"New WOS & 7YW Saxon Army Book" Topic

TITLE: Saxon Army of the Austrian War of Succession and Seven Years War:
SUB-TITLE: Uniforms Organisation and Equipment
PUBLISHED: December 2012
AUTHOR: Dr Stephen Summerfield
PUBLISHER: Ken Trotman Publishing
ISBN No.: 978-1-907417-26-9
link
kentrotman.com

This is the first detailed record of the uniforms, equipment, flags, horse furniture and campaign history for the Saxon Army 1740-63. Drawing from a multitude of sources, Stephen Summerfield has created the most complete study ever attempted, making this a valuable companion to his best selling volumes on the Austrian Army of the Seven Years War and his Saxon Artillery 1733-1827.

The Saxons enjoyed a fascinating but checkered career in the War of the Austrian Succession, disastrously changing sides from Prussia to Austria. Despite most of the army being captured in Pirna at the start of the Seven Years War (1756-63), the Saxons raised an Auxiliary Corps of 10,000 infantry that fought bravely under French pay and their magnificent light cavalry (Chevauleger and Ulan) that fought with the Austrians. As with his Austrian volumes, Stephen deals with the army unit by unit: Guard, Infantry, Grenadier, Cuirassier, Chevauleger, Dragoon, Hussar and Polish Ulan regiments including a record of their Colonels-in-Chief.

The work draws upon most of the major sources on Saxon uniforms of the Seven Years War. The 450+ colour illustrations include 215 of uniforms after Brauer, Knötel, Eichhorn, and Trache plus 66 flags/standards, 65 uniform/equipment details, 15 OOBs and 30 Tables.

In addition, this new volume provides a detailed study and plans of the advanced Saxon Geschwindstück [quick fire guns.]

Stephen

This follows the great success of the

(2011) Austrian Seven Years War Infantry and Engineers, Uniforms, Organisation and Equipment, Ken Trotman Ltd
link

(2011) Austrian Seven Years War Cavalry and Artillery: Uniforms, Organisation and Equipment, Ken Trotman Ltd
link

These are both now in their third impression in less than 6 months.

Again thanks to all those who have assisted me in creating these books.
Stephen

Stephan, can I just say how much I appreciate your efforts to bring this information to light. This will go on my wish list.

Many thanks,

Nick

I don't have any SYW armies and I am interested in the Austrian book.

Dear Nick
The most interesting part was the battalion gun that could fire twice as fast cannister than a contemporary design. I am indebted to Christian Rogge in sorting out this mystery. The elevating system was very far advanced for the 1740s and would not have looked out of place 120 years later.

The standard of the cavalry in the Saxon Army was excellent as you would expect. The colour and interest on the Ulans from Poland should add interest to the army.

Up to 1733, the Saxon Army wore red coats. This changed to white and probably to do with the Elector changing religion to Catholic to take the throne of Poland.
Stephen

You are becoming hegemonic in this field, Dr Summerfield!! Certainly on my list for a stocking-filler. My expenditure on 28mm figures is one of the key things stopping the economy collapsing, methinks!

The change to white had nothing to do with the Elector becoming King of Poland in 1733. The Saxon Elector had been King of Poland since 1697.

Dear Charles
You are referring to the short reign of Augustus the Strong 1697-1704 and was only restored in 1733. He was not King of Poland from 1704-1733 (actually abdicated in 1706).

What other explanation do you have about the change in coat colour in 1733? I would be interested in hearing.

Stephen

Dear John
The mid 18th Century is a facinating area to explore. I need to get back to the Prussian 7YW Infantry and Grenadiers now.
Stephen

Starting an austrian SYW army, I've ordered the two austrian books this week-end feeling that my Ospreys and Funcken are lacking informations.

I'm pleased to read you're working on the Prussian now.

"What other explanation do you have about the change in coat colour in 1733? I would be interested in hearing."

I'm speaking out of turn here. And I'm setting myself up to be shot down, since I'm speculating based on generalizations. But the question interests me.

Maybe the white coats were just cheaper than red. Several other armies' white coats were undyed wool, pipe-clayed white. Even if the Saxon wool was bleached white, it may have been less expensive to produce and easier to maintain than red cloth.

I note that the more prestigious Saxon Guard regiment kept their red coats when the rest of the army went into white. I also note that the infantry of the Polish Royal army wore red coats, and this was said to be in imitation of the Saxon infantry. The Polish infantry never wore 'Catholic' white coats. Actually, there were plenty of infantry in colored coats in the French, Spanish, Piedmontese and smaller Italian armies, usually the more prestigious foreign and guard regiments. Maybe white coats were just cheap, rather than an article of Catholic faith.

The Saxon army of the mid-18th century was notoriously under-funded. Saxony and Brandenburg-Prussia were states similar in size and income, but Prussia was organized and the Prussian kings spent their money to support the biggest army they could manage, while the Saxon army remained much smaller.

This was the era when the King of Saxony sold a dragoon regiment to the King of Prussia – the Saxon king wanted the porcelain collection that the Prussian king offered, but mainly he couldn't afford the upkeep on the dragoons, and wanted to get something for the regiment, rather than just disband it. Saxon cavalry notoriously had far fewer horses than needed to mount them for war, and this led to the Saxons converting their dragoons to chavaux-leger, mounted on light, cheap and plentiful Polish horses instead of the heavier, more costly (to buy and to feed) German horses.

Maybe the Saxons were just saving a few groeschen when they changed the coat color, rather than proclaiming a theology.

