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.

Command figures - Great Italian Wars

 

 

I needed command figures for my Gonzalo Great Italian Wars rules.  Somehow, I forgot to do them in my earlier painting sessions.  The rules won't work without them.  I had to crack on and get a few done.  The Swiss were straight forward enough.  Not so the various kings, princes and nobility.   They needed flags, specific ones and no one made most of them. Some people can make brilliant flags pretty much at will.  Alas, I lack the skill set. My progress was slower and basic and I have more to do.

That said progress has been made.  Here are my French Commanders.

The King of France in the colours of the Kings of Jerusalem.  The King of France had bought the title from the last claimant.  Wearing them in the Great Italian Wars was probably a bit of visual propaganda.  I'm not sure who made the flag which shows St. Denis and the porcupine impressa.

Berault Stuart one time Marshall of France. The lion rampant is a clue to where his family originated.

Du Crequy, on the basis that his banner was easily accomplished. 

Three Swiss Commanders, each with their attendant/body guard.  

That's one Commander for each division of the Swiss Pike. 

Gonzalo De Cordoba himself for the Spanish. The heraldic elements are all ones he could claim.  I cannot say they ever appeared before in this form.  I've two more Spanish command bases to do, one mounted, one foot, and then I will be ready for a first game of Gonzalo.

French Revolutionary Cavalry in 15mm

These are big 15mm’s from the Old Glory French Revolution range.  Not quite 18mm though, so a good fit with my Lancashire Games stuff.  I like these figures a lot.  There’s enough detail and a nice variety of poses. Below, the 11^th Hussars.

 

I intend adding another unit of hussars.  I rather fancy doing the 10th or the Black American Hussars in their sky blue uniforms although they were only 50 or so of the latter.

The happy medium here with the 11^th Chasseurs a Cheval as above top.  It is very tempting to do another Chasseur unit in Tarleton.

Last, the 9^th regiment of line cavalry. They could get a second squadron as I have the appropriate flag.  That said I might do a unit of Gendarmes instead as I have a flag for them too.

Finding suitable lags for these units was quite tricky and I’m resolved only to paint units I can provide with an appropriate flag. I'd very much like to do a dragoon unit but currently I'm stuck for a flag.

Finally more infantry, my last column  of Parisian National Guard.

I now have enough French Republicans for a game.  There are lots more left to paint.  Lots of everything else too.