Nick, Based on your definition, I don't believe the Swedish left flank formed in "checkerboard". In fact it was a mixed line of cavalry and infantry with cavalry deployed between the infantry. The second line was also similarly deployed. Check out the map in Frost for a clearer idea. Of course, we a...

Nick,

OK. My error, but I'm even more surprised by you saying the Swedes used it at Kliszov. How about explaining it in more detail. I don't recall anything of the sort, but perhaps it's a matter of your definition of "checkerboarding".

Dan

Nick,

You peaked my interests with the mention that the Saxons used "checkerboarding" in 1702. Please explain further, and what are the sources for this conclusion.

Regards,

Dan

Normally, the State provided arms and armor or should it be armour (cuirass and helmets) not the individual colonels. Uniform items (coats, kamisols, breeches, etc.) were, as Iain pointed out, the responsibility of the individual colonels at least in most armies; although, this too was changing.

Hugh, Although Wrede is a valuable source for the lineage of Austrian regiments, the same cannot be said for uniforms and equipment. One would have to check Wrede's sources in order to trace the origin of the information. I would not get hung up on the date of 1705. Cuirassier regiments had the hat ...

On page 89 of the Hall book it indicates that the Grenadier Regiment was formed from a battalion of the Guard and the grenadier companies of the other regiiments. Therefore, no grenadiers in the other infantry regiments.

Hope this helps.

Dan

Iain, Had a look at the Luzzara OB at Marburg. very curious that all are shown with pike. I'm getting a copy of K.C. Rockstroh's "Et Dansk Korps' historie, 1701-1709 : i Italien 1701-3, i Ungarn 1704-9". which might provide more insight into the Danish auxiliary corps in Austrian service. I'll let y...

Iain, Got it right this time! The meds do help. Thanks for the additional information. I will have to investigate these sources. Always fun. Nick, I think you will find that there were a number of firing systems available in every army. At the time there were any number of exercise regulations, publ...

Apologies to both Iain and Nick. My reply should have been addressed to Iain. The mind has been going for years, and its only getting worse.

Dan

Nick, Vol.1 of Feldzüge, page 222 indicates that the pike was found only a few regiments at the end of the 17th Century, in particular those serving in the Empire under Ludwig of Baden, and that by the beginning of the War of Spanish Succession was already completely out of use. As a result, I would...

Contact me at danschorr@verizon.net

Colours and standards of Hesse-Kassel regiments are covered in Robert Hall's book on Hesse-Kassel and the Upper Rhine Circle. The book is available from the Pike and Shot Society or Caliver. A CD of the book is available from Baccus 6mm. Colours of the Swabian Circle regiments are available in Augus...

Ray, I'm not certain either as to his sources for this statement, but 7,000 men sounds like the Danish Corps at full strength. Inexperience is a relative term. At the time of the Boyne, it had been over 20 years, with the exception of the conflict with Holstein-Gottorp 1681-89. since the Danes had b...

Ray, Does the CD contain Hoffman's text or just the plates? Iain, You might be correct about the Austrians retaining the pike in the West until 1702/03; although, just one source is not conclusive. The Austrians adopted the boar spear ca. 1687. It was not necessarily carried by the men, but was cert...

Just a clarification on the Danish cavalry regiments. Yes, the regiments were put together specifically for the auxiliary corps, but they were composed of drafts from the already existing cavalry regiments in Demark, so I'm not certain that one could say that they were the "most inexperienced". Rega...