#8323 7YW Austrians Action
By the opening of the Seven Years War in 1756, the Austrian Army had undergone a major programme of reform following the setbacks of the 1740s. Improved training, better administration and higher standards among the officer corps helped restore much of the army's effectiveness and made Austria once again a serious challenger to Prussia.
The infantry formed the main striking and holding force of the Habsburg Army. Austrian battalions fought in close-order lines, relying upon disciplined volleys, steady advances and the ability to maintain formation under heavy fire. Their battlefield effectiveness depended as much upon drill and cohesion as upon individual marksmanship.
Box
The figures in this set represent the German infantry of the Austrian Army, meaning the non-Hungarian regiments raised from the many territories of the Habsburg monarchy. Ordinary fusiliers formed the bulk of these battalions, while grenadiers provided the elite companies.
Fusiliers wore the familiar white Austrian coat with long waistcoat, high gaiters and the three-cornered hat. Regimental identity was shown through facing colors, buttons and other details, allowing many different Austrian units to be represented through painting.
Test sprues, version 1
Grenadiers were distinguished by their tall fur caps with cloth bags hanging down the rear. They also carried short sabres in addition to the musket and bayonet. Grenadier companies were often detached from their parent regiments and combined into temporary grenadier battalions for important battlefield tasks.
Austrian infantry fought in many of the great battles of the Seven Years War. At Kolin in 1757, Marshal Daun defeated Frederick the Great and forced the Prussians to abandon the siege of Prague. Later campaigns brought hard fighting at Leuthen, Hochkirch, Torgau and numerous smaller engagements across Bohemia, Saxony and Silesia.
Test sprues, version 2
This set contains 48 figures in seven action poses. The figures include both fusiliers and grenadiers shown firing, loading and advancing, providing the essential battlefield poses needed for formed infantry in action. The combination allows ordinary line troops and elite grenadiers to be represented within the same force.
The uniforms and equipment are appropriate to the Seven Years War period. Fusiliers wear the regulation tricorn, while grenadiers wear the fur cap with its hanging bag. Knapsacks, cartridge boxes, water bottles, bayonets and the grenadiers' additional sabres are all represented, giving the figures a convincing campaign appearance.
Scanned figures
This set is designed to complement our Seven Years War Austrians Marching and Austrians Command sets. Used together, the three sets allow Austrian battalions to be shown on the march, under fire and accompanied by officers, musicians and standards, making them suitable for the full range of campaigns from 1756 to 1763.
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