French Revolutionary Wars- Prussians

On the eve of the French Revolution the reputation of the Prussian Army was sky high.  It was the acme of military thinking from the Age of Reason.  Once fighting started the Monarchs of Europe frantically sought to involve the Prussians to crush the Revolution.   The King of Prussia demanded a high price.

Prussian infantry, few of whom were Prussians, could deftly form into line and deliver rapid fire.  Loading and firing quicker than any other troops.  

In theory the individual soldier was simply a fleshy extension of the mind of the regimental commander.  Man as meat machine if you like. Above the colonels stood the Generals and finally the Supreme Commander himself.  It was his plan and his will that would be carried out with machine like precision.  The Army would move like an irresistible giant sentient robot.

That was the theory.  The reality was undermined by the very humanity of the individual cogs in the Prussian military machine.  You had to be pretty desperate to enlist for the King of Prussia.  Discipline was harsh and relentless.  Beatings were as common as good morning.  That was life in the Prussian infantry.

Native Prussians mostly steered clear.  The King wanted them to be economically useful civilians.  The exception was the officer class provided by the Prussian gentry.  One generation succeeding another.

All this makes me think that my Prussian infantry in We Brought You Liberty should be proficient troops but of no more than average morale.  Combined Grenadiers will naturally be of higher status.

  

The cavalry were, as ever, a step up the social ladder.  Here native Prussian troopers could find themselves serving under the son of their local land lord.  They were good horsemen and well trained soldiers.  Well motivated too.

Due to the space required by lines of infantry Prussian cavalry were mostly deployed on the flanks of the Army.

I think this contingent will get another infantry unit and some hussars and that's it.  I also need to find them a General.

The cavalry are from Old Glory, the infantry from Lancashire Games and their wonderful flags from the David at Not By Appointment blog-there's a link in the sidebar.  Do visit.