British SYW Converged Grenadier battalion

This is the last of the British SYW reinforcements - a converged Grenadier battalion containing these elite infantrymen from regiments 23,34, 38 and 67. Ranker figures are from Crusader Miniatures and the officer and drummer are from Foundry's 25mm SYW range.

SYW British Guards Grenadiers

These are the three companies of Grenadiers from the three Guards battalions fielded. They were frequently detached and converged to make their own battalion, as in pictures 1 and 3, and this was their normal formation in the SYW.  But in picture 2 they have returned to their parent battalion as they would have appeared at Fontenoy in the WAS.

SYW British Guards Brigade

I've been asked to picture all of the Guards together...........

SYW British: 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Such a beautiful unit - and yet no finials. Yes, I know. It's very tiresome not to have them but now is the time to picture them and their absence only detracts a smidgen. I'm doing 8 battalions of British reinforcements to serve under Prince Ferdinand and you have already seen five of them - the Guards Brigade and the Highlanders. To follow are two more converged grenadier battalions.

Meanwhile, here is the history of this very fine regiment from Kronoskaf.

The regiment was formed in 1689 as Lord Herbert's Regiment by Henry, Lord Herbert of Chirbury. Although designated as the Welsh Regiment of Fusiliers in 1702, it has always contained men from all over Britain.

In 1694 under Colonel Ingoldsby, the regiment was moved to Flanders. There it won its first battle honour at the siege of Namur in 1695 where the regiment suffered casualties of 92 dead and 123 wounded. The regiment's part in the siege remains unclear but the casualty figures suggest that it lead the assault.

The regiment was selected, during the War of the Spanish Succession, together with an English and Scottish regiment, to become "Fusiliers" for the purpose of guarding the artillery train. The fusiliers all wore mitre caps; originally, these mitre caps were ordered to be lower than those of the grenadiers but this distinction was soon lost.

The second battle honour was won at Blenheim. There, as part of the five brigades leading the attack under the command of brigadier Rowe, the Welsh and Scots Fusiliers were ordered not to fire a shot until Rowe had struck the palisade with his sword. Their attack was repulsed but they reformed, attacked again and with help from a cavalry attack on the centre won the day. The Welsh Fusiliers lost 9 officers and 120 other ranks.

The first reference to the regiment as "Royal" occurs in 1712 and the following year, the cumbersome title of "Prince of Wales's Own Royal Regiment of Welsh Fusiliers" was granted by George I in recognition of the bravery and loyalty of the regiment. At this time it was granted the privilege of wearing the Prince of Wales's Feathers and the Badge of the Rising Sun on the Regimental Colors.

When the War of the Austrian Succession erupted, the regiment again went to Europe. At the battle of Dettingen on June 27, 1743 the regiment participated with honor defeating three French regiments including the famous regiment of Navarre. In commemoration, the regiment was allow to include the badge of the White Horse of Hanover to their colors.

Under the command of the duke of Cumberland, the regiment was very badly mauled at the battle of Fontenoy in 1745 when it attacked a very strongly fortified position. Although twice successful in breaking the French line, the position was untenable and with losses of 323 men, the regiment was forced back. Later in 1747 at Lauffeldt, the duke of Cumberland again was defeated. This time, the regiment was run down by its own cavalry and subsequently attacked by French infantry resulting in 240 men being lost, most of whom were prisoners.

On July 1 1751, the regiment officially became the "23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welsh Fusiliers)" while garrisoned in Scotland. 1754 found the Royal Welsh bound for duty in Minorca.

September 20 1756, saw the addition of a second battalion but two years later, in 1758, this battalion was made a distinct regiment as the 68th Regiment of Foot.

In 1756, at the outbreak of the Seven Years War, the 23rd Foot was one of four British regiments that unsuccessfully defended Minorca against forces commanded by the duc de Richelieu. After the capitulation of Fort St. Philip on June 28 1756, the regiment was allowed to retire to Gibraltar. The regiment then returned to Great Britain where, on September 20, it received a second battalion.

In May 1758, the regiment was sent to the Isle of Wight and then, from June to July, took part to a fruitless expedition against the French Coast, returning to the Isle of Wight after the expedition. While encamped on the island, the regiment was ordered to embark for Germany. It was among the first British contingent (6,000 men) sent to reinforce the Allied army of Ferdinand of Brunswick in Germany. The contingent embarked at Gravesend on July 19 and disembarked on August 3 at Emden. It then left for Coesfeld where it arrived on August 17 after marching through a very heavy rain.

