A new work on a piece masterfully sculpted by a friend. The figurine reproduces a painting by K. Rocco depicting a Prussian militiaman of the Landwehr in 1813.
Historical notes
Prussia, humiliated by Napoleon in 1806, waits for the moment for his vengeance. The opportunity was born after the catastrophic Russian bell. At the beginning of 1813 the Prussian army, in the meantime reorganized, was preparing to enter into action against the enemy French. The Landwehr ("Territorial Militia") was a new force, organized in 151 infantry battalions and 113 cavalry squadrons. It was initially conceived as a sort of reserve in support of the regular army, although Landwehr units ended up being structured and deployed with the regiments line. These new units proved strong and tenacious, capable of marching everywhere and absolutely reliable in combat. Many of them entered the action in Germany and France during the campaigns of 1813 and 1814.
At first, the weapons and supplies were a big problem for the Prussian army. England sent more than 113,000 muskets along with tens of thousands of uniforms and cavalry equipment. The Landwehr received some of these weapons, but very few uniforms. In March 1813, the militiaman's clothing consisted of a Litewka (a simple long coat) of dark blue or black colour with collar and buttons of the regimental colour, in a blue cap with a visor bearing a white metal cross at the front. Some Silesian units wore a shako (usually protected with a waterproof coating). Many of them were armed with old muskets and probably all wore simple canvas trousers and hooves. These soldiers were often equipped with British black leather buffs and, in the absence of backpacks, transported their belongings in bags or inside heavy blankets rolled up on the chest.
Historical notes
Prussia, humiliated by Napoleon in 1806, waits for the moment for his vengeance. The opportunity was born after the catastrophic Russian bell. At the beginning of 1813 the Prussian army, in the meantime reorganized, was preparing to enter into action against the enemy French. The Landwehr ("Territorial Militia") was a new force, organized in 151 infantry battalions and 113 cavalry squadrons. It was initially conceived as a sort of reserve in support of the regular army, although Landwehr units ended up being structured and deployed with the regiments line. These new units proved strong and tenacious, capable of marching everywhere and absolutely reliable in combat. Many of them entered the action in Germany and France during the campaigns of 1813 and 1814.
At first, the weapons and supplies were a big problem for the Prussian army. England sent more than 113,000 muskets along with tens of thousands of uniforms and cavalry equipment. The Landwehr received some of these weapons, but very few uniforms. In March 1813, the militiaman's clothing consisted of a Litewka (a simple long coat) of dark blue or black colour with collar and buttons of the regimental colour, in a blue cap with a visor bearing a white metal cross at the front. Some Silesian units wore a shako (usually protected with a waterproof coating). Many of them were armed with old muskets and probably all wore simple canvas trousers and hooves. These soldiers were often equipped with British black leather buffs and, in the absence of backpacks, transported their belongings in bags or inside heavy blankets rolled up on the chest.
