"Tell Me About the Swiss" Topic

If one were interested in starting a Swiss force for the Nappie time period (revolution included) how would one go about researching the Swiss (what books/reference guides exist?), and what might one use for figures in say 15mm? Books with a bit of history about the Swiss involvement during the period, uniform and organizational info, and figure suggestions welcome!

A good basic guide would be the Osprey Men at arms volume "Napoleon's Swiss Troops". From what I know French figures can be painted up as Swiss as there was little difference in the cut of the uniform or equipment, just red jackets instead of blue!

I thought that after their pride had been humbled during the Renaissance that the Swiss became peaceful mountaineers. Are you telling me that my simple historical world view is wrong?…

Grab the Histoire et Collections book on the Swiss. I think you can get it from Amazon. Full of color plates of the four regiments, the Neuchatel troops, and the Valois Battalion.

If you go back to early on in 1798 France and the Helvetian Republic agreed to raise six demi-brigades of infantry; they only actually raised three. 1st Demi-Brigade served at the Siege of Philippsburg and then went on to become the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment d'Infantrie Suisse; the 2nd became the 4th Battalion of the 1st RdI Suisse, the 3rd sent to St. Dominique to quell rebellion (not very successfully) and surrendered to the Royal Navy, eventually became 1st and 2nd Battalions, 1st RdI Suisse

In 1805 Napoleon raised 4 Swiss infantry regiments who as noted wore pretty much the same uniform as French line except red coats, not blue

1st served in Italy then Russia 1812
2nd served in Portugal then Russia 1812
3rd served in Spain, then Russia 1812
4th served at Friedland, Spain, then Russia 1812 (common thread here)

Napoleon also raised a battalion from Neufchatel that served at Wargram and Spain as well as the Batallin Valaisan that served in Spain

Solid troops – good addition to any Napoleonic French army

The Spanish also had Swiss regiments. After Napoleon usurped the throne for his brother, these regiments went into French service. They changed sides during the battle of Bailen.

Great War Ace, I'm sorry to say yes. Have a beer.

Swiss regiments were in French, British, Spanish service. I wouldn't be surprised if they were in Italian and Austrian service also.

There were Swiss regiments in Dutch service until the establishment of the Batavian Republic.

Although they didn't form a regular part of the Austrian forces, four regiments were formed in 1799. These were paid for by the British gov't and disbanded in 1801.

Piedmont had several Swiss regiments; I'm not sure about Naples.

Edit: The Bourbon Neapolitan army did have Swiss troops. I don't know about Napoleonic Naples.

Frederick is spot on about the Helvetian Republic… Interesting uniforms, look online.

I second the Histoire and Collection book, a good starting point, it starts with the Suisse Guards in 1792 and covers the ground to the end of Napoleon – and as said by other contributors Suisse soldiers served in other armies, as like the Spanish or Dutch

Can anyone help me with the uniform worn by by the Swiss battalion at Maida in 1806? This was the fourth battalion of the 1er Regiment. The uniform authorised for the 1er Regiment had yellow facings. However, the fourth battalion was formed from the 2e Helvetian Demi-Brigade and I recall reading somewhere (d'mned if I can remember where) that the battalion at Maida was still wearing the old uniform of the Helevetian Demi-Bridgade. Consequently their red coats had blue facings (not the yellow that you would have expected). Does anyone know a source of this proposition?

Another good reference for the Swiss troops is the Tradition Magazine Hors série nr 35 Les troupes suisses de Napoléon. It has lots of info including the end of the ancien regime Swiss troops and the swiss during the revolution. The emphasis remains on the four regts. serving in the French imperrial army, there are some very good colour plates in the booklet. (It is in French of course)

in case you run accross your source again Duc de Brouilly let me know, I checked some references like Schaller, or also Rösselet (who served in 1er de Suisse) but couldn't find any worthwhile information regarding the uniforms of the 4th battalion

Wow, that is a lot of great info! Thank you for naming some sources, as well as providing some service info. I was hoping the Swiss had some stand alone activity, but it appears they were always a small part of a larger force.

Thank you for checking Von Winterfeldt. The closest I've got is in the notes accompanying the Forthoffer plate of the Suisse, which says that the 1er Regiment continued to wear their old coats of the Legion Helvetique for a long time.

He is actually is talking about the coats of the 3e Legion Helvetique (which had yellow facings anyway), the troops of which were used to form the first and second battalions of the 1er Suisse. But I think it's reasonable to conclude from this that the same was true of the fourth battalion, formed from the 2e Legion, which had blue facings. But whatever it was that I read previously, it specifically suggested this was the case at Maida. It's a minor point I know but the sort of thing that continues to vex until you find the answer!

There were also Swiss in the Dutch-Belgian army of 1815 but they missed Waterloo.

In Soult's Army at Oporto in 1809, there was a brigade comprising three Swiss battalions, one each from 2nd, 3rd and 4th Swiss Regiments.

When I modelled this I also included the Neuchatel battalion (in their Canary jackets), who were not actually in the brigade, but employed on lines of communication duties within Soult's army.

Rod

Duc de Brouilly

Can anyone help me with the uniform worn by by the Swiss battalion at Maida in 1806? This was the fourth battalion of the 1er Regiment. The uniform authorised for the 1er Regiment had yellow facings. However, the fourth battalion was formed from the 2e Helvetian Demi-Brigade and I recall reading somewhere (d'mned if I can remember where) that the battalion at Maida was still wearing the old uniform of the Helevetian Demi-Bridgade. Consequently their red coats had blue facings (not the yellow that you would have expected). Does anyone know a source of this proposition?

Here's a bonus of the Swiss who fought on the British side too.

Paul :)

Duc de Brouilly

link

Paul :)

Paul :)