4th (2nd West Prussian) “Porzellan” Dragoon Regiment

Westpreußisches Dragoner-Regiment No2

Another Prussian cavalry regiment off the desk, the 2nd West Prussian regiment for my 1813-15 army. Figures are 28mm elite miniatures as per the majority of my Prussian army. 

1st Sqaudron

2nd Sqaudron

3rd Sqaudron 

In May 1716, Friedrich Wilhelm I acquired this regiment from August II of Saxony. Part of its price may have been paid with valuable porcelain and, thereafter, the regiment retained the nickname Porzellan Dragoons. The regiment joined the Prussian army as dragoon regiment no 6 von Schorlemmer and fought during the War of Austrian Succession and in 1760 becoming dragoon regiment Meier (Meyer) for the remainder of the 7 Years War. The regiment then was the von Zieten Dragoon--Regiment Nr 6. Finally the regiment became the von Prittwitz dragon regiment NR 2 in the 1780s, then during the reshuffle after 1806 became the 4th Dragoons, although retained the 2nd west Prussian just to confuse things!

Campaigns and actions 

Was in the general major Graf Tauenzien corps at Hohenlohe (6-14 October 1806) in General Major von Kraffts cavalry brigade at Jena, Dragoon Regiment Prittwitz Nr. 2 later surrendered at Prenzlau [28.10.1806].


In 1813, the regiment saw heavy fighting. Part of 1st Brigade, Ist Corps Reserve Cavalry, it was present at Dannigkow, Groß-Gorschen (where it rode down a square of French infantry), Bautzen and was present for MacDonald's defeat at the Katzbach. The regiment captured 9 guns, 8 ammunition wagons and a field forge in the pursuit. The regiment was then present at Möckern, where it charged a French battery and captured a howitzer, a cannon and 8 ammunition wagons.

In 1814 Westpreußisches Dragoner-Regiment was again active, at La Chaussèe charging the French 2nd Carabinier Regiment in the flank and later capturing three guns and an ammunition wagon at the same battle. Present at Montmirail and Chateau-Thierry, the regiment clashed with the French Dragoons of the Guard at the latter battle, being roughly handled. It fought again at Laon and was present for the entry into Paris.

1815 saw the regiment as part 1st Brigade, I Korps Cavalry reserve, fighting in Belgium and France. Gefreiter Seidel rescued Feldmarschall Fürst von Blücher when he was unhorsed leading a charge against the final French breakthrough. During the pursuit of the French following La Belle Alliance, the regiment captured two guns at Nanteuil.

The regiment carried a Regiments-Standarte of the old v. Zeiten Dragoner-Regiment Nr 6 during the Napoleonic wars.

Cheers
Matt

Chouan Vendee artillery

 Vendee -Chouan Artillery 

Revolutionary armies - now Skytrex /Warlord 28mm artillery crew, guns Front Rank. 

These will join my Royal Catholic, Vendee and Chouan army for French Revolutionary wargames. In 1793 the Vendee Armee captured 50 pieces of artillery from the Saumur caserne, much though was very old some dating back to the mid 16th century. The remainder entered the army (22-28 pieces) After the defeat of the army at Cholet and the escape of the Vendean army across the Loire all of the captured guns were spiked and dumped into the Loire. 

Then during the move north west known as the great Galerne (gallop) into Maine (Mayenne) a number of 4 pounder and 8 pounders were captured at the battle of Entrammes from the Republican army. Upon arrival at Laval the cannon foundry was also raided where two seige mortars and a large 16lb 18th century gun from the chateau at Laval entered the armies arsenal. These guns were then used for the siege at Granville and at Dol de Bretagne, all of the guns were lost at the battle Le Mans and the retreat back to Mayenne.

I have elected to paint the pieces in the Vallèrie pattern blue colour and brass guns. 

Cheers

Matt

Silesian Landwehr officer

A Regimental commander or ADC for my Silesian Regiment. Again an 28mm Elite miniature. I wanted to depict a young volunteer officer who has supplied his own horse, so his main difference is his epaulette with a red pin stripe. 

The cross is 3d Resin, the base is scratch built with plastic former than milliput, but I am planning on adding it to the cross model next time. Really happy with my result. 

 Cheers

Matt

1813 Prussian Silesian Landwehr 3rd battalion

 Another battalion from my Silesian Landwehr, again from the 28mm Elite Range. This is the 3rd battalion with one more too go. I have elected to go with the smaller 60x60 basing, for this battalion, I will rebase the other two this coming week. Flags are GMB 

Cheers

Matt

Terrain Tuesday - medieval house

 Bourgeois House 

A project I started last year during the  analogue painting challenge in March 2023. I was in storage last week when I found the half finished, so I decided bring it down and comple it over the weekend. Quite happy with my results, I intend to base this also and make a gatehouse and outbuilding for it with the entry from the courtyard. It will join my other pieces and is suitable from 13th century to current. 

 Panzer Lehr Normandy 

Another big project this year is to complete my Panzer Lehr for Normandy, I have commenced reaserch and will be using Simons soldiers and Elhiem miniatures. Half tracks and tanks will be PSC from the stash plus a few other 1/72 plastic and resin kits. 

I have completed the first battalion infantry this week and hopefully will be done by early August. Research has commenced on vehicle camouflage and markings. 

The miniatures are from Simons Soldiers range, as usual built for Rapid Fire. 

Cheers

Matt