Saturday 27 April 2019

A sister for Gneisenau

This is a further addition to the Prussian General Staff namely Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst the famous reformer of the Prussian Army. I had a spare vintage casting of PN.61 General Gneisenau which I mounted on a reproduction PNH/1 horse.


Scharnhorst fought at Auerstedt, Eylau and Lutzen, where he received a wound in the foot that eventually proved fatal. He is chiefly remembered for his reforms and efforts to modernise the Prussian Army which helped turn it into the efficient fighting machine it became by 1814.


Like Gneisenau, Scharnhorst eventually had a battlecruiser named after him although his namesake was sunk by the Royal Navy in 1943. The Gneisenau was also put out of action but this time by the RAF (the RAF radio operator signalled base “the Gneisenau is not so G-nice now”). I hope my two ‘sister’ generals have better luck.

13 comments:

Rob said...

Another lovely figure who will no doubt feature in the forthcoming Prussian parade. That said, not wanting to rain on your parade but... it's Scharnhorst not Sharnhorst.
I'm so much slower painting than you but have just finished a Napoleon and ADC, the latter courtesy of WM - they just need varnishing now. No doubt WM will give me his verdict tomorrow.

Stryker said...

Oops, now corrected!

Matt said...

Very smart (and efficient) looking fellows.

Stryker said...

Matt, yes they're both carrying maps which helps!

James Fisher said...

As with the eponymous capital ships, these two just go together!
Beaut painting Ian.

Wellington Man said...

Very nicely done, Ian!
Best regards
WM

Stryker said...

Thanks chaps!

Anonymous said...

Sehr gut

Stryker said...

Danke!

Anonymous said...

Lovely looking officers

Paul

Stryker said...

Thanks Paul, it's my favourite of the Prussian officer figures.

Mark Dudley said...

Another very nice figure. I rather like Hinton Hunt command figures, so full of character.

Stryker said...

Mark - yes I love the fact that Marcus produced so many personality figures and they all have their place in my own armies!