BATTLE OF TURIN 1706: THE GENERAL BERNHARD OTTO VON REHBINGER (1662 - 1742)

For quite some time, I had in my collection an old drawing depicting a senior officer who took part in the Battle of Turin on 7 September 1706. I felt that the time had finally come to do justice to this historical figure, transforming the original drawing into a more detailed and evocative illustration while preserving the distinctive appearance of a senior officer of the early eighteenth century.

The officer I have chosen to depict is General Bernhard Otto von Rehbinder (1662–1742), a distinguished military commander whose career spanned several decades and whose name became closely associated with the Savoyard army.

Born on 21 November 1662 in Reval (present-day Tallinn, Estonia), then part of the Swedish Empire, Rehbinder belonged to an old Baltic German noble family of Lutheran faith. He embarked upon a military career at an early age, initially serving in the Swedish army and subsequently gaining experience in the military service of other European powers.

During the War of the Spanish Succession, he distinguished himself as an experienced and capable commander. At the Battle of Turin on 7 September 1706, he commanded the centre of the Allied army, including Palatine and Imperial troops. His leadership proved particularly valuable during the assault on the Franco-Spanish defensive positions. Contemporary accounts describe his determined conduct and the repeated attacks carried out by his troops against the enemy entrenchments. His courage, tactical judgement and composure earned him the admiration of Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, who subsequently secured his services.

Rehbinder continued to distinguish himself in the following campaigns, taking part in the expedition into Provence and the siege of Toulon in 1707. He later held important military appointments in the Savoyard army, eventually rising to the highest ranks of the kingdom's military establishment. In 1711, his name became associated with a newly raised German infantry regiment in Savoyard service, the Rehbinder Regiment, which would continue its military history long after the conclusion of the War of the Spanish Succession. He was subsequently appointed Governor of Pinerolo and rose to the rank of Field Marshal in the service of the House of Savoy. Rehbinder died in Turin on 12 November 1742, after a long and distinguished military career.

Through this illustration, I have attempted to bring back to life one of the less frequently portrayed commanders of the 1706 campaign. 

General Bernahard Otto von Rehbinder (1662 - 1742), as Gouvernor of Pinerolo
Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

THE MAP OF MASSAUA IN 1888. A UNIQUE GEM

I have finally received this 1937 book, which traces the development of cartography in Italian East Africa, starting from its very beginnings, namely 1885. It contains many maps, and I thought I would share one as a little gift as better expalined furhter.

This book is a truly unique work, providing access to the military maps used by the Regio Esercito throughout its campaigns from 1885 onwards.

In fact, topographical surveys in Eritrea began almost immediately after the occupation of Massawa in 1885. The need for an accurate survey of the small island on which the town stood, as well as the adjoining coastal terrain, prompted the Istituto Geografico Militare (Italian Military Geographical Institute) to dispatch Lieutenant Lavallea as early as 1885 to carry out the necessary topographical work at a scale of 1:10,000.

The survey was based on a small measured baseline and a graphical triangulation derived from it. The area surveyed included the islands of Massawa and Taulud, together with the adjacent coastline.

In 1888, Lieutenant Lavallea himself used this original survey to produce a revised map of the area at a scale of 1:25,000, incorporating the first construction works undertaken by the Italian colonial authorities.

It was from this pioneering cartographic work that the map reproduced here originated. I have now brought it to life in colour, revealing the extraordinary detail of the area as it appeared during the earliest years of the Italian presence in Eritrea.

I wanted to share this little historical gem with all of you through my blog: a rare and, I would venture to say, truly unique piece of military cartographic history.

Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

Here at bigger size to have a full vision of the details.

I have also the Assab's map, original dating 1885, that will be reproduced in my booklet.

ITALIAN COLONIAL CAMPAIGNS 1885 - 1887

The Italian colonial adventure began not at Massawa (Massaua in Italian), but in the small village of Assab, much further to the south. Initially, it was intended simply to serve as a coaling station for Italian ships passing through the Red Sea following the opening of the Suez Canal.

