45eme Newsletter, June 2017.
By the time you read this it should be into June with Hole park just behind us, and Marengo just coming up, those interested in the latter will find a good section in the middle on the battle and the area both past and present.
News and views
Hole park saw us joined by a new recruit, Sam Hutchinson whom some met at Ickworth. Despite contacts in the British camp Sam was attracted to the atmosphere of the French, the comradeship and the knowledge that the hobby needs a good turn out of French to put on a show. He acquitted himself well and made friends of us all. Welcome aboard.
Hats! Can all be reminded that it was thought unseemly to go about outdoors without some form of hat. The bonnet may not seem an attractive option in hot weather but if an issue straw hats are acceptable and will also keep you cool.
We are also trying to get folk into the habit (no pun intended) of doing up the button that holds the giberne in place on the tailcoat and stops it shifting or riding up if have to move at speed. Soldats should also be mindful that whites are fine around camp and for manual labour but le bleu is appropriate for military duties, especially when representing the regiment.
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Hole park saw us joined by a new recruit, Sam Hutchinson whom some met at Ickworth. Despite contacts in the British camp Sam was attracted to the atmosphere of the French, the comradeship and the knowledge that the hobby needs a good turn out of French to put on a show. He acquitted himself well and made friends of us all. Welcome aboard.
Hats! Can all be reminded that it was thought unseemly to go about outdoors without some form of hat. The bonnet may not seem an attractive option in hot weather but if an issue straw hats are acceptable and will also keep you cool.
We are also trying to get folk into the habit (no pun intended) of doing up the button that holds the giberne in place on the tailcoat and stops it shifting or riding up if have to move at speed. Soldats should also be mindful that whites are fine around camp and for manual labour but le bleu is appropriate for military duties, especially when representing the regiment.
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Hole Park.
The end of May bank holiday saw a return of the 45eme to Hole park for what seems to be the biggest Napoleonic event of the year in the UK.
The French were made up of ourselves, the 21 and 85eme, our friends in the Sappeurs and the 69th, as well as which ever artillery and cavalry were on our side for that day.
Sunday saw the invasion of Kent going well, massed guns and some well handled vollies saw the British fall right back. Few will forget the strange Mexican stand off that was put down to a communications break down followed by all dying half way up the slope.
That night saw another tug of war contest and Laura's highly successful dinner with one very long table and many, many courses, all ending in fireworks, well electroworks as a massive lightning storm filled the sky
The Sunday battle has been highly praised by all parties, everyone performing at the top of their game, skeins of smoke, rockets and barricades creating a backdrop to the valiant last stand of the French brigade.
A very successful weekend for the 45e and for the Napoleonic association.
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The French were made up of ourselves, the 21 and 85eme, our friends in the Sappeurs and the 69th, as well as which ever artillery and cavalry were on our side for that day.
Sunday saw the invasion of Kent going well, massed guns and some well handled vollies saw the British fall right back. Few will forget the strange Mexican stand off that was put down to a communications break down followed by all dying half way up the slope.
That night saw another tug of war contest and Laura's highly successful dinner with one very long table and many, many courses, all ending in fireworks, well electroworks as a massive lightning storm filled the sky
The Sunday battle has been highly praised by all parties, everyone performing at the top of their game, skeins of smoke, rockets and barricades creating a backdrop to the valiant last stand of the French brigade.
A very successful weekend for the 45e and for the Napoleonic association.
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Andreas Hofer and the Tyrolean insurrection!
A few years ago I was on holiday in Austria and staying at a Hotel in Soll, the foyer was dominated by a large portrait painting of a bearded man in a wide brimmed hat and smock, maybe even the picture below, the brass caption read 'Andreas Hofer, 1809'. Who was this man?
Andreas Hofer was the son of a Tyrolean innkeeper and trader in wine and horses across the border to Italy, in earlier campaigns against France he had served as a sharp shooter and then as a militia captain, all these experiences would see him become a first class partisan leader when the Tyrol was ceded to Bavaria after Austerlitz. Hofer sought support from the Emperor Francis I and was promised aid when the time came for open rebellion. A secret network formed, letters were addressed to Hofer with no address, just passed on from hand to hand, and replies from him were signed 'From wherever I am.'
1809 saw open war with France seem inevitable and the people mobilized, sacks of sawdust were poured into the river Inn as a signal, church bells rang, to arms! Several garrisons were over run and a Bavarian field army was defeated at Sterzing. Innsbruck was controlled by the rebels, it would change hands several times.
Many successes followed with the Partisan forces numbering in their thousands and soon supported by Austrian regular battalions.
However with the ongoing war against Napoleon these regulars were withdrawn to the main armies, yet without them the Bavarians were beaten again in May, only the armistice following Wagram dampened the Tyroleon cause as French forces were now free to join the war in the Tyrol. Hofer and his leftenants withdrew to the mountains but still defeated a French force by charging down a mountain at them at Bergisel. Hofer proclaimed himself Imperial commandant of the Tyrol. A high price was put on his head.
