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Generic French Ligne Regiment

25 Sep

So as promised in my last post here are two more units of French Napoleonic Infantry. As with the last unit shown, these will serve as stand-ins for the Marine Artillery at Leipzig and otherwise will see service as a generic French infantry unit for a number of battles. A purpose made so much easier by their covered flags and fannions.
As before these two unit are pretty small with 20 minis (which equates to roughly 400 men under the R2E rules). When all that Leipzig rush for Crisis in Antwerp is over these two and the previous one will all receive another company, which will bring them to strength for use as an average French unit of the time I want to depict.

After I painted the last battalion up von Peter pointed out to me that according to regulation it was not the first company of a battalion that was carry the eagle/flag or fannion (as I had arranged them with that unit) but the second company. That way it would always be in the centre of the unit, no matter the formation. Now I did not go back and change that with the previously depicted unit (simply too many men with sabres on the bases in question where the tassels could not be corrected once multibased), so that was one unit that did not follow regulations. But with these two, I heeded to vP’s advise and their command bases feature the colours of the second company.

What else? Well I am usually a big fan of Calpe, but I had a hard time getting around these minis when I returned from my holidays. Even though the first unit was about 1/3 finished when I got back, it took me ages to finish it. Now Peter from Calpe has done some extremely detailed minis here! Which is fine unless you are a stickler for details (like me) and working on a tight schedule. This got me somewhat frustrated and as a result working slow. But if ones worst complaint about a mini is that it is extremely detailed… well there could be worse. On the other hand it was good to paint the second unit right afterwards since I managed to finish it in one weekend plus about a week with roughly two to three hours painting time a night. When I did the work on the bases yesterday though, I was extremely happy I chose Calpe for these battalions. They just look so immensely beautiful in my humble opinion.

I am not going to do photos of individual stands this time, to make sure I do not bore you with tons of detailed photos of marching men in greatcoats. If you want to see more detail, just click on the photos, since they are linked to larger versions:

Generic French regiment [1st battalion, in line]

Generic French regiment
[1st battalion, in line]

Generic French regiment [1st battalion, in line]

Generic French regiment
[1st battalion, in line]

Generic French regiment [1st battalion, marching]

Generic French regiment
[1st battalion, marching]

Generic French regiment [2nd battalion, in line]

Generic French regiment
[2nd battalion, in line]

Generic French regiment [2nd battalion, in line]

Generic French regiment
[2nd battalion, in line]

Generic French regiment [2nd battalion, marching]

Generic French regiment
[2nd battalion, marching]

And I could not resist, but also take a photo of all three battalions in formation:

Generic French regiment [three battalion shot]

Generic French regiment
[three battalion shot]

I have to admit, that this progress was badly needed. I still have two Prussian commander bases (which will be next), the Brandenburg Hussars, two batteries of Prussian artillery and one battery of French artillery, and the village of Möckern itself to do. All in just one month. If push comes to shove, the Prussians could do without the two additional batteries, since they could be simulated with off-board fire and I could use a 12pdr. stand-in for the French, but after 2 1/2 years of preparing for this, I would hate it if I stumbled on the finish line. I shall keep you posted on the further progress!

 

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19 responses to “Generic French Ligne Regiment

  1. Ian

    September 29, 2013 at 09:32

    Oh these look excellent.You deserve to get these all finished. Hope it comes off

    Ian

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    • Burkhard

      September 29, 2013 at 17:04

      Thank you, Ian. I really hope so, too!

      Like

       
  2. Tom Halpin

    September 29, 2013 at 11:33

    To add my humble opinion to your own, Burkhard, BLOODY GORGEOUS!!! Seriously, my friend, you have done a marvellous job on Mr. Fitzgerald’s miniatures which are themselves works of art. I only wish I could get to Crisis to see them “live” but that’s not going to happen his year 😦

    On a positive note for me, I have now got my new supercharged “reading” glasses so I shall be able to resume work on my SAGA Cymri warband and my Ligny Prussians – YIPPEE!!!

