarters under which were two Field Battalions and a Replacement Battalion, all supplemented after 1933 with a Heavy Machine Gun Squadron subordinated directly to the Regimental Command.

I Battalion included the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Squadrons whilst the II Battalion included the 4th and 5th Cavalry Squadrons. The independent HMG Squadron was designated as the 3rd Squadron.

Each Cavalry Squadron comprised of two Troops each of two Platoons on mobilisation. Each Platoon consisted of two Teams each with a total of 16 riders. The 16 riders were once more divided into two Groups of 8 riders each.

The Replacement Battalion consisted of a Replacement Squadron, a Remount Squadron, between 2-4 horse pulled wagons along with the Administrative and Ordnance Units.

The Cavalry Brigade was the next step up the organisational ladder. Each Brigade consisted of between 2-4 Dragoon Regiments and bicycle mounted squadrons. Around October 1932 the Brigade structure was complemented with an Artillery Section and from the autumn of 1933 a Squadron of Armoured Cars although this only remained the case until 1935 when the wartime organisation of the cavalry brigades changed again.

The brigade had, within its overall structure, a telegraph company with three telephone squads, one radio and one auxiliary platoon, eight exchange boards, 160km of telephone cable, one morse telegraph station, four medium radio stations, three signalling stations, one set of marking and signalling targets and two messenger pigeons! In addition to all of this the brigade was also accompanied with a field ambulance, a payroll department and an attached automobile supply column.

Up to the reorganisation of 1938 the Czechoslovakian army had four Cavalry Brigades with an extant total of around 10,000 men.

From 1 January 1938 the Rapid Division replaced the Cavalry Brigade. The Rapid Division was created in 1937 with the Cavalry Brigade Command fulfilling the basis of the Rapid Division Headquarters.

In the event of war the Rapid Division had further assets subordinated to it to reach its full complement. The full Rapid Division consisted of a headquarters, a bicycle battalion, a motorised brigade of two armoured battalions and two motorised infantry battalions and a cavalry brigade of two dragoon regiment and two artillery units.

Of interest to us here is the composition of the 3rd Rapid Division stationed in Bratislava on Slovak territory which was dramatically under strength with only one under strength tank company in addition to lacking its motorised infantry.

In the second half of the 1930's Czechoslovakia possessed 11 Dragoon regiments and a further 19 horse drawn logistic squadrons although on Slovakian soil at the time of the declaration of independence were only the 3rd and 11th Dragoon Regiments which were a part of the depleted Czechoslovakian 3rd Rapid Division, although each of the six Infantry Divisions stationed on Slovak soil would also have had a cavalry squadron included within the composition of the divisional reconnaissance battalion, usually also including platoons of light tanks, tankettes and armoured cars along with bicycle mounted troops. The composition of these Reconnaissance Battalions varied enormously throughout the Czech army so it is difficult to pin down exactly what was where although with the exodus of the Czech officers and men after independence we can be sure that they were exceptionally understaffed.

Upon independence the Slovaks were forced to reorder their armed forces and as such the six Infantry Divisions were reduced to three in number, with one each being assigned to a Higher Headquarters (VV - Vyssi Velitelstvo) of which there was one for each of the three territorial divisions of Slovakia; Trencin, Banska Bystrica and Presov.

As a part of these reorganisations the Slovak cavalry was collected together and they were able to organise a total of only three cavalry squadrons, of two troops each. These were stationed in Bratislava, Nitra and Michalovce. In addition to the squadrons there were also three horse drawn transport squadrons each stationed in Bratislava, Zvolen and Presov and of course the military stud farm.

Now if you think about it that is a total of two entire regiments and six independent squadrons which would amount to a total of 14 squadrons that were stationed on Slovak soil effectively being reduced to the strength of three. This gives you some indication of the difference in numbers between Czechs and Slovaks in the specialist service arms. 

Soon after Germany marched over the Polish border (including from Slovakia), the Slovak government immediately marched two of its Infantry Divisions across the border; the 1st 'Janosik' and the 2nd 'Skultety' Infantry Divisions. On the 5 September 1939 however the Slovak authorities decided on sending a more mobile field asset over the border as well; this was the Fast Group 'Kalinciak'.

Rychla Skupina 'Kalinciak' was formed of three groups. Group I comprised the 1st and 2nd cavalry squadrons with the 4th and 5th cavalry support squadrons. Group II comprised the 1st and 2nd cyclist companies, the 4th cyclist HMG company and 3rd cyclist support company. Group III was the motorised group and comprised a tank company, an armoured car company and an anti-tank company. 

'Kalinciak' returned to Slovakia on 1 October 1939 to immediately become embroiled in more reorganisations that continued until early 1940 by which time the army's cavalry had been reordered into Cavalry Reconnaissance Groups I, II and III. Groups I and II were assigned to the newly created 1st Infantry Division and garrisoned in Bratislava and Sered respectively, whilst Group III was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division and garrisoned in Michalovce.

Later on in October of 1940 the army was yet again reorganised with the 2nd Infantry Division being abolished and the 3rd becoming the new 2nd. Along with this reduction in size Cavalry Reconnaissance Group II was also abolished with Group III becoming the new Group II.

