Prussian Cavalry, IV Corps, 2nd Brigade, Von Watzdorff

Prussia was renowned for its excellent infantry under Frederick the Great. Less well known is the efficacy of Prussian cavalry on the European battlefield in the 19th Century. Early in the Napoleonic wars, Bonaparte himself warned his generals of the excellent Prussian cavalry.

The well-trained and disciplined Prussian horse during the Hundred Days campaign formed regiments of cuirassiers, dragoons, hussars and lancers on the whole with the lighter cavalry intended for raiding and skirmishing, but in reality took their place in the main battle lines during set piece battles.

Hussars were ever-present in the Napoleonic wars, with twelve splendidly dressed regiments, composing 38% of all the Prussian cavalry at Waterloo. Commanded by the venerable 'Marschall Vorwärts' – Field Marshal Blücher – they were a tough nut to crack...

Prussian Hussar regiments during the Hundred Days varied in uniform. The miniatures shown here follow the traditional attire for Hussars, and are ideal for the majority of Hussars regiments during the campaign.

Formed in 1813, the Landwehr Cavalry was a huge force of mounted trained militia, similar in form to their infantry counterparts. The force was a massive asset to the Prussian war machine as they totalled over thirty regiments by the Hundred Days Campaign.

The Landwehr cavalry wore dark blue Litewka long coat with collars and cuffs in provincial colours. Headgear was a mix of traditional feldmutze cap and shakos – often in oilskin and with a white cross painted on. Lance pennons could vary and often reflected the uniform trim halved with white, but by the time of Waterloo all Landwehr cavalry had swapped to the standard black and white pennons.

The lance-armed Landwehr cavalry fought well on the field, comprising some 40% of Blücher’s cavalry at Waterloo – a great excuse to field lots of these brave sons of Prussia on the tabletop!

Contents:

• 1 x Hussars
• 4 x Landwehr Cavalry

Models supplied unassembled and unpainted