During the Formaggian Succession Wars, "light" troops were rarely used for their intended purposes. Some were detached for patroling the hinterlands and providing lines of communication, but raiding and covering the flanks of an army has been outsourced to mercenary Freikorps from all around the world. As a result, most "homegrown" light units performed poorly and discipline was lax.
This had not been remedied even after the Schiavona clan took control and established themselves as rulers of all Quattro Formaggi. Most provincial commanders kept a small body of Cacciatore for surveying rough terrain and border control, but the pay was little, and besides a fusil (in better cases an old hunting rifle), a measure of dyed wool to cloth themselves and a barracks to sleep in, the men basically received nothing else from their masters.
When the Calvacasa rebellion broke out, the Cacciatori had to return to their former tasks, and due to the circumstances previously explained, they failed at it spectacularly. Some provincial commanders on the North went as far as to keep them safe inside redoubts and fortifications, to prevent mass desertion in the face of the enemy.
While a large contingent of the central garrison prepared to advance on the rebels, a group of young officers approached the higher military authorities in the capitol, and pleaded them to do something about the deteriorating state of the provincials. In case the well-trained and maintained royal troopers are redirected, they argued, the southern provincials also must be prepared to replace them in doing their tasks.
The first step was to commence the training of the provincials around the capitol, supervised by veteran officers and sergeants of the War of Succession. This had also meant that the same lobbyists had recognized the danger of "reinforcing a distaster" in the north: no manpower or resources were sent there, they were instead all given to the Parmigiano Military Council.
When the regulars and dragoons were somewhat up to date, the time has come for the light troops as well. Maledetto, Duke of Rospini, one of the many courtiers of questionable honor and intent (his main character trait is mustache twirling) around the person of Beatrice Schiavona has been tasked with reforming the Guild of Hunters, the organization all volunteer and provincial Cacciatore must be a part of.
His first edict was to organize two battalions of Royal Cacciatore, No. 1 Schiavona and No. 2 Parmigiano, and greatly reduce the number of provincials. He thought, and rightly so, that keeping the men under central supervision means more discipline, and more discipline means better combat effectiveness. While the court has little money to spend, they have given uniforms to the troops, and now training can begin.
Really cool looking figures! Although by the sounds of it they will need some training. [engage diplomat/salesman mode}
ReplyDeletePerhaps some Oronegrean training services could help. We have a good selection to suit your particular military doctrine and budget. Our premium training regime includes a set of trainers used by our very own armed forces. The program lasts five years but at the end your troops will outperform all forces they could encounter on the battlefield (except our own of course.)
The Budget program includes an old veteran who is missing one or more limbs and will instruct your troops in the correct direction to hold a firearm.
Thanks, they're old refurbished Airfix British Grenadiers.
DeleteThe Parmigiano court may hire foreign mercenaries, but the stance of the Military Council on such matters is clear: the generals being old school (and vile), national troops will not be allowed to be trained by foreigners, even if it results in the rise in quality.
I am therefore instructed to convey the message of Falsito Moltobene, the Formaggian chamberlain of diplomatic relations: any number of Oronegrean free companies may find employ in the service of the True Government in Formaggia, with their own officer corps, provided the price is acceptable and they won't loot much (at least not as much as domestic troops).
All members of the First Army of Oronegro do at least one tour of mercenary service during their 25 year service (first 5 given over to local service and training). The least expensive units are those who are in their 6th year of service. They are highly disciplined and will only loot as per commanded. Unfortunately even these units are expensive being 56.7% more expensive than our closest competitors.
DeleteThe Court is still interested in hiring a smaller unit (say two companies of 160 men) - so they can prove their wealth by hiring the more expensive soldiers. Therefore, payment is not an issue: taxing peasants to death is a well-proven method in all Formaggia.
DeleteThe next question is: will they be arriving with their own clothing and equipment, or should the Formaggian authorities supply them?
We always supply our own uniforms and supplies. However, we'd rather not be associated with taxing peasants to death. As such we would be more than willing to allow equipment to be supplied to our soldiers in return for a reduction in costs. Please note that this would impact the effectiveness of our units who are used to being equipped with the finest arms and uniforms available. I am afraid I cannot divulge the intricacies of this equipment as it is a state secret.
Delete[But I can. Oronegro was ahead of it's time with regards to rifling and had rifled muskets as standard for units in the First Army. In addition a native plant to Oronegro had been found (by the natives) to produce incredibly strong fibres which made tough clothing. Which, at long range, provided some form of bullet resistance (not that much but enough to be worth making the uniforms of the first army out of it.)
In that case, the Formaggian authorities shall arm and dress the men - of course they will take their customs into consideration.
DeleteJust select a set of 1/72 figures and uniform colors for them, and I'll buy it and paint the figures as you desire!
Well the soldiers I am using are the Hät Württemberg infantry but that is a rather large set and besides that would just be how Oronegreans equip themselves.
DeleteAny 18th century set would be applicable, all that would matter would be the colours. Here are some of my posts that show the infantry (Their usual uniform).
http:/(SPAM)/gowansmodelblog.(SPAM)blogspot.co.nz(SPAM)/2016/01/18th-century-oronegrean-infantry.(SPAM)html
http:/(SPAM)/gowansoronegro.(SPAM)blogspot.co.nz(SPAM)/2013/01/uniforms-of-oronegrean-first-army.(SPAM)html
Just remove the (SPAM). I saw this trick elsewhere so hopefully it works.
If there was one normal sized set that would be totally correct it would the the: Strelets Set M071 British Light Infantry in Egypt. This is a set I am using (not painted yet) for Oronegrean infantry. But as I said any set would be perfectly correct as it is Formaggia that is equipping them. ;-)
OK, I think I can do the guys in tarletons! It might be a while though before they can join the loyalist army - sailing through the Atlantic and whatnot!
DeleteAwesome. I'll be certain to make a post on my blog to announce our involvement in the campaign.
DeleteOh on the colours of uniform, go with the blue on the painted figs rather than the drawing. Also the yellow crests are the most common (IMHO they look the best too.)
I hope that they prove useful in the campaigns to come. An Oronegrean solder may cost twice as much as another but they are worth five times as much in skill! This we assure you.