In June 1759, the regiment was part of the main Allied army under the command of the duke Ferdinand of Brunswick. The grenadiers of the regiment were converged with those of the 12th Foot, 20th Foot, 25th Foot and 51st Foot to form Maxwell's Grenadiers Battalion. On August 1, the regiment took part in the battle of Minden where it was deployed in the first line of the 3rd column under major-general Waldegrave alongside the 12th Napier's Foot and the 37th Stuart's Foot. Misinterpreting orders, Waldegrave advanced straight upon the cavalry deployed on the left of the French centre, supported on its way by the fire of Philip's Artillery battery. The first line of French cavalry (11 sqns) charged Waldegrave's first line but was thrown back. The second line of French cavalry was equally repulsed though with more difficulty. Now the French reserve, consisting of the Gendarmerie de France and the Carabiniers, attempted a third attack upon the 9 brave battalions. It charged and broke through the first line of Allied infantry. However, the second line received them with a deadly fire and forced them to retire. The astonishing attack of the British infantry had virtually gained the day.

On October 16 1760, the regiment fought in the battle of Clostercamp where it formed part of the 4th division under Howard which was kept in reserve.

In July 16 1761, the regiment was in Howard's Corps and took part in the battle of Vellinghausen.

On June 24 1762, the regiment took part in the battle of Wilhelmstal. The unit later participated in the American War of Independence and was sent out to the American Colonies in 1773. When the rebellion erupted in Boston, the unit took part in the battles of Lexington and Concord. As the War progressed, the 23rd Foot took part in many of the major battles. These battles included Bunker (Breed's) Hill, Germantown and Camden before the unit surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, but not before the Colours had been smuggled out and only the cased flagpoles surrendered. Their heroism at Yorktown was so admired by the opposing forces, and the fact that so few men had held out for so long, that the Fusilier Redoubt that they held along with a detachment of Royal Marines still stands as a memorial to them.

15mm Old Glory French Infantry of the Franco-Prussian War (2)

Here is the second battalion of the 18th Regiment. My thoughts on this project continue to evolve. As usual, when I start a new project, my thoughts go BIG and then BIGGER. An OOB starts with 12 battalions and then grows to 24 battalions and then grows again to 36.

So I have sliced back. After all, I have to paint both sides to this conflict! So the new project is to do a French Division of 12 battalions, a few batteries and I'll throw in some cavalry. I'm keeping it simple. No flamboyant Zouaves or Turcos......well not yet anyway. Then when that French Division is done, I'll do a Prussian one which will be much stronger to reflect historical reality. A few battles (hey, what are those? I've had one battle in the last 10 years) and then we will see. This period is a time filler so don't expect anything on a regular basis. But I do like the look of them..........

British Guards: 3rd Foot Guards, 2nd battalion of the Scots Guards

The regiment was raised as the "Scots Regiment of Foot Guards" at the restoration of the British monarchy in January 1661. It was initially stationed at Edinburgh and Dunbarton.

In 1685, the regiment was transferred to England to repress Monmouth's rebellion. In 1686, it was incorporated into the English Army and increased to 2 battalions. It took garrison in London.

In 1688, the regiment was renamed "Scots Guards". In 1712, the regiment was renamed "3rd Regiment of Foot Guards".

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:John Leslie, Earl of Rothes.

Throughout the War, a battalion was stationed around London and Windsor.

In May 1758, the 1st battalion was sent to the Isle of Wight in preparation for a raid on the French Coasts. It then embarked on the fleet and took part to the expedition from June 1 to July 1. It also participated in a second expedition on the French Coast from August to September of the same year. On August 7, this battalion landed in the Bay of Saint-Marais near Cherbourg and gained possession of the rising ground in front of its position. On September 11, after the failed attempt against Saint-Malo, it suffered heavy losses during the re-embarkment at Saint-Cast.

As of May 30 1759, the regiment was stationed in England and counted 2 battalions for a total of 1,260 men.

In the Summer of 1760, the 2nd Battalion was sent to Germany to reinforce the Allied Army of Ferdinand of Brunswick. On August 25, it arrived at Ferdinand's headquarters near Bühne. It was immediately integrated into Ferdinand's Reserve deployed along the Diemel. In 1761, the 2nd Battalion was part of Conway's Corps in Germany. On July 16, it took part in the Battle of Vellinghausen. In 1762, the 2nd Battalion was part of Granby's Corps in Germany. On June 24, it took part in the Battle of Wilhelmsthal. The corps fought stubbornly against the flower of the French infantry until Ferdinand managed to turn the rear of the French position with additional troops. A French corps was nearly annihilated. On September 21, the battalion took part in the Combat of Amöneburg. Late in the afternoon, the British Corps came to the relief of the Hanoverians guarding the bridge and repulsed several French attacks, saving the day for the Allies. The battalion suffered more heavily than any other unit engaged.

