They wore the red coat, but they spoke German. They were the only troops the Duke of Wellington trusted as much as his Guards. But who were the King’s German Legion (KGL), and how did a group of exiled refugees become the deadliest unit in the Peninsular Army?
In this documentary, we uncover the history of the King’s German Legion, from their formation after the French occupation of Hanover to their legendary exploits on the battlefields of Spain and Belgium. Unlike mercenaries, these men fought for a homeland that had been wiped off the map.
We analyze their unique combined-arms structure, the lethal accuracy of their rifle battalions, and the “impossible” charge at Garcia Hernandez where their heavy dragoons did what no other cavalry could—smashing three French infantry squares in a single day. finally, we recount their tragic and heroic stand at La Haye Sainte during the Battle of Waterloo, a defense that arguably saved the Allied line.
– The Exile’s Army: How the KGL was formed from the dissolved Hanoverian army.
– Tactics & Gear: The Baker Rifle, the heavy cavalry sword, and the “Green Jacket” skirmishers.
– The Miracle at Garcia Hernandez: Breaking the invincible French Square.
– The Eyes of the Army: Why Wellington trusted the KGL Hussars above all others.
– Waterloo: The defense of La Haye Sainte and the legacy of the Legion.
Credit to : British War History