Kingdom of Holland, 1st Battalion 2nd Infantry Regiment

2nd [German] Infantry Division 
GdD Jean-Francois, Baron Leval,

Brigade
OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck,

Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr. 4: OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck, 2 battalions
Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse, 1st Battalion

Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse. 2nd Battalion
Baden Foot Battery: 2 – 7pdr howitzers, MAJ Franz-Friedrich-Christian von Steinmetz

Brigade
GM David-Hendrik Chasse,

Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave, 1/2nd Infantry Regiment
Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave, 2/4th  Infantry Regiment

Dutch Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 3: 6 guns, HPT Hendrik-Rudolph Trip

Brigade
GdB Balthazard Grandjean,
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 1st Battalion
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 2nd Battalion
Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Nr.3 (Frankfurt) OBL von Welsch

Hessen-Darmstadt Foot Batterie: 4 – 6pdrs, LT Ludwig Venator

The Dutch infantry contingent in the German Division was a composite regiment with a battalion each from the 2nd and 4th Regiments (Some references say the 2nd and 3rd, but I've gone with Boisselier above and Burnham, http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/organization/c_baden.html).

There are not many options around in 18mm for the Dutch contingent in Spain and so I have, as with the other units shown so far, used the "Warmodelling" figures. The figures themselves are ok but are probably my least favourite of their current range. The fusiliers only come in two poses and are not the best castings, the grenadiers are only in one pose and are ok, but the voltigeurs are the most frustrating only shown in an advancing pose, again only one option. Sadly none of the options provide a campaign look as with the Germans. I would have really liked a figure with loose fitting baggy trousers to replicate the Spanish and captured cloth items that would have soon replaced the uniform leggings of the standard uniform.

I should say that the information on the Dutch at this time is very limited and often contradictory and the decision to produce a certain look will probably come down to the individual, based on the reference they know and/or prefer, based on corroboration from other sources. I have used several references in the painting of the battalion with this thought process.

One very interesting source looking at Dutch troops in the field from this period is

Dutch troops in Hamburg

One reference insists the the Dutch voltigeurs copied French practice in having their collars faced yellow, and don't get me started on plumes!

So how to make the best of what we have. First up was a mounted Colonel to represent Baron de Grave. This chap was a French colonel with his plume removed and a piece of brass rod put on the side of the shako with modelling putty shaped to produce a new plume.

Next up were the voltiguers, both skirmishing and in the unit. As all the other figures were in march pose with sloped arms I decided to remodel some French voltigeurs with side plumes. With the skirmish elements I kept two of the advancing poses and put head transplants on two skrmishing French voltigeurs.

My final adaption was to use an oversize Colour from Maverick Models. The Dutch colours were a copy of the French 1804 standard and should be smaller, but given the Dutch were not using Eagles at this time I decided to give them oversize colours to help them have a bit more on table presence when on with the German battalions. You can call it artistic licence and I'm the artist and I'm happy.

All in all I'm quite pleased with the look achieved but would really like to see new options in 18mm to do the Dutch in Spain, but until then these will be my chaps for Talavera.

I am now getting ready for a two week holiday in France, so the German Division will go on hold until I am back, but I do aim to post some holiday stuff as I am close to Paris and the scene of Napoleon's 1814 campaign. Once back I'll be getting on with the 4th Dutch and some Romans!

Confederation of the Rhine Nr. 3 (Frankfurt) Battalion

The third component of GdB Balthazard Grandjean's brigade was the Frankfurt battalion, commanded by Oberstlieutenant von Welsch.

2nd [German] Infantry Division 
GdD Jean-Francois, Baron Leval,

Brigade
OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck,

Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr. 4: OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck, 2 battalions
Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse, 1st Battalion

Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse. 2nd Battalion
Baden Foot Battery: 2 – 7pdr howitzers, MAJ Franz-Friedrich-Christian von Steinmetz

Brigade
GM David-Hendrik Chasse,

Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave, 2 battalions

Dutch Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 3: 6 guns, HPT Hendrik-Rudolph Trip

Brigade
GdB Balthazard Grandjean,
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 1st Battalion
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 2nd Battalion

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Nr. 3 (Frankfurt) OBL von Welsch,

Hessen-Darmstadt Foot Batterie: 4 – 6pdrs, LT Ludwig Venator

With the Treaty of Luneville in 1801 all territories of the Holy Roman Empire on the left bank of the River Rhine were ceded to France. This massive change to the map of Europe in time led to the creation of the Grand Duchy of Frankfurt. Frankfurt was called upon to raise and maintain a battalion of infantry initially 968 all ranks, this was later increased to 1,500 men.