British Guards: 2nd Foot Guards, 2nd battalion Coldstream

The Coldstream Guards are my favourite British Guards unit and here is their history as per Kronoskaf. Of course, all these fantastic Guards regiments still exist today and you can see them standing outside various British palaces (in their Bearskins) or even more impressively at the annual Trooping of the Colour in Whitehall on the Queen's official birthday.

The regiment was raised by Colonel George Monck in Northumberland on August 13 1650 from 5 companies of Fenwick's Regiment and five companies of Hesilbridge's Regiment. A few weeks later, on September 3 1650, the regiment fought at the Battle of Dunbar.

In 1659, Monck, who was commander-in-chief in Scotland, established his headquarters at Coldstream on the Tweed. From then on, the unit was almost always designated as the "Coldstream Regiment".

In January 1660, the regiment was part of General Monck's force which marched on London where it finally arrived on February 3. After the restoration of the monarchy on May 1 and the accession of Monck to the title of Duke of Albemarle, the regiment was renamed the "Duke of Albemarle's Regiment of Foot". In 1661, it was incorporated into the English Army and became the bodyguard of King Charles II.

In 1670, the regiment was renamed the "Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards".

In 1685, the regiment saw active service during the Monmouth Rebellion and, on July 6, fought at the Battle of Sedgemoor. The regiment then took part in the war in Flanders, fighting in the battles of Walcourt (August 25 1689) and Landen (July 29 1693) and being present at the siege of Namur (1695).

In 1711, the regiment was increased to 2 battalions.

During the War of the Austrian Succession, the regiment served in Flanders and took part in the battles of Dettingen (June 27 1743) and Fontenoy (May 11 1745).

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded  (from April 8 1755 to July 15 1773)by  James O'Hara, 2nd Lord Tyrawley

British Guards: 1st Foot Guards, 2nd battalion

To counterbalance the recently-painted seven French battalions, here are some elite British reinforcements.
I have already shown you two Highland battalions, and here is the beginning of the British Guards. I was holding off picturing these as they are awaiting finials for the flags (these come from Front Rank in the UK)
but the backlog is now causing logistical problems (!!) so I'm going ahead with these posts. The figures are from Crusader and here is the link

http://www.crusaderminiatures.com/list.php?cat=7&sub=49&page=1

In the Summer of 1760, the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards was sent to Germany to reinforce the Allied army of Ferdinand of Brunswick. On August 25, it arrived at Ferdinand's headquarters near Bühne in Germany. It was immediately integrated into Ferdinand's Reserve deployed along the Diemel and for the rest of the war was involved in every large engagement.

I have chosen the Lieutenant Colonel's colour (all scarlet) as the Leibstandarte.

15mm Old Glory Prussian Infantry of the Franco-Prussian War

Here is a Prussian battalion painted up as a trial. They were about 1000 men strong so they often operated tactically in half battalions (two companies) so I have shown them in two distinct lines. The bottom picture shows the size difference between a French and Prussian battalion.

I'm still not sure whether I will do this in 15mm. Do I have the stamina?

15mm Old Glory French Infantry of the Franco-Prussian War

I’ve always been fascinated by both 1866 and 1870. I’m no fan, as you probably know, of 15mm but if you are going to refight 19^th century wars you probably need to drop down to smaller figures as the ranges of weapons increased. So I have bought a few sample bags to see if I both like the figures and enjoy painting them. I tried 10mm a couple of months ago and they were just too small – these are 15mm from Old Glory and are really nice figures.  Faces are difficult to paint in this scale but that is only because I am out of practice and will get in my stride. Plus I’m a little surprised that my phone-camera is quite so good – it shows that I am a little out of practice in 15mm!

The FPW is interesting because, on paper, both sides of the conflict have technological strengths and weaknesses. The French have an excellent infantry rifle, indifferent artillery, an early machine gun and generals who are unsure of themselves – not knowing whether to attack or defend. The Prussians, on the other hand, have an indifferent infantry rifle but aggressive and effective artillery. They have generals who seem less insecure and who know to march to the sound of the guns. In almost every battle the Prussians, and their allies, achieve success because they bring vast numbers of troops to bear and French generals, too often, order withdrawal.

Translating this to a wargame, where good generalship can be shared around and where troop numbers will be limited, will mean that a wargame will not reflect what actually happened. The French certainly can win individual battles even if the y cannot win the war.

