Otto von Pivka

On 14 October 1808, Napoleon persuaded Herzog Peter Friedrich Ludwig of Oldenburg to join the Confederation of the Rhine by the Treaty of Erfurt – the military contingent to be maintained by the duchy was set at an infantry battalion of 800 men in six companies. Similarly, Friedrich August, Herzog of Nassau, was charged, under the terms of the treaty with co-ordinating and organising the military efforts of all the tiny states of its neighbours. In this fine addition to Osprey's Men-at-Arms series, Otto Von Pivka details the campaign history and uniforms of Napoleon's Nassau and Oldenburg allied troops.

During the Napoleonic Wars the region of Hesse was divided between Hessen-Kassel and Hessen-Darmstadt. Under Napoleon's patronage, in 1806 Hessen-Darmstadt received all remaining imperial possessions within its borders and was elevated to a Grand Duchy. That same year, Hessen-Kassel, under Imperial Elector Wilhelm I, was dissolved and incorporated into Jerome Bonaparte's Kingdom of Westphalia, resulting in significant political, administrative and sartorial changes. This richly illustrated book details the organization, campaigns, uniforms, and colours and standards of the forces of Hessen-Darmstadt and Hessen-Kassel from 1792 to Napoleon's defeat in 1813.

In 1805, Bavaria allied itself with France and Bavarian troops served with Napoleon during the 1809 campaign against Austria, and participated in the Russian campaign of 1812, before eventually abandoning the Emperor's cause in 1813 prior to the battle of Leipzig. They then engaged Napoleon's troops in combat at the battle of Hanua in an unsuccessful attempt to cut off their retreat to France. This book by Otto von Pivka provides an in depth examination of the organisation, equipment, weaponry and uniforms of Napoleon's Bavarian allies. The fascinating text is accompanied by numerous illustrations and eight full page colour plates.

In a desperate attempt to stop the trafficking of British goods, Napoleon absorbed Holland, parts of Westfalia, the Duchy of Oldenburg and the Hanseatic towns of Hamburg, Bremen and Lübeck into Metropolitan France in 1810. The armies raised from these areas fought as allies of the French or as part of France itself from 1795 to 1813. This book examines the history, uniforms, orders of battle and colours and standards of the troops from the Batavian Republic and its short-lived status as the Kingdom of Holland. The text is enhanced with numerous illustrations, including maps, charts and detailed colour plates.

In 1806, at the beginning of the Peninsular War, the Portuguese army was not at the peak of military efficiency. Nevertheless, under British tutelage it played an important part in the fight against Napoleon. Under Wellington's command, the Portuguese army distinguished itself in battles at Bussaco, Fuentes de Onoro and Albuera, and in 1813 helped the Allies win a decisive victory at Vittoria. Beginning with a chronology of Portugal's part in the Peninsular War, this book examines the uniforms, equipment and organization of the Portuguese army's various units. Detailed colour plates and numerous illustrations complement the text.

In 1795 the kingdom of Poland fell prey to her stronger neighbours, Russia, Prussia and Austria. Following the death of the king of Poland in 1798, his kingdom was divided among these three neighbouring powers.France became increasingly involved, and protested at Poland's treatment, offering refuge for Polish exiles. On 11 October 1796 the Polish Legion was formed in the French army by General Dombrowski and Napoleon. This book covers the uniforms, dress, organisation and equipment of the infantry, artillery, and cavalry of Napoleon's Polish Troops. Among the cavalry units covered are the Chasseurs and Lancers.This title also provides a summary of the Polish divisions' campaigns in Spain, Russia and within Poland itself.

The King's German Legion was the largest and most respected of the foreign corps which fought as integrated elements of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars.The light and heavy cavalry, light and line infantry, and horse and foot artillery of the KGL made major contributions to Wellington's victories during the Peninsular War, and several units covered themselves with glory at Waterloo.This book offers a comprehensive overview of the KGL from its origins to its disbandment, including its uniforms, weapons, flags and standards. Meticulous illustrations offer unprecedented details of this impressive fighting force.

In 1809 the dispossessed Friedrich Wilhelm of Brunswick, consumed by his desire for revenge against Napoleon, entered into an agreement with the Austrians to raise a new corps of infantry and cavalry. As a physical expression of this vengeance he decided to clothe his new troops all in black and adopted as his badge the skull and crossbones, resulting in his corps' christening as Die Schwarze Schar (the Black Horde). This book details the pivotal role that the Black Brunswickers played in major battles of the Napoleonic Wars, including Quatre Bras and Waterloo, and outlines the organization, uniforms and equipment of these formidable troops.