On the 4th of August 1808 Frankfurt was ordered by the Emperor Napoleon to mobilise its battalion. The battalion, 980 men strong was organised along French lines with a grenadier and voltigeur company and four fusilier companies.

The battalion when raised in 1808 wore white tunics faced red with white buttons. In March 1809, after the Battle of Medellin, large stocks of dark blue and brown cloth were captured and the ragged white tunics and breaches were replaced with the dark blue uniform as illustrated. All badges of rank and company followed the French model.

My battalion is composed of figures from the "Warmodelling" range, with von Welsch mounted on an "AB" steed. The Colour carried is speculative, and thank you to Stuart at Maverick Models for supplying me with two options. I decided on the plain white with the eagle as a suitable banner for my my battalion to tread the field of Talavera with.

Next up, the Dutch contingent.

1st Battalion, 2nd Nassau Regiment

2nd [German] Infantry Division 
GdD Jean-Francois, Baron Leval,

Brigade
OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck,

Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr. 4: OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck, 2 battalions

Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse, 2 battalions

Baden Foot Battery: 2 – 7pdr howitzers, MAJ Franz-Friedrich-Christian von Steinmetz

Brigade
GM David-Hendrik Chasse,

Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave, 2 battalions

Dutch Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 3: 6 guns, HPT Hendrik-Rudolph Trip

Brigade
GdB Balthazard Grandjean,
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 1st Battalion
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 2nd Battalion

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Nr. 3 (Frankfurt) OBL von Welsch,

Hessen-Darmstadt Foot Batterie: 4 – 6pdrs, LT Ludwig Venator

The Nassau Regiment is the next unit to join my new German Division as part of plans to put together the units for Talavera. As I progress, I will provide links to the order of battle above to enable a review of the individual units completed.

On the 15th of October 1808 the 2nd Nassau Regiment, under the command of Oberst August von Kruse, crossed the Spanish border at Tolosa to begin its campaign in the Peninsular War. The 2nd Nassau regiment would take part in over forty engagements during the campaign. The battles would include Medellin, Talavera, Ocana and Vitoria.

On the 10th December 1813 Kruse, under secret orders from the Duke of Nassau, would lead his men to defect to the Allies and would go on to command his troops against the Emperor at Waterloo under the Duke of Wellington. It is reported the the Duke, familiar with the Nassau's in the Peninsula, spoke to General Kruse before Waterloo saying,

"I hope, General, that your actions today are as clever when you are fighting for me as they were in Spain when you were fighting against me."

Major General August von Kruse, commander of the 2nd Regiment in the Peninsular War

My battalion is composed of figures from the "Warmodelling" range, and the Colour is from Adolfo Ramos Flags.

There are no prizes for spotting the deliberate mistake with this unit, but I thought it might be fun to see if regular, observant, readers of the blog can spot the omission. This should be remedied by the finish of the second battalion when I will reveal all.

Hesse-Darmstadt 2nd Battalion Gross-und- Erbprinz Regiment

With the completion of the Hesse-Darmstadt 2nd Battalion Gross-und- Erbprinz Regiment the first component of the German Division is done.

As with the 1st battalion, the unit is composed principally of Warmodelling figures with a lone AB officer in the front rank pointing his sword towards the enemy. The Colour is from Maverick Models.

If you would like to know more about the regiment and some of the sources I used in its construction then check out my previous post from last month on the 1st battalion.

http://jjwargames.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/hesse-darmstadt-1st-battalion-gross-und.html

The Hesse-Darmstadt Regiment complete

Hesse-Darmstadt 1st Battalion Gross-und- Erbprinz Regiment

A few days ago I announced plans to commence work on the Talavera campaign and have started to build General Laval's "German Division".

2nd [German] Infantry Division GdD Jean-Francois, Baron Leval,

Brigade
OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck,

Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr. 4: OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck,

 2 battalions
Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse,

2 battalions
Baden Foot Battery: 2 – 7pdr howitzers
MAJ Franz-Friedrich-Christian von Steinmetz

Brigade
GM David-Hendrik Chasse,

Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave,

2 battalions
Dutch Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 3: 6 guns
HPT Hendrik-Rudolph Trip

Brigade
GdB Balthazard Grandjean,

Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein,

2 battalions

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Nr. 3 (Frankfurt) OBL von Welsch,
Hessen-Darmstadt Foot Batterie: 4 – 6pdrs
LT Ludwig Venator 

So the first unit completed is the 1st battalion Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. Four originally commanded by General Major Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, but he later resigned the command to Oberst Freiherr von Ledebur.

The brigade of two battalions was formed in August 1808 and, during its time in Spain, was referred to as the Regiment de Hesse by the French.