This remarkably detailed map once again reflects the almost obsessive attention to detail characteristic of the Royal Italian Army, whose officer corps, including its senior officers, was still overwhelmingly of Piedmontese origin. This background was reflected in a meticulous approach to surveying and cartography, with virtually every geographical feature carefully recorded.

Assab territories 1880

Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

Of particular interest are the three short exploratory expeditions undertaken to gain a better understanding of the surrounding territory. The map even identifies areas inhabited by ostriches and others where white antelopes could be found.

Rubattino's Farm may be regarded as the very first Italian colonial settlement of all. 

BATTLE OF DOGALI 1887. THE MAP OF MASSAWA (MASSAUA) IN 1885

My booklet on the Battle of Dogali (1887) is gradually taking shape, alongside the other booklets I am preparing on the War of the Spanish Succession (WSS).

For the first time in my work on historical military cartography, I have used contemporary maps to reconstruct a detailed map of the city of Massawa (Massaua in Italian) and its various fortifications as they stood in 1885. To the best of my knowledge, no other maps of the area exist that are either as detailed or as extensive in their geographical coverage.

My next step will be to identify the landing sites and trace the occupation of the various forts and outposts, although the complete collection of maps will eventually be included in the booklet itself. I hope this work will be appreciated.

It is also interesting, particularly for my British friends, to understand how Italy's intervention in this region was, in effect, partly motivated by a desire to assist the British Empire, which was then facing serious difficulties in Sudan. In doing so, Italy acted in a spirit of European solidarity avant la lettre. Indeed, after some initial hesitation, the British themselves came to look favourably upon Italy's colonial venture in Abyssinia. 

Map of Massawa/Massaua and Environs in 1885
Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

RUSSIAN ARMY - 1805 MARIOULPOL HUSSAR REGIMENT

 Time has passed (just look at when I originally published this post), and techniques have improved considerably. So I decided to have another go at depicting a Russian hussar of the Mariupol Regiment in 1805. I was so pleased with the result that I am now seriously considering — unfortunately! — producing a few more paper soldiers, or perhaps even an entire unit in this style, such as a full squadron at a 1:1 scale.

The horse seemed a little too tall for a hussar's mount, so I adjusted the proportions and reduced its height.

BATTLE OF LUTZEN 1632 - THE COLOURS OF THE SACHSEN WEIMAR LEIBREGIMENT

I meant to bring a little order to these flags, which relate to one of my previous historical studies on this regiment at the Battle of Lützen in 1632.

In the centre is shown the colonel’s colour, already at that time with a white field, while around it are displayed five company colours, all bearing, in various ways, the colours of Saxony.

Colours of the Sachsen Weimar Wilhelm Leibregiment
Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

Then I realized that the flags for Companies 7, 8, 9 and 10 were missing (the regiment in fact fought at the Battle of Lützen with 10 companies, each with its own flag), so I wanted to put that right. Now all 10 flags are there.

Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

BATTLE OF DOGALI 1887 - THE COLONIAL ARMY OF THE KINGDOM OF ITALY

After several years since I first carried out my research and prepared the material, the time has finally come to present the splendid uniforms worn by the Italian soldiers — the famous “Five Hundred” — who fell heroically at Dogali.

One has to admit that style was, and still is, something almost innate in Italians. The uniforms, with their striking contrasts of colour, the officers’ blue sash, and the blue band on the helmets of the NCOs — what a touch of style! — make these some of the most beautiful uniforms I have ever reproduced. 

a better view of each:

1887 - Private
Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

Corporal - 1887
Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

Corporal Major

Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

I also wanted to highlight the system used to indicate rank, both among the enlisted men — Corporal and Corporal Major — and among the NCOs — Sergeant and Sergeant Major.

Sergeant - 1887
Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

Sergeant Major - 1887
Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

Second Lieutenant - 1887
Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIORE

And finally, a second lieutenant proudly holding the Italian flag of the Kingdom of Italy — the real flag! — which I then decided to place in a setting with a visual effect that I found particularly striking.

The result makes me think that, even for this largely forgotten battle, since I have already gathered a considerable amount of material, I could put together an interesting booklet, provided there is enough interest among enthusiasts.

Copyright Michele SAVASTA FIOR