Napoleonic Saxons 1813
Purchased several years ago now and recently repainted, my Napoleonic Saxons exist purely out of my obsession with the Autumn 1813
campaign. They are amongst my favourite Napoleonic troops though quite why escapes me. I am at heart a Napoleonic Francophobe and the
few times I play French I like to actually play their Allies instead, be it Poles, Bavarians or indeed Saxons.
The Saxons fought at the battles of Grossbeeren (24th August), Dennewitz (6th September) and Leipzig (16th - 19th October) where they
defected to the Allies on 19th October. Essentially I have two small Divisions and a brigade of very useful cavalry. My Saxon orbat for LFSIII is
here. They are an interesting force of mainly C and D class troops with the B class Leib-Grenadier Garde, good and numerous cavalry and are
well served by plentiful artillery. For 1813 games, lets face it, that is pretty good. They lack the elan of late Prussians and 'Marie-Louises' but
they are competent and capable troops.
Too keep my collection consistent I decided to stick with Essex Miniatures. This presented a fair few problems as they didn't sell the correct
figures as such. I used mostly French figures painted up as Saxons and chose plenty of figures in greatcoats. To be honest I couldn't face lots
more white coats after painting over 600 Austrians. I also really like the famous atmospheric Knotel painting of the greatcoated Saxons and
Prussians disputing the graveyard at Grossbeeren. So, some of the figures aren't entirely accurate kit and accouterments wise as I pursued a
policy of 'best fit'.
My Saxons have had mixed fortunes on the tabletop. There has been the odd French victory with them in tow, and a small thrashing on a
Prussian brigade but they have had a couple of real howlers too against the Prussians which will have Max and I dining out on for years.
Successful or not they are amongst my favourites.
Purchased several years ago now and recently repainted, my Napoleonic Saxons exist purely out of my obsession with the Autumn 1813
campaign. They are amongst my favourite Napoleonic troops though quite why escapes me. I am at heart a Napoleonic Francophobe and the
few times I play French I like to actually play their Allies instead, be it Poles, Bavarians or indeed Saxons.
The Saxons fought at the battles of Grossbeeren (24th August), Dennewitz (6th September) and Leipzig (16th - 19th October) where they
defected to the Allies on 19th October. Essentially I have two small Divisions and a brigade of very useful cavalry. My Saxon orbat for LFSIII is
here. They are an interesting force of mainly C and D class troops with the B class Leib-Grenadier Garde, good and numerous cavalry and are
well served by plentiful artillery. For 1813 games, lets face it, that is pretty good. They lack the elan of late Prussians and 'Marie-Louises' but
they are competent and capable troops.
Too keep my collection consistent I decided to stick with Essex Miniatures. This presented a fair few problems as they didn't sell the correct
figures as such. I used mostly French figures painted up as Saxons and chose plenty of figures in greatcoats. To be honest I couldn't face lots
more white coats after painting over 600 Austrians. I also really like the famous atmospheric Knotel painting of the greatcoated Saxons and
Prussians disputing the graveyard at Grossbeeren. So, some of the figures aren't entirely accurate kit and accouterments wise as I pursued a
policy of 'best fit'.
My Saxons have had mixed fortunes on the tabletop. There has been the odd French victory with them in tow, and a small thrashing on a
Prussian brigade but they have had a couple of real howlers too against the Prussians which will have Max and I dining out on for years.
Successful or not they are amongst my favourites.
| Saxon Generals Leib-Grenadier Garde Battalion and #1 (von LeCoq) Light Regiment with Jager company screening The yellow facings and red coats of the Garde make them probably the most colourful infantry unit which graces my table and are therefore perennial favourites of mine. The Jagers were a 150 strong independent company. I use them as slightly over strength with a very brittle 4 figures. (L - R) von Spiegel and von Sperl (later von Anger) Grenadier Battalions The Saxons routinely formed converged grenadier Battalions by stripping out elite companies from their line regiments. With my Saxons I decided to include a mounted Officer to help identify them easier on the tabletop. (Front L to R) 2/von Rechten and 2/Konig Infanterie Regiment. (Rear) 1/von Niesemueschel Infanterie Regiment. Prinz Friedrich August Infanterie Regiment Steindel Infanterie Regiment Prinz Clemens Uhlans and Saxon Hussar Regiments with General The Uhlan figure is an Essex Miniatures, French Line Chasseur a Cheval standard bearer with a Polish lance added. Those nice chaps at Essex knocked up a special pack for me. Close up of Prinz Clemens Uhlans (now with flags added) The Prinz Clemens Regiment converted from Chevaulegers by adopting the lance in 1811. Prior to the battle of Gross-beeren Saxon cavalry are best represented in LFS as two units of eight figures per regiment. Saxon Artillery Prinz Anton Infanterie Regiment These are newly painted as I decided to have a couple of battalions in an attack pose, and not in greatcoats. These are sold as French figures in campaign dress, and whilst not entirely accurate for Saxons, are near enough in 15mm. von Low Infanterie Regiment Another new regiment, painted in tunics and breeches and using French figures. #2 (von Sahr) Light Regiment All figures Essex Miniatures, owned and painted by yours truly. |
