RP No 165 Napoleonic, Hanavarion - Prince Regent's Hussars

This unit was my 3rd entry into the Challenge apart from all the Bonus rounds of course, which is  not that good for the ol' lead pile!! The figures are for Postie to add to his massive 15mm Napoleonic collection.

They are the final unit he needed painting up for his Waterloo English Allies, these are The Prince Regents Hussars. Now trying to find any info about these boys was extreeeemly difficult! But I managed to dig this out... They were raised in Luneburg in 1813 as Estorffs Hussars or the Luneberg Hussars in the rebuilt Hanoverian army. But soon became known as the Prince Regents Hussars. They had several uniform changes, the one depicted is the uniform best guessed to have been worn at the time of Waterloo.
At Waterloo they were in the same Hanoverian Brigade as the Duke of Cumberland's Hussars and the Bremen & Verdun Hussars. Although the Breman Hussars and the Prince Regents were both detached to defend Hal before the battle.

 The figures are from Essex minis and bases from Postie!

RP No 157 Napoleonic - Duke of Cumberland's Hussar's

I've not painted any of Posties Napoleonic's for a while?? So he thought it was about time I did!

He gave me this fine looking Hussar regt to paint, unfortunately it could be said,that this is one of the

worst regts in the whole war???? Well at least on the Allied side anyway??

The figures are made by Essex Miniatures and are actually Baden Hussars, but their uniform fits the Hanoverian Hussars quite well, so Postie says anyway??

The Duke of Wellington’s Army at Waterloo were quite a mixed bag, containing British, Dutch, Belgian and German troops. There was also a difference in the quality of some were relatively newly raised. The Hanoverian army raised three regts of Hussars, The Prince Regents Hussars, the Bremen andVerdun Hussars and the Duke of Cumberland’s Hussars.  The first two Hussar regts were not present at Waterloo, unlike Cumberland’s Hussars. It’s said that most of the Hanoverian troops held their own during the battle, while Cumberland’s Hussars under Lt.-Kol. Hake fled from the battlefield in dishonor

They were stationed behind Dornberg's Brigade (1st and 2nd KGL Dragoons and 23rd LD).  On seeing the Hussars withdrawing from the field a cavalry officer (possibly Dornberg) rode up to Lt-Kolonel Hake. Kol Hake explained that his men were volunteers (Gentlemen and son’s of the Gentry) and since they owned their own horses they needed to protect them.

 From the Autobigraphy of Lt-Gen Sir Harry Smith

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/hsmith/autobiography/waterloo.html

“In the afternoon, after we passed Brussels, the scene of confusion, the flying of army, baggage, etc., was an awful novelty to us. We were directed by a subsequent order to halt at the village of Epinay, on the Brussels side of the forest of Soignies, a report having reached his Grace that the enemy's cavalry were threatening our communication with Brussels (as we understood, at least). The whole afternoon we were in a continued state of excitement. Once some rascals of the Cumberland Hussars, a new Corps of Hanoverians (not of the style of our noble and gallant old comrades, the 1st Hussars), came galloping in, declaring they were pursued by Frenchmen. Our bugles were blowing in all directions, and our troops running to their alarm-posts in front of the village. I went to report to Sir John Lambert, who was just sitting quietly down to dinner with my wife and his A.D.C. He says very coolly, "Let the troops—; this is all nonsense; there is not a French soldier in the rear of his Grace, depend on it, and sit down to dinner." I set off; though, and galloped to the front, where a long line of baggage was leisurely retiring. This was a sufficient indication that the alarm was false, and I dismissed the troops and started for the débris of a magnificent turbot which the General's butler had brought out of Brussels.”

For his dereliction of duty, Lt-Kol Hake was court-martialed. The Hanoverian accounts also slate him for bringing disgrace upon the brilliant performance of the other Hanoverian troops. The regt was disbanded and the men were all attached to other regts and put on punishment duties, such as digging latrines.

Historically Inspiring No 6 "Charge of the Union Brigade" by Mark Churms

At about 2.00pm the Union Brigade crashes through the ranks on Napoleons Ist Infantry Corps. The 2nd Royal North British Dragoons (later known as The Scots Greys) on the far left of the line, plow through Marcognets division, only Duruttes division will escape intact. With Brigade General Ponsortby at their head, elements of the now disordered Cavalry charge on to the French artillery. Even though, at close quarters, the Gunners and attached Infantry are no match for the wild Scots, they desperately try to save their 12 pounder field pieces. However the British heavy Cavalry is now out of control and Napoleons retribution will be swift. From the undulating ground before Paillotte comes the thunder of hooves and the deadly lances of 4th Regiment and the 3th Chasseurs a Cheval. In the confusion many of the British soldiers are completely unaware of the onslaught as the fresh French Cavalry sweeps through their flank. Ponsonbys mount leaps through the mud as the exhausted Brigade is herded together for the final kill. Even against all odds the brave men continue to fight. The Brigade General himself will shortly be sabred by Sergeant Urban as he attempts to capture the eagle of the 4th Lancers.

The picture was painted in 1991 by Mark Churms who I think is my favourite modern day military artist, here's a link to Mark's website, there are some breathtaking paintings there.www.markchurms.com. If this painting doesn't get you into the Napoleonic period, nothing will.

Ray

Recently painted No1 Hanovarian Breman and Verden Hussars 1815

Over the past 6 months I’ve painted quite a few figures; unfortunately most of them don't belong to me. They belong to my megalomaniac mate Postie, who has a figure collection to die for. I've taken a few photos of some of the units I've painted and will be posting them from time to time.

The first unit in question are the Bremen and Verden Hussars, commanded by Colonel Bussche, they were part of the 1st Hanoverian Brigade commanded by Colonel Albrecht von Estorff, during the Waterloo Campaign of 1815. The Breman and Verden Hussars were not present at The Battle of Waterloo; they were posted on the Allied right flank, at Hal, 13 Km from Waterloo, under the command of Lt/General Lord Hill 2nd Corps. The Brigade also included the Prince Regent’s Hussars and the Duke of Cumberland’s Hussars. The Duke of Cumberland’s Hussars were detached and were present at the battle, as the French cavalry advanced towards them they turned tails and fled back to Brussels. Later after the battle their commander was discharged from service.
The figues are 15mm Essex Miniatures and are based up to Posties version of General de Brigade.