Napoleon's Red Lancers

Napoleon's Red Lancers
Author: Ronald Pawly
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 118
Release: 2012-03-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1780965575

The legendary Dutch 'Red' Lancers – the 2nd Light Horse Lancers of Napoleon's Imperial Guard – were formed in 1810 after the emperor annexed Holland and its army to France. The former hussars of the Dutch Royal Guard got a handsome new uniform, a new weapon, and a hard-driving new colonel in Baron Edouard Colbert. His lancers distinguished themselves in Russia in 1812, at huge cost; in Germany in 1813, and in the Low Countries in 1814. When Napoleon returned from exile in 1815 the Red Lancers were with him until night fell over Waterloo. Ronald Pawly is the world's leading expert on the archival and pictorial record left by this regiment; his detailed text is illustrated with rare portraits and photographs, and eight glowing colour plates of a surprisingly wide variety of uniforms.

The Red Lancers

The Red Lancers
Author: Ronald Pawly
Publisher: Crowood Press UK
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2017-08-15
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781785003363

Based on archive research, The Red Lancers is a detailed study of the history and personnel of a single unit of Napoleon's Imperial Guard, 1810-1815 - the 2nd Light Horse or "Red Lancers". Their part in the Napoleonic Wars is covered, from the 1812 Russian Campaign, through the defensive campaigns in Germany and France in 1813-14, to the fateful 100 days of 1815 and to the final sunset at Waterloo. Illustrated with many period paintings some previously unpublished and of international importance and detailed appendices on known members of the regiment - this is an impressive work of scholarship and is destined to become a standard reference for the collector and student of Napoleonic history.

Napoleon’s Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard

Napoleon’s Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard
Author: Ronald Pawly
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 123
Release: 2012-02-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1780964110

This book draws on original regimental records to give by far the most detailed account ever published in English of the organization and personalities of the most renowned of the foreign units that served in the Emperor's armies. Unlike most of his foreign troops, these Polish horsemen were true volunteers, who owed their honoured place in his Imperial Guard to their proven courage and dash on battlefields from Spain to Russia. The text is illustrated with rare portraits and photographs, and with detailed colour plates of the Lancers' magnificent uniforms.

Napoleon’s Carabiniers

Napoleon’s Carabiniers
Author: Ronald Pawly
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 119
Release: 2012-03-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1780965559

The two privileged regiments of Carabiniers survived the French Revolution with their elite status intact. They covered themselves with glory at Austerlitz, Friedland, Ratisbonne and Wagram where their bloody losses shocked Napoleon into ordering them new helmets and cuirasses. Re-formed after near annihilation in Russia in 1812, they fought at Leipzig and in many actions of the 1814 French campaign, and made one of the final charges at Waterloo. lllustrated with rare early prints and meticulous colour reconstructions, this book details their story, and their unique uniforms, from surviving period documents.

Napoleon’s Dragoons of the Imperial Guard

Napoleon’s Dragoons of the Imperial Guard
Author: Ronald Pawly
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 121
Release: 2012-04-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1780964048

Dressed in distinctive green uniforms and classically inspired copper helmets, the Dragoons of the Imperial Guard were raised in 1806 by the same criteria as other Guard units – by selection of picked, literate veterans from Line regiments who had six to ten years of service, and citations for bravery in at least two campaigns. The following year they were named Dragons de l'Impératrice in a unique compliment to the Empress Josephine. As a ceremonial regiment it enjoyed many privileges, but it also saw combat on a number of occasions, including the battles of Essling and Wagram (1809), the Russian campaign (1812, when it suffered severe losses), at Bautzen, Wachau and Leipzig (1813), in the 1814 Campaign of France, and at Ligny and Waterloo (1815).

Napoleon's Guards of Honour

Napoleon's Guards of Honour
Author: Ronald Pawly
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2012-03-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1780965591

One of the least understood of Napoleon's corps were the four regiments of Gardes d'honneur, raised in 1813 during the frantic rebuilding of the French cavalry after the huge losses in Russia. Recruited from the leading social classes, uniformed and equipped at their own expense, and accompanied by servants to take care of such unpleasant chores as stable duty, these men were promised commissions as officers after a year's service in the ranks. Though spectacularly unready for combat upon their arrival with the army, the Guards of Honour would gain skill and confidence while serving alongside the élite cavalry of the Imperial Guard in the campaigns of Saxony and France, 1813-14, and distinguished themselves in battle at Hanau and Rheims. The story of their organisation, uniforms and service is researched from rare archives and memoirs, and illustrated with portraits, surviving uniform items, and meticulous colour plates.

Napoleon's Mercenaries

Napoleon's Mercenaries
Author: Guy Dempsey
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Total Pages: 462
Release: 2016-02-29
Genre: History
ISBN: 1784380199

This superb and comprehensive book details the foreign units which formed such an important part of Napoleon's forces. It examines each non-French unit in turn, giving an overview of the unit's origins, its organizational and combat history, its uniforms and standards, and details of the unit's eventual fate. Colourful accounts, taken from contemporary reports and memoirs, emphasize the qualities of the unit and throw light on what life was like for many of the foreign soldiers recruited into the Grande Armée. In total more than 100 different foreign units that served in the French Army are investigated in detail in this ambitious publication. Some foreign units fought and flourished throughout the Consulate and Empire, whilst others lasted for just a few months. Covers Polish, German, Swiss, Italian, Spanish, and other units in the French Army and presents a combat history and details uniforms for each regiment. Napoleon's Mercenaries is the best single-volume study of this aspect of Napoleon s army and a vital reference for every Napoleonic enthusiast. Little can be found on the foreign units that were an integral part of the French army ... For a long time a gap has existed, but now Napoleon s Mercenaries fills this gap. Robert Burnham, Napoleonic Series

Napoleon's Line Infantry

Napoleon's Line Infantry
Author: Philip Haythornthwaite
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 91
Release: 2012-11-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782007016

Napoleon's line infantry was founded upon that of the Ancien Régime. A total re-organisation began on 1 January 1791 with the abolition of the old regimental titles, and over the next two years an increasing number of conscript and volunteer battalions were formed. Their quality varied from the proficiency of the early National Guard regiments to the untrained and ill-equipped rabble of the levée. To combine the discipline and steadiness of the regular army with the revolutionary fervour of the new army, the Amalgame was decreed on 21 February; by this measure each regular battalion became the nucleus of a new Demi-Brigade.

Napoleon's Imperial Guard

Napoleon's Imperial Guard
Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2021-08-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 1526786729

A detailed analysis of the organization, uniforms and weapons of the French Imperial Guard created by Napoleon I. The author describes how this large military body evolved from the Consular Guard created by Bonaparte as early as 1799 and how this came to include dozens of different military units belonging to each branch of service (infantry, cavalry, artillery, specialist corps). The Imperial Guard was a 'miniature army' made up of veteran soldiers, who were dressed with the most spectacular and elegant uniforms ever seen on the battlefields of Europe. The Guard also included several 'exotic' non-French units that are also covered in the text: Egyptian Mamelukes, Polish and Lithuanian lancers, Tatar scouts, Dutch grenadiers and lancers. The way in which Napoleon employed the Guard in battle is discussed and also how it differed from the rest of the French Army in terms of military dress and weaponry.