"sappers in Russian and Prussian infantry (1812-15)" Topic
4 Posts
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Osage2017 | 21 Apr 2017 2:01 p.m. PST |
I know the French infantry regiment had a small group of sappers. Each Austrian infantry company had 1 sapper. But what about the Russians and Prussians ? Any sappers in their infantry regiments, or infantry companies ? |
Le Breton | 22 Apr 2017 2:21 a.m. PST |
In the era 1812-1815, Russians had no sappers in the French sense of a super-élite type of beareded grenadier armed with axes and leather smock-aprons. Russians did have lots of guys with axes (20 axes, 10 metal shovels, 6 pickaxe-mattock tools per company, often plus more all-wooden shovels). Russians also had non-combattant carpenters and barbers with leatther or heavy canvas smocks-aprons – 1 each per company – and the barbers armed with a wicked part-serrated short sword …. but these two were supposed to not be fighting (tended wounded in combat) No beards in the regular army or guards. Shaving the beard was first key difference that changed a former serf class recruit into someone of the soldier class. It was the very first thing that happened upon induction. Militiamen of serf class all had beards (temporary soldiers, no change in social class) as did some "national" or "native" irregulars. |
Oliver Schmidt | 22 Apr 2017 4:52 a.m. PST |
Special regimental pioneers had no role in the Prussian system (instead, in every company – Landwehr and line – a few men carried an axe or spade in addition to their musket and other equipment). However, in the 1815 campaign the 23. Infanterie-Regiment had formed a section of "Zimmerleute" in each battalion, who had been drawn from the companies. These did not carry muskets, but axes in their hands and spades and pickaxes hung over their shoulders. And all of them had long aprons, the colour of which is not mentioned. |
wrgmr1 | 22 Apr 2017 6:49 p.m. PST |
Calpe makes a Landwehr sapper with apron. As Dr. Schmidt says the colour is not defined, thus I painted some off white and others leather brown. |
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