Original Polish WWI Haller’s Blue Army Pilot’s Uniform with Pilot’s Wings and Bullion Shoulder Board Patches - Extremely Rare

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The Blue Army or Haller's Army, was a Polish military contingent created in France during the latter stages of World War I. The name came from the French-issued blue military uniforms worn by the soldiers. The symbolic term used to describe the troops was subsequently adopted by General Józef Haller von Hallenburg to represent all newly organized Polish Legions fighting in western Europe.

The army was formed on 4 June 1917, and was made up of Polish volunteers serving alongside allied forces in France during World War I. After fighting on the Western Front, the army was transferred to Poland, where it joined other Polish military formations fighting for the return of Poland's independence. The Blue Army played a pivotal role in ensuring Polish victory in the Polish–Ukrainian War. Later Haller's troops took part in Poland's defeat of the advancing Bolshevik forces in the Polish–Soviet War.

This is an extraordinarily scarce uniform set for a Polish Pilot serving in Haller’s Army during the later stages of World War I, consisting of a jacket and trousers. Initially, the soldiers were uniformed like the French. They wore red pants, a red cap with the Polish Eagle, a navy blue sweatshirt and a blue coat. At the turn of 1917/1918, the Polish Army was equipped with light blue uniforms, hence the name "Blue Army" and horned caps.

This outstanding French-made tunic is fitted with Polish Eagle buttons, with bullion oval eagle patches on each shoulder board. There are bullion Winged stars stitched to the collar, and a set of Pilot’s wings over the left breast pocket. They are brass and unmarked that we can see. There is a single rank stripe on each cuff, denoting the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

Most of the buttons are marked on the back SUPERIEUR / 21 / M / FRANCE, but the bottom button to the front is hollow-backed with a Polish maker’s mark.

There is scattered mothing across the uniform, with some tearing in the interior lining as well. There is a maker’s tag under the collar that is rather tattered, but we can make out that it was a maker in Paris.

There is a name written in one of the pockets, C.H. CLARK, but this is almost certainly not the name of the pilot, as it’s not a Polish surname. 

The included trousers are in great condition and match the jacket very well. They show heavy period wear with some minor repairs, but there are no markings we could find.

This is an outstanding opportunity to add to your Blue Army collection! Any material relating to these Polish pilots is extraordinarily scarce, so don’t miss out on this rare opportunity! Comes ready for further research and display.

During the Great World War, Polish soldiers in Russia managed to create: the 1st Polish Aviation Division, the 2nd Polish Aviation Division and the Air Squadron of the 4th Rifle Division of general Lucjan Żeligowski. There were also other attempts: in Odessa and in the 1st and 2nd. Józef Piłsudski’s Brigade of Legions.

In Józef Piłsudski’s Polish Legions there was a very strong idea and desire to create a Polish aviation division. The initiators were second lieutenant observer Janusz de Beaurain and lieutenant pilot-observer August Menczak. However, the Austrians successfully torpedoed these intentions.

In the period from August 1914 to 1916, Lieutenant Observer Janusz de Beaurain served in the Polish Legions, in the 1st Artillery Regiment. He was delegated to the Austrian Aviation Officer School and after its completion, as an aviation observer, he was sent to the Italian front to the 34th Squadron (Flik 34). From May to August 1917, he again served in the 1st Artillery Regiment of the Legions. After the oath crisis, he was active in the Polish Military Organization. We will inform you about Janusz de Beaurain, because he was active in the Free Republic of Poland.

Lieutenant pilot August Menczak was called up to the Austro-Hungarian army in 1914. He graduated from the Artillery School in Budapest. On August 1, 1916, he enrolled at the School of Observers and Pilots in Wiener Neustadt. After graduating, he served as an observer in the Austrian 4th aviation company. At the turn of 1917/1918 he became a pilot. He fought on the Balkan Front.

In 1917, in Warsaw, the Germanic people prevented the development of aviation education organized by the Polish Air Navigation Society. Few of the willing candidates, mainly from Greater Poland, were sent to schools in Germany.

The Polish Army in France was formed as a result of a stalemate on the fronts of the Great World War. The initiators were Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Jan Paderewski. The French gave their consent and the Polish Army officially began operating on June 4, 1917. This was done on the basis of a decree by the French President, Raymond Poincaré, issued on that very day. The Polish Army in France was to be under the French command as a structural part of the French army, although it had its own banner. The French government was responsible for equipping and arming the Army. The recruitment was based on Polish emigration to France, the United States, Brazil and Polish prisoners of war from the Austrian and German armies. In June 1917, the Polish Army numbered 9,000 recruits, 7,000 of whom came from the Austrian and Germanic camps. General Luis Archinard was appointed commander. Operationally, the Polish Army was subordinate to the Supreme Command of the Allied Forces. In July 1917, the first Polish troops were established in the Sillé-le-Guillaume camp (Loire region).

Initially, the soldiers were uniformed like the French. They wore red pants, a red cap with the Polish Eagle, a navy blue sweatshirt and a blue coat. At the turn of 1917/1918, the Polish Army was equipped with light blue uniforms, hence the name "Blue Army" and horned caps.

On September 28, 1918, pursuant to an agreement with the French government, the Polish National Committee gained political control over the Polish Army. It was of great importance because this Army was recognized as the only, independent and allied Polish army.

On October 4, 1918, General Józef Haller became the commander of the Polish Army in France. General Józef Zając became his deputy. Two days later, General Józef Haller took a solemn oath on the military banner.

It is worth adding that the orders of general Józef Haller were also subject to two divisions in the east: the 4th Division of general Lucjan Żeligowski and the 5th Siberian Division of major Walerian Czuma.

Aviation units created in France were of the highest level: technical, equipment and organizational. They had the best social and living conditions.

In 1918, a group of Polish Soldiers was transferred to the aviation school in Dijon. Among them were Sergiusz Abżółtowski and Jerzy Kossowski. Poles were also trained in Longvic and at the higher pilot school in Pau. Many Polish Airmen went to French squadrons. In September 1918, the Polish Air Camp was established in Pau. Captain Jerzy Kossowski was the commandant of the camp. After the ceasefire on the Franco-German front, all Polish airmen from French squadrons were transferred to the Polish Aviation Camp in Pau. A small group of Polish Airmen from the German Air Force was also transferred to the camp. At that time, the air component of the Blue Army had 98 aircraft.

Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 10.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15"
Chest width: 17”
Waist: 16"
Hip: 22"
Front length: 32"

Pants:
waist: 12"
Inseam 30"