My last unit (for the moment?) of Ottoman Infantry for the Siege of Vienna in 1683.
The bulk of the Ottoman infantry were composed of Provincial militia and volunteers like Azabs usually armed with halberds or Musket armed mercenaries like Levends (usually from Anatolia or the Balkans) and Sekbans.
These forces were vital for the Ottomans to make up the numbers. They were cheap and disposable and released after each campaign. While defensively and in siege warfare under able leadership these mercenary troops performed well, in field battles they usually performed below par. They lacked discipline, uniform, reliable equipment and were incapable of facing European line infantry in firefights employing salvo and volley fire techniques. They largely performed as individual marksmen which put them at a big disadvantage in firefights, as the slow loading and inaccurate musket required large numbers of bullets fired to put sufficient numbers on targets and to be followed by another rank firing volleys while first reloaded. This required drill and discipline which these Irregulars didn’t possess.
The figures are from the great Warfare Miniatures and can be found here!
12 figure @ 5pts each adds 60 pts to my total.
Another fine looking bunch Ray...lovely work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith.
DeleteThey look good front and back.
ReplyDeleteOttoman? Wonder if anyone ever tried to put their feet up on them?
Those who did, didn't do it again.
DeleteExcellent work sir!
ReplyDeleteCheers Michal.
DeleteThis is a fine batch of figures, Ray!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jonathan.
DeleteA fine looking unit Ray
ReplyDeleteCheers Neil.
DeleteLove tour painting, Ray, splendid stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteVery cool irregular troops, Ray. They look like trouble!
ReplyDeleteThey are Dean!
DeleteNice work again Ray. Your Ottomans are coming along nicely.
ReplyDeleteCheers Lawrence!
DeleteThese all look great Ray! Lovely work on them all!
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon!
DeleteBeautiful Ray.
ReplyDeleteCheers George.
DeleteA handsome job on those lads Ray.
ReplyDeleteAnother fine looking unit of th riff-raff and ne'erdowells.
ReplyDelete