Third battalion ready for the game

 I finally finished my third battalion. It's the Hessen-Kassel regiment. Every regiment in 1734 should have 15 companies of fusiliers and 2 companies of grenadiers [1]. It later had the number 27. Some soldiers of the regiment fought as "Kommandierte" together with soldiers from other Austrian regiments (505 in total) under Wutgenau in Philippsburg [2].

 

The figures of the new unit are again produced by HäT [3]. (photo: A. Hanselmann, 2024)

The siege of Philippsburg was the most important action of the campaign of 1734 in Germany. The fortress was captured in the end due to a lack of support by prince Eugen and a garrison which was too small for the defence.

 

I do like the flag by Not by Appointment. It's again from the period of the reign of Karl VI.. (photo: A. Hanselmann, 2024)

Maximilian von Hessen-Kassel (1689-1753) was the owner of the regiment. He was the son of Landgraf Karl of Hessen-Kassel and a protestant prince of the Holy Roman Empire. During this period it was not unusual for a protestant prince to serve under the flags of the catholic Emperor Karl VI. We find similar commanders in the house of Braunschweig. It is interesting that he married a princess from the rival house of the Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt [4]. However, one must take into account that this marriage was not easy. Maximilian's wife often stayed with her father in Darmstadt and her lifestyle was also viewed critically. 

 

I hope that I can paint the last unit before our first living history event. (photo: A. Hanselmann, 2024)

In the Thirty Years' War, the hostility between Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Darmstadt was a not unimportant factor. Even in later wars, the two houses were sometimes in opposing alliances. The prince achieved the position of imperial field marshal. 

Text: André Hanselmann

Photos: André Hanselmann

 

Notes:

1) Hans Bleckwenn: : "Reiter, Husaren und Grenadiere" Hardenberg Kommunikation, Dortmund, 1979, p. 32 

2) Raimund Gerba: "Feldzüge des Prinzen Eugen" Verlag des K. u. K. Kriegsarchivs, Wien, 1891, p. 21

3) HäT set 9331 (Seven Years War Austrian command) & HäT  8322 (Seven Years War Austrians marching)

4) Friederike Charlotte von Hessen-Darmstadt (1698-1777).