TABLE OF CONTENTS (Click on the titles to read the desired subject)
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 | | About Us The 3e Légion de la Vistule was founded by Korwan on April 28th, 2020. During the pandemic, Korwan felt an urge to return to Napoleonic Wars, and got his old officer Don to hop on and start the regiment. SteveUrkle12 was then invited, creating the 3 man officer corps of the regiment. Through strict old style discipline and mass recruitment, the 3e has sustained itself quite well, without having any fear of disbanding.
With the world opening back up, Korwan felt the need to take a step back from leadership, but not the regiment that he created and put his time into. He stepped down on April 5th, 2021, handing leadership over to SteveUrkle12. With a fresh leader, the 3e is looking to keep its traditions, while adapting to the new environment of NW.
Our Morals Morals of the 3e Légion de la Vistule The 3e Légion de la Vistule is a regiment which will fight and stand for each other no matter the odds. We will support our brothers, just as they would support us. We have a sense of discipline that keeps everyone refreshed and in line, so no one person feels left out or degraded. We have a strong community of people willing to help one another, whether it be in life or in game. We are here to help, defend, and maintain the community. |
HISTORY OF THE LÉGION DE LA VISTULE
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"... there were plenty of young men determined to prove their prowess on the battlefield."
- Norman Davies
Introduction: A Brief Military History of Poland
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"Darling war, what a lady you must be for all the most
handsome boys to follow you like this."
- from a popular Polish song
 | | During the American expansion in 19th century there was a saying in Mexico: "What bad luck for us. We are so far from God and so close to the USA." In 1840s Mexico lost more than 55% of its national territory to the much bigger neighbour. The Poles had not just one such neighbour but two. They were sandwiched between the militaristic Germany and the mighty Russian Empire. Furthermore, from the south and south-east came the Mongol (Tatar) hordes and the vast armies of Ottoman Empire. From the political and military point of view it was one of the worst locations on Earth. For this reason Poland has in the course of history had little acquaintance with peace, but has again and again been forced to take up arms in the defence of the country.
Neal Ascherson, Scottish journalist, writes, "Russia and Prussia, especially, tried to suppress both Polish culture and language and the Catholic faith. In response, the Poles developed one of the most intense and self-sacrificing versions of Romantic nationalism ever seen in Europe."The Poles have been compelled to fight almost continously. Norman Davies writes, "Few nations in the last 200 years have seen more military action than the Poles, Private armies abounded. Vast numbers of indigent petty noblemen filled the ranks of a military caste of proportions unequelled in Europe. |
But their contempt for state service, their preoccupation with private wars and vendettas, their obsession with cavalry to the detriment of all other branches of warfare (infantry, artillery and engineers), and their opposition to the idea of raising an 'ignoble army' of peasant conscripts, put them at a marked disadvantage in relation to all their neighbours. ... From 1765 to 1831, constant attempts were made to develop Polish military potential to a level commensurate with that of the neighbouring countries.The Napoleonic episode initiated three decades of strong French influence."The Polish land forces has developed along parallel lines to those of the evolution of western european armies, although local conditions, produced certain deviations and left their own mark on tactics, uniform and weapons.
The best part of Polish army was the cavalry. There was a saying that if the sky fell their lances would support it. On 26 September 1660 at Kutyszcze, 140 Polish winged hussars defeated 1,600-3,500 Russians and Cossacks. (Ratio of 1 to 11!) The enemy was under Vasyl Sheremetev and consisted of fine regiment of reiter cavalry (armored, mounted on strong horses) and regiment of Cossack infantry. The Russians delivered several salvos. It however made no impression on the Poles. The winged hussars charged and oberthrew everything on their way.
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Napoleonic Wars, Vistula Legion 1806-1814
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"Napoleon stated that the infantry [of the Vistula Legion]
were to be treated on a par with French line regiments."
- George Nafziger

When it comes to Poles of the Napoleonic era, consider how hard a proud people fight when they have no homeland of their own, and they feel that following one man, Napoleon, is their best chance to get one. | | By 1806 what was left of Dabowski's Polish Legions in Italy and Kniaziewicz's Danube Legion was one infantry regiment and one cavalry regiment. "In February 1807 these remnants became part of the French army and were sent to Silesia. These Polish veterans became the core of a new Polish Legion ... and were initially called the Polish-Italian Legion (Italian since they had fought in Italy, not because the unit had Italians in it).Napoleon's decree of 1807 stated this Legion should consist of three infantry regiments and one cavalry regiment. ... In June, the formation took part in the siege of Klodzko. From Silesia the Legion moved to service in Westphalia in October 1807 ... On 21 February 1808, Napoleon ordered the Legion to Poitiers in France, where it was formally inducted into the French army.In a letter to Davout dated 31 March 1808, Napoleon renamed the Polish-Italian Legion (Polacco-Italienne) the "Vistula Legion." He also stated that the infantry were to be treated on a par with French line regiments ... The depot for the Legion appears to have been Sedan. ... It should also be noted that French nationals were not permitted to serve in the Legion, except as the company clerks (fourriers), battalion adjutant non-commissioned officers, and as paymasters.
