49th hutsul rifle regiment

it seems the 11th carpathian infantry division of the polish army had a hutsul unit, and it wasn't only about the name. the 49th hutsul rifle regiment (49 huculski pulk strzelcow) consisted mostly of hutsul soldiers and was garrisoned in kolomyja, town in the hutsul inhabited pokuttya which still is a center of hutsul culture.

in 1937 the first battalion of the polish army was named hutsul battalion of the polish legions, in 1938 the term hutsul expanding to the whole regiment (replacing kresy). previously, the polish legions had a hutsul company, during ww1, its service being appreciated as outstanding.

at special events, the hutsuls of the regiment not only that were allowed, but were even recommended to wear hutsul traditional clothes.

this regiment is remembered as a brave and original one, thanks to its attacks on germans. first, against the 4th light division (10 september '39) and then the famous night attack against ss-standarte germania (15/16 september '39), when hutsuls unloaded their rifles and used the bayonets to catch germans unaware; and they firmly did, even commanders being among those killed. the other germans scattered in panic or were taken prisoners. the next day, hutsuls were shocked to see how much equipment they captured.

anyway, after reaching lviv (19 september '39), the regiment capitulated to the red army.