Question on F&IW for you historics

[Dr. The Viking]

Hi there,

I was wondering if there was any smaller national contingents of the lesser European countries in the French & Indian War? Perhaps as mercenaries or something similar. Danish/Swedish participants would be of special interest.

I'm guessing that the odds are slim.. but I'd like to try my luck here with you guys. 

EDIT: Was wandering.. now wondering

[Aaron]

Not that I am aware of. The closest I can think of is the French Voluntaires d'Etrangers which was made up mainly of Swiss and Germans (I think) but dressed much as any other French regiment.

Of course some English at the time considered the Scots rather foreign, but I don't think that's what you meant! 

[Dr. The Viking]

Screw it... I'll just make up my own Danish immigrant swashbuckling hero fighting the villainous French alongside the heroes of the Galactic British Empire (no reason to take sides or paint stereotypes)

[Aaron]

  No reason not to! One of the most famous "British" officer in my neighborhood was Colonel Henri Bouquet, a Swiss, so a Dane is not as far-fetched as you might think!

[Captain Blood]

Thorbjørn - surely you vikings were there fighting the skraelings 800 years before the French and British anyway... 

[Dr. The Viking]

No reason not to! One of the most famous "British" officer in my neighborhood was Colonel Henri Bouquet, a Swiss, so a Dane is not as far-fetched as you might think!

Yes, we tend to go around the world. I really like the looks of things in this conflict and as a boy I heard "the last mohican" over and over again. Had it on a set of tapes (9! tapes that is). Oh and "The Settlers in Canada" by Captain Marryat. But that's set a bit later me thinks.

Thorbjørn - surely you vikings were there fighting the skraelings 800 years before the French and British anyway... 

Next time we meet I'll tell the tale of how the English got their language. Although I'm pretty sure vikotnik and zafarelli could perhaps be persuaded to do it too.. 



Now who makes the Indiana Jones of the F&IW in miniature?

[Galloping Major]

The ranks of the 60th Foot contained a great many Swiss and Germans. Many of the officers in the various battalions serving were European "mercenaries". 

Albany, Schenectady were originally "Dutch" settlements (as had New York itself as New Amsterdam), A & S and surrounding areas were still largely populated by people of Dutch, German and similar European descent. So, some New York militia units especially contained quite a lot of these. I'd say that would be your best bet for your roving Dane   

Oh, and you could quite easily fit him into a ranger unit. 


www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

[Dr. The Viking]

www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

There now, I bookmarked the page for whenever I have the bees to realise this. 

[Malamute]

Hi there,

I was wandering if there was any smaller national contingents of the lesser European countries in the French & Indian War? Perhaps as mercenaries or something similar. Danish/Swedish participants would be of special interest.

I'm guessing that the odds are slim.. but I'd like to try my luck here with you guys. 

I am sure Peter Jackson would make a great film with this as a subject.

[Captain Blood]

I am sure Peter Jackson would make a great film with this as a subject.

Yes! Starring Elijah Wood as one of Thorbjørn's great great great ancestors! 

[Dr. The Viking]

Well I'll be damned! 


EDIT: Oh and Mameluke -how can I get my hands on one of those Zorroes? Preferable a dyslectic one. 

[HerbyF]

As was said earlier there had been Dutch colonies, but these had been taken ove by the British by this time. There were some Germans serving with the British but not as separate units. Both the French & British had foreigners serving in their Armed forces but not in independent units. Many of the colonists were of various european dissent, including Swedes, Danes, Germans & Dutch. Scotts & Irish were also considered foreign and may have served on either side.

[Malamute]

Well I'll be damned! 


EDIT: Oh and Mameluke -how can I get my hands on one of those Zorroes? Preferable a dyslectic one. 

By way of a donation to the King Kong film appreciation society or here:  www.boothillminiatures.co.uk  The choice is yours

[Aaron]

I actually have ancestors who were "Pennsylvania Dutch". In true American fashion the term refers not to actual Dutch but rather the early German settlers (specifically Mennonites I believe). To the colonial ear their uncivilized mumbling of "deutsch" sounded like "Dutch". 

[Shikari Sahib]

Thorbjørn you could refight battles some 100 year before, lot of Swedish against Algonquins and Dutch  with Iroquois against the French. is my favourite period at the moment.

Piero