Prussia was renowned for its excellent infantry under Frederick the Great. Less well known is the efficacy of Prussian cavalry on the European battlefield in the 19th Century. Early in the Napoleonic wars, Bonaparte himself warned his generals of the excellent Prussian cavalry.
The well-trained and disciplined Prussian horse during the Hundred Days campaign formed regiments of cuirassiers, dragoons, hussars and lancers on the whole with the lighter cavalry intended for raiding and skirmishing, but in reality, took their place in the main battle lines during set-piece battles.
In Black Powder
Although the Prussian Army did have guard cavalry and cuirassiers, none were present during the hundred days campaign and Blücher had to rely on dragoons, hussars, uhlans and Landwehr regiments. The three former were line regiments, ten in total, whilst the latter comprised eight militia regiments. Cavalry were also formed into Line and Landwehr brigades, a brigade hosting any type of cavalry regiment. The average squadron strength at waterloo was around 120 men and a regiment should have fielded four squadrons in total, although lack of horses and manpower meant that some only managed as few as two squadrons. Some cavalry regiments were broken up and assigned to infantry brigades, such squadrons usually being hussars or Landwehr cavalry, and can be represented by Tiny or small regiments. Prussian cavalry regiments can operate in Line, deep formation and march column.
Albion Triumphant Vol II
Within the pages of Albion Triumphant Volume II you’ll find everything you need to use Prussians in Black Powder, including history, a full army list and all the special rules to wield this impressive army on the tabletop in the Hundred Days Campaign.
Hussars
Hussars were ever-present in the Napoleonic wars, with twelve splendidly dressed regiments, composing 38% of all the Prussian cavalry at Waterloo. Commanded by the venerable ‘Marschall Vorwärts’ – Field Marshal Blücher – they were a tough nut to crack…
Prussian Hussar regiments during the Hundred Days varied in uniform. The miniatures shown here follow the traditional attire for Hussars, and are ideal for the majority of Hussars regiments during the campaign. Prussian Hussars were light cavalry and performed the same role as hussars in every other army of the time. They were armed with a curved cavalry sabre, which was of a robust design, and two pistols.
The box set contains 12 Prussian Hussars, in Warlord Resin, including components for an officer and bugler.
Uhlans
The Uhlans, or lancers, of the Prussian army fullled the role of both skirmishing light cavalry and line shock troops alongside the dragoon and cuirassier units. Equipped with a lethal 9-foot lance, they were an imposing sight. It was the Uhlans who saved Marshall Blücher when unhorsed at Ligny.
Late war Uhlans principally wore simple dark blue uniforms and practical equipment. By the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, all units had their lance pennants with black and white swallowtail pattern.
The box set contains 12 Prussian Uhlans, in Warlord Resin, including components for an officer and bugler.
Dragoons and Landwehr Cavalry
The Prussian Dragoons and Landwehr Cavalry are still available to pre-order. Check ’em out below:
Prussian Landwehr Brigade and Division
New to our webstore, grab yourself a bargain with our Prussian Brigade or Division bundles, designed to get you gaming the Hundred Days and Waterloo as easily as possible. Not only that you’ll receive free miniatures.
- Purchase a brigade and receive free Mounted Officers
- Purchase a division and receive free Mounted Officers and Prussian Casualty Markers.
The Landwehr were militia formed from teenagers through to men in their forties. They were plucked from their fields, shops and offices and enrolled into the Prussian military machine to enlarge the forces that could finally depose Napoleon, the Tyrant of Europe. Prussia was a small State but her armies were well-trained and burning to avenge their past defeats.
The Landwehr consisted of over sixty battalions and were equipped and trained as time and money allowed. A cheap but warm coat, comfortable cap and a musket were considered uniform enough to get thousands of troops out into the field for the restricted Prussian army of the time.
The Landwehr fought bravely in the later wars of the period, fighting hard in the 1813 campaigns and ultimately at the climax of the Hundred Days campaign that was Ligny and Waterloo.
Ill-equipped and half-trained they may have been, but after a few months hard fighting they went on to fight with determination alongside their brothers in the Prussian Line regiments.
Tom Mecredy
