Minifigure – Prussian Landwehr Infantryman (Militia) from the Napoleonic Wars (LEGO Compatible)

This image displays a toy minifigure representing a Prussian Landwehr Infantryman (Militia) from the Napoleonic Wars, specifically depicting a soldier from the province of Silesia (Schlesien).

Here is a detailed breakdown of the figure and its historical significance:

The Figure: Prussian Silesian Landwehr This figure represents a “citizen-soldier” of Prussia. Unlike the N021 figure (which depicted a Landwehr soldier in the dark grey Litewka coat), this figure is dressed in a Blue Uniform, which became more common as the war progressed and supplies improved.

• Headgear: He wears the distinctive Prussian Schirmmütze (peaked field cap). The defining feature is the Iron Cross (or Landwehr Cross) printed on the front. This symbol was specific to the militia, representing their patriotic crusade to liberate Germany. The cap is blue with a yellow band.

• Uniform: He wears a dark blue tunic. The key identifier here is the Yellow Collar and Cuffs. In the Prussian Landwehr system, the color of the facings (collars/cuffs) identified the province the soldier came from. Yellow was the color for Silesia.

• Equipment: He wears the standard white cross-belts and carries a brown knapsack (backpack) on his back.

• Weapon: He is equipped with a Musket with a Bayonet. The Landwehr often had to make do with older or captured muskets, as the best weapons went to the Line Infantry.

• Facial Features: He has a clean-shaven, stern expression, typical of a disciplined soldier.

Historical Background: The Prussian Landwehr was a massive militia force raised in 1813 during the War of Liberation (Befreiungskrieg) against Napoleon. After years of French occupation, Prussia called upon all able-bodied men to fight. The Silesian Landwehr were particularly famous because they fought under the direct command of the aggressive Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. Despite being civilians with limited training, they fought with incredible ferocity and played a crucial role in the decisive victories at Leipzig and Waterloo.