Men-at-Arms

3 primary works • 9 total works

Napoleon's German Allies (2)

by Otto von Pivka

Published 5 July 1979

On 14 October 1808, Napoleon persuaded Herzog Peter Friedrich Ludwig of Oldenburg to join the Confederation of the Rhine by the Treaty of Erfurt - the military contingent to be maintained by the duchy was set at an infantry battalion of 800 men in six companies. Similarly, Friedrich August, Herzog of Nassau, was charged, under the terms of the treaty with co-ordinating and organising the military efforts of all the tiny states of its neighbours. In this fine addition to Osprey's Men-at-Arms series, Otto Von Pivka details the campaign history and uniforms of Napoleon's Nassau and Oldenburg allied troops.

Dutch-Belgian Troops of the Napoleonic Wars

by Otto von Pivka

Published 30 January 1980

In a desperate attempt to stop the trafficking of British goods, Napoleon absorbed Holland, parts of Westfalia, the Duchy of Oldenburg and the Hanseatic towns of Hamburg, Bremen and Lubeck into Metropolitan France in 1810. The armies raised from these areas fought as allies of the French or as part of France itself from 1795 to 1813. This book examines the history, uniforms, orders of battle and colours and standards of the troops from the Batavian Republic and its short-lived status as the Kingdom of Holland. The text is enhanced with numerous illustrations, including maps, charts and detailed colour plates.

Brunswick Troops, 1809-15

by Otto von Pivka

Published 28 November 1985

Since the bitter defeats and loss of territory of 1805, Austria had been hard at work overhauling and expanding her military machine. In 1808, the Austrian government felt that with the outbreak of the Spanish War, Napoleon would have too much to do to be able to devote large forces to deal with them. On February 25th, 1809, Friedrich Wilhelm of Brunswick entered into an agreement with the Austrians to raise a corps of infantry and cavalry to fight alongside them as they invaded his old domains, raising the population against their French rulers and exacting a long-awaited revenge on the hated Napoleon.

Napoleon's Polish Troops

by Otto von Pivka

Published 15 June 1974

In 1795 the kingdom of Poland fell prey to her stronger neighbors, Russia, Prussia and Austria. Following the death of the king of Poland in 1798, his kingdom was divided among these three neighboring powers. France became increasingly involved, and protested at Poland's treatment, offering refuge for Polish exiles. On October
11th, 1796, the Polish Legion was formed in the French army by General Dombrowski and Napoleon. This book covers the uniforms, dress, organization and equipment of the infantry, artillery, and cavalry of Napoleon's Polish Troops. Among the cavalry units covered are the Chasseurs and Lancers. This title also provides a summary of the Polish divisions' campaigns in Spain, Russia and within Poland itself.

Napoleon's Italian and Neapolitan Troops

by Otto von Pivka

Published 26 March 1992

The Republican French were active in the export of revolution, and in 1796-1800 Napoleon saw that the inhabitants of northern Italy were ripe for conversion to the cause. French victories in 1798 and 1800 secured his hold on the area, and he at once began reorganising the many small states which then made up the territory of Italy into units more suitable for his military and dynastic ambitions. Otto von Pivka explores the organisation, history and uniforms of the Italian troops who fought under the Emperor during the Napoleonic Wars.

The Portuguese Army of the Napoleonic Wars

by Otto von Pivka

Published 15 June 1977

In 1806, at the beginning of the Peninsular War, the Portuguese army was not at the peak of military efficiency. Nevertheless, under British tutelage it played an important part in the fight against Napoleon. Under Wellington's command, the Portuguese army distinguished itself in battles at Bussaco, Fuentes de Onoro and Albuera, and in 1813 helped the Allies win a decisive victory at Vittoria. Beginning with a chronology of Portugal's part in the Peninsular War, this book examines the uniforms, equipment and organization of the Portuguese army's various units. Detailed colour plates and numerous illustrations complement the text.

King's German Legion

by Otto von Pivka

Published December 1973

The King's German Legion was the largest and most respected of the foreign corps which fought as integrated elements of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815). The light and heavy cavalry, light and line infantry, and horse and foot artillery of the KGL made major contributions to Wellington's victories during the Peninsular War, and several units covered themselves with glory at Waterloo. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the KGL from its origins to its disbandment, including its uniforms, weapons, flags and standards. Meticulous illustrations offer unprecedented details of this impressive fighting force.

The Black Brunswickers

by Otto von Pivka

Published 1 June 1973

In 1809 the dispossessed Friedrich Wilhelm of Brunswick, consumed by his desire for revenge against Napoleon, entered into an agreement with the Austrians to raise a new corps of infantry and cavalry. As a physical expression of this vengeance he decided to clothe his new troops all in black and adopted as his badge the skull and crossbones, resulting in his corps' christening as Die Schwarze Schar (the Black Horde). This book details the pivotal role that the Black Brunswickers played in major battles of the Napoleonic Wars, including Quatre Bras and Waterloo, and outlines the organization, uniforms and equipment of these formidable troops.

Spanish Armies of the Napoleonic Wars

by Otto von Pivka

Published 15 June 1975

Despite Napoleon's clear advantage in the Peninsular War, the Spanish Army was never completely destroyed. Wrought by poor leadership and insufficient training, Spain's armies persisted in the fight against imperial France. This book gives an overview of Spain's confused position during the Napoleonic Era, caught between the competing interests of Britain and France. The book focuses primarily on the uniforms of the Spanish Army in the period before 1808 and during the war years as the Army of King Joseph, as well as the infantry uniforms of 1814-15. Numerous illustrations and eight color plates vividly depict the uniforms of this often-underestimated force.