Tuesday 20 April 2010

The Few, the Proud...

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The increased importance of river warfare has been demonstrated clearly by recent actions along the Eisenwasser. Under the able command of first Captain Creighton then Commander Hornegeblase, the Hetzenberg riverine flotilla has given the forces of Dunkeldorf-Pfuhl a bloody nose on several occasions.
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The Hetzenberg Army Council scrutinised the after action reports submitted by the commanders and identified a means of enhancing the flotilla's capabilities. To this end a general order has been issued commissioning the raising of a company-size Marine contingent for service aboard the flotilla vessels. A platoon-size force will be assigned to each vessel, including the new pennant craft once it is commissioned. This will give the riverine navy a raiding force to strike land targets, something it sorely lacked - until now.
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The picture above shows the prescribed uniform for the Marines, a fusilier-pattern rig in royal blue over Prussian blue weskit and britches in similar fashion to the army issue. White gaiters are issued for parade dress only. All buttons are of spelter. The low-crowned fusilier cap has been adopted, and a carbine issued as standard firearm due to the confined space aboard ship. In keeping with Marine tradition, all personnel wear cutlasses.
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With thanks again to David Linienblatt for use of the uniform template.

8 comments:

abdul666 said...

A sound tactical idea and a very pleasant, perfectly appropriate, uniform!

Bluebear Jeff said...

I've seen photos of an old naval "boarding weapon" that consisted of a short heavy cutlass blade, a "brass knuckle" type finger guard and a havy round pommel.

With it you could stab, slash, punch or pound (with pommel). It always seemed to me to be a very effect close quarters weapon.


-- Jeff

Fitz-Badger said...

Very nice! I like the idea of the unit and the uniform. Will we see pictures of miniatures of this unit one of these days?

abdul666 said...

The uniform is nice as it is; yet, given their 'amphibious' nature, what about -either for the smallclothes or the facings (red is not very 'aquatic')- 'aqua' / sea green as worn by H&M French canonniers garde-côte? Not that for me I'm very fond of the association of this hue with blue, but it would be 'in character'...

abdul666 said...

P.S. (totally unsollicited!): with sea green smallclothes they'd look too much like French coastal artillerymen; then, with sea green facings and matching cloth part of the mitre, they'd really look 'naval' and seaworthy (with the new Hetzenberg's oversea endeavors, probably they will not remain 'riverine' for long?).

Cheers,
Jean-Louis

Prinz Geoffrey said...

very cool.

A J said...

Thank you, gentlemen! The unit is very much in the trial stage. Should they perform well then the company may well be expanded to a battalion, or even a regiment. And a slight change in uniform may then be in order.

F-B, I may paint up some Marines one of these days for landing operations on a skirmish basis. Dayton Painting Consortium has acquired some of the old London War Room molds, which includes such things as boat crews, etc.

littlejohn said...

AJ

Catching up to the narrative so as to give the upcoming proxy battle a good backdrop. I may have some fusiliers who can stand in for these fine Marines!