From EdwardG: 6mm Dutch-Belgians (and some skirmishers) for the 100 days (154pts)

 Hi all,

As part of the final push I have completed the Dutch-Belgian Cavalry Division for the 100days Campaign. I must admit, in theory, I do only need a brigade of the division for the Quatre Bras game that I am planning with a friend. However, when painting a brigade, one might as well paint a division. Such is the joy of 6mm! :D 

These cavalry have been much maligned over the years with a lot of British historians painting them with a wide brush with most remarks around the theme that they were raw yellow bellied cowards and at worst actively disruptive Bonapartist sympathisers. It is true, a lot of the Dutch-Belgian officers and troopers had served in the French Imperial army. But this was not an unusual story for a lot of the Allied troops, most of whoms' homes had been annexed by the French at one point in time (Heck, even the Prussians had supplied an auxiliary Corps for the 1812 campaigns!). However, what this did mean is that actually the men of these units did have combat experience, especially the senior officers. And if one actually looks at the events of the five days in Belgium, their combat track record is actually at least equivalent to the British cavalry. Van Merlen's cavalry brigade especially did great service at Quatre Bras against a much larger number of French cavalry. Arguably holding up the French advance long enough for the leading units of Picton's Division to get into the action. But enough historical revisionism. If people would like to read more there is an interesting article here: http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Waterloo_Cowards.html

Now on with the minis! 

I present the whole division on parade: 

The divisional ORBAT is made up of an HQ unit and 3 brigades. The cavalry are based by squadron on different width bases. The width of the bases are roughly calculated on the recorded strengths of the squadrons during the campaigns. My compatriot is lucky enough to own a copy of the Scotty Bowden book on Waterloo, so we have based our strengths on his estimates. The GdA rules support this approach, as there is a factor in the rules for having a wider formation than your opponents. 

The division was commanded by Luitenant-Generaal Jean Antoine de Collaert. A veteran of the Ducth then French armies he commanded units in the 1813 and 1814 campaigns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Antoine_de_Collaert). He is seen here with another highly regarded commander Kolonel Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (as I had accidentally painted some extra general figures spare!)

The 1st Brigade of the division was composed of heavy cavalry, in 3 regiments. There is a lot of speculation as to the exact uniforms of these units at Waterloo, as they were in the middle of a kit exchange at the time of the campaign. So in reality, until a time machine is invented we will probably never know. The brigade was commanded by Generaal-Majoor Albert Dominicus Trip van Zoudtlandt, another career soldier and veteran of both the Dutch and French armies. Famously previously being the colonel of the 14th Regiment Cuirassiers during the 1812 campaign in Russia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Dominicus_Trip_van_Zoudtlandt).

The 2nd Brigade was a light cavalry brigade with the 4th Dutch Light Dragoon Regiment and 8th Belgian Hussar Regiment. It was commanded by Generaal-Majoor Baron Charles Étienne de Ghigny (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Étienne_de_Ghigny). 

The 3rd Brigade, and in theory the only one I actually needed right now, was another light cavalry brigade commanded by Generaal-Majoor Jean Baptiste, Baron van Merlen, whose illustrious career was cut short when he was killed at Waterloo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Baptiste_van_Merlen). As said above this brigade performed sterling service at QB and later at Waterloo. They did suffer one famous incident when the Highlanders of Pictons Division mistook the returning 5th Belgian Light Dragoon Regiment for French cavalry and opened fire. But I am sure there was many a blue-on-blue incident in the days of horse and musket that has never been reported. 

A close up on the unfortunate 5th Belgian Light Dragoon Regiment, probably the most fun regiment to paint in the whole division and a nice change from the blue. 

In addition to the cavalry, I also finished off some additional skirmishers for my Brunswick Corps, as under the GdA rules you can never have too many skirmisher bases! 

Points wise, I have calculated the following:

130 6mm Cavalry and General figures = 130pts

48 6mm Skirmishing infantry = 24pts

Total = 154pts!

In the final week I am frantically working to finish as much of my other main project as possible. I am not sure why anyone is talking about sandbagging points until the end...quick hand me that shovel! 

Best,
Ed