In this format of late 1940, Cavalry Reconnaissance Group I had the following structure:

Headquarters

HMG Company

1st Squadron

2nd Squadron

Bicycle Company

1st Transport Squadron

2nd Transport Squadron

Cavalry Reconnaissance Group II had the following structure:

Headquarters

HMG Company

1st Squadron

2nd Squadron

Bicycle Company

1st Transport Squadron

The Slovakian government had long been aware that the Germans were planning on invading the Soviet Union and for months had been planning their own contribution to the axis efforts. Perhaps a little later in the day than the rest of the preparations the Mobile Group [aka Group Pilfousek after its commander Rudolf Pilfousek] was organised on 22 June 1941 and within its composition included Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron II which is to say that the 2nd Squadron of Cavalry Reconnaissance Group I had been assigned to the Mobile Group.

As a part of the Slovak Field Army that marched over the Soviet border the two Infantry Divisions were each supplied with a Cavalry Troop. 1st Division received Troop I whilst the 2nd received Troop II. Essentially each of these divisions had two platoons of cavalry available to it.

Whilst the composition of the Field Army's Divisions remained consistent for a little longer, soon after going over the border, on 8 July 1941 the Mobile Group was reformed into a Mobile Brigade with the stripping of the cavalry which were struggling to keep up and the addition of further motorised units.

On 1 September 1941 2nd Infantry Division was re-purposed into the Security Division within which the cavalry of the Mobile Group was assigned alongside the two Troops of 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisions becoming the 'Combined Reconnaissance Group'. They stayed with the Security Division until it was recalled and reassigned as construction formations serving the Reich.

...and that I believe may be the most detailed account of Slovak cavalry that you will find anywhere in the English language...

but what about the painting and modelling? What did I use to convert them into Slovakians? How did I paint them? So many questions!!!!

Modelling the Troops

So there was quite a bit of jiggery-pokery to come up with appropriate miniatures for the Slovak Cavalry. 

I had to use True North (carried in the UK by Old Glory) Polish cavalry figures for the mounted troops with a bit of nip and tuck and I went to the tried and trusted Battlefront Romanians for the dismounted cavalry. Both types of troops required some minor adjustments.

Before we go any further I should point out that I nipped off the heads of every single miniature and replaced them with Peter Pig Slovak heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps which fulfil a good proxy for the Slovak field caps will do. I used both, although predominantly the helmeted heads as I much prefer the look.

The second adjustment that needs to be done is with the dismounted cavalry. As they are actually normal Romanian infantry with their leg wrap puttees something needs to be done about this as the cavalry all wore knee high black boots. An easy fix is to paint on liquid Green Stuff around the puttees so that they all look like boots. Let it cure properly and 'bobs yer uncle'... Boots! 

Painting the Troops...

So, where painting all of the cavalry men is concerned its a relatively simple affair. The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top, the etch actually referring to the minute acidic content that eats microscopically into the surface of the model creating an uneven surface for the paint to clutch to whilst providing a nice and smooth top layer as the paint levels out and dries.

The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the (re)coloured photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos with amateur enthusiast recolour treatments.

My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniforms and field caps. The collar flashes are painted with Vallejo's 915 Deep Yellow.

The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.

Everything else is all gravy after painting the uniform.

All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.

The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.

The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel although the sabre blades can be highlighted further if you like the idea. I used Vallejo's Metal Medium added to the Steel paint. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.

Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!

Painting the Horses...

Painting the horses themselves is a relatively simple affair I think. After they are primed the horses receive an overall coat of Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust. This is then block highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.

The manes of the horses are painted with Vallejo's 822 German Camo Black Brown, followed by a light drybrush of Vallejo's 872 Chocolate Brown.

If you want any white flashes or socks on your horses then I start with a rough stippling of Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand followed by a stipple of Vallejo's 820 Offwhite over the top of it ensuring that almost all of the Iraqi Sand is obscured leaving only a trace of it.

The noses of the horse are stippled with some GW Elf Flesh... and there we have it... done!

The horse furniture is a little more complex. All of the reins and tackle are painted Vallejo's 822 German Camo Black Brown with an edge highlight of 50/50 German Camo Black Brown and Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth. All of the metal parts of the tackle and harness are painted with Molten Metal Steel.

The horse blanket under the saddle and the strapped rolls in front of and behind the rider are painted with a basecoat of Vallejo's 830 German Field Grey which is then highlighted with Vallejo's 886 Grey Green. The straps are repainted with Vallejo's 950 Black with a simple basecoat of Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth put over the top.

The saddle bags are painted with a basecoat of Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.

Basing them all...

All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.

I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.

I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.

Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.

All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.

The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.

Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.

To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use their stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. 

These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.

... and that as they say gentlemen is that! If I am not mistaken this is, at this point in time, the only place in the world where you will find this information all compiled in one place in the English language... I hope some of you out there are able to make some use of this.

... and I would be remiss of course if I didn't sign off by saying "FIX BAYONETS!!!!"