THE BATTLE OF TURIN - 7th September 1706
THE PALATINE (PFALZ) DIVISION
On the top, it is possible to see the array of the 2 Palatine (Pfalz in German) Brigades, in the very center of the Allied array. Both Birgades where under the Command of the Baron von Rehbinder, that actually acted as a modern General of Division, even though this idea of fighting unit was still not conceived at that epoch.
The Brigade in first line was on 6 Battallions each of about 400 men (the Grenadiers having been detached (nr. 26), for a total of about 2.400 men circa.The Brigade on the second line was on just 4 Battallions for a total amount of 1.600 men. Every Battallion was on 9 companies, each company with its flag, still according to the usage of the XVII Century; 8 Kompaniefahne (Company Standard) and 1 Battallionsfahne.
The Brigade in first line was on 6 Battallions each of about 400 men (the Grenadiers having been detached (nr. 26), for a total of about 2.400 men circa.The Brigade on the second line was on just 4 Battallions for a total amount of 1.600 men. Every Battallion was on 9 companies, each company with its flag, still according to the usage of the XVII Century; 8 Kompaniefahne (Company Standard) and 1 Battallionsfahne.
Divional General Staff of the PFALZ DIVISION under the Command of General Graf von Rehbinder (in red with flashing cuirass). In front of them the Prince Eugene von Savoye, reviewing the army and monitoring the operations of the Pfalz Division before the Battle on the morning of 7th September 1706.Division was a temporary formation specifically done for the Batte of Turin. At that epoch the idea of "Division" was still far to come (just with Napoleon will be in use) and it was thought as an coordination unit between Brigades (actually exsisting). The Pfalz Division was on 2 Brigades (of 6 and 4 Battallions each) and was commanded by the General Count von Rehbinder, that was also the Inhaber (Owner) of the Rehbinder Regiment. Therefore it is possible to see also his colours (from his Regiment) as a sign of his command and of his family.
PFALZ DIVISION TOTAL FORCE: 4.055 men/papersoldiers
Division General Staff: 1 General of Division; 4 Aides de Camps; 5 Messengers; 1 Colour; 3 Staff-Colonels; 2 Officers; 10 Privates - TOTAL 26
1st Brigade General Staff: 1 General of Brigade; 3 Aides de Camps; 3 Messengers; 2 Staff-Colonels; 7 Drummers; 1 NCO; 9 Privates - Total 26
2md Brigade General Staff: 1 General of Brigade; 3 Aides de Camps; 2 Messengers; 3 Staff-Colonels; 5 Drummers; 1 Officers; 9 Privates - Total 24
Total Generals Staffs: 76
PFALZ DIVISION COMPLETE:
3.979 Soldiers, Officers, Drummers, NCOs
Rgt BENTHEIM 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 20 Officers; 28 NCOs; 9 colours; 20 drummers; 282 privates; Total 360 papersoldiers
Rgt BENTHEIM 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 25 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 22 drummers; 305 privates; Total 389 papersoldiers
Rgt ALT - EFFEREN 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 22 drummers; 306 privates; Total 392 papersoldiers
Rgt ALT - EFFEREN 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 26 Officers; 28 NCOs; 9 colours; 19 drummers; 295 privates; Total 378 papersoldiers
Rgt REHBINDER 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 28 NCOs; 9 colours; 20 drummers; 366 privates; Total 451 papersoldiers
Rgt REHBINDER 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 22 drummers; 302 privates; Total 388 papersoldiers
Rgt AUBACH-LEIBREGIMENT 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 23 drummers; 325 privates; Total 412 papersoldiers
Rgt AUBACH-LEIBREGIMENT 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 28 Officers; 28 NCOs; 9 colours; 22 drummers; 310 privates; Total 398 papersoldiers
Rgt BARBO 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 26 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 20 drummers; 308 privates; Total 391 papersoldiers
Rgt BARBO 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 20 drummers; 336 privates; Total 420 papersoldiers
Division General Staff: 1 General of Division; 4 Aides de Camps; 5 Messengers; 1 Colour; 3 Staff-Colonels; 2 Officers; 10 Privates - TOTAL 26
1st Brigade General Staff: 1 General of Brigade; 3 Aides de Camps; 3 Messengers; 2 Staff-Colonels; 7 Drummers; 1 NCO; 9 Privates - Total 26
2md Brigade General Staff: 1 General of Brigade; 3 Aides de Camps; 2 Messengers; 3 Staff-Colonels; 5 Drummers; 1 Officers; 9 Privates - Total 24
Total Generals Staffs: 76
PFALZ DIVISION COMPLETE:
3.979 Soldiers, Officers, Drummers, NCOs
