French Engineers

Preparing earthen works for the artillery

The French engineering contingent was very modest during the 1815 Campaign. They were used to clear the bridges in the crossing of the Sambre at Charleroi, as well as in the Battle of Ligny during the Guard assault of the village. As there were no engineering tasks at Waterloo, they were kept as reserve infantry and were used during the retreat.

These figures are from the Pendraken 1809 range. They are dressed in the siege uniform, with a metal helmet and cuirass. They have long coat tails from the pre-bardin uniforms, but I don't think anyone will notice on a 10mm figure. The helmets worn at Waterloo by the Guard engineers were like the Carabiner's helmet with a black comb. Previously they were the firemen at the Imperial Palaces.

Dig in boys!

Not so bad to paint, they have much deeper cuts and creases than the Redline figures, so the magic wash settles making the lines well defined. The eye sockets are quite large for the scale of the men.

I based them three to an infantry base, with some rocks in the front where they are digging.

They will be useful in other campaigns and scenarios.

Belgian Militia and Jaegers

Belgian Militia and 27th Jaegers

The last part of Bylandt's Brigade infantry is done - three battalions of Belgian Militia - 5th, 7th  and 8th as well as the 27th Jaegers. They now join the 7th Belgian line. I also painted up some Skirmishers for the 2nd Brigade.

I used greatcoated British in Stovepipes from Redline for the Militia. There were some minor conversions in some figures for the field caps to give a more Militia look. I cut the shako off above the brim and flattened a small ball of greenstuff to make the cap. Painted them blue with an orange band. Works for a few in the battalion, wouldn't want to do a few hundred of them. I also used the Nassau officer for the command.

The skirmishers were using French skirmishers from the Redline range, with the badges cut off and painted in the green uniforms.

I only have some Dutch and Belgian Artillery and Van Merlen's Light Cavalry to complete the Brigade.

Militia command with MG Bylandt

Detail of command with converted drummer

Skirmishers for Saxe-Weimar's Brigade

Skirmish command

Dutch Jaegers made from French line skirmishers 

Saxe-Weimar's Brigade

Bylandt's Brigade 

Perponcher's 2nd Netherlands Division

Now Maitland, now's your time!

"Fire!"

Maitland's guard stood up along the ridge late in the afternoon, fired a volley and send the French Middle Guard Chasseurs back down in disarray. They were based next to Hougoumont on the western flank of the Allied lines.

The other brigade, Byng's, fought defending Hougoumont  in Waterloo and in the Bossu Wood at Quatre Bras. Some of the heaviest fighting in both battles.

These were some of the biggest units at Waterloo, certainly some of the better quality on the Allied side.

4 Guard Battalions on the ridge

David Young from the UK painted for me these British Guard's Brigades - 4 battalions 48 figures strong.  He did a great job, especially considering these are only 10mm. Figures are Redline.

I just need to get some light companies together to complete the 1st British Division.

Major General Byng

Major General Maitland and his Brigade

Reille's II Corp

Reille's II Corps

Comte Honore Charles Reille commanded the II Army Corps of the Armee De Nord. The Corps numbered some 20,000 men in three Divisions of infantry (5th, 6th and 7th) and one Division of Light Cavalry (2nd) and a small reserve of artillery. They were the main force at Quatre Bras under Marshall Ney, and took the West flank at Waterloo. There they were sucked into the unsuccessful assault on Hougoumont for most of the day.

Prince Jerome Bonaparte's 6th Division was the largest with 7900 men, just under 400 figures. I have 12 x 36 figure battalions which make it over strength.

The effort by David Young in painting close to 500 French Line and Light made it possible to finish off this Corps. The whole of the 6th Division's infantry are David's work. In total there is more than 1000 infantry, 96 Cavalry, 20 guns with limbers etc.

Looking at the pictures, I have missed out one Foot Artillery battery from Bachelu's Division, which I have in the drawer. I also am short on leaders for the Corps, some ADC's have graciously stepped in while the leaders are found. Aside from these small omissions it is done.

