"did the British/German light battalions carry flags ?" Topic

Did the British/German light battalions carry flags ?
If not flags, then what about the battalion fanions/guidons ?

I have read on wikipedia that the fanions/guidons were important because they served as the rallying points for troops. So I assume all battalions carried them. Am I correct ?

The light battalions did not, generally speaking carry colours though, apparently the 52nd Foot did at Waterloo. I think, the KGL light battalions did not have colours at all. The only other flags that British battalions had were the 'camp colours' to mark areas in bivouac. Therefore, no colours for British/KGL lights in the field.

KGL Light Battalions did not have colours. Neither did British Rifle battalions 5/60th and 95th. My wargame units of these battalions therefore do not have colours.

British Light Infantry battalions did have colours, although normally did not carry them in the field (there is a quote about Chasseurs Brittaniques returning this colours to their depot when they officially became a light battalion). However, all of my wargame British Light Infantry battalions (43rd, 51st, 52nd, 68th, 71st and Chasseurs Britanniques) do all have colours.

I am the same with British Cavalry, who had Standards and Guidons, and so do my wargame units, although I know they rarely carried them in the field.

Carrying colours, because they really had them, for me is a bit like modelling units in smart uniforms, which I do, rather than the scruffy tattered uniforms which they undoubtedly actually wore.

Rod

Look at British Light Infantry Flags at Waterloo thread on this board, between January and March this year.

Mollinary

Is the supposition that the 52nd carried a flag at Waterloo based on there having been an ensign of that unit there, or on something more substantive?

4th C. If you look at the thread I mentioned, you will find GMB Designs post of 6th March quoting the sources for the presence of both colours of the 52nd at Waterloo.

Mollinary

Linkee

Marc,

I have given you the title of the thread which allows you to go there using the search functin in about 10 seconds. If you have the technical ability, I am sure you can post the link. If you have not, what makes you think I have?

Regards,

Mollinary

Link to previous thread:

TMP link

Rod

Well done, Rod! Many thanks.

Mollinary

I know the first four battalions were line troops, but didn't the 60th have more than one rifle battalion (eg 6/60th)?

All red-coated British infantry battalions, be they Guards, Line or Light, had colours. However light infantry did not always carry them in battle. Vide the 71st at Waterloo. The green-jacketed Rifle regiments i.e. the 5th and 6th battalions of the 60th, and the 95th, did not and never have had colours.

Thanks Rod- appreciate that