Portugal 1808/09 - the Gallery

This page will be updated as new additions to this project are made complete. All miniatures are based for the DBA-HX3 variant; an element represents a battalion of infantry or regiment of cavalry.

18–12-2018

The Horse and Dragoons represent the regiments of Borbon, Reina and Sagunto. Three pieces of artillery and militia units now expand the ranks of the vanguard, first and second divisions of Del Parque’s army. The latest order for XAN Miniatures will complete these three divisions. This will bring the total number of elements to fifty-two plus six generals giving me enough material to have some decent size battles without having to draw on the British and Portuguese troops.

17 –11-2018

Here are elements of the 1st Division commanded by Losada and at one element equals a battalion, three regiments are two battalions strong. The Granaderos Provinciales are wearing their bearskin caps while the light infantry of Aragon wear round hats.

The 2^nd Division led by Belveder includes many of the veteran regiments such as Rey, Zamora, Seville and Hibernia (Irish). The figures are XAN Miniatures and feature 8 poses for the march attack with an additional 4 if you add those with fatigue cap.

The last photo shows elements of the Vanguard Division. All three divisions will be fleshed out with a subsequent order so the vanguard will increase its strength by six battalions of veteran regulars and militia.

Spanish cavalry and artillery should be arriving soon, but the short break between paintings will give me an opportunity to construct Spanish style buildings.

02-11-2018

The sun played its part this afternoon so photos could be finally taken of the British collection.

Photo one are three brigades of British line (Hill, Mackenzie, Tilson); each with a compliment of rifles and in this case the Royal American. The organisation is based loosely on the order of battle as of May 1809. About the miniatures, artillery and infantry are Old Glory 15s while the Blue Moon supply the rifles and general officers.

Photo two show Stapleton’s light cavalry and Fane’s heavy cavalry, each of two elements and the extra element of dragoons are the 2^nd K.G.L. The light cavalry are conversions from the Blue Moon dragoon figure which exchanged their bicorne hat for the Tarleton helmet. This was done with Milliput from which the blankets are also made.  

In foreground are elements of Crauford’s Light Division. At the moment these are three units, 1/43^rd, 1/52^nd, and a company of the 95^th. The Lights in ‘solid’ formation may change to ‘fast’ for the cost of one pip; the solid element is replaced by two in skirmish formation as knights may dismount in DBA 3.0. This formation change is ideal when fighting in bad going. 

28–10-2018

The Portuguese
These represent units of the Northern Division of the Portuguese army. The 6th and 18^th which formed the second brigade were present for the defence of Oporto on the 27^th of March.

The figures are British line painted as Portuguese and I am aware that the ‘stovepipe’ model replaced the Barretina after 1810, but time and space are an issue which must be considered – so the Portuguese have the stovepipe.

The 3^rd and 6^th Cazadores are included in the Northern Division. The army reforms of 1810 also affect uniforms and facing colour. For this reason, I selected the 6^th which retained their colour (yellow) through the period of reform. Note: facing colour was not painted at the time the photo was taken.

The Loyal Lusitanian Legion, a ‘foreign corps’ in British service, fought with distinction during the campaign in northern Portugal. In 1811 they were transferred to the Portuguese army forming the nucleus of the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th Cazadores.   

Although Portuguese cavalry played little role in the northern campaign, they are on my list as this collection grows. 

13-10-2018

The Insurrection

The figures are Old Glory 15s and the majority are Tyrolean guerrillas with some minor modifications. Painted in characteristic Iberian fashion they do the job as the insurrection.

Photo one, in the background are insurrectionist or Ordenanza with a few Blue Moon civilians mixed in. In front are the hastily raised ‘militia’ of Chaves Braga and Oporto and villages of the region. These will play a prominent role in the defence of Oporto.  

Photo two show more insurrectionist but in skirmish formation. 'Los Malditos' are the two hounds in the background on the lookout for a 'tasty little Frenchman'. 

Photo three has three elements of irregular cavalry supporting Spanish guerrilla activity. Commanders for the insurrectionist are in the foreground with Blue Moon figures added to give each an unusual identity – I particularly like the female figure gesticulating in that ‘we need to talk’ manner.