Both battalions were reorganised along French lines with four fusilier companies, a voltigeur and grenadier company.

As well as being at Talavera in 1809, the regiment was also present at Medellin, Ocana and the defence of Badajoz in 1812.

My battalion is composed principally of figures from Warmodelling. I particularly like the neck cloths attached to the Shakos on these sculpts. They really capture the campaign look of these guys that you see in contemporary pictures of the troops in the Peninsula. The horse for the Colonel is a replacement AB mount, you can't beat an AB horse, and with a little bit of filing the Warmoddeling Colonel fitted perfectly. The Colour is from Maverick Models and thanks to Stuart for getting this one and others of the German Division off to me within a few days of ordering.

 
I hope the pictures do the battalion justice as my usual camera is in for repairs at the moment and my terrain is all set up for tomorrows Oporto game hence the unit is pictured on my table.

A particular reference I found useful was

Napoleon-Online

In addition there are the Osprey titles, 

Osprey Publishing Talavera-1809_

Osprey Publishing Napoleons-German-Allies-(5)

Napoleon's German Division in Spain by Digby Smith is also a very informative source. A review of the book can be found here.

Napoleon-Series

Next up the Second Battle of Oporto game two.

4th Legere - Peninsular War

With the completion of the 4th Legere, I just have two more Legere units to complete for Oporto. In the absence of any other data on the precise look of this unit, and I know that is creating a hostage to fortune here, I have chosen to have my 4th Legere looking rather flashy in full dress with chords on and bearskins for the elite companies.

4e Regiment d'Infanterie Legere          

Regimental History

1788: Created 4e bataillon de Chasseurs Corses(formed from)

2e bataillon Regiment Royal-Corse

1791: 4e Bataillon d'Infanterie Legere (4e bataillon de Chasseurs)
1794: 4e Demi-Brigade d'Infanterie Legere (1st formation, formed from the following)

4e batailllon de Chasseurs
1er bataillon, Volontaires de la Creuse
5e bataillon, Volontaires de l'Ain

1796: 4e Demi-Brigade d'Infanterie Legere (2nd formation, formed from the following)

8e Demi-Brigade d'Infanterie Legere (1st formation)
2e bataillon, 52e Demi-Brigade d'Bataille
5e bataillon, Volontaires de l'Isere
1er bataillon, Volontaires de la Charente
Batailllon de Nyons

1803: 4e Regiment d'Infanterie Legere  

Regimental War Record (Battles and Combats)

1794: Kaiserlautern
1795: Mayence
1796: Montenotte, Dego, Mondovi, Borghetto, Lonato, Castiglione, Rivoli and Arcole
1798: Pyramides
1799: Mont-Tabor and Aboukir 
1800: Heliopolis, Canope, and Fort  Bard
1805: Ulm and Diernstein
1807: Straslund and Friedland
1808: Rio-Seco, Vimeiro, Burgos, and Torquemada
1809: Villafranca, Lugo and  Corogne, and Oporto
1810: Busaco
1811: Sabugal and Badajoz
1812: Arapiles
1813: Vitoria and Bayonne
1813: Lutzen, Bautzen, Dresde, Kulm, and Leipzig
1814: Orthez
1814: Champaubert, Montmirail, and Vauchamps
1815: Ligny and Waterloo 

Regimental History and Battle Honours from the Napoleon Series

As can be seen the 4th Legere got a lot of experience fighting the Anglo-Portuguese forces in the Peninsular War so these chaps will be on the table more often than not.

My unit is composed of AB figures except the Carabiniers which are Warmodelling. The standard is from GMB.

7th Royal Fusiliers

The work towards putting together Sir Arthur Wellesley's army at Oporto takes another step towards completion with the addition of the 7th Royal Fusiliers.

This regiment as part of Packenham's Brigade (The Fusilier Brigade) in Cole's 4th Division would put two battalions into the field as part of the British army in the peninsula and would later gain fame for its part during the Battle of Albuera, helping to snatch victory from defeat in the counter attack that forced Marshal Soult to concede the field, with both armies suffering horrendous casualties.

The Fusiliers in Wellesley's army (the 7th would be joined by the 23rd Royal Welch) were elite battalions of
infantry. Therefore in recognition of their status all companies wore elite company wings on their tunics and white grenadier plumes in their shakos. The Fusilier bearskin would have normally been left in stores for parade dress and other than their elite fittings the unit would have appeared much as any other line battalion.

The unit is composed of figures primarily from Warmodelling, with a few AB. The colours are from GMB.

Next up the 3rd (The Buffs) Foot.

Dedicated too and in loving memory of Audrey (Randell) Jones 4/10/1924 to 29/11/2013