With the battle of Waterloo still fresh in everyone’s memories due to the bicentenary commemorations, Perry Miniatures have a timely release with these fabulous plastic British Light Dragoons…
This box of 14 mounted plastic figures contains all you need for a complete Black Powder Regiment
During Wellingtons Waterloo campaign the Light Dragoons (who made up over 30% of the total cavalry numbers) were extensively used in many roles from reconnaissance, picket duties, raiding, harrying the enemy, and foraging. Due to this varied autonomy they developed a disciplined command structure that served them particularly well at Waterloo. They would be used as standard cavalry (the British horse of the time was regarded as one of the best and most would equal the heaviest French Cavalry in size) but could also quickly deploy in flanking positions – this is great news for your Black Powder battles!
In Black Powder you can use their special rule ‘Marauders‘ (allowing them to range freely far out of the usual command range) to move out to the flanks of your force as a protective rear guard, then when ready use them to swing around and sweep into the enemy flanks or even behind the lines for an opportunist attack on exposed cannon batteries! The combination of ‘Gallop at Anything‘ (+1 to charge order) with ‘Ferocious charge‘ (re-roll all failed Hand-to-hand combat attacks in the first round) gives them the winning hand – Just be sure to plan a little as they could be susceptible to breaking through the lines to head off table ‘over the hills and far away’ after the fleeing enemy!
You’ll need two boxes for a Brigade of 28 mounted Light Dragoons – which could be used to represent men from the 3rd British Cavalry Brigade, the 1st LD KGL under the command of Lt-Col J. Bülow, and the 2nd LD (KGL) commanded by Lt-Col C.de Jonquieres at Waterloo. These units were successful in counter-attacking French cavalry that penetrated the Allied squares. You could also of course use these to represent any brigade from 1808-1815.
With 9 Regiments active at Waterloo (2 Kings Guard Legion (KGL), 1 Dutch, 1 Belgian, and 5 British – a strength of 4,100 sabres) you could collect this complete 4 box Division, perhaps representing the 4th British Cavalry Brigade under the overall command of GOC Maj-Gen. Sir John Vandeleur (who took command over all allied cavalry when Uxbridge was wounded). The 4th took 23% (319) casualties as it valiantly fought French rearguards after the repulse of the Imperial Guard’s.
As a bonus with this set we are including one Royal Horse Artillery gun of your choice as often the guns from the Attached Cavalry Corps would have been attached to the Brigades on campaign
These plastic figures cover all the regiments of the British light dragoons from 1808-15. Early Peninsular War uniforms consisting of the Dolman and classic Tarleton helmet as well as the late Peninsular War/Waterloo campaign uniform of Shako and ‘French style’ coat are included in the box.
The bodies are split at the waist and legs with both overalls and breeches provided for all. There are also heads for tropical climates included!
With the exception of the 5th Belgian Light Dragoons who wore green, the uniform jackets of these cavalry men were blue. By Waterloo all British regiments had adopted the bell-topped Shako. A useful colour guide is included for the 8th (King’s Royal Irish) 14th (Duchess of York) 12th (Prince of Wales’) 16th (Queen’s Own) and the 22nd Regiments.
Of course you may well want to go up against someone to try out your force, have a look at these French for a challenge?
Dan Hewitson
Tom Mecredy
