Guest Rick Research Posted August 26, 2009 Posted August 26, 2009 :Cat-Scratch: That is SUPERB!!!! What an amazingly drop dead gorgeous miraculously preserved MINT survival. To find something from that era in condition like this 140 years after the old warrior's 50th anniversary-- WOW :cheers:
Josef Rietveld Posted August 28, 2009 Posted August 28, 2009 As Austria beeing part of the holy roman empire till 1806 i 'd like to make this contribution. 1806 the former Emperor Franz II. Franz became as Kaiser von österreich Franz I. this silver bravery medal reflects that changed situation and was issued from 1806 -1810 regards josef
mossop Posted September 13, 2009 Posted September 13, 2009 Some fantastic medals on this thread, here are a couple of my ones. First is a Hannover to Lieutenant (later Major) Wundenberg who had an amaizing history. The second pair is to a Michael Josef Flech, who unfortunately I'm yet to find anything on Mossop
Josef Rietveld Posted September 14, 2009 Posted September 14, 2009 @mossop what beautifull name-related set. coul it be that you got it from ebay germany? josef
mossop Posted September 14, 2009 Posted September 14, 2009 Hi Josef Yes I got it there some time ago, was a bit surprised how cheaply it went for. The Wundenberg medal is even nicer, he wrote a memoir about his experiences; Fought for in the Prussian Army at Jena in 1806, fought in the Westphalian Army with the French Army during the invasion and subsequent retreat from Moscow in 1812. Fought in the Hanoverian Army with the British against the French during the Waterloo campaign in 1815! MAJOR HEINRICH WUNDENBERG Born Bockenem - Principality of Hildesheim 8th Sept 1788 Died Hildesheim 12th Nov 1870 aged 82 Jan 1806 conscripted into Prussian Guard aged 17. Part of Corps of Prince Hohenlohe at battle of Jena Oct 1806 where he was wounded. He was captured at Prenzlau but escaped with two other soldiers. 1807- joined Westphalian Grenadier Guards - promoted Corporal and then Sergeant. 1809 - Transferred to 8th Infantry of Line forming at Hildesheim as NCO Instructor 1810 - Transferred to 1st Battalion Light Infantry Regiment (chasseurs) being formed at Paderborn 1811 - Promoted Lieutenant by vote of Officers of Corps 1812 - Regiment part of 8th Westphalian Army corps under Jerome, King of Westphalia that forms part of Napoleons Grand Armee invading Russia. Takes part in Battles of Smolensk and Borodino as well as smaller affairs. Shot in chest at Battle of Borodino but fortunately saved by his greatcoat which was worn rolled and slung, therefore only badly bruised. While the Westphalian Corps was left in the locality of Borodino, 1st and 2nd Light Battalions were assigned to the advanced guard which entered Moscow. During the subsequent retreat from Moscow Wundenberg, along with 1 Captain and 60 Men were assigned to convoying the Ammunition Wagons when they were attacked and captured by 5/600 Cossacks. Wundenberg alone escapes -the rest of the prisoners die in captivity. He rejoins his Regiment and after much hardship what is left of the Grande Armee reaches the Berezina. Wundenberg is one of the few men to cross the river and is one of only 7 from his Regiment. The retreat continues and by the time they reach Prussian soil Wundenberg suffers a nervous breakdown at Posen, he is one of the lucky ones as the retreat as such is over but casualties have been terrible - especially those of the Westphalian’s. Out of 824 men of the 1st Westphalian Chasseurs who marched to Russia, only 6 returned. Out of the 27,000 Westphalian Contingent only 110 were to return at the end of November 1812! 1813 - Transferred to Grenadier Guards at Kassel, unit remains at Kassel during expedition against Saxon Army and therefore avoids having to fight them (much to Wundenberg’s relief) 1814 - Joines Hanoverian Army as Senior Lieutenant of Landwher Battalion Hildesheim (3rd Company). July 1814 marches to Antwerp. 1815 - Landwher Battalion Hildesheim forms part of General Campbell’s Division of Wellington’s Army at Quatre Bras and Waterloo and capture of Paris. 1816 - Arrives back in Hildsheim in January and appointed Staff Captain.- all this accomplished by the age of 27!- Takes lessons in Mathematics, Arithmetic, Geometry and plan drawing. 1823 - Officer in charge of geometric surveying and praised by the Commission for his work. 1828 - Appointed Company CO, 6th Infantry at Stadt. 1836 - Gets Pneumonia - retires from Military with Rank of Major. 1839 - Appointed Manager of Post Office at Goslar. 1847 - Retires Wrote Memoir ‘ My Military Experiences 1806 - 1816’ sept 1867 from which most of the above is extracted. This memoir is 29 pages long and contains much on the horrors of the 1812 campaign and to a lesser degree the Waterloo Campaign. Mossop 1
Ulsterman Posted September 14, 2009 Posted September 14, 2009 Outstanding!!! The picture and medal of Wundenberg is fantastic!! May I suggest an article for the Friends of Waterloo Committee magazine, the Napoleon magazine or the JOMSA?