Sadly Hofer was betrayed by a neighbour (who later died in poverty having been driven out to live in Bavaria) and he was captured and taken to Italy where after a trial he was sentenced to death by firing squad. He is reported to have tipped the Italian soldiers 'to shoot straight' and gave the order to fire himself. Napoleon has been credited with saying 'Put him on trial, then shoot him' but he later denied to Metternich that he had wanted Hofer executed and there is no evidence either way.
Today the state anthem of the Tyrol 'Zu Mantua in Banden' (To Mantua in chains) recalls the life and death of Hofer and his most famous quote also lives on;
'I will not trade my life for a lie.'
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Intelligence briefing: Marengo!
A (very) Brief History:
The battle of Marengo was fought on 14 June, 1800. The main Austrian field army under Melas was stationed near the French-Italian border and thus Napoleon's unexpected route through the Alps cut the Austrians off from their line of communications. Melas was a capable commander but had been reluctantly called out of retirement and was 70, having lead Hungarian grenadiers in the seven years war.
A battle was fought against field Marshal Ott at Montebello on the ninth, a costly French victory as the enemy had artillery on the high ground, and Melas fell back on the defensible city of Alessandria.
Napoleon believed the Austrians were going to retreat and so dispatched a sizeable force to North and South to cut the Austrians off.
But the Austrians attacked the now divided French force.
Two Austrian assaults near Marengo village failed as the French held a farm covering the road and bridge but Bonaparte still thought this was a rear guard action until eleven o'clock when he urgently sent riders out to recall the two detachments.
The Austrians came on in strength, breaking the French centre with more troops approaching Lannes flank and Dragoons capturing Marengo farm.
Napoleon deployed his consular guard but they were mauled by cavalry and defeated. The whole line was being pushed back towards San Giuliano vecchio. It would be a long, mostly defensive, day for the French.
Around 17.00 the line recovered somewhat but was still shaken and seemed like only one more push from Melas would win the day.
In the musketry and fire from the few remaining guns the arrival of Desaix was masked and took the Austrians by surprise, at the same time a charge from Kellerman's cavalry stuck home and caused death and disorder. A supply of ammunition also exploded in the rear. Suddenly shaken by a reversal of fortune the Austrians fell back into Alessandria. A last defense of some Habsburg troops was fought around Marengo village until nightfall.
The aftermath of the battle was an Austrian evacuation of North Italy and a gain in political power for Napoleon who became ipso facto leader of France on his return, leaving for Paris the day after.
General Kellerman, son of Kellerman of Valmy, never felt his contribution to winning the battle was recognised although it probably saved his neck when he went looting as Napoleon responded to complaints with 'aaah, Kellerman, I cannot hear that name without thinking of Marengo.' Those who served in the Marengo campaign are often thought to have been regarded as favourites.
General Kellerman, son of Kellerman of Valmy, never felt his contribution to winning the battle was recognised although it probably saved his neck when he went looting as Napoleon responded to complaints with 'aaah, Kellerman, I cannot hear that name without thinking of Marengo.' Those who served in the Marengo campaign are often thought to have been regarded as favourites.
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Some useful Italian, courtesy of Paul Wisken.
You may find this useful at Marengo.
These are the basics.
Local guides can be useful.
Yes: Si
No: No
Please: 3 possibilities.
Most common: Per favore.
Alternative: Per cortesia.
And a useful word: Prego (Literally “I pray”).
Prego is used as in “Attenzione prego” (Attention please), but also to attract attention (for example, to call a waiter in a restaurant), and as a polite response to “Grazie”.
Thank you: Grazie (GRAH-tsee-eh)
When being served in a restaurant, the exchange of “Grazie” – “Prego” (“Thank you” – “You’re welcome”) can take several minutes from your evening!
Excuse me (as in “sorry”, or “please repeat”): Scusi
Excuse me (as in “may I pass?”): Permesso?
I would like… : Vorrei
How much is it? : Quanto costa.
I am English: Sono Inglese.
Sorry, I do not speak Italian: Miscusi, no parlo italiano.
He speaks Italian: Lui parla italiano.
Numbers:
uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque,
sei, sette, otto, nove, dieci.
Also:
The voltigeurs are paying. I Voltigeurs stanno pagando.
Please be quiet: Aahh shut up aya face!
Please be quiet: Aahh shut up aya face!
Please don't touch my bottom again: per favore non toccare nuovamente il mio fondo.
Some key phrases for talking to Austrians (white trousers)
Alright, we are going!: (use before 5 pm) in ordnung gehen wir.
Look behind you: Schau hinter dich! (use about 05:30)
Hands up: Hände hoch! (anytime after)
Give me that chicken: Gib Mir das huhn. (as required)
Things to say to Hungarians (Blue trousers)
What a fantastic moustache! please dont kill me. Milyen fantasztikus bajusz! Kerlek, ne olj meg.
