When I was younger and had much more time to paint figures (before girls, jobs, and trying to complete a book), I was still limited by finances. Consequently, I tried to make judicious Napoleonic figure purchases. My first order included the inevitable Scots Greys, 95th Rifle, Imperial Guard, and lancers, but it also included the Nassau contingent. Why? Because they conveniently served on both sides. Therefore, I felt I would be getting more flexibility for the cost and effort of painting the figures. Today, I still follow this approach whenever possible. I recommend it to people getting started in the period who might not know which army to focus on as well as for people who have limited painting time. There are surprisingly many "swing Units", those who fought on several sides during the long course of the Napoleonic Wars. Painting some of these gives one great flexibility when preparing order of battles for the monthly session with your friends. In addition, when collaborating with other collectors to stage big or unusual games, being able to draw upon your swing units to even up the battle is useful. So here are some of these swing units. They include units who served with different armies at different times as well as units in distinctive uniform types that can represent several different nationalities without unduly stretching credulity. NASSAU French allies in Spain until 1813. With Wellington at Waterloo. SWISS Units of these mercenaries simultaneously served with French, British, and Spanish. Some uniform differences depending on who they served with. SAXONS French allies until 1813. With Allied forces during invasion of France, 1814. PORTUGUESE Light troops served with Wellington in Peninsula. Very similar uniform outfitted French-allied Portuguese Legion in 1809 and 1812. Line troops serving with Wellington uniformed very similar to American Regulars 1812-1815. RUSSO-GERMAN LEGION Served with Russians during 1812 campaign. One regiment served with Blucher during Waterloo campaign. BRUNSWICK HUSSARS Served with Wellington at Waterloo. Uniform used to outfit an elite Russian cossack unit during 1812 campaign! BRUNSWICK LINE Used as skirmishers by Wellington in Peninsula. Uniform used to outfit certain Russian militia units in 1812. AUSTRIAN LANDWEHR Figured prominently in 1809 campaign. Very similar dress, complete with Tyrolean hat used for some Spanish militia units. BRITISH MARINES Used in coastal raids in battalion size groupings during Peninsular campaign. Very similar dress used to outfit some Spanish regiments serving on east coast of Spain. Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. VII #1 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1986 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com