After the battle of Wagram (1809), Napoleon found that he was once again in possession of a large number of ethnic Poles amongst his Austrian prisoners of war. The Decree of 8 July, 1809, directed that these men were to form a 2nd Vistula Legion. The 2nd Vistula Legion never was able to form completely, so it was disbanded by the Decrees of 12/15 February, 1810. It was incorporated into the 1st Vistula Legion as a 4th Regiment. The Vistula Legion was sent to Spain where it fought in the sieges of Saragossa and Segunto. In fact, the Vistula Legion seemed particularly destined to participate in sieges, and it fought in all of the major sieges in eastern Spain during the early years of the Peninsular War. ... In preparation for the invasion of Russia the Vistula Legion was withdrawn from Spain in early 1812 |
On 2 April 1812, Napoleon decided to include the Poles in the Young Guard corps under Marshal Mortier rather than designating them as Guard. The third battalions were formed, but on 31 May, after reviewing them in Posen, Napoleon directed that they not form elite companies, feeling their soldiers were too young. However, they would follow the main army as far as Smolensk and Gjatsk, joining the main body only during the retreat in the beginning of November. ... The 4th Regiment was still in Spain while the other regiments went to Russia. ... These men had fought bravely at Smolensk, Borodino, Tarutino, Krasnoe and at the Berezina Crossing. " (Nafziger - "Poles and Saxons of the Napoleonic Wars")
General Joseph Chlopicki (born March 14, 1771 – died September 30, 1854) commanded the infantry of Vistula Legion between June 1808 and 1812. (Earlier it was under General Grabinski.) He was one of the toughest Polish infantry generals of Napoleonic wars. Chlopicki was awarded by the French with Legion of Honour for the battle of Epila and the storming of Saragossa. In 1809 he was promoted to the rank of general de brigade. During the invasion of Russia in 1812, Chlopicki was wounded at Smolensk. In 1813 he was made a general de division. He held aloof at first from the November Uprising of 1830-31 (war with Russia), but at the general request of his countrymen accepted the post of commander in chief of Polish army. | |  |
Commissioned Officers
Capitaine - Cpt
Lieutenant - Lt
Adjudant - Adj | | Non-Commissioned Officers
Sergent - Sgt
Caporal-Fourrier - CplFr
Caporal - Cpl | | Enlisted
Légionnaire - Legio
Fusilier Vétéran - FusV
Fusilier - Fus
Soldat de Première - SdtPr
Soldat - Sdt
Cadet - Cdt
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3e Légion de la Vistule
Only Ranks Soldat de Première and Above will be Counted
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Commissioned Officers Capitaine SteveUrkle12 Lieutenant Suzuki Adjutant Jadog2003 | | Non-Commissioned Officers Caporal-Fourier Orange Caporal Ben
| | Enlisted Légionnaire Korwan Légionnaire Don Légionnaire Velmer Légionnaire Sparky2ben Légionnaire Revan
Fusilier Vétéran Dahan Fusilier Vétéran Lewisfoxy
Fusilier Shrek Fusilier VHA Fusilier Sneeky Fusilier Cottril Fusilier Cat-dog Fusilier Siege Fusilier Bmac Fusilier Mason Fusilier Thugoso Fusilier TheAntidote
Soldat de Première CommissarHunter Soldat de Première Norwegian Soldat de Première BOOBERT Soldat de Première Hotspot Soldat de Première Siege Soldat de Première Kaldir Soldat de Première Paddington Soldat de Première bmac Soldat de Première Sir Frisky Bird Soldat de Première Poniatowski Soldat de Première Vexis Soldat de Première Adobe Soldat de Première Gringo Soldat de Première Thaxx Soldat de Première Mikey Soldat de Première Xarlea Soldat de Première TheGaul9 Soldat de Première LeroyJenkins Soldat de Première Jorje Cuchumpza Soldat de Première Zheng He Soldat de Première Nathiola Soldat de Première Jorvasker Soldat de Première Yusuf
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Regimental Leaders