I just need to finish off some Guard Chasseurs a Cheval and Lancers and the French OOB for Quatre Bras is complete. Oh and a Ney figure.

Pire's 2nd Cavalry Division

Bachelu's 5th Infantry Division

Prince Jerome's 6th Infantry Division

Foy's 9th Infantry Division

The Emperor briefing Reille on taking Quatre Bras

Reinforcements arrive from England

898 10mm figures in Perry boxes

The latest troops are just off the boat from England ready for battle. A bit disorganised they need to assemble into units and find their bases before being ready for a parade. This should take a week or so.

I just received a package from David Young, a talented painter from the UK that is helping me get ahead of the 10mm pile. He painted 898 infantry for me - French and British, all Redline figures. This helps finish off Reille's Corps, as well as making a dent in the British Divisions. The list includes

• Prince Jerome's  Division 
• 6 French Line Battalions



Some French Light troops

• 6 French Light Battalions
• Maintland and Byng's Guards Brigades
• 4 British Guard Battalions
• Halkett's Brigade
• 4 British Line Battalions
• Du Plat's Brigade
• 3 KGL Battalions

His style matches really well with my own, nice clean blocking of colours, black wash, and much finer lines than me. A really nice job. Great to deal with and good value. Anyone interested in commissioning him contact me and I will pass on his email. I'll do some closeups when they are based.

Slowly getting organised and based - 60% stuck on the bases

All on bases

Great detail from David Young

Now to get them flocked up ...

Saxe-Weimar's Brigade

Saxe Weimar's Brigade

Just finished the 28th Orange Regiment which with the 2nd Nassau Regiment, finishes off Saxe-Weimar's Brigade. Also painted the 7th Belgian Line, part of Byland's Brigade in the 2nd Netherlands Division.

Belgians up close

Nice to paint different colour combinations. For the Belgians, I used the British line (in Belgic shako's funny enough) with a blue, grey and red scheme. They look quite smart. Shame there weren't too many more of them. I am waiting for some British in stovepipes and greatcoats for the Dutch Belgian Militia, just so I can tell them apart easily. Should be quick to paint as well.

I haven't found a flag yet for either regiments . If anyone has any pointers please let me know. I've left the flagpoles bare.

I will work on the conversions for the Brigade leaders and Perponcher a bit later.

7th Belgian line in a line

28th Orange Nassau Regiment

28th Orange Nassau with the 2nd Nassau in the background

Picton's Finest

Kempt's Brigade in the rear, Pack's in the foreground

Picton's 5th Division, the Reserve, had some of the most battle experienced of the Allied army at Waterloo. Many of the Regiments had fought against the French during the Peninsular War. The Reserve was under the direct control of Wellington during both Quatre Bras and Waterloo. Picton was wounded at Quatre Bras and hid the fact. Unfortunately he was killed by a musket ball to the head during Waterloo two days later. Wellington mixed in inexperienced units (Hanovarians) in with the experienced ones.

Once again, nice Redline figures. I have painted the first two brigades - Kempt's and Pack's. Half of them were painted last year, and I had been putting off the rest. Bit the bullet and all done. Waiting for Si to get some Hanovarians made up to fill out the last Brigade in the division, 4 battalions of Hanoverian Landwehr.

Completed in the Division so far 240 Infantry, 2 Leaders, 6 guns and 18 crew -

Kempt's 8th Brigade

Kempt's 95th, 28th, 32nd and 79th

• 28th North Gloucestershire
• 32nd Cornwall
• 79th Cameron Highlanders
• 1/95th Rifles

Pack's 9th Brigade

• 1st Royal Scots 
• 42nd Highlanders "The Back Watch"
• 44th  East Essex
• 92nd Gordon Highlanders

Artillery Major Hiess

• Two batteries RFA

Also have Picton to do himself.