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Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Hello there.

I find the suggestion for more "High Port" figures on the Crowdfunding page interesting, as the Prussian 1812 drill manual did not, in fact, recognize the "High Port" position at all. This was not used by Prussian infantry!

Instead, they carried the musket at the trail for the initial portion of the charge, and went directly from that position to the "Low Port" or "Charge Bayonets" position for the final assault phase.

The "Trail" was the designated "attack carry", being ordered by the command "zur Attacke das Gewehr rechts!", at which the troops would take the "High Trail", with the muzzle well up, and adopt the quick step (Geschwindschritt). At about 15 paces before contact, the command "Fällt's Gewehr" would be given, at which they "charged bayonets" and cocked the musket. If the enemy stood to receive them, they were to fire from the hip at 5 paces and then fall on the enemy with the bayonet.

Should the enemy choose to run, the order to halt would be given, at which the soldiers were to immediately commence an independent "fire at will" (Bataillenfeuer).

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Thanks for this. It is very interesting. It helps explain the poses of the venerable if undersized Airfix set that HaT re-released some years back.

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Mikes description of the attack procedures of the prussian infantry in 1813-15 is correct.
The line-infantry figures (Action-poses) from HAT show this typical phases of attacking prussian soldiers very well.

But i am missing the "Ready-to-fire" position.
After loading the musket the Landwehr-soldiers hold it with both hands horizontally in front of their body. So the corporals could better recognize how many soldiers are ready to fire again (Horizontal Musket = loaded musket).
If every musket is in horizontal position the sergeants give the order to fire (if they have not ordered "fire-at-will").

Therefore a landwehr-man in "Ready-to-fire" position would be nice.

If i see the "High port"-figures im asking me, what they are doing...
Loading the musket ??

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Gerd G

But i am missing the "Ready-to-fire" position.
After loading the musket the Landwehr-soldiers hold it with both hands horizontally in front of their body. So the corporals could better recognize how many soldiers are ready to fire again (Horizontal Musket = loaded musket).


Thanks for the support, Gerd! But don't you mean "Vertical Musket = Loaded Musket"???

On the command "Fertig!", the musket was raised vertically with the lock in front of the chin, and then cocked, remaining in this position until the command "An" or "T'An" was given (the second being a curtailed version of "legt an"), when the musket was presented to fire.

Without the order to fire at will ("Bataillenfeuer"), after loading the soldier would return his musket to the left shoulder and await the following orders.

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Hello Mike,

sorry, that was a mistake..

Vertical not horizontal....

Waterloo 2015:
Yes, i was there on the battlefield with 5. Westfalian Landwehr Regiment.
Here we are:
http://www.5-preussische-brigade.de/wb/pages/galerie/waterloo-2015.php

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Gerd

Waterloo 2015:
Yes, i was there on the battlefield with 5. Westfalian Landwehr Regiment.
Here we are:
http://www.5-preussische-brigade.de/wb/pages/galerie/waterloo-2015.php


I was in the crowd when you must have marched past me, the Waterloo 2015 Reenactment was an amazing unforgettable couple of days I can still hear the guns and smell the gunpowder absolutely fantastic.

I only have one picture of one member of the Westphalian Landwehr Regiment it's a little blurred as if he was in a hurry to get on the Battlefield, The Prussians late again for the battle just like 200 years before.

I will email you the photo see if you know him

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Gerd

Waterloo 2015:
Yes, i was there on the battlefield with 5. Westfalian Landwehr Regiment.
Here we are:
http://www.5-preussische-brigade.de/wb/pages/galerie/waterloo-2015.php


Were you there in 2005? I was the fat Colonel on the white horse commanding the infantry of the Prussian Brigade then. ;-)

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

MikeM
Gerd

Waterloo 2015:
Yes, i was there on the battlefield with 5. Westfalian Landwehr Regiment.
Here we are:
http://www.5-preussische-brigade.de/wb/pages/galerie/waterloo-2015.php


Were you there in 2005? I was the fat Colonel on the white horse commanding the infantry of the Prussian Brigade then. ;-)


Ohhh, now there's an image that's going to linger ^I^.

But seriously, folks, I don't mind the two advancing poses. I put the leveled muskets in the front line and the angled ones behind, so they don't foul each other. It looks nice, which is after all important, or we'd just be using colored wooden blocks!

Bill

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Bill Guiroff

Ohhh, now there's an image that's going to linger ^I^.
Bill


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YipirJjlOfI

I am to be seen at 6:13 in the clip, leading the Prussian Brigade to the battlefield.

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Hi Gerd,

With the missing Ready-to-fire pose I wonder whether High Porte poses would look more reasonable as if the unit is on the move, Porte Low figures in tightly packed formation would be of risk of bayoneting their comrades in front of them.

PS Were you at the 2015 Waterloo Reenactment? the Prussians marched right past me on to the battlefield I would almost certainly would have seen you and perhaps have a photo of you.

Re: Prussian Landwehr High Port / Low Port

Brian
Porte Low figures in tightly packed formation would be of risk of bayoneting their comrades


The second rank charged their bayonets between the men in the front rank. Tird rank stayed at the trail. No "High Port".