Jaybo Posted September 15, 2009 Posted September 15, 2009 Hi Josef Yes I got it there some time ago, was a bit surprised how cheaply it went for. The Wundenberg medal is even nicer, he wrote a memoir about his experiences; Fought for in the Prussian Army at Jena in 1806, fought in the Westphalian Army with the French Army during the invasion and subsequent retreat from Moscow in 1812. Fought in the Hanoverian Army with the British against the French during the Waterloo campaign in 1815! MAJOR HEINRICH WUNDENBERG Born Bockenem - Principality of Hildesheim 8th Sept 1788 Died Hildesheim 12th Nov 1870 aged 82 Jan 1806 conscripted into Prussian Guard aged 17. Part of Corps of Prince Hohenlohe at battle of Jena Oct 1806 where he was wounded. He was captured at Prenzlau but escaped with two other soldiers. 1807- joined Westphalian Grenadier Guards - promoted Corporal and then Sergeant. 1809 - Transferred to 8th Infantry of Line forming at Hildesheim as NCO Instructor 1810 - Transferred to 1st Battalion Light Infantry Regiment (chasseurs) being formed at Paderborn 1811 - Promoted Lieutenant by vote of Officers of Corps 1812 - Regiment part of 8th Westphalian Army corps under Jerome, King of Westphalia that forms part of Napoleons Grand Armee invading Russia. Takes part in Battles of Smolensk and Borodino as well as smaller affairs. Shot in chest at Battle of Borodino but fortunately saved by his greatcoat which was worn rolled and slung, therefore only badly bruised. While the Westphalian Corps was left in the locality of Borodino, 1st and 2nd Light Battalions were assigned to the advanced guard which entered Moscow. During the subsequent retreat from Moscow Wundenberg, along with 1 Captain and 60 Men were assigned to convoying the Ammunition Wagons when they were attacked and captured by 5/600 Cossacks. Wundenberg alone escapes -the rest of the prisoners die in captivity. He rejoins his Regiment and after much hardship what is left of the Grande Armee reaches the Berezina. Wundenberg is one of the few men to cross the river and is one of only 7 from his Regiment. The retreat continues and by the time they reach Prussian soil Wundenberg suffers a nervous breakdown at Posen, he is one of the lucky ones as the retreat as such is over but casualties have been terrible - especially those of the Westphalian’s. Out of 824 men of the 1st Westphalian Chasseurs who marched to Russia, only 6 returned. Out of the 27,000 Westphalian Contingent only 110 were to return at the end of November 1812! 1813 - Transferred to Grenadier Guards at Kassel, unit remains at Kassel during expedition against Saxon Army and therefore avoids having to fight them (much to Wundenberg’s relief) 1814 - Joines Hanoverian Army as Senior Lieutenant of Landwher Battalion Hildesheim (3rd Company). July 1814 marches to Antwerp. 1815 - Landwher Battalion Hildesheim forms part of General Campbell’s Division of Wellington’s Army at Quatre Bras and Waterloo and capture of Paris. 1816 - Arrives back in Hildsheim in January and appointed Staff Captain.- all this accomplished by the age of 27!- Takes lessons in Mathematics, Arithmetic, Geometry and plan drawing. 1823 - Officer in charge of geometric surveying and praised by the Commission for his work. 1828 - Appointed Company CO, 6th Infantry at Stadt. 1836 - Gets Pneumonia - retires from Military with Rank of Major. 1839 - Appointed Manager of Post Office at Goslar. 1847 - Retires Wrote Memoir ‘ My Military Experiences 1806 - 1816’ sept 1867 from which most of the above is extracted. This memoir is 29 pages long and contains much on the horrors of the 1812 campaign and to a lesser degree the Waterloo Campaign. Mossop Hello Mossop, Those pieces are truly wonderful. I am very jealous. I love to read about the man behind the medal, especially concerning this period of history. Do you know anything about the history of Herr Flech? Well done! Jaybo
VtwinVince Posted September 15, 2009 Posted September 15, 2009 Great stuff, and ditto to what Rick said about that beautiful spange. I'm looking for the 1813, 1814 and 1813\14 non-combat medals of Prussia. Just got a mint 1863 non-combat.