Rgt BENTHEIM 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 20 Officers; 28 NCOs; 9 colours; 20 drummers; 282 privates; Total 360 papersoldiers
Rgt BENTHEIM 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 25 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 22 drummers; 305 privates; Total 389 papersoldiers
Rgt ALT - EFFEREN 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 22 drummers; 306 privates; Total 392 papersoldiers
Rgt ALT - EFFEREN 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 26 Officers; 28 NCOs; 9 colours; 19 drummers; 295 privates; Total 378 papersoldiers
Rgt REHBINDER 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 28 NCOs; 9 colours; 20 drummers; 366 privates; Total 451 papersoldiers
Rgt REHBINDER 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 22 drummers; 302 privates; Total 388 papersoldiers
Rgt AUBACH-LEIBREGIMENT 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 23 drummers; 325 privates; Total 412 papersoldiers
Rgt AUBACH-LEIBREGIMENT 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 28 Officers; 28 NCOs; 9 colours; 22 drummers; 310 privates; Total 398 papersoldiers
Rgt BARBO 1st Battalion: 1 Colonel; 26 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 20 drummers; 308 privates; Total 391 papersoldiers
Rgt BARBO 2nd Battalion: 1 Colonel; 27 Officers; 27 NCOs; 9 colours; 20 drummers; 336 privates; Total 420 papersoldiers
Prinz Eugen von Savoye (1663 -1736). One of the most capable commanders of all times. His allied and contemporary the Duke of Marlbourough is often considered as better than him. It is important though to consider that the Duke fought for a very short period with a conventional ennemy (the French) while Prinz Eugen fought already ath the Siege of Vienna in 1683 and obtained his best victories against the Turks at the Battle of Petervaradin 1716 and Belgrad 1717, widening the Habsbourg Empire to the South and obtaining unbelivable victories against overwhelming forces.
I depicted him in his typical uniform: red/brown coat with a dark cuirass (called "Bavarian"). In this image he just passed away the commander of the Pfalz Division. Here his biography from wikipedia:<Prince Eugene of Savoy (French: François-Eugène de Savoie, German: Eugen von Savoyen, Italian: Principe Eugenio di Savoia-Carignano; 18 October 1663 – 21 April 1736), was one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history, rising to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna. Born in Paris, Eugene grew up around the French court of King Luis XIV. Based on his poor physique and bearing, the Prince was initially prepared for a career in the church, but by the age of 19 he had determined on a military career. Rejected by Louis XIV for service in the French army, Eugene moved to Austria and transferred his loyalty to the Habsbourg Dinasty.
Spanning six decades, Eugene served three Holy Roman Emperors: Leopold I, Joseph I amd Karl VI. He first saw action against the Ottoman Turks at the Siege of Vienna in 1683 and the subsequent War of the Holy League, before serving in the Nine Years' War, fighting alongside his cousin, the Duke of Savoy. However, the Prince's fame was secured with his decisive victory against the Ottomans at the Battle of Zenta in 1697, earning him Europe-wide fame. Eugene enhanced his standing during the War of the Spanish Succession, where his partnership with the Duke of Marlborough secured victories against the French on the fields of Blenheim (1704), Oudenarde (1708), and Malplaquet (1709); he gained further success in the war as Imperial commander in northern Italy, most notably at the Battle of Turin (1706). Renewed hostilities against the Ottomans in the Austro-Turkish War consolidated his reputation, with victories at the battles of Petrovaradin (1716), and the decisive encounter at Belgrade (1717).
Throughout the late 1720s, Eugene's influence and skilful diplomacy managed to secure the Emperor powerful allies in his dynastic struggles with the Bourbons Powers, but physically and mentally fragile in his later years, Eugene enjoyed less success as commander-in-chief of the army during his final conflict, the War of Polish Succession. Nevertheless, in Austria, Eugene's reputation remains unrivalled. Although opinions differ as to his character, there is no dispute over his great achievements: he helped to save the Habsburg Empire from French conquest; he broke the westward thrust of the Ottomans, liberating central Europe after a century and a half of Turkish occupation; and he was one of the great patrons of the arts whose building legacy can still be seen in Vienna today. Eugene died in his sleep at his home on 21 April 1736, aged 72.
