Osprey Books

Prussian Light and Line Infantry

review by Ned Zuparko, Napoleonic Editor

Prussian Light Infantry 1792-1815 (#149 Men-at-Arms series)
Prussian Line Infantry 1792-1815 (#152 Men-at-Arms series)

The text of both books by Peter Hofschroer, color plates by Bryan Fosten (plates annotated in English, French and German), London, Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1984. 40 pp, each, illus., Bib. Each 3.95 pound sterling.

These excellent new additions to the Men-at-Arms series are especially useful for THE COURIER readers interested in Napoleonic wargaming. Fosten's color plates and the book's uniform and coloring information are clear and informative for those painting miniature Prussian armies. Peter Hofschroer (whose work is already familiar to readers of THE COURIER and EMPIRES, EAGLES AND LIONS) combines his historical knowledge and wargaming background to successfully present a text that is both informative and practical for miniatures wargamers. He presents a view of the Prussian army based on primary German sources and analyses that are usually unfamiliar to, or under- emphasized by English-speaking historians and the wargamers who follow them. He goes beyond a litany of OB's and uniform notes to present excerpts from first-hand battlefield tactical reports, material on notable generals as examples of certain tactical or Prussian Army practices, drill information, and more.

Both books are organized in a similar fashion, and contain sections on historical background, organization, drill and training, biographical information, uniforms and bibliography. Additional sections deal with the 1812 campaign, the 'common soldier' and the 'officer corps', armaments and weapons training, and light infantry in the field.

By providing a separate book on light and line troops, the author has been able to go into more depth, and provide the wargamer with more information. For example, the discussion of how skirmish lines functioned does more than present only drill regulations, or only historical anecdotes. Both are presented and accompanied by analysis that explains how and why it happened. The result is a new perspective and understanding of a concept misunderstood by many wargamers. Several illustrations are used for more than just showing uniforms, and give a visual example of the practices mentioned in the text.

It is pleasing to note the increase in recent years of quality information available to the Napoleonic wargamer. Companies such as RAFM and Osprey are presenting books that combine scholarship and wargarning interest and appeal directly to the Napoleonic enthusiast. PRUSSIAN LINE INFANTRY and PRUSSIAN LIGHT INFANTRY are good examples of this trend and deserve to be added to your bookshelf.

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