Non Commissioned Officers were usually drawn from the ranks and appointed by merit. They were responsible for the more mundane tasks that were beneath an officer's time, like basic inspections of gear, drilling and day to day discipline. In battle they often relayed orders from their superiors and helped protect the Standard bearer and flag from attack. They used pikes or other similar weapons to stop cavalry or smash infantry that drew dangerous close.
This rubber mould can cast a semi-flat figure with a pike. You should be able to cast 4 to 5 figures per ingot.
The battle of Rossbach was fought on November 5th 1757 between the Prussian army of Frederick the Great and the combined armies of France and the German Empire under Soubize.
When the allied commanders noticed the Prussians moving back from their previous positions to behind a hill they mistakenly believed thy were retreating even before the battle begun and recklessly advanced to overtake and destroy them. The Prussians realising the allies error, prepared their cavalry and artillery just out of sight of the allies over the hill crest. As the Franco-German army surged up the hill, they were suddenly met by the Prussian cavalry at full gallop and the roar of artillery fire, which threw them into disarray. Despite valiant attempts by the French cavalry to halt the now advancing Prussian infantry and rank their own troops, the battle was lost and Prussia won the day.