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A map of Alessandria and surrounding area, Marengo is to the South-East. 
Allesandria's star fort on the river is why Melas chose the location as a base, highly defensible, although his decision to come out and attack nearly paid off. Today the base is still used by the Italian military so is not open to the public at most times.
Marengo has its own museum of quite an impressive size, website here:
https://piemonte.abbonamentomusei.it/Musei/MARENGO-MUSEUM
Much of the countryside around Marengo has apparently changed little, with the farm complex and tower that appears in so many paintings still intact. The museum is on the site of the inn mentioned in some accounts. The old road still exists and a new road runs along the path General Zach took towards the French lines at San Guiliono and beyond toThere is Torre Garifoli where Napoleons headquarters were.
The current weather forecaste for the June weekend is sunny with possible thunder storms, average temperature 26 degrees, slightly higher than normal!
This should be a great event, all the way to Italy and back to 1800 so don't forget bicornes and sabre briquets can be worn by all, all for General Bonaparte, and vive L'republique!
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Louis Desaix. 1768 - 1800.
Desaix was born to an impoverished aristocratic family and joined the French army on maturity, come the revolution he threw himself into it and supported it's ideals. Experience and a natural talent for command saw him rapidly promoted although he was briefly imprisoned for his association with some Royalists. He was cleared and was a popular general besides Bonaparte, Kleber and Hoche. He was named to command the ’Army of England’ should an invasion go ahead.
Further fame came in Egypt where his division took the brunt of the attack at the battle of the pyramids, and even the natives called him 'The just Sultan'.
He left Eygpt with Napoleon but was late getting an infantry command for the 1800 campaign. His timely arrival at Marengo helped turn defeat into victory but he was mortally wounded leading his men. He died the same day as his friend Kleber, still in Eygpt.
Desaix would undoubtedly have become a marshal had he lived, a man of fine qualities, intellectual and fair and he never allowed plundering.
It has been suggested that Napoleon gained from Desaix' death as he might have been seen as the true Victor of Marengo, saving the day, but I believe Napoleon was genuinely aggrieved and dedicated monuments and street names to the man.
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Louis Desaix. 1768 - 1800.
Desaix was born to an impoverished aristocratic family and joined the French army on maturity, come the revolution he threw himself into it and supported it's ideals. Experience and a natural talent for command saw him rapidly promoted although he was briefly imprisoned for his association with some Royalists. He was cleared and was a popular general besides Bonaparte, Kleber and Hoche. He was named to command the ’Army of England’ should an invasion go ahead.
Further fame came in Egypt where his division took the brunt of the attack at the battle of the pyramids, and even the natives called him 'The just Sultan'.
He left Eygpt with Napoleon but was late getting an infantry command for the 1800 campaign. His timely arrival at Marengo helped turn defeat into victory but he was mortally wounded leading his men. He died the same day as his friend Kleber, still in Eygpt.
Desaix would undoubtedly have become a marshal had he lived, a man of fine qualities, intellectual and fair and he never allowed plundering.
It has been suggested that Napoleon gained from Desaix' death as he might have been seen as the true Victor of Marengo, saving the day, but I believe Napoleon was genuinely aggrieved and dedicated monuments and street names to the man.
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Probably one of the best and busiest Dover events the 45eme have done. For two days instead of the usual one due to the need for getting filming of the regiments promotional film. This made for a good pace with a bit of leisure time but not too much as sometimes happens.
Advancing and firing in some shady woods was our first scene followed by similar up a grassy hill where on the command action! I immediately face planted into the slope. It would be the first of many trips for people that weekend.
Given our modest numbers instead of a drill display we did a little talk and had a three-roubds-in-a-minute firing competition, with half making it and half just a little over. Good show.
In the evening we ventured into town and had a lovely time and some good food in a quayside bar/restaurant and returned to camp for a grandstand view of fireworks down at the harbour.
Camp scenes filmed in the morning with Duncan doing paperwork and turning a blind eye to soldat Darren, Bob and myself gambling although he must have heard Bob's plaintiff wailing everything his cash was cleared out. Caporale Tobin provided the music whilst cantinere Tobin provided the drink in return for some of our winnings.
Another display and the Skirmish, joined by the very friendly and colourful Romney Marsh smugglers'. Always a good little amphitheatre to fight and die in!
Last but not least was our closing scene of capturing the fort, filmed only six times due to small children, misfires and another trip up. Not me, I was busy dying six times. I feel confident some good action will come out of it.
It was good to see old acquaintances again and the Western heights preservation society say it was their most successful open day yet and it didn't rain on either day, bonus!
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Rogues Gallery
Staff NCB (non commisioned Bear) of the 85eme.
Beating the advance!
An atmospheric moment at Hole park.
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Next edition will be late summer/Autumn. As always contributions and news welcome.
VIVE L'45eme!
