#8307 Nap. British Light Dragoons
British light dragoons were among the most widely used cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars. Originally intended for reconnaissance, screening and other light cavalry duties, they were also expected to charge enemy cavalry and infantry when required. In practice, British light dragoons could perform many of the same battlefield tasks as heavier cavalry while retaining the mobility needed for patrols and rapid movement.
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They played an especially important role during the Peninsular War, where much of Wellington's cavalry consisted of light dragoons. The difficult roads, broken terrain and long distances of Spain and Portugal made scouting, escort duty and communication particularly important, while cavalry also had to protect the army's flanks and pursue a retreating enemy.
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Maintaining cavalry in the Peninsula was difficult. Suitable horses were not always easy to obtain locally, and animals shipped from Britain faced a dangerous sea voyage before reaching the army. Keeping horses healthy and properly supplied therefore became one of the constant concerns of British cavalry regiments on campaign.
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The most distinctive feature of this British light dragoon uniform was the leather helmet commonly known as the Tarleton. It had a large front peak and a fur crest running from front to back, giving British light dragoons a very recognizable appearance. The figures in this set wear the helmet without its plume, a simplification that was sometimes seen on campaign. Their short, heavily braided dolman jackets and campaign overalls place them particularly well in the later years of this uniform, roughly from 1808 until it was gradually replaced after 1812. introduced during the later Peninsular campaigns. Regimental facing colors, lace and other details distinguished one regiment from another, giving the modeller considerable scope through painting.
Light dragoons were armed primarily with the curved light cavalry sabre, although carbines and pistols were also carried. The sabre was the principal weapon in a mounted charge, while firearms were useful for patrols, outpost duty and skirmishing.
British light dragoons fought in many of the major actions of the Peninsular War. They served at battles such as Talavera, Salamanca, Vitoria and in the later campaigns that carried Wellington's army across the Pyrenees and into France. Their duties ranged from reconnaissance and escort work to pursuit and full-scale cavalry charges.
This set contains 12 riders and 12 horses in four rider poses and two horse poses. The figures include men wielding sabres, carrying carbines and performing other typical mounted duties, allowing the modeller to create a varied light dragoon unit rather than a completely uniform line of identical riders.
The figures are particularly suitable for British light dragoon regiments serving in the Peninsular War and during the later Napoleonic campaigns. Differences between individual regiments can largely be represented through painting, making the set useful for several units within Wellington's cavalry.
Combined with our British infantry, artillery and other cavalry sets, these light dragoons can form part of a complete British army for the Peninsular War. They are equally useful in smaller scenes showing patrols, reconnaissance, escort duty or cavalry operating independently ahead of the main army.
All information on this page subject to change.