"French Line Lancers in Spain?" Topic

Apart from the Polish Lancers and the 7th Lancers what line lancers served in Spain? I like skirmish games using Sharp Practice for the British versus the French during the Peninsular War so I was hoping to use the new Warlord French Line Lancers if possible.

What about the 8th? Weren't the 7th & 8th Lancers originally the 1st & 2nd Lancers of the Vistula Legion?

No French line lancers (converted from dragoon regiments) served in Spain. They were developed for the cuirassier divisions – and the reserve cavalry in Spain were dragoons.
The 1st Vistula lancers served in the central theatre from Nov 1808 until withdrawn in 1811 (after slicing up a brigade at Albuhera) with all Polish troops. The 2nd were in Aragon – made the famous charge at Zaragossa.
The Guard Polish lancers were neither lancers nor Guard when they went to Spain in November 1808. Made Guard at Somosierra, Dec 1808. Not quite sure when they got their lances.
I fear this is not the answer you were hoping for.

And of course the Vistula lancers kept their Polish uniforms unchanged when they became the 7th & 8th Lancers.

I agree, no French line lancers in Spain.

But don't let that stop you using lancers if you want to!

I include a post below from December of 2011.

I do not do the French lancers, for I specialize in the Peninsular War. But as noted above, enjoy your troops! I have 8 figures each of the Westphalian Chevau Leger with lances (allegedly NOT correct); Lancers of Berg in the rose-colored shako interim uniform; and the Vistulas with yellow-topped Czapaka's. I can use them together to represent a 3-squadron regiment of Vistulas or Bergs. I can also use for provisional light cavalry regiments with 1 squadron of lancers and 2 or 3 of Hussars or Chasseurs a Cheval.

I have 6-8 unpainted French lancers, converted from Stadden Empress dragoons years ago, which were in turn converted to line chasseurs a cheval with the long-tailed habit. Such is what we had to do in the '60's and 70's to have really great figures and some variety! If I paint them, I might use then as dragoons, or a squadron attached to 2-3 other dragoon squadrons.

Writers of the time suggested using a regiment of lancers in a charge, flanked by two of light cavalry to protect their flanks. This gives the lancers a protected advantage in the charge, with their second rank armed only with swords for the subsequent melee.

A fun era, and a fun hobby!

From December, 2011:

Regiment In Spain Comments: #, dates served, comments
Scarlet facings:
1st 1807-11 Became 1st Lancers after withdrawn.
2nd 08-13 Later served in Waterloo campaign
3rd 08-11 Became 2nd Lancers after withdrawn.
4th 07-13
5th 09-13
6th 09-13
Crimson facings:
7th did not serve in Spain at any time.
8th 08-11 Became 3rd Lancers
9th 08-10 Became 4th Lancers
10th 09-11 Became 5th Lancers
11th 09-13 Narrow crimson edge/wh wide band on green
shabraque
12th 08-13
Rose facings:
13th 09-12
14th 08-11 Later at Ligny, 1815
15th 08-13 Sky blue/yellow facings, trumpeters
16th 08-13 Ligny; Rose faced sky blue, white bearskin, elite company in 1813 campaign, spencer.
17th 08-13
18th 08-13
jonquille (yellow) facings:
19th 08-13
20th 08-12 Ligny and Waterloo
21st 08-12 Trumpeter yellow, faced sky blue
22nd 08-13
23rd Did not serve in Spain
24th 08-13 With Suchet in east Spain
Aurora (orange) facings:
25th 08-13
26th 08-13
27th 08-13
28, 29 and 30th did not serve in Spain. 29th became 6th Lancers.

At one time in Spain:

Latour-Maubourg had 1st, 2nd, 4th, 14th, 20th and 26th under him

Milhaud had 5th, 9th, 12th, 16th, 21st.

Lahoussaye had 17, 18, 19 and 27th.

Lorges had 13th, 15th, 22nd and 25th.

Kellerman had 3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th.

The 8th served in Franchesci's Light Division.; and

The 24th always with Suchet, usually with 4th French Hussars and the 13th Cuirassiers. Sometimes with Westphalian Chevau-Leger.

GdeP