AWI Hessian Grenadiers (28mm)

[RMD]

I've been digging out my old 28mm AWI collection (after a gap of some 12+ years) for some games at the Carmarthen Old Guard and thought I may as well take some photos of the troops, so here's von Donop's Hessian Grenadier Brigade (a lot more on the blog):

http://www.jemimafawr.co.uk/2022/09/28/ ... renadiers/

[Spanner]

Impressive looking units, RMD. Combined grenadier battalions always look good, don't they?

[RMD]

Cheers! Yeah, they are fun to do.

Something I was wondering was why the Hessians, having adopted a Prussian-style two-battalion regiment structure and a two-regiment grenadier battalion structure during the SYW, reverted back to single-battalion regiments and four-regiment grenadier battalions?

The Baron will probably know the answer...

[Willz the Wargamer]

They are very nice looking chaps, nicely painted.


Willz.

[RMD]

They are very nice looking chaps, nicely painted.


Willz.

Cheers Willz! Yeah, it makes a change from all those SYW Prussians...

[Essex Boy]

Very pretty.

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

Something I was wondering was why the Hessians, having adopted a Prussian-style two-battalion regiment structure and a two-regiment grenadier battalion structure during the SYW, reverted back to single-battalion regiments and four-regiment grenadier battalions?

The Baron will probably know the answer...

I believe it was done in conjunction with the treaty to supply the contingent for America, but beyond that, I am afraid that I don't know as to why. It may have had something to do with creating individual battalions that could be posted anywhere in N America without disrupting the regimental system - and ditto the Grenadiers.

The Garde still followed the Prussian model, being a three-battalion regiment, with the 1st Battalion being a bit different from the other two - again, I regret that I have no more details. The Grenadier companies of the 2nd & 3rd Battalions were sent to America as part of the Grenadier Battalion von Linsing.

If I find anything more I shall post it, but I rather suspect that if the reason was at all well known, I would have seen it by now.

[valleyboy]

Love the look of those

[RMD]

Thanks fellas!

[RMD]

Something I was wondering was why the Hessians, having adopted a Prussian-style two-battalion regiment structure and a two-regiment grenadier battalion structure during the SYW, reverted back to single-battalion regiments and four-regiment grenadier battalions?

The Baron will probably know the answer...

I believe it was done in conjunction with the treaty to supply the contingent for America, but beyond that, I am afraid that I don't know as to why. It may have had something to do with creating individual battalions that could be posted anywhere in N America without disrupting the regimental system - and ditto the Grenadiers.

The Garde still followed the Prussian model, being a three-battalion regiment, with the 1st Battalion being a bit different from the other two - again, I regret that I have no more details. The Grenadier companies of the 2nd & 3rd Battalions were sent to America as part of the Grenadier Battalion von Linsing.

If I find anything more I shall post it, but I rather suspect that if the reason was at all well known, I would have seen it by now.

I did wonder if it was a contingency, perhaps adopting some of the British practice, in sending a battalion abroad and perhaps then raising a 2nd battalion at home? I've no idea if they did keep a 2nd battalion at home though...

It may simply have been a reversion to the pre-1760 organisation of single-battalion regiments. Ferdinand of Brunswick did say that the new 1760 two-battalion system was pointless, as each battalion was only half as strong as the old battalions (only the grenadiers were actually increased in strength).