german commonly known english translated black host black legion german military unit napoleonic wars corps raised volunteers german born duke duke harsh opponent occupation native germany formed war broke french empire corps initially comprised mixed force strong infantry cavalry later supporting artillery units corps wore black uniforms leading black nicknames unit light units wore green uniforms wore skull badge hats title originated claimed french abolished order incorporate lands french satellite kingdom earned reputation following decade taking significant battles including engagement june duke lost life recruiting replacement casualties finance problematic corps disbanded early 1820s exploits caught british victorian public imagination example found painting black completed painting depicts black uniform bidding goodbye unnamed woman formation early years war fifth coalition duke fatally wounded prussian defeat battle following prussia defeat collapse fourth coalition napoleon remained french control permit duke heir succeed father title napoleon seized incorporated newly created model ruled brother years later formed united_kingdom critic french domination germany seized opportunity seek austrian help raise armed force finance venture initial incarnation dated july strong free corps consisted battalions infantry battalion company mixed cavalry contingent including despite successful campaign austrian allies defeat battle july led july refused accept led black host germany succeeding briefly taking control city faced superior forces conducted remarkable fighting retreat germany twice holding pursuing armies battle finally evacuated royal_navy mouth landing england duke welcomed cousin brother law prince regent later king entered british service years earned sound reputation service british steady attrition battles skirmishes portugal spain combined lack political support financial difficulties led situation unit imminent disbandment looked likely war organized british service corps renamed represented large original officer corps enlisted men motivated german patriotism entered english service cut natural recruiting grounds compelled enlist men prisoner war camps fill ranks quality soldiers decreased worse king obtained best german recruits leaving desirable ones addition germans recruited poles swiss dutch war historian calls crew given records occasion men caught body shot rest gave good account war regiment single battalion arrived portugal early duke wellington distributed company companies remaining companies served newly formed remained organization end war april period served major battles including campaign following napoleon disastrous invasion russia subsequent retreat france able return reclaim title took opportunity ranks napoleon escape placed duke wellington command joined allied forces belgium corps called order battle formed division allied reserve strength given men composed infantry battalions light line battalions supported horse foot artillery battery guns included regiment single squadron attached allied cavalry corps battle hamlet strategic crossroads road brussels french control threaten city divide wellington allied army june initial main french force approached south came 2nd netherlands division formed line advance crossroads facing french infantry divisions cavalry brigade dutch nassau troops forced break reinforcements arrived dutch cavalry brigade followed closely regiment sent support dutch allied right western flank rest corps took reserve position brussels road inexperienced troops walking pipe french infantry attack halted allied line attacked turn french cavalry wellington moved infantry line subjected intense french artillery fire forcing fall short distance mass french infantry advanced main road led charge beaten swept shot short range broke rallied crossroads point duke reforming troops hit musket ball passed hand liver rescued men carried muskets died shortly duke final words aide dear colonel duke adjutant general assumed immediate command corps wellington ordered counterattack french light cavalry brigade driven heavy fire later battle french broke allied line prevented taking crossroads infantry formed squares allied reinforcements including newly arrived 3rd light regiments driven french starting positions losses day amounted killed wounded battle days later sunday june duke wellington positioned ridge near village order block napoleon advance road brussels formed wellington personal command capacity kept crest ridge avoided casualties opening french bombardment early afternoon moved slope reinforce fierce french attack brought forward place decided attempt break centre right allied line cavalry french horsemen charged hill allied infantry formed squares resist cavalry involved repeated attacks allied squares unable break including british officers regarded formed 7th attacks french retired eventually choice abandon attacks french capture fortified farm left gap centre wellington line infantry brought fill napoleon sent attacks effort break army faced veterans inexperienced broke line fell disorder rallied reached cavalry reserve rear fate british battalions finally guards halted thrown surprised flank attack dutch troops recovered sufficiently participate allied general advance swept french army field british sources number killed action day wounded missing following days escorted french prisoners brussels marched paris finally returned december uniform awarded nicknames contemporaries including black uniforms individual units comprised corps names suggest predominantly black varied details infantry units wore black polish coat type coat derived lithuanian called pairs black lace tall collar showed regimental colour trousers black blue stripe black shoes wore heads skull hunting horn badge light infantry black feather equipment austrian design manufacture companies wore dark green prussian style tall hat austrian origin elongated turned war replaced short black cavalry style equipment rank british pattern cavalry black light blue black black worn tight style wore black sword equipment originally austrian design squadron wore green jacket red traditional cap uniform copy austrian lance red yellow wearing black uniforms retained yellow topped wore similar clothing cavalry black colour black trousers additionally equipped standard sword need defend guns number speculative theories origin dark seemingly grim choice suggested black chosen duke late father sign respect duke mourning duke occupied homeland colonel served alongside reported black adopted mourning duke wife princess marie died black uniforms aside finally liberated inspired art black inspired exploits contrasts black pearl white moment tender conflict artwork took estimated months paint greatly admired time bought highest price received dealer publisher lucrative sum later purchased work private collection daughter kate model woman seen painting later years single infantry regiment maintained end napoleonic war uniform colour changed blue reverted black units integrated titles following prussian regimental numbering sequence units kept skull crossed bones helmets caps carried battle honours peninsula sicily end world war disbanded time collection artefacts uniforms napoleonic era presented officers corps seen today historic black retained dress parade uniform outbreak war august adopted dark blue prussian line infantry
Black Brunswickers