Sunday, January 6, 2019

'Reconnaissance' from FranjoB: Catalonian Volunteers 1st Light Infantry Battalion, 1807

Hi all,

I hope I'm on time for the bonus round... The paint is still fresh.

Only three figures: an officer and two soldiers from the Catalonian Volunteers 1st Light Infantry Battalion, Spanish Army, 1807. This unit formed part of the Marquis of La Romana's Division sent to Northern Europe to help those who were then our allies, the Napoleonic French. It saw action against Sweden (who were allied to Great Britain) in the Swedish Pomerania, notably at the siege of Stralsund.


Even though they should have already received the new light infantry uniforms with shako and dark blue jacket, this unit still wore the tarleton type helmet and a green hussar like jacket. The soldiers wear non-regulatory espaldrilles as footwear (comfortable and lightweight yet quite durable), commonly used by peasants of Eastern Spain.

I'm not feeling happy with the shiny effect of the camera's flash. I prefer daylight, but well, couldn't finish before.
Miniatures from Front Rank:






In a reconnaissance mission of the Swedish postions around Stralsund:



See you soon,


Franjo

20 comments:

  1. Very nice! This is a unit you don't see everyday - wonderful work Franjo!

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    1. I do like the tarleton helmet and the Hussar Jacket (although the lace is a bit of a pain to paint). The unit really distinguishes itself between the rest of my napoleonic Spanish.

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  2. Great painting, especially the lace (always a pig!) I really liek the basing, too.

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    1. Yeah, the lace gave me some headaches ;)

      The basing tries to resemble the drier soil of quite part of the Peninsula: ochre ground and not so green bushes and grass.

      Thank you for your commnet, Noel

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  3. Now I like these, great job Franjo!!!

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  4. You have succeeded magnificently in recreating these colourful uniforms!

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  5. A rare and original unit. Must add to my list of pending Napoleonic projects. Good painting work indeed

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  6. ¡Gracias, Benito!

    I've got more Napoleonics from the Spanish Army in my workbench. I love the early uniforms, quite distintive and a bit anachronistic.

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  7. Wow, great unit and great painting. This is one of my favourite historical entries because it's campaign that I know of but have never seen anyone try to do. What a con job by the French to get the Spanish to go in on an invasion of Norway!

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    1. Yes, it was a good story to be told. La Romana's Corps even had their own "Dunkerque" after Napoleon forced the Spanish king to abdicate on his own brother, Joseph. The units were dispersed around Jutland peninsula and the Zealand islands, but most of them refused to swear allegiance to the new French king. Quickly, the English took their fleet and rescued a good part of the Spanish troops. Those who could not escape ended fighting in Russia in the ranks of the Grande Armee.

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  8. Lovely looking Spanish trio!
    Best Iain

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