1. Member Paul Petri writes:

I thought I would take this opportunity to let the membership know about a large quantity of new books that have come out recently. I have additionally included a great painting service that I have started using this year and the prices and quality can't be beat.

I will start with:

Ken Trotman LTD Unit 11, 135 Ditton Walk Cambridge CB5 8PY England Email: Trotman@netcomuk_co.uk Web Site: http://www.Kentrotman.ltd.uk

Ably run by Richard & Rosalind Brown. If you are not on their mailing list you are missing out! Here are the latest offerings for the SYW. They are reprinting a ton of stuff for our period and we need to support this effort. The below list is all reprints and new titles. Additionally there are a score of older titles in the catalogue, which change as they are sold off.

Manoeuvers for a Battalion of Infantry Upon Fixed Principles. Written (1767) by a German Officer 36.50 pounds.

The French Army 1750-1820: Careers, Talent, Merit by Blaufarb (2002) 47.50 pounds.

The History of the Late War in Germany, Between the King of Prussia, and The Empress of Germany and Her Allies by Lloyd (1781) 135 pounds.

Principles of Military Movements, Chiefly Applied To Infantry. Illustrated by Manoeuvers of the Prussian Troops and by an Outline of the British Campaigns in Germany, During the Late War of 1757 Dundas (1788) 50.00 pounds.

A Treatise of Military Discipline in Which Is Laid Down and Explained The Duty of the Officer and Soldier, Through the Several Branches Of The Service by Bland (1762) 36.50 pounds. 

Fit For Service The Training of The British Army 1715-1795 Houlding (2000 Reissue) 19.95 pounds.

Minden and The Seven Years War by Knowles (1914) 25 pounds.

Henry Lloyd and The Military Enlightenment of Eighteenth-Century Europe by Speelman (2002-03) 54.50 pounds.

The Discipline of the Light Horse by Hinde (1778) to be reproduced in 2003 45.00 pounds.

I also had the good fortune of having my comrade in arms Brian Vizek bring me over these next two title from the Berlin Book shop made famous from our battlefield tours.

Berliner Zinnfiguren Preussisches Bucherkabinett 10623 Berlin-Charlottenburg Knesebeckstr 88 www.zinnfigur.com

Nix Wie Weg die Hesse Komme Hessen-Kasseler Uniformen 1730-1789 by Karl Trenkle (2002) 11.70 Euros. This book has complete color uniform plates of all Hession units, Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery plus flags of every unit that fought in the SYW. This book is a must to have!! It has pictures of musketeers, Officers drummer's standard bearers for each unit, it's absolutely terrific.

Die Uniformen der Kurfurstlich Sachsischen Armee 1683-1763 by Wolfgang Friedrich (1998) 17.95 Euros. Another uniform guide with color pictures of the Saxons both foot and horse. Another must have.

And my third and final item is a painting service that is located in Sri Lanka. This fine service is run by Sanath Fernando and the price and quality can't be beat. I sent off 25mm figures and they were painted with complete shading highlights eyes the whole nine yards they are top quality for $2 each, which included all shipping costs. Turn around time is around two months or less. I have sent off two orders with no problems at all. Even better Sanath takes personal checks! If you are not connected to the Internet things may take longer as you need to contact Sanath first and he will email you a shipping form for customs and how much your order will cost. Check out the Web Page. It has a ton of scanned in images of their work. I think you will be impressed by this service.

Email: figures@sltnet.lk
WebPages: www.theminiaturepage.com

2. Louis' Lieutenants progresses

I am pleased to report that my book on the military commanders of France during the time of Louis XV continues unabated. I am up to 130 pages and counting so far. I have a four-inch stack of biographical material to sort through and translate yet. When I am done, I will be searching for a publisher for this. If anyone has any suggestions, please give me a call.

3. Member Neil Cogswell has sent me the following anecdote:

Following the surrender of Dresden to the Army of the Empire in 1759, the vice-Commandant of that town - Colonel Hoffmann - emerged from his quarters having drowned his sorrows. Discovering an Austrian picquet in the Palace Square he rode up to the neighbouring Prussian picquet and ordered them to take some action to drive off the Austrians. When the Prussian watch commander - Captain Sydow - declined, Hoffmann announced: "You are all a bunch on rogues and barenhauter!" Those appear to be his last words. He then fired two pistols - missing both times at a range of five paces - at the Prussian guard commander. The Prussian musketeers returned fire with somewhat better aim.

Hearing of the incident, Fritz wrote: "I entirely concur with the view of Colonel Hoffman. If the Colonel was drunk then it would have been better had the Governor and the entire garrison been as well."

Thereafter, when the quality of an officer for an important posting was under consideration, the King is often said to have enquired: "Does he also drink?"

Note: Barenhauter translates literally to one associated with bearskins and was a common term of abuse at the period implying sluggardly behaviour.

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