    Like

     
    • Burkhard

      September 29, 2013 at 17:07

      THX Tom.

      I guess a lot of the minis for the French will see another use for the game I shall host in 2015, so if you get a chance to make it to Antwerp that year, you will get a chance to see them!

      Good to hear, that your glasses are there. At least my eyes are only getting worse for the long distances and not short ones! 😉

      Like

       
  3. vonpeterhimself

    September 29, 2013 at 11:40

    Two fine new units Burkhard. The three together look great. I hope you get through your Möckern roster … even if it is partly for some selfish reasons. I’d love to see the extra units and the village of Möckern! 8O)

    The placement of the standard in the battalion came to light via the research of Peter of Calpe Miniatures fame. I had painted and based my second fusilier company when I discovered that it should contain the standard bearer care of Martins Kelly’s Befreiungskriege 1813-14 blog (who had the information from Peter). The second fusilier company quickly became the fourth!!

    Salute
    von Peter himself

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    • Burkhard

      September 29, 2013 at 17:16

      Thank you vP!

      Well even if I do not manage to get them done in time, I shall finish them. I am positive, that the Brandenburg Hussaren will be done. And you can always use more artillery and since I already have the minis, it would be a shame not use them!

      Regardless of where the info came from, Imam glad you passed it on. To be honest… Previously, the placement of the eagles and colours always had me feeling like I was missing something. This time it really felt better!

      Like

       
  4. Phil

    September 29, 2013 at 12:09

    Very nice looking troops!

    Like

     
  5. John Michael

    September 29, 2013 at 13:29

    Very nice Burkhard, great painting job.

    John

    Like

     
  6. Christiane

    September 29, 2013 at 22:07

    Awesome work, great paint job 🙂

    Like

     
  7. adrian mandzy

    September 30, 2013 at 01:46

    Wonderful looking figures and I plan to borrow your idea of the wrapped eagle.

    Just as a side bar, any particular reason that the muskets bands are brass rather than steal colored? For some reason I thought only the elite French units had brass bands on the musket barrels and the typical French model IX musket had steel.

    In any event the figures look great and I wish I could see them in person.

    Adrian

    Like

     
    • Burkhard

      September 30, 2013 at 08:21

      THX Adrian!

      Regarding the musket bands. Normally I paint then steel for that very reason. I just wanted to try it out. If you look at the third battalion close-ups a few ports back, they have the bands in steel as well (one day they will become the second battalion for another regiment, so the difference is intentional).

      So right now one will have tonasse that they accidently got a batch intended for the Guard. 😀 Well spotted!

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  8. James Fisher

    October 1, 2013 at 12:55

    It’s amazing that, in a period when colourful uniforms are one of the great attractions, units in greatcoats still look good. These are particularly fine examples. Getting ready for big games is a real challenge. All the very best!

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    • Burkhard

      October 2, 2013 at 08:01

      Thank you James!

      I always try to make them colourful by the use if different greatcoat colours (from different uniform regulations with a few “foraged” ones mixed in). I also felt that the mud adds another level of colour to them. For some reason I am already starting to prefer French troops in greatcoats over their spit and polish brothers.

      Like

       
  9. Curt

    October 2, 2013 at 01:34

    Beautiful work Brukhard! I love the last shot of the full regiment arrayed in line. I’ll be pulling for you to meet your painting goal for Crisis. Nothing like a deadline, eh?

    Like

     
    • Burkhard

      October 2, 2013 at 08:04

      Thanks Curt!

      I am still unsure if all the targets will be met. We will be looking at two puppies this bank holiday weekend. If out choice goes one way, he would already move on with us this weekend, which would obviously push things back a lot! 🙂

      Like

       
      • Curt

        October 2, 2013 at 18:14

        Ah, excellent! Nothing like having new hounds in the house. They may a house a home! Have fun with the adoption.

        Like

         
        • Burkhard

          October 14, 2013 at 08:40

          Hi Curt, they realy do and for the past eleven days, we have had it all! (See latest post! ;-))

          Like

           

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