Austrian (Hungarian) Line [and Grenadiers], part 1

The 15 (in 1809) "Hungarian" line regiments of the Austrian army were in fact recruited from Hungary proper as well as Croatia and Siebenburg (Transylvania). Conscription was not allowed in these territories, and the organization of a Hungarian regiment was somewhat different from that of its German counterparts. First, at least nominally, the wartime strength of the companies was higher, 200 men as opposed to 180 for their German counterparts. There were three field battalions of six companies each in a Hungarian regiment, no depot battalion, and a slightly smaller "reserve division" (invalids) of 640 men. There were no Hungarian "reserve battalions" like there were in 1808/09 for the German regiments. Once again, each regiment also had two Grenadier companies of about 145 men each in wartime, which were brigaded into separate battalions assigned to the Army Reserve Corps.

IR #31, Benjowski, was recruited in Transylvania (bleah!), and has kaisergelb (Emperor Yellow) facings and white buttons. Once again reference is made to the Histofig site for the various shades of facing colors. It is depicted in the shako which began to replace the helmet starting in 1806, the transition continuing over several years, and starting with the Hungarian units.

The Hungarian regiments also had tight fitting medium to light blue paints, tucked in to low boots, unlike the high gaiters that the German regiments wore with their own white pants. There were decorated with yellow-mixed-with-black braiding down the outside seams, and also in decorative "Hungarian knots" on the front of the pants.

A final, rear view of the Benjowski regiment; note the distinctive arrangement of the canteens.

The next unit is IR #34, Davidovich, with krebsrot ("crab-red") facings and white metal buttons.

Hungarian regiments had pointed cuffs instead of the rounded cuffs of the German regiments. They should also have only one button at the point of the cuff (unlike the 2 buttons on the round German cuffs), and then a strip of white lace decoration extending down from the button towards the edge of the cuff ending in a fringe, termed baerentatzen, or a "bear's paw". Even in 25mm scale, I couldn't really depict these effectively, so it looks like 2 buttons.

A final, rear view of IR Davidovitch; I think the Hungarians look extremely smart with the light blue pants setting off the white coats, don't you? All of the figures in this post are once again the excellent Sash and Saber figures. Add to your 25mm ranges, guys...  please?!  In fairness, though, I have to say that the Austrian range is probably their broadest - German Line in Helmet, Hungarian Line in Shako, German and Hungarian Grenadiers (all with command packs, too), Artillerists, Chevau Legers, and 6# guns, 7# howitzers. Really need those 6 pounder Cavalry guns, though, and...

These chaps are from IR #48, Vukasovich - stahlgrun ("steel green") facings with yellow metal buttons. Note once again the fairly minimal ornamentation of the drummers uniform: just the facing colored wings with white lace borders and central rosette.

The Vukasovich regiment presses the attack!  Note the lace bands on the top of the shako of the officer and NCO. The details of the arrangement displayed the wearer's rank.

These are Hungarian Grenadiers, by their yellow facings belonging to IR #2 and/or #31.Their bearskin caps originally lacked a peak (or visor), but by this time it had been added, at least to newly supplied caps. I'll cover the Grenadiers in more detail in a future post, but as these fellows are also Sash and Saber castings, I opted to include them in this one.

As I have mentioned previously, by my own conceit as de facto Kaiser of my wargames armies, my Grenadier units are unique among the infantry in carrying the white Leibfahne.  This bears the arms of the Austrian Empire on one side, same as the yellow Ordinarfahne, but the other side bears an image of the Virgin Mary.

This picture shows the rear of the bearskin caps, nicknamed fauteuil ("armchair") by the French for its shape. The rear of the cap was usually in the facing color, with wavy white lace bands of somewhat varied patterns decorating the cloth backs.

A final shot of the Hungarian Grenadiers. All of the buildings in the pictures in this post, aside from the Church, are Hovel's Northern European buildings, once again painted by me.

That's it for today; good gaming to you all!

Austrian (German) Line, part 1

In 1809, the Austrian Army had a total of 61 Line Infantry regiments, of which  15 were Hungarian, and the remaining 46 "German", although their recruitment might in fact include such diverse regions as Italy, Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Galicia along with Inner, Upper and Lower Austria. A "German" regiment had six companies per field battalion, plus a 4 company depot or garrison battalion, which was expanded to a full six companies. Nominally, each company had 4 officers and 180 men, although those numbers were rarely achieved, especially in peacetime.  There was also a 720 man invalid "reserve division" per regiment, and, . Finally, starting in 1808,  just to make things more confusing, each German regiment also had 2 "reserve battalions" per regiment, consisting of men whose conscription had been deferred and remained at their peacetime occupations until called up when needed. Each regiment also included 2 grenadier companies of (theoretically) 145 men each.

