By Sir Reginald Savory (Original Publication: 1966)
The Allied Shield: Britain’s Continental Commitment
Introduction: Sir Reginald Savory’s His Britannic Majesty's Army in Germany is the authoritative account of the multi-national force led by Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick during the Seven Years' War. While British schoolbooks often focus on the "Year of Victories" at sea or in North America, Savory meticulously restores the reputation of the Anglo-Hanoverian army that shielded Frederick the Great’s western flank. This is a comprehensive study of the "Army of Observation," tracing its development from the defeat at Hastenbeck to its ultimate tactical brilliance at Minden and Warburg.
The 6mm Connection: For our Baccus 6mm project, this volume is essential for organising the Allied contingent. Savory provides the specific strengths and compositions for the British, Hanoverian, Hessian, and Brunswick units. When we assemble our 24-figure infantry battalions, 12-figure cavalry regiments, and 3 guns 12 Baccus figures artillery batteries, Savory’s narrative ensures we distinguish between the steady "British" infantry and the elite Hessian jägers. The detailed descriptions of the coordination between these diverse forces also inform how I place my Brigade commanders (two mounted Baccus figures) to represent the complex command-and-control challenges Ferdinand faced when wrangling his multi-lingual officers.
Historical Insight: The ultimate "lightbulb moment" in Savory's work is his tactical analysis of the Battle of Minden. He famously details the "unintentional" advance of the British infantry—six regiments that marched through a crossfire of French batteries and repelled three charges of the finest cavalry in Europe. Reading this reinforces why I give my British battalions high "Steady" and "First Fire" ratings in our games. It also clarifies the role of the overall commander (our three mounted Baccus figures), showing Ferdinand as a master of defensive positioning who could react with lightning speed to tactical opportunities.
Conclusion: Savory’s work is a towering achievement that rounds out our library by providing the definitive history of the "other" front. Without the success of Ferdinand’s army, the Prussian state would likely have been crushed from the west. This book ensures that our tabletop Allied forces are commanded with the tactical respect and historical accuracy that Savory so brilliantly champions, making it a cornerstone of the Third Silesian War project.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Muskets.
What do you think?
Have you read this volume? Let me know in the comments if you’ve used this research to inform your painting or game strategy!
Related project hubs for this period:
[The Silesian Wars 1740-1763 Project Hub] | [The Seven Years War 1756–1763 Project Hub]
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