Dear Irv
That is the other explanation for white coats.
Stephen

the fast firing battalion gun did the poor boggers little good

It performed very well in the war against the Turks when the Saxons were auxiliaries for the Austrians and in the Austrian War of Succession. The captured pieces of the 1740s were used by the Prussians in the Seven Years War as regimental pieces. The pressed Saxon Infantry Units retained their battalion guns.
Stephen

Dear Charles
You are referring to the short reign of Augustus the Strong 1697-1704 and was only restored in 1733. He was not King of Poland from 1704-1733 (actually abdicated in 1706).

What other explanation do you have about the change in coat colour in 1733? I would be interested in hearing.

Stephen

It is a waste of time asking ‘Charles'. He is only interested in complaining and never makes any real contributions to any discussion.

Dear Irv
I still think the change in the coat colour was more fundamental than just saving money. They still have cuirassier regiments could these not have been converted to Dragoons. The red coat was retained for a while for the Kreise Regiments.

Stephen

I can't disprove your idea Stephen. I was just offering an alternative.

Augustus the Strong had a tendency to spend on non-military items. As it were. While his heir was not the hard partier that old August had been, he still had a raft of acknowledged half-brothers and sisters to provide for, as well as their mothers and siblings. He had to keep them all in decent comfort for the honor of the family; they must have been more expensive than a brigade of horse. Their only possible military value would have been to spread STDs among the enemy.

One author I've read suggests that the 'ladies' of Dresden poxed young Fritz for life, and that was why he was so vengeful toward the city and kingdom.

Dear Irv
Certainly you have given me another insight into the world of the declining power that was Saxony. Certainly very interesting. I will need to ask these questions when I write about Catherine the Great's Army. Although trying to sort out the different lace for the Prussian Infantry and Grenadiers is vexing me at present.
Stephen

Dear Irv
Certainly a train of thought that may need to be explored for another edition of the book possibly in a decades time when I have finished with the other nations in the Seven Years War.
Stephen

Pfft. Leave it to Osprey, Stephen. MAA 726 Mistresses, Concubines, Contessas, Chambermaids and Other Working Girls of the Royal Saxon Court, 1682 – 1737. Or maybe a Warrior title, Royal Saxon Slut.

I like that. Good suggestion. That lightened the mood.
Stephen

The answer lies in the letters of Moritz. Research!

Tricorne,

And the answer is?

Mollinary

Hello Stephen

Does your Saxon book also provide a short or brief war record for the regiments?

cheers
Edward

Dear Edward
Yes each of the regiments has the full list of their Chef's (Inhaber) and their regimental record. This would have been very short if I had just looked at the Seven Years War.

I hope that assists.
Stephen

Thanks Stephen

LOL Stephen – 1756 Mobilised – surrendered – Entered Prussian service.

Although the regiments in Poland had good service.

does the book include the Saxon regiments raised for service with the French army?

Santa is bringing me your book according to my daughters.

IIRC three Saxon Regiments did remain to served in Prussian Service during the SYW. Also the Saxon Chevaulégers gave good service to Austrians at Kolin.

cheers
Edward

Dear Mark
Yes it covers the Saxon Infantry and artillery in French service. The artillery were using the French 4-pdr a la Suedois rather than their advanced 6-pdr Geschwindstuck that the Saxons impressed into Prussian service were using.

Many forget the service of the three Ulan regiments in the 7YW. One of which stayed in Poland. These give a little colour and difference to the army. A very interesting army.

Currently half way through the book on the Prussian Infantry and Grenadiers of the Seven Years War. Soon I need a break from Prussian Blue.

I hope that you like the book.
Stephen

Prussian Blue? How about British and Hanoverian Red!

Prussian Blue, Hanoverian or British Red?
The SYW site provides all this for free, and actually lists the sources. (Side note: This is depressing since I have spent several decades and lots of money in compiling this information!)
I would be happy to send a complete set of uniform descriptions, OB's and organization for any Seven Years War army for the going price of $50 per army, or if you call in the next 48 hours, I will do it for $10 USD, plus the first caller gets a set of steak knives.

Stephen, I'm sure I will like the book if its up to the same high standard as the others, just need you to slow down in writing books, I'm already over my quota this month.

regards

Mark

Dear Mark
I am sorry that I have now written a few books. I am glad they are appreciated. I started writing this series when Richard Brown of Ken Trotman asked. I have these Brauer plates what about putting together a book on the Seven Years War Austrians. This quickly came two volumes because of the other information that I had collected over the last two decades because of my interest in the later Austrian Army.

The next book was upon the Reichsarmee but I got facinated in the very important Saxon Army.

Now wading through the Prussian Infantry and Grenadiers. This is fascinating that in general the Grenadiers from the same province were normally paired together. This has made me choose to list the regiments within the provinces rather than number order. I wonder if that will make it understandable to the reader.

Stephen

Hello Stephen

What a interesting fact about the Grenadiers. First I heard of it, great info.

cheers
Edward

George Nafziger's extensive two volumes on the history, organization and uniforms of the Prussian Army in the SYW are excellent comprehensive sources. He lists his sources which are generally avaiable to anyone who wants to follow up. They are still in print and rather inexpensive.

Pengle remains excellent.

I would spend my wargame money on the 4 volume set by Bleckwenn as this is the only source anyone should use for uniform colors anyway.

I noticed a mention of the Herr und Tradition Plates by Bauer. I have all the originals, but a 3 CD set is available for sale containig all but a few of these plates.
These are Bauerbögen Fredericus Rex under copyright by Konrad Schulte.
Interesting fact about these plates is that the originals are hand colored and the same plate will vary in shade (and a couple completely different colors) depending on the batch in which they were reproduced. Warning to obviously inexperienced authors.