I will paint up some sample units on both sides and see whether I like them of not. If not, they will be sold, If I like them, then I will slowly start building armies. I would particularly welcome your comments.

French SYW: Dauphin-Étranger Cavalry

Here is the last of the three French cavalry regiments I have painted over the last few days.

This regiment was raised in 1674 and is a Royal regiment with associated privileges. Quite why it was called "foreign Dauphin" is a mystery to me but maybe it should be Dauphine with an 'e' as 1674 was also the year in which Louis' younger brother 'Monsieur's wife (who was a foreigner from the Palatine) gave birth to Philippe d'Orléans.

Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg Infantry

The last time we came across the Grafschaft Schaumburg-Lippe was back in December 2011 when I painted the artillery for which this little state was famous. To remind yourself of that post here is the link

http://nigbilpainter.blogspot.fr/2011/12/schaumburg-lippe-artillery-battery.html

This is the infantry battalion that was their only infantry contribution. There are some big holes in the uniform details (infantry sash - what colour?) not to mention the fact that nobody knows what flags were carried. Here is my best guess and it's 100% conjectural. I have found two coats-of-arms - one that is rather plain but possibly 18th century in date and another more sumptuous version that is clearly 19th century. I have used the more sumptuous 19th century version for aesthetic reasons! If you want a copy,message/email me.

Hanoverian Infantry: 6A Hardenberg

Last of the Hanoverian infantry reinforcements - 6A. Orange facings on a red coat - quite a combination. Of course I have also not done the finials as I'm waiting for them to arrive in the post.

Hanoverian Infantry: 4B Stolzenberg

Another Hanoverian regiment - 4B. All figures are from Crusader except for the Foundry officer waving his sword.
This unit is missing finials which I will add soon.

88th Royal Highland Volunteers

The regiment was raised at Stirling in Scotland on January 1 1760 by Major John Campbell of Dunoon, formerly of the 78th Fraser's Highlanders. It initially consisted of 800 men to whom 2 companies of the 87th Keith's Highlanders were later added. Its officers also came from the 87th Foot. Usually known as Campbell's Highlanders, the regiment was also designated as the 88th Royal Highland Volunteers.

Highland units were used as a light troops or raiders. The men received little formal training other than to advance with the bayonet. The soldier's backgrounds, extensive cattle raiding in the Highlands, made them well suited to their role in Germany. The unit was often combined with the 87th Keith's Highlanders and both were heavily engaged in 'petite guerre' operations gaining a fearsome reputation.

In 1763, the unit was shipped, via the Netherlands, home. It landed at Tilbury Fort and marched to Scotland. As was common with the light units of the period after wars end, the regiment was then disbanded at Linlithgow in July.

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded from 1760 to 1763 by John Campbell of Dunoon.

87th Highland Volunteers

Today I'm showing you the 87th Highlanders and tomorrow I'll post the 88th. There is some dispute about the facing colours for both these regiments - buff or green - but as Kronoskaf shows a buff flag for the 87th I'll go with buff facings. The figures are from Front Rank and are very nice - there are even some head variations which is quite rare for this company. The basing is such that this regiment can be in open or close order as befitting this versatile light infantry unit. The following details are from Kronoskaf.

ORGANISATION:

The regiment was raised at Perth on August 25 1759 from a nucleus draft of 315 men from the 42nd Highlanders by Lieutenant-colonel Robert Murray Keith. Major Keith was a relation of the celebrated field-marshall Keith of the Prussian Army. He had served in the Scotch Brigade in Holland before being appointed to the command of the regiment. Usually known as Keith's Highlanders, the regiment was also designated as the 87th Highland Volunteers.

The nucleus of 315 men were formed into three companies were led by Captain Archibald Campbell, Captain Alexander Mclean and Captain-lieutenant James Fraser. They were sent to Germany by late 1759 after the battle of Minden.

In 1760, Ferdinand of Brunswick was so pleased by these Highlanders that he requested to complete the initial detachment to a full regiment. Accordingly, 5 additional companies were raised at Perth and shipped to Germany to join the 3 former companies.

Highland units were used as a light troops or raiders. The men received little formal training other than to advance with the bayonet. The soldier's backgrounds, extensive cattle raiding in the Highlands, made them well suited to their role in Germany. The unit was often combined with the 88th Campbell or Highland Volunteers and both were heavily engaged in 'petite guerre' operations gaining a fearsome reputation.

In 1763, the unit was shipped, via the Netherlands, home. It landed at Tilbury Fort and marched to Scotland. As was common with the light units of the period after wars end, it was disbanded at Perth in July.

