git-rcheckout

#!/bin/bash -e
## Do a recursive checkout
## this includes removing orphaned directories
## and attaching heads.

## read input, display help if necessary
if [[ "$@" == "" || "$@" == *--help* ]]; then
    cat<<EOF
 Recursive checkout

 This command is like git-checkout, but acts recursively, i.e.,
 makes sure that the submodules are at the correct commit, 
 their HEADs are attached if possible and orphaned submodule
 directories are removed.

 Usage:
    git rcheckout ...

    ...: same arguments as git-checkout
EOF
    exit 0;
fi

## from the git mailinglist:
function git
{
    LC_MESSAGES=C command git "$@"
} 
export git

## check for modified content and uncommitted changes
git check-clean || exit 1

## do the checkout
git checkout "$@" || exit 1
## fix submodule
git fix-submodules --skip-checks
## attach head (necessary?)
git attach-head