mossop Posted October 2, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009 Thanks for your comments guys May I suggest an article for the Friends of Waterloo Committee magazine, the Napoleon magazine or the JOMSA? Wundenberg's book (well all of 30 pages!) was already published by the Napoleonic Association in 1991 Mossop
eitze Posted October 18, 2009 Posted October 18, 2009 Here is my latest: BRUNSWICK WATERLOO Heinr. Schaper Uhl. Esq. Casualties at Waterloo after Siborne: - 2 Officers and 13 NCO/Men wounded Nice worn medal to a small unit greetings eitze 1
Wild Card Posted October 19, 2009 Author Posted October 19, 2009 Gentlemen, Something that comes under the topic of this thread that we have not seen yet is the series of medals which were awarded by the kingdom of Württemberg for specific events during this period. They are: Victory at Brienne, 1 Febr. 1814 Victory at La Fere Champenoise, 25 März 1814 Victory at Paris, 30 März 1814 They were awarded in both gold and silver grades; and while the La Fere Champenoise and Paris medals measure 30 mm, the Brienne medals are 36.5 mm. Shown below is an example of the silver Brienne medal.
Ulsterman Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 Outstanding!! Eitze: I have delved deep into my bookshelf and will post a pic later, but the black uniformed Uhlan squadron had only 243 souls in it on June 15th. The unit took @ 15-20 casualties at Quatre Bras and was led by the Duke himself in a charge against the square of the French 1st Light Regiment (which was to fight at Hougemont 48 hours later). After the French volleys forced the Uhlans back, the Duke rode @ 30 yards to his Lifeguards and was shot dead. The Uhlans seem to have spent most of Waterloo in reserve in the center of the Allied line. The squadron probably charged in support of the Allied squares several times during the massive French cavalry charges in the afternoon. Several men/horses were hit by long range cannon fire. Later, @ 5-6pm, Foys' brigade attempted to attack in support of the cavalry charges up the eastern flank of Hougemont, supported by Pire's horse artillery battery (4x6lbrs). The battery was established near the "hollow way' towards the back of the chateau, behind the captured woods. As the French infantry marched in column up the slope the British infantry opened up a rolling volley fire and drove them back. Brigadier Foy was shot from his horse, along with @ 20% of his already weakened brigade.Interestingly, some of Foys' men had served at Trafalger-as marines. Who knows? perhaps one of them shot Nelson. The Brunswick Uhlans and Hussars then charged Pires' battery before it could limber up and retreat @ 250 yards and captured two French guns. It is rumored that the brass from one of these guns went into your medal. The famed Black Brunswick Brigade, which Lady DeLancy described as "a great moving funeral hearse" was the sartorial inspirational for the SS. The officer below is from Haythornwaites' "Uniforms of Waterloo". Other ranks would have had a light blue czapka. WC: Am I correct in that these medals are "battle" medals similar to the Spanish medals? Were they issued to officers only?
eitze Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Hello Ulsterman, thank you for the report about the Uhlans at Waterloo and the picture. I have to look for some good books about the Brunswickers and their part at the battle. greetings eitze
mossop Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 This is a fantastic thread, some really nice medals many of which I knew nothing about. Your Uhlan medal is superb Eitze and the details from Ulsterman very informative indeed. I too have a Brunswick Cavalry medal; Cornet Augustus Niemeier, Brunswick Hussar Regiment who was severely wounded at Waterloo. Mossop
Ulsterman Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Mossop!! You lucky dog! Stay tuned-off to the shelves The original Deaths' head Hussars! One of 4 officer casualties. The Brunswick Hussars were one of the largest Allied cavalry units on the field of Waterloo and by 6pm, after several counter charges, may well have been THE last large cavalry unit (with maybe the exception of the elite English 10th hussars)on the field to see off the fleeing French army. They mustered @ 640 men in 4 squadrens on the morning of the 18th. Their Major, Cramm, was killed in action on the 16th. The Hussars were led into a charge with the Uhlans at Quatre Bras by their Duke, but they were driven off by the combined French troops with 46 casualties. At Waterloo, the regiment was never fully committed and losses were 78 killed and wounded with a slightly higher number of horses lost. Interestingly, they seem to have had a largish number of officer and NCO casualties, indicating "the ones in front" got shot/sabered.
eitze Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Mossop, indeed, that is a fine piece of a medal Unfortunately casualties are soo high priced today, that it is nearly impossible for me to pay them! I`m stil hoping for the "lucky find" And Ulsterman - thank you again for the info and the picture. greetings eitze
mossop Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Thanks Ulsterman, a few points I didn't have so very useful. Interestingly up until recently I had a 10th Hussars Officers Waterloo also but finances mean't I had to part with it. Still at least I was able to keep this which is nicer I think Unfortunately casualties are soo high priced today, that it is nearly Yes unfortunately so Eitze but sometimes we can get lucky Mossop
Wild Card Posted October 22, 2009 Author Posted October 22, 2009 WC: Am I correct in that these medals are "battle" medals similar to the Spanish medals? Were they issued to officers only?
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