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TODAYS KING'S GERMAN LEGION |
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GENERAL INFORMATION You do not have to be able to speak German to join us, although if you do it would be helpful because some commands will be given in that language. During Napoleonic times the commands for guard duties and parades were given in English: we shall do the same. All potential recruits will be expected to spend a weekend with us prior to being accepted into the regiment. A limited amount of kit can be loaned for this weekend so that you will feel part of the unit. We are using the vast amount of data that is available on the Legion to kit and equip ourselves as authentically as possible, with particular emphasis on the living history side of re-enactment. We are looking for recruits with the right attitude, wanting to portray a soldier of the Legion as authentically as possible. You will also have to have a certain degree of fitness to take part, as usually we are moving around quite a lot on the battlefield. We are endeavouring to get everyone camping on the period camp so that all members are together, if you do have to camp on the modern site we will expect you to spend the time that the authentic camp is open to the public with us. Everyone is expected to help with the running of the camp and share the chores, this helps build up camaraderie within the unit. We are members of the Napoleonic Association, and once accepted into the regiment you will be expected to join this association. As well as going to musters organised by the N.A., we attend other events including trips abroad, and we also organise our own training days. Because the original Legions' uniforms and equipment were issued by the British army of the time, today we can get copies of these items fairly easily. Members are kept informed of regimental news, events and general Napoleonic information by a regular news sheet. 1st Light Battalion The 1st Light Battalion was the first unit to be created in the original Kings German Legion. As such, some of the uniform is slightly more "Germanic" in style than later units, particularly the shade of green used for the jackets. We are aiming to portray the unit as it would have been around 1810. When the light battalions were first formed only one company were armed with rifles. As the supply of rifles increased more troops were equipped with them until, by Waterloo in 1815, most would have been armed with the Baker Rifle. We have therefore formed two companies here in the UK - 'A' and 'C'. 'A' company are armed with the Baker rifle, 'C' company with the Brown Bess musket. The choice of which weapon to have will be yours, the Baker is more expensive than the Brown Bess, and some of the equipment is different. No.4 Battery Foot Artillery If you don't fancy running around with the green-jacketed light infantry but would prefer to make more noise, we are also recreating a unit of the Kings German Artillery. Our uniforms are very similar to those of the Royal Artillery of the time, with a few minor differences. We currently use a small 3lb galloper gun of 1800 vintage, which may not be too out of place with us, as the KGA would probably have been equipped with any spare guns available! You will learn all aspects of safe artillery gun drill according to Napoleonic Association guidelines, as well as foot drill of the period. If you wish, you can also learn musket drill, allowing you to take part in events and displays with the 1st Light Battalion or other infantry units, as there may be times when the Artillery are not required. Families and Living History Camping Re-enactment is not only "running around battlefields and making noise"! The day-to-day camplife has also to be considered, and this is where families fit in. At displays we try to portray, as accurately as possible, a period encampment of the time: with replica tents, firestand and cooking areas and a communal eating area. Chores are shared amongst everyone, whether it be fetching water and cutting firewood, or preparing the food and washing up afterwards! Everyone in the period camp should be dressed in authentic costume whenever possible. We already have wives and families taking part, but the more the merrier. We are keen to expand the portrayal of camp life to include off-duty activities for the soldiers, such as leather-working, wood-working and sewing. We are happy to accept civilian males into the group, perhaps as a journalist or maybe even a clergyman, as long as they can portray their selected characters accurately. During 2002 a gentleman Doctor and Herbalist joined our ranks, and he is already proving very good at finding plants with medicinal and culinary uses growing wild around the campsite and battlefield! |