The first half of my first Phase-Two infantry battalion is ready for inspection. It is the Field Battalion Bremen, one of the regiments of King George III's Hanoverian Army.Strengthened with a sprinkling of British troops and German freikorps units in British pay, this new army sprang into existence in 1813 following the collapse of French power in Northern Germany. After campaigning in Germany in 1813 and 1814, the Hanoverians would eventually march to the Low Countries and were still garrisoned there when the Napoleonic Wars broke out afresh in early 1815.
In its early days the Bremen and Verden Battalion, as it was originally called, was dressed as light troops in stovepipe shakos and Rifle green. By the time of Waterloo, however, it had been re-organised and equipped as a redcoat battalion. Opinions differ about the other details - some sources suggest they were also issued with new Belgic shakos, for example, and had blue rather than the black facings I've given them here. However, most agree they retained their distinctive dark blue trousers and black leather equipment. Whatever the details, they're certain to brighten up my Prussians a bit, and provide a brilliant excuse for adding all sorts of other weird and wonderful units.
The figures I've painted so far for this battalion are taken from the Der Kriegspielers sets:
# 153: British Light Infantry Battalion 1815, Firing x 11; and
# 154: British Light Infantry Battalion Command Group, Drummer, x 1.
The next post will feature the rest of the command group and an ever-so-slightly speculative flag!
Have a great weekend,
WM
Superb, wonderful colors!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil. I'm experimenting with a new technique for producing redcoats, and am reasonably pleased with the results so far.
DeleteVery nice - it's always good to have an excuse to break out the red!
ReplyDeleteThey were originally going to be another blue-coat Prussian reserve battalion, Ian, but then inspiration struck!
Deletewell you kept this one quiet. I've been contemplating going Hanoverian and have just acquired the relevant Osprey. It all depends how the die rolls. These guys are grand. Brilliant brushwork as ever, and a bit of off-piste to boot. Or ski. Or something. Seriously well done, Sir.
ReplyDeleteThe presence of the Bavarians on the French side seemed to require a bit of allied support for the Prussians, Archduke. This particular battalion also has the benefit of slotting very nicely into Wellington's Army of the Low Countries should I ever feel the need! I'm a bit unsure how to classify it, however. B class of C class?
DeleteWonderfully vibrant colours.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Lee. We're sliding into Winter here is Wellington, so I felt the need for something a bit warmer!
DeleteA splash of scarlet will add a touch of pzazz to the Allies to counter-point the more workman-like Prussians. After we can't leave those Froggies unchallenged in the glamour stakes. Going for the Northern forces, Walmoden's corsps, etc. also allows you to throw in some Russians or at least Russo-German Legion then you'll pretty much have covered everything except kaiserliks. Each post is a gem, please keep 'em coming.
ReplyDeleteNow there's a thought! The RGL is very tempting, Rob, especially as they later transferred to Prussian service and also fought at Waterloo.
DeleteVery nice - as usual.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Doug. Like many DKs, they were a little unprepossessing in the raw but have taken to their scarlets very nicely.
DeleteYes, they ARE gorgeous! The drummer, in particular, is especially impressive. Lovely work.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
Thank you, Stokes. I was a bit worried that their black cross belts and knapsacks would dull them down a bit too much, but I think I've gotten away with it because of the firing pose, which covers up most of the cross belts in any case. The drummer is my second DK 154. The other one drums for the Prussian 21st.
DeleteBlack cross belts! I hadn't spotted that, I felt they created a very distinctive appearance compared to British foot but put it down to the blue trousers - have to get my eyes checked.
DeleteFollowing the Bremen battalion plate on les uniformes de cent jours website, the Bremen battalion appears to have, even at Waterloo, a green uniformed rifle company?. Will this appear in phase two?
ReplyDeleteLovely paintwork on the first section!
The final two companies are currently sitting on my painting table in just their undercoats, LG, so it could still go either way. It would certainly make them very distinctive.
DeleteLovely paint Jobs, especially the Drummer.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paul!
DeleteMethinks they should be B class. They are the Field battalion, not militia. I'm interested to note that their old Verden colleagues got fully British equipment, complete with white belts, according to Herr Hofschroer.
DeleteMethinks so too, Archduke. JC would have a meltdown if I gave him any more C-class troops!
Deletehttps://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/be/f0/18/bef01853f6171cfc31ee50c14ff13198.jpg
ReplyDeleteSome things just cry out to be done .
They are, aren't they!
DeleteAgree with all the above another superb paint job. I struggle with the reds. Most seem too thin and I wind up with 3 or 4 coats to get any depth. Mind you I have the same problem with gold/brass! Acrylic quick drying as opposed to enamels- ups and downs of painting.
ReplyDeleteCheers, ABC. I know what you mean. I struggled a bit when painting the Swiss for similar reasons. However, I'm trying out a new system with these chaps. What I've been doing is blocking them out in red, washing with a thin coat of black, highlighting in pure white, and then painting over the highlights in red again. The translucency becomes a positive advantage. It's not as long winded as it sounds, by the way..:)
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