8th Line Battalion, King's German Legion facts for kids
The 8th Line Battalion was a special army unit from Hanover. It served with the British army during the Napoleonic Wars, a time when many European countries were fighting. This battalion was part of a bigger group called the King's German Legion.
History of the 8th Line Battalion
This special army unit was created in 1806. It was the last of eight similar battalions that the King's German Legion formed. At first, it wasn't fully ready. But as more soldiers joined, the battalion became complete.
The 8th Line Battalion worked closely with the 7th Line Battalion. From 1805 to 1816, they served in many places. These included Ireland, Walcheren, Copenhagen, Sicily, the Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), and Belgium.
They also took part in a campaign in Northern Italy. This led to the capture of a city called Genoa in April 1814.
The Battle of Waterloo
On June 18, 1815, the battalion fought in the famous Battle of Waterloo. This was a very tough battle. The 8th Line Battalion fought in the middle of the British army's battle line. They faced heavy fighting and lost many soldiers. They even lost one of their flags during the battle.
What They Wore and Carried
The soldiers of the King's German Legion wore uniforms and used equipment similar to the British army. Their gear changed a few times between 1803 and 1815.
Here's what their uniform usually looked like:
- A red coat with dark blue cuffs and collar. It had special lace.
- Grey trousers or breeches.
- White leather straps and belts for their equipment.
- A black leather pouch for ammunition.
- A Brown Bess musket, which was their main weapon.
- A tall, stiff hat called a "stovepipe shako". Later, they used a "Belgic shako," which was a bit different.
One main difference from British units was their backpack. The 8th Line Battalion soldiers had dark blue backpacks, while British soldiers had black ones.
