The uniform of the Lueneburg battalion is indeed an interesting one. Their original dress was a dark green litewka with light blue collar and cuffs, light gray overalls with a wide light blue stripe, and a stove pipe shako or a soft dark green cap with a light blue band and black peak. By the summer of 1813 it seems they received the British dark green rifle coatee (from the stores of the two KGL Light Infantry battalions, but representations show only that of the 2nd battalion) and depending on the source, either the Belgic shako or the stovepipe shako. The trousers with this change to the rifle coatee are also shown in different ways as well. Richard Knotel in his plate, Band 17 # 55, shows them in both the Belgic and the stovepipe shako leading one to think they probably wore a mix of both. He further shows the other ranks in light gray overalls, but either light gray or cornflower blue for officers, both with a silver stripe for officers. However, Herbert Knotel (Etling books) shows them in the dark green rifle coatee, the Belgic shako and cornflower blue overalls for the other ranks. So it seems you have quite a variety of dress to choose from. I have decided to go with the Herbert Knotel version just because they are the most colorful and it will make them different enough looking as to not confuse them with the British 95th or the KGL Light Infantry.

A number of the Hanoverian bns. were raised in 1813 as 'Light' Bns.; Lueneburg, Bremen-Verden, the Harz Sharpshooters and the Feldjaegerkorps. Bremen-Verden was involved in the battle of Gohrde [16 September 1813], but was routed by French fire while marching up. Nafziger's account in "Nap. At Leipzig" makes it sound like they were in column and NOT being used deployed as a light unit would.

In 1814 'Light' Bns. Osnabrueck & Calenberg were raised, the Harz Sharpshooters became Grugenhagen and Bremen-Verden was reclothed in red.

Only Lueneburg, Grugenhagen and the Feldjaegerkorpswere classed as 'Light' Bns. in 1815.

I get the impression that only those later three should be true 'Light' infantry, tho probably only 2nd class for Lueneburg & Grugenhagen. For the others it may have been 'fashionable' to raise them as lights, they became Field Bns. quite quickly

The latter period Hanoverian Army was formed in early 1813 when the north german states threw their lot in with the Allies against Napoleon. Initially 3 Field Battalions, one line and two light, were raised but it was expanded to 5 battalions by August, with 3 more to be added at the start of 1814, along with 30 Landwehr battalions. The Field Battalions were to be of 8 companies but in 1814 this was reduced to 6 companies and later to 4 companies. Landwehr battalions consisted of 4 companies, there were no light or grenadier companies.

There were a number of transitions and uniforms seem often to have been just 'left overs' from other units and armies, basically British or KGL and there was a lot of variance between regiments so you need to check each unit to be sure.

There was also a unit of jägers, the Feldjägerkorps Von Kielmannsegge, formed in Spring 1813. At first it consisted of only two companies, but expanded to four companies in October 1813. The unit was

dissolved in September 1814 but then reformed in 1815 and fought at Waterloo with a strength of two companies. They were equipped with rifles.

In February 1815 the army was reorganised into 10 regiments, with each regiment consisting of one Field Battalion and three Landwehr Battalions, however, despite this organisation, on the battlefield battalions appear to have fought independently rather than as regiments. Although there were variances in very simple terms for 1815 you have Light Field Battalions in KGL uniforms, Line Field Battalions and Landwehr in British.

On this blog we have previously covered the Battle of Göhrde, the 1813 battle in North Germany involving the Hanoverians, so importantly these units are not just for Waterloo and this opens up a lot of possible scenarios, some hypothetical, some not.

There is not really that much detailed information available online and the most easily accessed quality information is the Osprey MAA 206 - The Hanoverian Army of the Napoleonic Wars by Peter Hofschroer, this is a must have I think if you want to try and make any sense out of it but getting an answer to exactly who wore what and when is not that easy. One of our old favorites sites Les Uniformes pendant la campagne des cents jours is the best source online for uniform plates for 1815.

Landwehr Battalion 1815(facings vary)

Bremen Line Battalion 1815

Verden Line Battalion 1815

Jager Detachment 1815

The Napoleoen Series also has an article on the Light Battalions here also John de Terre Neuve has done some work on the Hanoverians on his blog, definitely read this, plus his blog is always nice to look at anyway as he paints so well.

The Perry's are probably the only source for the Hanoverian 1815 KGL styled uniformed Light Field Battalions if we are sticking strictly to the 'Perry's sized 28mm (and we are!).

1813

Following the disastrous defeat of the French in Russia, and the liberation of Northern Germany in 1813 a number of Hanoverian units were raised to serve with the Allied Armies. Each battalion comprised 4 companies of 120 men, and each Hussar Regiment of 3 squadrons (later increased to 4) of 150 men.

Leichtes-Bataillon LüneburgLeichtes-Bataillon Bremen-VerdenFeld-Bataillon Lauenburg Feldjägerkorps – initially 2 then 4 companies (disbanded September 1814).Husaren Regiment Bremen-Verden Husaren Regiment Lüneburg (later Prinz Regent Husaren Regiment)

In May/June 1813 the army was joined by:

Feld-Bataillon BennigsenFeld-Bataillon Röhl (later called Langrehr)

By August 1813

1 foot artillery battery

By the end of 1813

Husaren Regiment Herzog von Cumberland (Duke of Cumberland’s)2 artillery batteries (1 horse & 1 field or both field – sources contradict)

At the beginning of 1814 the following units joined the army:

Leichtes-Bataillon Grubenhagen Leichtes-Bataillon Osnabruck Feld-Bataillon Calenburg