"Frei-korps von Gerlach" Topic

I am working on my Hessians and have hit a snag. Kronoskaf carries a reference to a frei-korps von Gerlach, but the information is sketchy and even calls into question whether it really existed. Anyone have any information on it?

Thanks

I don't know anything about its history, but the Heer und Tradition Hessian plate shows black tricorne trimmed white with white pompom and hat bobs; black neckstock; a plain, sky blue coat (like Napoleonic Bavarians') with simple dark green cuffs and turnbacks; dark green small clothes; and black gaiters (although shown as darkish grey, they're the same colour as the other regiments' and so should be black). Lapels are hinted at on the coat, but are self-coloured sky blue like the coat.

Here's a slightly different uniform:
picture

Hesse-Kassel von Gerlach Freicorps is most likely a dud. Have had thorough studies/research on Allied OOB's through most of the 7YW and haven't come across a single mention of this unit. It certainly never formed part of the Allied field army, thats for sure. My best guess to the origin of this error is the misreading of Grundlach. This would identify the unit as militia battalion von Grundlach with grey coats – not light blue – until 1760. The green facings do not match, though. Another option would be that this unit is not Hessian, but Brunswick militia, really. Grey was the typical uniform colour for militia in many German states during that period. I have no idea how this unit found its way into the uniform books. But all sources are rather old, such as the Zigaretten Bilder, and often include flaws. Also note the colouring of the black/white prints of the old German "Heer and Tradition" sheets were done by jail prisoners, then! God knows how accurate they are.

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll paint them and if my opponent objects then I'll return them to the box.

crogge1757

I have some plans to increase my Brunswick BAR Grenadiers from two Btns to 3. Something called Von Wittdorf made up of about 1/3 Zastrow and the rest militia. I was interested in your comment about gray coats and wondered if you have some info on Brunswick militia or a source that does. Thanks in advance!!

docdennis1968

Very sorry. Can't say much. My Schirmer copy does cover Brunsvic army, but has little data on the Landregiment and garisson regiment – i.e. the militia and invalids. There is mention of blue coats for the first, but this info is linked to a combined battalion, formed of several militia units incl. Leib-Grenadiers, taking to the field in January 1762 with the siege of Kassel. Very little uniform details here.Mention of having 2 colours, but design unknown. It mentions the Landregiment served as a recruit depot for the field army. Had a look at my Pengel & Hurt edition also covering Brunsvic. It basically relies on Schirmer in most parts, but with many translation errors – not much help. Very confusing, really. You might have seen the Kronoskaf contnet for the Brunsvic army. The first level army organisation was done by myself. Another contributer added the uniform details. I don't know this guy but some of his reference lists of litature elsewhere at Kronoskaf looks rather impressive to me. Best advise I can give is wait until he adds the uniform details for the Brunsvic militia.

By the way. My army organisation details derive from the German Generalstaff History of the Wars of Frederick the Great. They are very good and accurate. But, with the Brunswick army, there appears to be a flaw with the Grenadiers.
The single one I noticed so far. There is a Wittdorf Grenadier battailon (1 of 2) confirmed as part of the 1759 army at the battle of Minden, but Generalstaff has Wittdorf raised only in 1760, and no Wittorf recorded as chef of one of the earlier 2 exisiting bats. Can't say whats wrong, but I guess, Wittdorf was comanding a battalion in 1759 and took over command of the newly raised one in 1760?!?

Cheers,
Christian

Thanks for the info ( or the honest lack of info, which often is just as good) !! Grenadier Btn von Wittdorf and the mysterious Brunswick milita uniform can certainly wait till more data can surface if it ever does!! Again thanks for the response!