"Mounted Command for battalions" Topic

As long as I know, only french had mounted chef de battalions, but I'm curious to know if other nationalities had mounted command for battalions as well.
I noticed Adler offers mounted battalion leaders for all nationalities.

Thanks
RK

Not sure if its completely accurate, but my Bavarians are having mounted battalion commanders. Oh, wont they make great targets for the Tyroleans.

Robert,
Your information comes from ?
Regards,

Colbert

link

In just about every nation involved in the Napoleonic Wars, a dismounted battalion commander would have been unusual. A commanding officer needed the extra height to survey the battlefield, see over the heads of his men and impose his will on his command. Also it allowed him to get about from flank to flank or even to get to meetings with his own commander. Unless his horse was shot from under him or extreme terrain prevented it, a battalion commander would be mounted.

As I understood it, most infantry officers of all Napoleonic era armies were mounted.

In a British battalion, while all officers would have had at least a couple of horses and a mule on campaign, only two officers – the colonel and adjutant – were mounted in battle. Tthe captains, leutenants and subalterns all stood with the other ranks.
However, there are instances when majors also seem to have been mounted, particularly in the Guards.

Incidentally I've never understood why Perry, Front Rank, et al, don't make mounted British Light Infantry or Rifles officers. These battalions contained just as many mounted officers as all the other line Battalions.

Elite makes a mounted Rifles officer. I've used that figure for both my 95th Rifle battalions and converted one for my 43rd Light Infantry.

All my battalions get a mounted officer. My French had/have one for the first battalion, but I've already decided to add a mounted officer to my 2nd battalions.

Paulie

Lord Hill – In theory at least, I believe that both majors of a line infantry battalion were also supposed to be mounted, as they commanded the two wings into which the battalions (or at least the large ones) normally divided on going into action.

So four mounted officers for a British battalion.

I have often wondered if the temporary COs of the ad hoc "light battalions" formed from a line brigade's light infantry companies would also be mounted.

Thanks Paulie, will look into the Elite rifles officer. Is he staring up into the sky as if looking for passing aircraft?

Lord Hill
Heads are up. Not straight up as others, but up it is. Wonder why Elite does that? Its as if David is looking in awe at Goliath. Still, the figures are appropriate for their purpose.

Paulie

Supercilius,

Yes you are right it should be four.

Nice point on the amalgamated lights. Can't see why not, would me my view. The command generally fell to a Major, so he would have been mounted in the normal course of events.

I guess it cuts both ways. Useful for being able to move along the Brigade front and see better. Not so useful in providing target practice for every Voltigeur or Tirailleur in range!