Uniformology Book Series Number 23

23 Freikorps of the Seven Years War By Bruce Bassett-Powell

26 Pages of text and 18 color plates


The Seven Years War (1756-1763) was probably the first true World War with the conflict being waged not only in Europe, but in the Indian sub-continent, the West Indies and North America. In Europe, the armies of Austria, France, Prussia, Russia and Great Britain, not to mention a score of German kingdoms, principalities and dukedoms battled for the balance of power on the continent. For Prussia and Frederick the Great, the war was a continuation of the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748) which contested the rights of Maria Theresa to the Hapsburg throne. Although the Prussian army was mostly made up of regulars, a large number of volunteers, soldiers of fortune and freebooters were assembled into units by, usually wealthy, soldiers of fortune who offered their services to the Prussian King. These units were known as Freikorps and proved to be of limited value militarily. However, they served as line of communications troops, scouts and, more often than not, harassing forces who put the fear of God into stragglers and the civilian population. Some of these units even changed sides and both Austria and France would employ their own Free corps or Legions. This volume examines these corps, detailing their history (where known) and describing their uniforms. Finely restored illustrations by Philip Cranz of Knötel and Marbot prints provide the color plates along with two by the author.