By the Centre….Quick March!

As promised last week here is a parade of the Franco-Prussian War 5th Prussian Cavalry Division.

The 5th Cavalry Division was a little different to the other five divisions in Prussian service in that it contained three brigades instead of two and two horse batteries were assigned to it instead of the usual one. The brigadiers should be familiar names from previous posts - von Bredow, von Barby and von Redern.

Commanding the division in 1870 was 57 year old Albert von Rheinbaben, the son of Prussian cavalry general Baron Heinrich von Rheinbaben. Inheriting the baronial title the son had been educated in the cadet corps and entered the army in 1830 as a second lieutenant in the 1st Cuirassier Regiment a posting he held for 16 years before being promoted to first lieutenant. In 1849, in Austrian service, he participated in the suppression of the Magyar revolt in Hungary. Returning to Prussian service he served in the general staff before taking a posting as military companion to Prince Albert (the younger) of Prussia. He returned to the line in 1857 but his royal patronage saw him rise quickly through the ranks to major general in 1866 in command of the 1st Light Cavalry Brigade in the Austrian War. Like all of the Prussian cavalry in that conflict, his performance was not particularly inspiring, but it was enough to get him command of 9th Infantry Division two years later and promoted to lieutenant general commanding 5th Cavalry Division in 1870. In the first few weeks of the campaign he exercised command over his and 6th Cavalry Division, the entire cavalry force in front of I and II Armies. However in those opening weeks he proved a less than effective cavalry commander, incorrectly assessing the situation at Spicheren,  then losing contact with the French  and having to be prompted constantly to establish contact again. At Mars-La-Tour he again failed in his reconnaissance duties, but went on to fight an effective delaying action that allowed the infantry to come up at prevent the French retreat to Verdun. He participated in the Sedan campaign, protected the western approaches of Paris during the siege and accompanied the Duke of Mecklenberg into Normandy. In 1872 he took a posting as inspector general of military education, leading to reforms in the Cadet School. He retired in 1880 as honorary colonel of the 13th Dragoons and died in that same year.

And so to the parade. Sorry the lighting isn’t the best - I blame our dreadful summer so I wasn’t able to set up outside where the natural light is much better.

 First up is the whole of von Redern’s hussar brigade.

And then the whole division, with von Bredow’s Brigade on the right, von Barby’s on the left and von Redern’s to the rear along with the two horse batteries.

In all there are nine regiments, each of 12 figures. All I have on hand to finish for this Prussian force now are two horse batteries which will be started next week.