"Prussian Landwehr in Action " Topic

"The raising of militia tends to be either an emergency expedient, or else a cheap way of increasing apparent military resources, although often the result is not particularly valuable. In 1813 the new desire to liberate the German states from French occupation caused the creation of the Prussian militia, the Landwehr, and at first those who opposed this move found plenty to justify their criticisms. Clothing and equipping was very difficult and often basic in the extreme, and initially these were untrained men of very little value on the battlefield. However in time the Landwehr were to prove their critics wrong and show they were a very useful force in the fight against the French. Although the regular Army always got the best of the available equipment, the Landwehr would find themselves in combat on numerous occasions and often acquitted themselves very well, becoming a large and significant part of the forces of Prussia.

When first raised there was neither the time nor the money to set the men up as would have been desired, so they had a highly varied assortment of uniform, often including civilian items already owned by the men. The supply situation improved however, and by 1815 most were in a recognisable uniform, which was simple (and so cheap) by Napoleonic standards, but looked at from the modern viewpoint it was very modern and would herald the more practical uniforms of the later 19th century. Every man in this set wears the basic uniform, starting with the simple peaked cap which here has been done in the several designs actually used. All wear the litewka coat with double row of buttons, and trousers over gaiters and shoes. It was not a spectacular uniform, but it did the job and has been well done here…."

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