Edward Suren Part 2

Today I painted up my take on my favourite Edward Suren figure. My 40mm version is a bit chunky and less refined, but he looks fine on the table. I cannot see this particular French officer being particularly successful in the front line, but he will make a fine addition to the gaggle of lackeys who adorne the French court.... I enjoyed this exercise. Regimental recruitment may be put on hold as I experiment with a couple of more court characters.

                                                My 40mm                                   Suren

The books of Christopher Duffy and those wonderful Hussars

I am still in Francophile mood at the moment, so this morning I opened up Christopher Duffy's wonderful book "Prussia's Glory" to catch up again on the French contribution in the run up to Rossbach. I find reading material on the French army of 1756-63 is fairly thin, probably due to their perceived poor performance. I can read and re-read Duffy books. Nobody can make history such a good read as Duffy. Superbly factual, but written in an interesting style and packed with stories and first hand information. I am very much looking forward to the updated releases of "A Life of Marshal von Browne", and "Instrument of War", both of which Helion hope to produce in 2019.
I spoke to Helion at Salute, and they should be released later this year, depending on Mr Duffy's health. In true style, he wants to ensure his updates to the books are re-checked before going to print.
I think Helion are doing a great service to the 18th century with some of their recent prints. In my view their "Century of the Soldier" series is almost like a modern Osprey series, but with more detail and text. I believe the "Zweybrucken in Command" by Neil Cogswell should be out next month, which will be a great addition to our knowledge of the Reicharmee.

One of my hobby friends, and a true inspiration has recently been posting some images of his latest Hussar sculpts on his blog. I just had to add the image below, truly inspiring, and what a fantastic vignette this would make. It shows the 1st Szekely Hussars, under Seydlitz, after the re-capture of Gotha on 22nd Sept 1757. The haul of lackeys and loot included, wigs, dressing gowns, night wear, parrots, monkeys and the like. All brought along by the French officers to try and impress the local ladies... Somehow it sums up the French officer corps of the period, but what a great feature set this would make in miniature.. Maybe one for the future.

The Royal Ecossois and that mitre cap

I suppose that the Royal Ecossois is a "must have" addition to my French army collection.
I live close to Culloden so it was only natural that I should paint up a unit of these fellows.
By the time of the Seven years war, the unit had adopted the tricorne and white breaches, but they can still double up as a unit in my Jacobite army as required.
The regiment was based at Calais in 1756, probably eager to be part of the invasion force planning to attack Britain, and claim back the crown for the Jacobites. They did not see much action during the war, and from 1760 it was part of Broglie's army.
As a single btn regiment, I will got for a unit of 6-7 bases of 4 figures, plus a colonel and sergeant figure. Flags have already been painted by the incomparable MA.

I have always been intrigued by the grenadier mitre cap in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. It is a thing of real beauty and simply oozes quality of manufacture.

The cap is blue velvet in the front, with a star of the order of Thistle, with silver lace decoration.

The bag at the back is red silk. It is now disputed if this was worn by the grenadier company or if it just made for an officer or as a gift or presentation. Given the cost of production, it is highly doubtful if it would have been issued to a full company, particularly while campaigning,

But as wargamers and model soldier fanatics, we have the opportunity to put our own interpretation into our armies, so for me, a company or one base stand of grenadiers wearing mitre caps is a must.

So my project for today was to convert four figurines and add the appropriate heads ....

I look forward to seeing the full regiment with flags flying and mitre capped grenadiers

Vive La France !

Today I have decided to post images of some of my French army collection. The French army is currently my favourite of the period. Don't ask me why...they have a bad reputation, over officered,
indisciplined and untidy, in transition, boring white uniforms, plain uninspiring flags and so on. But dig a little deeper and the French army is full of variation. I like quirkiness and French units are full of unusual features. Regimental sizes vary drastically, Irish, Swiss, German and royal units all provide lots of variety, and some of the flags are simply splendid. The French army of 1914 has always fascinated me. Out of date uniforms and weaponry, crazy tactics but lots of elan. The French in 1756 in my view were very similar, and going through a period of transition. The French army probably had more officers in relation to men than any other army of the period. This gives plenty of opportunity for officer vignettes.
While my Prussian and Austrian units have a standard size of 7 bases of 4 figures, plus command, btn gun and sergeant, the French regiments vary according to the number of battalions. The Royal Ecosse, Dillon, La Mark regiments will be of similar size to the German/Austrians, but big regiments such as Gardes Francais, La Marine etc can have up to 48 figures, a splendid sight in 40mm.

So a few of my French units as they appear on my shelves .... (The units are labelled below)

The Fight for Torgau, Sept 1st 1756.

The fight for Torgau

September 1st 1756. Frederick crosses the Saxon border and marches on Torgau.

The Advance column is under the command of Prince Henry.

The column consists of IR11, IR14,IR18,IR26, 5/20 Grenadiers and 13/26 Grenadiers.

This is backed by field guns, engineers and pontoons.

The river crossings at Torgau must be seized and held for the main army.

This task is given to Col von Pannweitz, 2nd Hussars. His advance guard consists of IR42 Fusilier regiment, a battalion of grenadiers 32/42 and the 2nd Hussars.The fusiliers led by Col von Schenckendorff, have light btn guns.

Torgau is well defended by garrison artillery, heavy guns behind strong defences and the River Elbe to the front with only two bridge crossings.

Both bridges across the river are occupied by Saxons. 

IR1 Konigin under Col von Munchau block the west bridge. Both are mined by a company of engineers. They are supported by a Saxon invalid company and a company of CL1 Prinz Carl Chevauleger. Torgau is under the command of Col Baron von Rohr, who has orders to delay the Prussians as long as possible, but to ensure the good escape of the regular infantry as required.

A Saxon invalid company move up to defend the east bridge

IR Fusilier Reg 42 commanded by Col von Schenckendorff tries to force the west bridge

Faced by the charge of the Prussians, the west bridge is blown. The Prussian fusiliers take 30% losses from IR1 Konigin, who suffer 7% losses.

Trapped on the wrong side of the river, with no hope of escape, and demoralised after heavy casualties, IR42 surrender and are marched of to Torgau.

The east bridge fails to blow. 2nd Hussars under Col von Wartenberg quickly charge the bridge, which sees a quick exist of the Saxon engineers and surrender of the Invalid company.

Meanwhile, a lucky shot from the btn gun of IR42 kills von Munchau, Colonel of IR1 Konigin. With their leader gone, the regiment retreats down the road south of Torgau

With the Prussians established on the Torgau bank of the river, the Torgau garrison commander, Col Baron von Rohr is forced to negotiate terms of surrender with Col Anton von Pannweitz, commander of the Prussian advance guard. Officers are permitted to maintain side arms, the arsenal at Torgau is surrendered, and IR42 are released after their short period of confinement.

Despite suffering five times as many casualties as the Saxon's,  Prussia can claim a victory. Capturing the east bridge saved a two day delay as the pontoons were some distance to the rear. Prince Henry can move his column deeper into Saxony and dine in style this evening in Torgau. The hero of the advance column, von Pannweitz can be pleased with the determination of his hussars in capturing the bridge and clearing a path for the oncoming troops. Von Panneweitz will dine at Prince Henry's table in the knowledge that his fine leadership has been reported to King Frederick.