28mm Forces and Characters for the Peninsular War

Back in Cyprus and having taken some small pots of decanted Army painter, I decided to tart up my Peninsular War characters.  With Vimeiro done they are facing the Campaigns of 1809, starting with the retreat to Corunna.  

I also dug out the reinforcements I had dragged over in my hand luggage... just as well they were mostly plastic.

The French currently have four groups of Line infantry with two skirmish groups.  Not bad, but I added another box of (Warlord) Infantry, who will be my Legere Force (the only real difference being the blue pants)

I also added a box of Dragoons to give me two groups of six plus an Officer.  I may have to add four more figures to this group to bolster it's numbers.

The cannon is a Perry miniatures French piece and the addition of that makes my French a good looking all arms Force.

The Allied Force consists of four groups of the 4th Foot, plus their skirmishers, and a mixed force of Oeels Jager and Rifles, 20 Figures, shown here as two groups of 8 and some spares.  This group is due some serious reinforcements next year.   

Reinforcing the allies will be the Portuguese and some more Line Infantry.  The Allies are a strong, but limited Infantry force.  Those Portuguese will start as Militia and gain in status battle to battle. 

First of my characters is Captain Quitte von Wiessmehr, veteran of Austerlitz, and former Jager Officer, who served in the Rifles during the 1808 portion of the Peninsular War, prior to his transfer to the Portuguese Cacadores in late 1809.  He is credited with bringing up the quality of the Portuguese, and famously seized the convent at Busaco, and stormed the second, less well known breach at Badajoz against fearful odds.  On the arrival of his old friend the Duke of Brunswick in the Peninsular Quitte was given a command in the Oeels Jager, fighting almost continuously until his death beside the Duke at Quatre Bras in 1815.     

Beside the captain is his Sergeant the redoubtable Wachtmeister Feuct, who once held the position of butler at the Schloss Wiessmehr.

 This Portuguese Officer is Fernando, Count of Pantalones.  He claims that his rank is Capitaino but it is his aristocratic status that holds sway in the Army of Portugal.  He is cowardly, lewd and corrupt, and those are only his good points.  Beside him is Acmet his body servant and former street urchin armed with a Portuguese Sea Service Boarding pistol.

 Sous Lieutenant Casse Toi Bâtard, is the commander of my French Grenadiers.  His hobby is killing chickens.  He carries two highly expensive and highly polished dueling pistols as well as a sword, and is a crack shot.  

He is probably the most evil man in the French Army. 

The Sous Lieutenant is pictured here with Sergeant Grande Jambe of the 27th du Ligne.  He usually commands my Voltiguers and is competent but has problems with his big leg.

Captain Quilp is the Commander of the light Company of the 4th foot.  He is short sighted, wearing thick spectacles, not really clear in the picture, and carries a telescope given him by Wellesley as a sarcastic gift.  He also wears high camp boots.

Quilp is a Parson's son but has risen to his rank by doing his job well.  His former Sergeant, Dick Wellhard, is now an Ensign in his Company.

 Major Finguin is the Chef du Battalion of the 27th du Ligne.  He is a long suffering and portly individual, who has run away from battle so many times that he is a veteran only by dint of his survival.  He isn't exactly a coward, but then again he never hangs around when a fight is going badly.

He has all of the honour a Frenchman requires... 

Hero of the 4th Foot is Ensign Dick Wellhard.  He was raised from the ranks for saving the life of Brian Wellesley, Arthur's less well known brother.  

As a former Sergeant he is good at shouting, and not very honourable since he is essentially just an efficient drill Sergeant! 


So those are my forces for for the 2018 campaign. I better get to work on my painting and base texturing!