The Westphalians

In 1807 Napoleon created the Kingdom of Westphalia from some

two dozen German states. As such it was different from other

Confederation of the Rhine entities who

were existing groupings. In Russia the

Westphalian Army constituted its own Corps,

VIII, comprising some 28,000 men plus

horses and cannons. By the time of

Borodino that number had reduced to just

10,000 (and only about 1,600 by 9th

November). Most of the attrition before

Borodino was not due to enemy action;

however, their casualties on the 7th September were high.

At Borodino the two Cuirassier regiments were part of the 7th

Cuirassier Division and gained their own glory in action around the

Rayevsky’s (Grand) Redoubt.

The remaining troops in VIII Corps were assigned to the forest

south of the flèches. Here on the diorama we have their left wing

clearing the Russian Jaegers: their right wing (out of site) was

pushing south to support the left wing of the Polish assault in the

Utitsa Woods.

Westphalian Hussar and Guard Jaegers. The

Hussar is a trumpeter in ‘reverse’ colours ie the

rest of the regiment would have had light blue

uniforms with red facings

The Guard Jaegers and Light Infantry are

dressed in a mid green colour not dissimilar to

their German Light Infantry contemporaries in

the Westphalian Army.

Westphalian Staff Officers and protecting Hussar

Westphalian Line & Guard Infantry all wore white uniforms