Send for the 2nd Uhlans

It’s time to unveil the first three – six if you count the horses separately!  😎  – figures for the latest Napoleonic nation to be represented in the stables of von Peter himself. The impending arrival of the Poles of the Duchy of Warsaw has been foreshadowed for a little while and it has finally now begun.

Above: General de brigade Krukowiecki spies out the ground for the following Polish forces

The more dedicated of The dear readers will be aware that the 28mm Napoleonics of von Peter himself are fashioned after the armies of the 1813 campaign. Post the Armistice of Plesswitz to be precise. Further as a dedicated follower of history the various national army contingents are generally collected to replicate actual orders of battle of the period. For the Poles this means the independent 27th (Polish) Division under the command of General de division Dombrowski from around the time of the Battle of Leipzig. A nice compact four battalions and 2 cavalry regiments …

27th (Polish) Division: General de division Dombrowski

• Brigade: General de brigade Zoltowski
  • 1/2nd Polish Line Regiment
  • 2/2nd Polish Line Regiment
  • 1/4th Polish Line Regiment
  • 2/4th Polish Line Regiment
  • Foot battery

• 18th Light Cavalry Brigade: General de brigade Krukowiecki
  • 2nd Polish Uhlan Regiment
  • 4th Polish Uhlan Regiment
  • 1st Polish Horse Battery

The 4th Uhlans are interesting in that they were originally the 4th Chasseur à Cheval Regiment. In early 1813 they were converted into uhlans. It is the belief of von Peter himself that by Leipzig the unit would have transitioned into its uhlan style uniform. A uniform not quite the same as the usual uhlan uniform. The search for suitable figures continues … sporadically.

To set the Polish ball rolling von Peter himself presents General de brigade Krukowiecki, brave leader of the 18th Light Cavalry Brigade.

Above: General de brigade Krukowiecki has summoned his Aide de Camp to deliver an order – the 2nd Uhlans are to be brought on to the field of battle. The requisitioned trumpeter of the 2nd Uhlans looks on.

The trumpeter of the 2nd Uhlans wears the regimental trumpeters uniform as documented from 1809. Perhaps it would not have survived into 1813 … but perhaps it did! With information a little scant on the ground von Peter himself has ordered that the 1809 uniforms be retrieved from the regimental stores. They’re just too pretty to leave to be eaten by the moths in the stores!  😎

The figures are sourced from Front Rank Figurines. The Poles are a later released line of figures from From Rank and to the eyes of von Peter himself these figures most comfortably sit alongside the Calpe Miniatures figures which are an ever growing proportion of the Napoleonic collection. They also match the other Front Rank figures in the Napoleonic collection!  😀

The chaps were pigmented by Nigel Fun-nell. Horses, choreography and basing by von Peter himself.

Next up will be the 2nd Uhlans. The figures are in hand but their steeds need further work, pennons need hoisting etc. It’s best not to rush these things you know!!

Enough.

Until we meet again …

Salute
von Peter himself