A Foray into Napoleonic Wargaming
2nd Nassau Regiment
Next phase for this project is to add a bit more colour and expand my collection with troops from some other nations. The French were supported in the Peninsula by a host of men from allies and client states. As he invaded Spain, Napoleon invoked self-defence clauses in his treaties with various German states, forming a Division of men from a mixture of different places.
One element of the German Division was the Nassau 2nd Regiment, which marched to the Peninsula in 1808. Whilst most of the regiment’s time in the Peninsula was spent combating Spanish insurgency, the regiment was also present at some significant battles such as Talavera.
After ignominious retreat from Russia in 1812 and subsequent battles in 1813 that cumulated in Leipzig, Napoleon’s German allies began to abandon him. The 2nd Nassau Regiment recieved secret orders to switch sides, and marched over to join the British at the end of that year. Unsurprisingly, this led to many other German formations remianing under French command to be disarmed and essentially confined to quarters.
Come 1815, Nassau fought alongside the Allies during the 100 days at both Quatre Bras and Waterloo.
Models are by AB Figures, representing Nassau uniforms from the Waterloo campaign, but they’re pretty much fine for the Peninsula Campaign after 1809. The flag is by GMB Designs.
