#8303 Napoleonic Spanish Command
Dated: October 24, 2012.
Command and specialist figures were essential to the functioning of a Napoleonic infantry regiment. Officers directed the battalion, non-commissioned officers helped maintain formation and discipline, musicians transmitted orders, and standard bearers carried the colors that served as both a rallying point and a symbol of regimental identity.
The Spanish Army entered the Peninsular War with a command structure broadly similar to those of other European armies. Officers were responsible not only for leading troops in battle, but also for maintaining order during marches, forming battalions for attack or defence and keeping units together under fire. Senior non-commissioned officers played an equally important practical role by supervising the ranks and helping communicate orders.
Box art
Standards were among the most important objects carried by a regiment. Spanish infantry used several different colors, including the royal or colonela standard associated with the first battalion and additional battalion colors. These flags represented the regiment, the monarchy and the honor of the unit, and their loss in battle was regarded as a serious disgrace.
This set includes separate standard bearers for both ordinary line infantry and grenadiers. Their different uniforms allow them to be combined naturally with our Spanish Line Infantry and Spanish Grenadiers sets, while the poses give the modeller a choice between troops standing in formation and figures actively moving with the battalion.
Line drawing
Musicians also played an important part in controlling infantry on the battlefield. Drummers transmitted routine signals for marching, manoeuvring and changes of formation, while fifers and other musicians could accompany them. Their brightly decorated uniforms made them easy to identify among the ranks.
Officers were distinguished by finer-quality uniforms, sashes and swords, while mounted officers could move quickly along the line or between different parts of a formation. On campaign they often wore practical variations of regulation dress, but their appearance still marked them clearly as men of rank.
Test shot (may go through substantial revisions prior to release).
The figures in this set follow the Spanish infantry regulations of the early Peninsular War, particularly those introduced around 1805. This makes them suitable companions for our Spanish Line Infantry, Spanish Grenadiers and Spanish Light Infantry, all of which represent the regular army around the outbreak of war in 1808.
This set contains 40 figures in 10 poses and provides the command and specialist figures needed to complete larger Spanish infantry formations. The poses include officers, standard bearers and musicians in both standing and more active positions, allowing the modeller to create battalion command groups appropriate for parade, march or battle.
Used together with our Spanish Line Infantry, Spanish Grenadiers and Spanish Light Infantry, this set allows a much more complete early-war Spanish battalion to be assembled. The combination provides fusiliers, elite troops, skirmishers, officers, musicians and colors suitable for the opening campaigns of the Peninsular War from 1808 onward.