#8008 Napoleonic Brunswick Avantgarde Jaeger
Dated: September 30, 2003.
The Duchy of Brunswick became one of Napoleon's most determined German enemies after it was absorbed into the French-controlled Kingdom of Westphalia in 1807. Duke Friedrich Wilhelm, later famous as the "Black Duke," raised the black-uniformed Brunswick corps in 1809 and fought his way across northern Germany before escaping by sea to Britain. Brunswick troops subsequently served with the British during the Peninsular War and returned to northern Europe for the final campaign against Napoleon in 1815.
Box (1st type)
The Avant Garde formed the advanced light troops of the Brunswick army. Its men operated ahead of the main infantry body, screening its movement, scouting enemy positions and fighting in open order. By the Waterloo campaign, the formation included two companies of light infantry and two companies of Gelernte Jager, or trained huntsmen. The figures in this set represent these Jager companies, many of whose recruits were foresters and others already familiar with shooting and movement across broken country.
Current box
Their most distinctive feature was the broad Corsican-style hat with one side turned upward. The men wore dark green coats rather than the black uniforms associated with most Brunswick infantry, together with grey trousers and black equipment. They were intended to carry rifles and sword bayonets, weapons better suited to deliberate skirmish fire than the massed musket volleys of line infantry. Officers were distinguished by additional decoration, including a feather plume and an officer's sabre.
Sprue
During the campaign of 1815, the Brunswick Avant Garde fought at Quatre Bras on 16 June and at Waterloo two days later. At Quatre Bras the Brunswick army suffered heavily and Duke Friedrich Wilhelm was killed while attempting to rally his troops. The surviving Brunswickers nevertheless remained with Wellington's army and took part in the decisive battle at Waterloo, where their light troops helped screen and support the main Brunswick formations.
Line drawing
The figures can be combined with our Brunswick Leib Infantry to represent the black-uniformed elite troops who fought beside the Avant Garde. Our Brunswick Cavalry adds mounted support, while our upcoming Brunswick Line Infantry will provide the main infantry battalions of the 1815 army. Together, these sets will allow a much broader Brunswick force to be assembled for Quatre Bras and Waterloo, including skirmishers, line troops, elite infantry and cavalry.