Prussian Infantry 1808-40 Volume 1 and 2
Dated: February 21, 2009.
Please find PDF extracts from the books including the covers.
Stephen Summerfield (2009) Prussian Infantry 1808-1840: Volume 1 Line and Guard 1808-1814.
The Prussian Army was disastrously defeated of Prussian Army at Jena-Auerstädt in 1806. In 1808, the remnants of the 227 infantry battalions formed eleven infantry regiments (IR), a Guard infantry regiment and six grenadier battalions. The regimental history, organisation, colours (Fahne) and uniforms are explored and lavishly illustrated in this first volume on the Prussian Army during the late Napoleonic Wars (1808-14).
The 180 plates include 44 colours (Fahne), 160 uniform depictions and 80 uniform/equipment details in colour. The 19th Century plates from the Bauer Plates, Herbert & Richard Knötel, Eckert & Monten, Krefeld, Neumann, Pietsch, Röchling and Wolf are supplemented by specially commissioned illustrations by Bob Marion and the author. In addition, there are 16 OOBs and 18 Tables.
The shattered Prussian state halved in size, bankrupted and occupied by the French was able to transform its army under the guidance the Reorganisation Committee lead by von Scharnhorst. Its first test was as a reluctant ally of France in 1812. The Prussian Army quickly in the War of Liberation (1813-14) became the cutting edge of the coalition that defeated Napoleon. The General Staff was central to the improvement and resilience of the Prussian Army.
Front and back covers
Prussian Infantry 1808-1840: Volume 2: Jäger, Reserve, Freikorps & New Regiments 1813-40.
This second volume on Prussian Infantry 1808-40 looks at the evolution of infantry formations and tactics as consolidated into the 1812 Infantry Regulation, rifle armed light infantry battalions (Jäger and Schützen), Reserve Infantry Regiments, Freikorps and infantry until the death of Frederick William III. It was not until the 1820s that the reforms started during the late Napoleonic Wars were completed.
Upon mobilisation in March 1813, the Prussian Infantry doubled in size by forming the Krumper, discharged soldiers and new recruits around a cadre of regulars to form Reserve Battalion that became Reserve Infantry Regiments 1-12 (1-12RIR) in June and in 1815, renamed IR13-24. These were supplemented by Freikorps and Foreign units that were absorbed into the Prussian Army in 1815 to form IR25-34.
The regimental history, organisation, and uniforms from 1813 to 1840 are lavishly illustrated. The 102 plates include 175 separate uniforms in colour. In addition, there are 26 OOBs and 25 tables.
Front and back covers
These may be purchased from http://www.caliverbooks.com (UK) or http://onmilitarymatters.com (USA)
Dr. Stephen Summerfield
UK