28 mm Prussian Landwehr, marching

Napoleonic Wars: Prussian Landwehr. Parts for 40 figures in different poses. The Prussian Landwehr was a militia unit that was founded after Prussia's devastating defeats by Napoleon at the beginning of the 19th century. The Landwehr, officially founded in 1813, was a central component of the Prussian military reform, which aimed to build up a broad-based national army. These units were largely made up of civilian volunteers and reservists – farmers, artisans and students – motivated by patriotism and the desire to resist the French occupation. Although the Landwehr was less well trained than regular troops, it played a decisive role in the War of Liberation (1813–1814) and later campaigns. It symbolized a more democratic and nationalist spirit within the Prussian army.