'Aussie Rick'’s Comments (group member since Jun 13, 2009)

'Aussie Rick'’s comments from the THE NAPOLEONIC WARS group.

"History of the King's German Legion" - This alleged incident involving the artillery of the King's German Legion occurred during the Battle of Talavera:

"Captain von Rettberg's battery being stationed on the hill, came more immediately under the observation of the commander-in-chief, who condescended particularly to notice the precision with which a bombadier named Dierking directed the fire of one of the guns of the battery.*"

* Dierking, in his memorial for the Guelphic medal, states that lord Wellington, having suggested throwing shells into the French columns against which the cavalry charge was directed, and orders having been given by captain Rettberg to that effect, was so pleased at the precision with which the German bombadier executed his task, that his lordship clapped him on the back, and said, "Very well, my boy".

Battle of Talavera:
https://www.britishbattles.com/penins...

The 9th served Napoleon well at Jungingen. Great post Betsy!

Jonas wrote: "Hey all, it has been a while! Moving, paperwork, it takes time. I found this biography on Robespierre on a flea market: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6..."

Nice find Jonas, a good addition to your library!

Betsy wrote: "I suppose it doesn't matter now since they were all taking their chances, but the Allies needed heroes.

The one I question, and not because of which man (Lanphier or Barber) fired the fatal bullet..."

Yes, that's a good one. I don't think Yamamoto deserved that.

"History of the King's German Legion" - Another casualty of rough weather hitting a transport on way to England from the evacuation of Vigo, Spain, during January 1809:

" ... The master of this transport, which was called the Smallbridge, had, it appeared, during the gale of the 29th, mistaken Brest light for that of Scilly, and ran the vessel upon a rock near Ushant. She was immediately stove in; the high seas prevented any assistance reaching her from the coast; and at day-break on the following morning she went down. Five officers, two hundred and nine non-commissioned officers and soldiers, seven women, and nine children of the German light brigade, together with the master and crew of the transport perished on this melancholy occasion."

History of the King's German Legion, Volume One by N. Ludlow Beamish

Betsy wrote: "And Canada has graciously conceded the point? 😦"

Some historians have, but it's an ongoing struggle between the Dominions 😁😁😁

https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medici...

https://www.ellsworth.af.mil/News/Fea...

Betsy wrote: "Kind of like the controversy over who killed von Richthofen."

We've settled that one in Australia's favour 😁😁😁

"History of the King's German Legion" - Elements of the King's German Legion played a pivotal role in the Battle of Benavente which also fostered a controversy over who captured the French cavalry general, Lefebvre-Desnoëttes. According to my book a young private of the German hussars named Bergmann was involved in a sword fight with the French general and got the better of him. The general asked for quarter and shortly after an English hussar took the general's horse reins and led him away, later claiming his capture. However, in 1829-30 an official inquiry at Osterholtz found in Private Bergmann's favour and he was subsequently awarded the Guelphic medal.

The Battle of Benavente:
https://www.britishbattles.com/penins...

Betsy wrote: "1804 was a momentous year for Napoleon and the 9th. The 9th, while waiting for the word to invade across the Channel, undertook to build a settlement for themselves, including gardens with vegetabl..."

"One reform for the light battalions was the formation of a voltigeuer company for skirmishing and scouting. This also made good use of those men who were shorter than the average and were paid extra."

That would have been me in the army since I was a bit of a short-arse! :)

"History of the King's German Legion" - Once the campaign against Copenhagen had been completed the return journey to England in November 1807 run into stormy weather which led to the loss of a number of ships, including the Salisbury:

"Nine officers, two hundred and twelve men, thirty women, and five children perished with this transport. The entire casualties of the legion in the expedition amounted to one thousand one hundred and seventy-five, of which thirty-six were officers, and the drowned alone numbered two hundred and twenty-six!"

British Warship Losses in Danish-Norwegian Waters 1807-14:
https://milhist.dk/british-warship-lo...

No, not normally, but we have had some controversy here in Australia over one Victoria Cross recipient from the Afghanistan conflict.

No one in the military likes other units getting special privileges or monikers that appear to show them as being better than their fellow comrades!

"The 9th Light have earned the title Incomparable." A great piece of propaganda, and it worked too!

"History of the King's German Legion" - In 1807 the King's German Legion was attached to the British expedition to the Baltic Sea. During this expedition a squadron of KGL cavalry managed to capture the fortress of Friederickswerk by ruse;

"Eight hundred and sixty men, thirty-two of whom only were regular troops, surrendered, upon conditions that they should not serve again during the war, or until exchanged; and a great quantity of powder, guns, and small arms, were also placed at the disposition of the captors."

The Expedition to the Baltic Sea 1807:
http://www.kgl.de/KingsGermanLegion/g...

Betsy wrote: "Thanks, AR. I suppose you're right about historical license. I just find it a tad disconcerting."

I don't mind as long as the author has indicated his intention to use that format, or they can show how they came by the general content of those conversations.

Betsy wrote: "I have a question that I would like an opinion on. My book has quite a few instances of dialogue between Napoleon and his generals or just between generals. A few are footnoted, but most are not. I..."

I've read a few books where the author has used official papers, despatches, letters and diaries to give 'voice' to the men in the narrative - a bit of historical license I suppose. Sometimes it works and other times it falls flat.

Scott wrote: "[book:Captain Coignet: A Soldier of Napoleon's Imperial Guard from the Italian Camp..."

I'm amazed that General Chambarlhac didn't have these men up on charges afterwards but I am sure Napoleon would have stuck by his 'gunners' :)

Great story Scott!

"History of the King's German Legion" - During 1806 elements of the King's German Legion were based in Ireland. In July of that year this bloody incident took place:

https://offalyhistoryblog.wordpress.c...

I am sure it will be an interesting account. I do like his opening statement; "I am about to begin the history of my military career. Compared with that, my sorrowful early life was a bed of roses."

Great story Betsy, I bet Captain Hippolyte Cazaux was relieved to see the 59th!