ACTIVITY:

In November 1759, the three first companies were shipped over to Emden in Germany as the Highland Volunteers and joined the Allied army under Ferdinand of Brunswick at Krondorf on November 14 1759.

On January 7 1760, in support of the attack on Dillenburg, the 3 coys of Highlanders, with the support of the Luckner's Hussars, attacked the village of Eybach. There, they routed Beaufremont Dragons. The Highlanders had 4 men killed and 7 wounded while capturing 80 men and 120 horses. The opening actions at Viesebeck saw a company of the 87th being captured. On July 31, the battalion took part in the battle of Warburg but was not involved in heavy fighting. On September 5, 150 highlanders took part in a successful raid on a French outpost at Zierenberg. They led the assault on the town and surprised the French stationed there. The losses of the Highlanders in this affair were 3 privates killed and 6 wounded. In October, they were sent to reinforce the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick who was besieging Wesel. On October 14, they made a junction with the Prince's army. On October 16, at the battle of Clostercamp, 100 men of the regiment, along with British grenadiers, tried to seize the convent held by the Chasseurs de Fischer. The Allied detachment was quickly routed and badly knocked about. However, in the ensuing battle, the Highlander corps was the last Allied unit to retreat. In this action lieutenants William Ogilvie and Alexander Macleod of the Highlanders, 4 sergeants, and 37 rank and file were killed, and Captain Archibald Campbell of Achallader, lieutenants Gordon Clunes, Archibald Stewart, Angus Mackintosh of Killachy, and Walter Barland, and 10 rank and file were wounded.

On July 15 1761, the regiment took part in the battle of Vellinghausen where it was heavily engaged during the evening. Initially driven back, they recovered, counter-attacked and stabilized their position until morning. The next day, they and the rest of Granby's infantry were ordered forward when another French assault fell into confusion. In the action, the Highlanders corps succeeded in cutting off and capturing Rougé Infanterie but suffered fairly heavy losses. Major Archibald Campbell, Lieutenant James Grant, Lieutenant Angus Mackintosh and Lieutenant William Ross together with a sergeant and 31 men were killed. As for the wounded, they included Captain James Fraser and Lieutenant Archibald McArthur, two sergeants and 70 men. The commander in chief, in a general order, thus expressed his approbation of the conduct of the corps in this action:"His serene highness, duke Ferdinand of Brunswick, had been graciously pleased to order colonel Beckwith to signify to the brigade he has the honour to command his entire approbation of their conduct on the 15th and 16th of July. The soldier-like perseverance of the Highland regiments in resisting and repulsing the repeated attacks of the chosen troops of France, has deservedly gained them the highest honour. The ardour and activity with which the grenadiers pushed and pursued the enemy, and the trophies they have taken, justly entitle them to the highest encomiums. The intrepidity of the little band of Highlanders merits the greatest praise".

On June 24 1762, the regiment took part in the battle of Wilhelmstal where it was lightly engaged with 9 killed, 10 wounded and 15 missing. On September 21, it was at the combat of Amöneburg (aka Brücker-Mühle). In this action, the two Highlanders regiments had Major Alexander Maclean and 21 rank and file killed, and Captain Patrick Campbell, Lieutenant Walter Barland, 3 sergeants, and 58 rank and file wounded.

France SYW: Penthièvre Cavalry

Most Royal French cavalry regiments wore dark blue coats whereas most non-Royal regiments looked like this one - with light grey coats and red facings. But in fact this is a Royal regiment as it's owner was Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, duc de Penthièvre, probably the richest man in France and at the centre of the Royal family. See his most interesting biography here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Jean_Marie_de_Bourbon,_Duke_of_Penthi%C3%A8vre

Quite why this regiment used this colour scheme is unknown but it was raised in 1674 as a non-Royal regiment so perhaps nobody noticed in almost 100 years.

Hanoverian Infantry: 13A Halberstadt

Onwards and upwards with these Hanoverian reinforcements!

The regiment was raised in 1745 from the 3rd battalion of Bourden Infantry. This battalion had originally been raised for Bourden in 1744. Bourden, himself, deserted to the French in 1745 and his regiment was split into three regiments: Graf Keilmannsegge (later 12A), Brunck (later 12B) and Hohorst (later 13A).

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:
from 1746: von Halberstadt
from: 1748: von Diepenbroick
from 1758: von Fersen
from 1760: von Ahefeldt

It was in the thick of it during the battle of Bergen!

In 1763, the regiment was combined with Wrede (13B).