This is the third of what will be six battalions in this French AWI collection.
It’s first action was in the Seven Years War where it fought under Soubise at Rossbach, then later at Sandershausen, Lutterberg, Frankfurt, Minden, Corbach and Vellinghausen. After the war it was first posted to Thionville, then to it’s home region of Zwiebrücken.
The Regiment was chosen by Rochambeau to take to America in the American Revolution because of the hard fighting reputation in established in the Seven Years War. That reputation was greatly enhanced by its service at Yorktown where facing the Hessians they were involved in the storming of Redoubt 9 the loss of which led to the British surrender, losing 46 killed and 68 wounded. For their part in the victory Washington presented them with one of the captured guns and the regiment presented captured British colours to the King.
In 1790, after the Revolution it lost its royal designation and became the 99e régiment d’infanterie de Ligne and ceased recruiting Germans. It was heavily involved in the Revolutionary War and fought at Marengo, Wagram and Borodino.
It later fought with distinction in the Great War, particularly in the Second Battle of Champagne and at Verdun. It went on to fight in the Second World War and was employed after the war in Algeria and then Bosnia. In 1997, after 240 years in service, the regiment was disbanded as a part of the downsizing of l’armée de terre.
In Rochambeau‘s army in America, it wore the distinctive blue costs of the German regiments and carried the wonderfully ornate standards below: the Colonel’s colour (drapeau blanc) on the left (with the motto “outnumbered but not overpowered”) and the drapeau d’ordonnance on the right.
Completed before this unit, but left dawdling in the basing department is the 1st Battalion, 15th Regiment for the Franco-Prussian army.
Nice work on both battalions Mark. Those French standards are particularly eye-catching, and I really like the variety of poses among the Prussians. They look quite heavily engaged.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence. Yes they are particularly nice flags. I would normally draw them myself on the computer, but I didn’t fancy attacking these ones! I don’t usually like firing poses (especially with bayonets fixed because they are easily damaged in games, but in each pack of advancing figures you get ten firing line, so they need to be used. Have you been affected by the floods?
DeleteIt always makes me think of schoolkids in some of those countries such as Turkmenistan or Swaziland where they have to draw complicated national flags, and having to stay behind after class until they get it right. Thankfully we don't live in a flood area but our stormwater drain still backed up as the creeks it normally drains into had swelled from a width of around a metre to over fifty metres wide and ten metres deep. We got around two centimetres of backed up water into the downstairs hallway and a couple of bedrooms, but luckily they were all tiled so it only took a couple of hours of mopping. Nothing compared to what some have lost. Some areas of Brisbane received over 1.6 metres of rain and the dam went from 57% to just under 170% full in 24 hours, apparently holding back the equivalent of six Sydney Harbours. Quite incredible.
DeleteAnd I thought we got heavy rains!
DeleteBoth units look great Mark although I am somewhat wary of all these French units that may soon be gracing our AWI battles!
ReplyDeleteAnd you should be wary, with another three battalions on order!
DeleteThe medium blue with yellow facing and white breeches/gaiters/waistcoat make a striking combination. Add in bearskins and mustaches and this is an impressive regiment. I like the Prussians too!
ReplyDeleteIn truth I struggled with this unit. Up until this point I have been harbouring thoughts of a Prussian and Austrian force for the Seven Years War, but after the detail on this unit I have shelved the idea! That said, I still have three battalions of these French to complete.
DeleteFantastic units (and flags) and great historical background...Cracking job!
ReplyDeleteThank you Phil. It is indeed a very lovely flag.
DeleteGreat work there Mark. As others have said, that French flag is very striking and really makes the unit pop. I contrast the more somber Prussians still look great with their nicely animated poses:).
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve. One of the great things about the Perry Prussians is that all of the arms sets are interchangeable, so the variety is vast.
DeleteThe French unit really is giving me pause my own AWI plans. It's something I thought to do the ealy battles for the war. I may have to do very late battles right after I do the early ones! The new Prussians are a fine addition to your FPW forces.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I like the flag on the Deaux Ponts stand very much. The French flags of the era are so interesting in the variations on the cross and quarter theme.
The French add a nice variety to the AWI. Yes the flag is a nice difference.
DeleteNit sure which I like more. The Prussian or the French. Both have outstanding looking regiments.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark…another Prussian unit is under way.
DeleteMore lovely toys Mark…
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the French and their lovely flag…
All the best. Aly
Thanks Aly, yes they are lovely flags. I have three more battalions - the second battalion of each of three regiments I have done - to do.
Delete