Thursday, October 4, 2007

And Finally, The Light Horse!



Ah, the beau sabreurs of the Army, the dashing Light Horse! Here we are experimenting somewhat. While the majority of our Light Horse shall be of the Continental style of Hussar, two of our Regiments shall be in the new English style (as of 1759) of Light Dragoon. These wear a distinctive, if somewhat odd, "helmet" formed of varnished leather reinforced with gilted metal fittings and a died horsehair crest. We have chosen to paint this helmet in the Regimental color, although I gather the English are experimenting with leaving them plain varnished leather, which I find quite mundane, and with gilting them, which at least adds an air of elan to them. However, I much prefer our new scheme of coloring them to the Regiment.
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We shall also be employing these Light Dragoons in the Continental manner of Light Horse. That is, we shall employ them for scouting, dismounted service, escort duty, skirmishing, and for the charge de sabre when the proper opportunity presents itself. Our reports from England indicate that their own Army appears to be having problems in properly employing this new style of horse (one of the problems when only "gentlemen" are permitted to ride). However, here on the Continent, we have known how to properly utilize such dashing rogues for over a century, having extensive experience with every type from Croat and Serb to Cossack of the Steppes to the original Hungarian Hussars in Bavarian and French service. The problem, as always with this type of dashing young "Hell for Leather" trooper is maintaining proper discipline. My "Germans" I shall not worry over, except perhaps this von Richthofen character who seems to be quite rash. However, this young Mr. O'Flynn commanding the Irish is quite another matter entirely! Not only does the man fancy himself quite the swordsman (which I understand he actually is), but apparently is a dandy and a "Lady's Man" as well. Indeed, I'm told that he particularly fancies very young ladies! This will, of course, bear watching.
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You have now shared in my treat, Dear Reader, and I hope you have found the experience to be quite as delightful as I myself did. It now awaits the cartiers and the tailors to see this fine group of Heroes fitted out and in the Field, ready to heed my command. So little time, so little time...
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Respectfully, Sir William

7 comments:

WSTKS-FM Worldwide said...

Sir William,

Wow, and Wow again!!! Beautiful uniforms, standards, and guidons. Looks like you have been very busy of late. Can't wait to see some of these on finished figures. . . or even figures in the process of painting. Well done Sir!

Best Regards,

Stokes Schwartz

abdul666 said...

Above our best expectations!
And quite a surprise indeed, to see them so soon.
Compliments,
Jean-Louis

Now, will painting them, what about toying with ideas for their opposition?

MurdocK said...

Excellent details!

Have you already got these troops 'in hand'?

Sir William the Aged said...

All recruits have now reported to their respective depots and are undergoing training as we wait for uniforms. For now they drill in non-descript shades of tan and gray, so as not to attract undue attention from a curious polulace ;-) And as for future recruits or potential opponents; it appears that every lad that reported to depot has at least one "friend" with him also wishing to enlist, and at least two "bloodsworn" enemies somewhere in hiding who they fear may enlist elsewhere. Time will reveal all I presume.

Sir William

abdul666 said...

My Dear Cousin,

according to your comments, one may believe that Mr. O'Flynn would be a target of choice for agents of the kind We, according to a long tradition, use to... improve Our knowledge of other Countries (in pure friendship and as a mark of affectuous concern, that goes without saying).

But, from a Ruler to a Brother Ruler, let me warn You: our agents constantly report that strict well-doing men, young spectacles-bearing executives in severe suits or dour moralizing elderlies, are actually far more vulnerable to their... enterprises.

Accept, Dear Cousin, My best regards.

Louys of Monte-Cristo

Bluebear Jeff said...

Beautiful indeed. I'm not sure which of the Hussar units I like the best . . . they're all wonderful.

I do, however, have one suggestion . . . I urge you to consider using a lighter shade of blue for the Loyal Irish Hussars.

As it is, their dark blue and the black of the Freudenstadt Hussar Regiment will be primarily differentiated by their headgear. A lighter blue would help to alleviate this situation.

The standards also challenge me to pick my favorite . . . but it is probably that of the Sinshelm Hussars.

Wonderful, sir, just wonderful.


-- Jeff of Saxe-Bearstein

Sir William the Aged said...

Jeff,

The actual shade of blue used for the Loyal Irish will indeed be closer to a "royal" or cobalt blue than what is shown in these plates. This medium restricts me somewhat in my use of colors. Also the shade of red used for FreudenStadt will be a slight;y darker shade of Madder Red. It is felt that these differences, while subtle, combined with the busbies worn by the Irish, will clear up any confusion on the field of honor.

I also really like the Sinshelm Hussar's colors. However, I fear that their unit is fated to be one of my less-reliable Hussar units, given the character of their commander, Captain Klinck. I swear, the man seems to be so ineffectual at times that I wonder he's not a prison commandant! My other favorites are the Thistle guidon of the Scots Horse and the simple, yet elegant, Golden Spur of von Preminger's Baden Hussars. That man is such a taskmaster and perfectionist that I believe every one of his boy's will excel. Thank you for your comments and observations.

Sir William