I depicted him in his typical uniform: red/brown coat with a dark cuirass (called "Bavarian"). In this image he just passed away the commander of the Pfalz Division. Here his biography from wikipedia:<Prince Eugene of Savoy (French: François-Eugène de Savoie, German: Eugen von Savoyen, Italian: Principe Eugenio di Savoia-Carignano; 18 October 1663 – 21 April 1736), was one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history, rising to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna. Born in Paris, Eugene grew up around the French court of King Luis XIV. Based on his poor physique and bearing, the Prince was initially prepared for a career in the church, but by the age of 19 he had determined on a military career. Rejected by Louis XIV for service in the French army, Eugene moved to Austria and transferred his loyalty to the Habsbourg Dinasty.
Spanning six decades, Eugene served three Holy Roman Emperors: Leopold I, Joseph I amd Karl VI. He first saw action against the Ottoman Turks at the Siege of Vienna in 1683 and the subsequent War of the Holy League, before serving in the Nine Years' War, fighting alongside his cousin, the Duke of Savoy. However, the Prince's fame was secured with his decisive victory against the Ottomans at the Battle of Zenta in 1697, earning him Europe-wide fame. Eugene enhanced his standing during the War of the Spanish Succession, where his partnership with the Duke of Marlborough secured victories against the French on the fields of Blenheim (1704), Oudenarde (1708), and Malplaquet (1709); he gained further success in the war as Imperial commander in northern Italy, most notably at the Battle of Turin (1706). Renewed hostilities against the Ottomans in the Austro-Turkish War consolidated his reputation, with victories at the battles of Petrovaradin (1716), and the decisive encounter at Belgrade (1717).
Throughout the late 1720s, Eugene's influence and skilful diplomacy managed to secure the Emperor powerful allies in his dynastic struggles with the Bourbons Powers, but physically and mentally fragile in his later years, Eugene enjoyed less success as commander-in-chief of the army during his final conflict, the War of Polish Succession. Nevertheless, in Austria, Eugene's reputation remains unrivalled. Although opinions differ as to his character, there is no dispute over his great achievements: he helped to save the Habsburg Empire from French conquest; he broke the westward thrust of the Ottomans, liberating central Europe after a century and a half of Turkish occupation; and he was one of the great patrons of the arts whose building legacy can still be seen in Vienna today. Eugene died in his sleep at his home on 21 April 1736, aged 72.
The PFALZ DIVISION COMMAND: Next to Count von Rehbinder (in red uniform) there are 4 Aides de Camps. On the rear of them there are 5 messengers on horse (1 for each Regiment of the Division).
On the background there is a unit of the Rehbinder Regiment as escort with 2 Officers and the Leibfahne (Regimental Colour) of the Regiment, as sign of respect for the Count von Rehbinder, present on the field. In front of the escort unit there is a Colonel of the General Staff standing as Aide de Camps. The total number is then 25 figures.
On the background there is a unit of the Rehbinder Regiment as escort with 2 Officers and the Leibfahne (Regimental Colour) of the Regiment, as sign of respect for the Count von Rehbinder, present on the field. In front of the escort unit there is a Colonel of the General Staff standing as Aide de Camps. The total number is then 25 figures.
It is important to consider that - differently to what is believed by common wargamers - during that epoch (but even untill the Napoleonic period) every Company had its colour. This was intended to give a sense of brotherhood inside the company itself and also - my idea - to give to the Commander the idea of the array of each single unit. It gave also the possibility to keep the line, without "waves", while the troops were advancing. Every Regiment had 1 Leibfahne, i.e. the colour of the Regiment, usually to the first battallion of the regiment.
For this reason in this picture it is possible to see a lot of colours. This fact is also confirmed by a lot of reports from battle. For instance, at the Siege of Vercelli in 1705 one regiment lost 7 colours, confirming thus the huge number of these within a regiment.
In the picture there are also the drummers with yellow uniform. This is an ipothetical uniform I assumed to be, using the facing of the line battallion and also the colour of the Leibfahne that was yellow.
The total effect is quite great. In front of the battallion Prince Eugene von Savoye is passing in review the troops before the battle. The moment is tense and a lot of this pround men will not see the day after, but will remain in the History for ever.
For this reason in this picture it is possible to see a lot of colours. This fact is also confirmed by a lot of reports from battle. For instance, at the Siege of Vercelli in 1705 one regiment lost 7 colours, confirming thus the huge number of these within a regiment.
In the picture there are also the drummers with yellow uniform. This is an ipothetical uniform I assumed to be, using the facing of the line battallion and also the colour of the Leibfahne that was yellow.
The total effect is quite great. In front of the battallion Prince Eugene von Savoye is passing in review the troops before the battle. The moment is tense and a lot of this pround men will not see the day after, but will remain in the History for ever.
