Austrian Vienna Volunteers battalion (1809)

This battalion represents the Vienna Volunteers (Wiener Freiwilligen), the most famous Landwehr formation of 1809. When Archduke John wanted an Austria to arms against Napoleon, Vienna's citizens responded with an unprecedented enthusiasm not even he could have imagined. Unlike provincial Landwehr, these were urban volunteers - students, professionals, merchants, and craftsmen - who saw themselves as defenders of their “Austrianess” against French tyranny. Their relatively high social status and economic connections meant better initial training and equipment than typical rural Landwehr.

Bearing banners touched by the hand of Empress Maria Ludovica, the Vienna Volunteers fought with distinction during the 1809 campaign, particularly along the Danube under Hiller and at Wagram where their determination impressed even veteran regulars.

The Vienna Volunteers officer (AB-KK107) represents younger officers who resigned regular army commissions to take what was seen as the more prestigious option of leading these patriotic formations. The mounted officer represents retired regular regimental officers who returned to service, bringing professional military experience to these enthusiastic citizen-soldiers.

Pack Contents:

AB-KK103 Austrian Landwehr, tunic, corsehut x 25 figures
AB-KK103A Austrian Landwehr, tunic, corsehut, advancing x 6 figures
AB-KK104 Austrian Landwehr, tunic, corsehut, drummer x 2 figures
AB-KK105 Austrian Landwehr, tunic, corsehut, standard x 1 figure
AB-KK107 Austrian Landwehr, Vienna Volunteers officer x 1 figure
AB-KK101 Austrian Landwehr, Inner/Lower/Upper Aust officer x1 figure
AB-KK42 Mounted officer, cocked hat x 1 figure

Contains 37 figures: 36 foot + 1 mounted