Two Leichtes Infanterie Bataillone were first raised by Wurttemberg in 1805. They were named for their commanders; Leichtes-Infanterie-Bataillone ‘von Neubronn’ and Leichtes-Infanterie-Bataillone ‘Scheler’. In 1806 they received new commanding officers and became ‘von Bunau’ and ‘von Brusselle’ respectively. The following year they assigned numbers and became Leichtes-Infanterie-Bataillone Nr1 and Nr 2. They were intended to function similarly to the Prussian Fusilier battalions.
This is the 1st battalion, as it appeared in 1809. The earlier “Rumsfeld” style helmet was rep[laced by the shako in 1807. Both battalions had a dark green cloth turban wrapped around the middle of the shako. The tall plume was red for the 1st battalion, and dark green for the second. White cords and flounders were worn for full dress, as seen here.
Unusually, all the leather work for both units was buff color, although most drawings depict it as a fairly bright yellow. I used Delta CC “Empire Gold” for the belts (and Delta CC “Christmas Green” for the jackets).
Combined with the light blue facings piped white, this has to be one of the gaudiest units of the Napoleonic Wars!
Aside from the obvious difference in the color of the plumes, the first battalion had square cuffs and the second pointed “Swedish” cuffs, and the buttons were brass for the first battalion and pewter for the second. By 1809, both units had pointed cuffs.
These are more of the marvelous figures by Lucas Luber of Piano Wargames in Germany. There was a set of 6 skirmishing figures, so when I supported the 2nd Kickstarter by Lucas, I go that as well. I don’t usually use Skirmish stands like this in my games, but I couldn’t resist them!
Officer shakos had a broad metallic top band in gold or silver according to the button color of the battalion, thus gold for the first battalion. NCO Shakos had a top band of lace according top the button color (yellow or white); a single wide band of flat lace for the Oberfeldwebel and a double narrow band for the Unterfeldwebel. The green turban was similarly edged in white or yellow lace.
Musicians (Hornists and Drummers) had “swallow’s nests” on the shoulders their jackets, light blue piped in white lace for the 1st battalion, and dark green piped in yellow lace for the second. These were decorated with a “W” pattern in the same color as the piping. Plumes for the Hornist and Drummers had three sections, red/dark green/red for the 1st Battalion and dark green/red/dark green for the 2nd Battalion.
Note that the hitherto successful “cut and paste” of the lead photo, so as to allow the thumbnail to show in Blog reading lists, failed to even be allowed to upload in this post, almost as if Blogger has caught on to our tricks! 🙂
Blunders On The Danube