Best Uniform

[Casper_Viccc]

Were the colors to distinguish forces on the battle field?

The short answer is: Yes. That was originally their purpose. In a time where most of the battles were fought in clear view from each other, the advantage of being able to recognize your allies was much more important then the advantage of your enemy not seeing you. For some (light infantry) units, there was an exception.

So, yes, the uniform colors were originally to know what side you are own, but many nations who were enemies carried the same uniform. Famous is the case where the highlanders fired upon Belgian light dragoons at quatre-bras (because their uniform was so much like the French chasseur-au-cheval) but many more cases are known. Another reason (and a reason many nations chose blue) was to simply be able to SEE the men around you.

Smoke covered up the battle after a while, and dark blue/black is one of the few colours you are still capable of spotting. It's for that reason most of the artillery-corpses had blue.

And for those extravagant ones...There's no real reason. People just went a little bit too far, I suppose.

[borodino1812]

Hello,

Thanks for your posts about the "landhusaren korps" of Bavaria.
Can you give me some informations about your sources ???
I need some texts about thes famous plates.
Some many thank's to all.

NB: And, if somebody have the two plates of BUNDE - UNIFORMTAFELN N°236 and N°242 ????

[Prinz Essling]

Hello,

Thanks for your posts about the "landhusaren korps" of Bavaria.
Can you give me some informations about your sources ???
I need some texts about thes famous plates.
Some many thank's to all.

NB: And, if somebody have the two plates of BUNDE - UNIFORMTAFELN N°236 and N°242 ????

Further plate on the Landhusaren - source is shown on the second plate.

The Cantler volume is entitled "Der bayerischen Armee samtliche Uniformen von 1800-1873"

[Prinz Essling]

The next Landhusaren plate comes from "L'Armee Royale de Baviere 1806-15 d'apres Sauerweid, Seele, Volz etc" (Apologies as had to rescale because it was too large for this site!)

The Landhusaren Regiment was raised in 1813 with 5 squadrons each of 147 personnel; was increased to 8 squadrons in May 1814. Regimental HQ 17 personnel

[borodino1812]

Many thank's for these informations.

Borodino1812.

If you have more informations....

[artilleur]

Chasseurs à cheval

Amazing french cavalry... look the pink trompet

[artilleur]

Horse Grenadier Imperial french Guard

For some pics the text says Before Austerlitz 1805

[artilleur]

1800 rhine army French Headquarters's postman

A french officer...

[Compans]

Thanks Artilleur. Are these last ones original sketches from the field?

[artilleur]

I hope so...In fact i don t know....In France many illustrator in 19 th century worked for old general who describded uniforms direct from memory...so....
art against food....

[artilleur]

young french guard light cavalry

Scout young french guard

[artilleur]

Bavarian Hussars 1813

some pics from bavarian hussars...by Ernest Fort
National French Biblio. or B.N.F

I think 1er et 2eme regiment

[artilleur]

Westphalian's Life Guard

Hi, gentlemen Im looking for any informations about this regiment during Napoleonic War... According my mind it's a heavy Cavalry troops like prussian Life guards without a real military job.

[repd]

answer

the name of this unit was Garde du Corps
here are some pictures

[repd]

Answer 2

here are two occasions were the unit was with the army
1809 campaignin northern germany
one squadron (140 men)commanded by brigadegeneral Von Bongers

1812 in russia one squadron commanded by eskadronschef Lallemand

if i find more i will place it in this tread