Another wicked
figure manufacturer has dragged me into a new project. In this case Steve Barber
Models and their new 28mm range ‘Europe in Revolution’ – specifically the
Hungarian Uprising.
1848 was the year
of liberal revolutions, sparked in France (although arguably Sicily), which
ushered in the Second Republic. Over 50 countries were affected, even
Britain where the Chartists sowed the seeds of later reforms. There was little coordination
between the countries involved, but there were some common themes. These
included demands for greater democracy, and press freedoms, with common cause
between the working and middle classes against autocratic regimes.
Nationalism also played a part and that
was the driver for the Hungarian uprising. The aim was an independent state
separate from Austria, although initially retaining the Hapsburg monarchy.
Hungary in 1848 was a much larger state than today and included many minorities
that also wanted autonomy.
The Austrian’s spent the summer putting
down revolts elsewhere in the Empire before a force led by the Croat commander,
Joseph Jellacic, advanced on Budapest. He was defeated and withdrew towards
Vienna, where he rallied with the main Austrian army and defeated the
Hungarians. The Austrian’s counter-attacked, Budapest was captured in January
1849 and with Russian assistance most of the country was occupied. The
Hungarian’s under Kossuth rallied new armies and declared against the
Hapsburgs. However, in June 1849 a fresh Austrian and Russian offensive
gradually retook all the Hapsburg lands.
The new Hungarian government had the
support of some regulars and was in the process of creating a National Guard.
However, they created a volunteer army called the ‘Honved’, which has different
meanings in Hungarian including, ‘army’, ‘national army’, or just a patriotic
name for a soldier. These volunteers were a mixture of peasants and workers
with a leavening of better-educated young men. The first ten battalions were to
become the elite troops of the army. The army went on to raise 75 battalions
following conscription and recruitment from deserters. At its peak, the army
raised 148 battalions (170,000 men), but equipment was limited with some
battalions armed only with scythes.
Uniforms were a problem, even though the
first battalions were supplied from central stores. Locally raised units were
supplied from local sources leading to an array of uniform styles. These are
covered in Ralph Weaver’s book ‘The Hungarian Army 1848-1849’, published by
Partisan Press. For a more detailed history of the revolution I would recommend,
‘The Lawful Revolution – Louis Kossuth and the Hungarians 1848-49’, by Istvan
Deak.
The Steve Barber range includes three
uniform types and an officer figure. I intend this to be a skirmish level
collection (famous last words!), probably using ‘The Men Who Would Be Kings’,
or ‘Sharp Practice 2’.
So, here are the first units and I look
forward (I think!) to the range being expanded. Ralph’s book includes some
wonderful potential models, including Polish and Tyrolean supporters.
These figures are just superb, wonderful uniform and paintjob, congrats!
ReplyDeleteNicely done. Rest assured there are plenty more additions in the pipeline. Your skirmish level action may not last!
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
GH
The Hungarians are being expanded, in addition during the course of this year The Austrisns will see growth
ReplyDelete