Catergorising the Philhellenes for Rebels and Patriots?

[OB]

The Philhellenes were a group of international volunteers who rallied to the cause of Greek Independence.  Almost all of them had military experience and had held command at some level.  Many had extensive military experience.  They seem to have been very well motivated if actually a little disorientated by what the found in Greece.   One unit of them if I recall right fought to the last man.

I've finally got the 15mm figures I want to use for these interesting fellows.  Now I have to think about how to catergorise them for Rebels and Patriots.  I'm thinking of making them Aggressive, Veteran, Line Infantry, 12 figures in the unit.  That means they will fight in the typical Western European style and behave aggressively and be willing to absorb some punishment.

Any thoughts or advice from those who know the period is most welcome.

[winterspy]

Hello there , I would agree Philhellenes were Aggressive and Veterans and were fighting as a regular army as you are suggesting . I would suggest though to consider their discipline level that might means that they have to be Regulars not Veteran. A good resource to have a better idea about the subject is the following battle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Peta this is one of the most famous battles of the GWI that they have participated with heavy casualties. The account from the link suggest that they were able to take severe punishment and they were really heroic individuals. Consider also  if you have Facebook to ask the question on the following group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/880904145991302 that I made in an attempt to create and modify rules to be used on wargaming the Greek War of Independence.

[OB]

Thanks for the link  Winterspy.  I think regulars might well fit them better than veteran as you suggest.

I'm not a facebook member so won't be able to pursue the question there.

[winterspy]

You are welcome sir, since you are not in FB , I will ask the question on the group and I will transfer the feedback here.

[OB]

Much appreciated and very kind of you.  I should have the unit finished this week.

[DintheDin]

Pictures:
Monument of Philhellenes fallen at Peta
List of Philhellenes by country who fought in various battles of the Revolution
Book: The Battalion of Philhellenes

[winterspy]

I asked the question  over the group, and the answer is Regular.  Although there were a lot of Napoleonic War veterans amongst the ranks of the Philhellenes there were also a lot of mere civilians , students etc. amongst them . People answered insisted that there was a difficulty to classify them between Regular and Veteran status , but we agreed that more reasonable is the Regulars status.

I hope this was helpful.

[DintheDin]

I agree

[OB]

Thanks for the info' Din.  I have two figures to paint and the unit will be complete.

Winterspy, thank you for taking the trouble.  Very useful to be reminded of the student volunteers who had no military experience at all.  We seem to have reached a happy consensus on how to rate the unit.

[DintheDin]

The photo of the book about Philhellenes I posted was written by Johann Daniel Elster.
It narrates how the Philhellenes Battalion was formed in Korinth, meeting the army of Kolokotronis near Patras, passage from Missolonghi, fighting at Komboti, Arta, return to Missolonghi, until its destruction at the Battle of Peta.
The original title is
DAS BATAILLON DER PHILHELLENEN. DESSEN ERRICHTUNG, FELDZUG UND UNTERGANG
and I Googled it here:
https://books.google.gr/books/about/Das_Bataillon_der_Philhellenen.html?id=FXgKAAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y

[OB]

Thanks Din.

Here are my  15mm Philhellenes finished at last.  Most of them are conversions.

[winterspy]

Great work nice figures. You captured the spirit of the Philhellenes.

[OB]

Thank you.  I must take some pics of the whole force.

[DintheDin]

200 years anniversary of War of Independence today, 1821-2021
Battle of Dragatsani and the Sacred Band
(use the English subtitles)

[OB]

Thanks Din.