Each regiment had a supposedly unique combination of facing colors (no less than 24 different hues - see the histofig site for examples of the various shades  as well as the facing an button colors (white or yellow metal) assigned to each regiment. There is also a complete table of the Line regiments with their recruitment and individual uniform distinctions in Osprey Men at Arms #179, Austrian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (1): Infantry by Phillip Haythornwaite.  For me, having all of these facing colors to play with are a big part of the attraction of raising an Austrian Napoleonic wargames army!

This unit is Infanterie Regiment (IR) #42, Graf  ("Count") Erbach. Austrian regiments are denoted both by their numerical designation, and the Inhaber, or proprietor, who had wide latitude in the internal administration, promotion, etc within his regiment, but who also generally did not in fact command the regiment himself in the field. As the Inhabers changed with some frequency, so did their designations!

The helmet, or Casquet, which I think is particularly attractive as well as distinctive, was introduced in 1798. In late 1806, a new "double billed" shako was authorized to replace the helmet, but was only introduced gradually over time, starting first with the Hungarian regiments; thus, most German regiments in 1809 are generally depicted as still wearing the helmet. This regiment was recruited in Bohemia, and has orange-yellow (orangegelb) facings and white metal buttons.

The next regiment is IR #38, FM Herzog ("Duke") Ferdinand von Wurttemburg, and was of Walloon recruitment. It has rosenrot ("rose-pink") facings with yellow metal buttons.

This rear view shows the flag nicely; this is the yellow Ordinarfahne. It was essentially identical for all regiments, although starting in 1806 some regiments had their number and an abbreviated regimental title inscribed on their colors. As a purely wargamer's device, I restrict the white Leibfahne for use by my Grenadier and Cuirassier units.

This slightly blurry photo is of  IR #35, Graf Argentau. The unit was recruited in Bohemia, and has krebsrot (crab red) facings and yellow buttons.

This shot shows the drummer nicely. Compared with other armies of the time, his uniform distinctions are limited to shoulder "wings" with white lace borders and central white lace "rosettes"; the lace could also appear on the collars and cuffs. The drum has regulation black and yellow striped rims (the colors of the House of Hapsburg). Rare variations in the rim colors are known, and at least one regiment, that whose proprietor was Erzherzog Karl himself, known to be a stickler for adherence to regulations, had Blue crests to the helmets of its drummers (matching their facing color). Woo-hoo!  :-)

The final unit is IR #24, Baron Strauch. Recruited in Lower Austria and later Galicia, it has kornblumenblau ("cornflower" or dark blue) facings with white metal buttons. This picture shows well how I paint these guys - pure white on the coats and pants, then wash with a light blue-grey (I use Delta Ceramacoat "Wedgwood Blue"), and paint over the crossbelts again with pure white. I think it's very effective, and really, what could be easier to paint than that?

Note the black/very dark grey coat on the officer, the Oberrock. this double breasted coat had the collar and usually the cuffs in the regimental facing color, and regimental colored buttons as well. Officially to be worn when the men were wearing their greatcoats, it was probably the most popular dress for company level officers at any time. note also his gold and black sash, the mark of Austrian officers throughout the Napoleonic wars. All of these units are Sash and Saber figures. Beautiful sculpts, aren't they?  Full of life and animation, especially the NCO's!  as I've remarked before, I selfishly wish their 40mm stuff was less successful so that they'd focus more on adding to their 25mm ranges!

That's it for now; future posts will cover the Hungarian regiments and the Grenadiers, among others.

French Ligne, Part 2

OK, so like I said in my first post on the subject of French Line Infantry, you can never have too much French Ligne if you're a Napoleonic wargamer!  This batch are the most recently painted of all my French Line, and represent the units of  Claparede and Clausel's Divisions under Marmont at the end of the 1809 campaign . All are Old Glory figures in overcoats - I think the pose is Advancing. The five units were made up of 1 bag each of Center (Fusilier) companies (30), Elites (30), Command (20) and "Energetic French" (15).

The first unit is the 5e Ligne. The "regulation" overcoat was tan, the shade obviously likely to vary widely. This unit is distinguished by a rather light colored coat, and the majority of the figures wear the "bonet de police", or fatigue hat.

Unlike most of my units, these guys have 1812 pattern standards based upon the Tricolor; it just seemed fitting for this more rag-tag bunch. Wearing overcoats, they can easily double as militia or National Guards if need be.

 Rear view; with the fatigue "stocking caps" and coats, only the epaulets distinguish the elite companies of this regiment!

So *this* unit is actually Legere regiment, the 8e. How can one tell, you ask? Well, even though the coat covers most of their uniform, they have dark blue pants, of course!  Hmm, not impressed, eh?  Well, that's part of why I chose the somewhat non-regulation light blue/"steel grey" overcoats for this unit, so it would easily stand out from the rest of the Division!

The majority of the figures in this regiment came from the "Energetic French" pack. They *do* look rather energetic, don't they?

 Rear view of the 8e Legere; I like to use officers in Bicorn for my Legere units whenever possible. Don't ask me why, I just find they fit the feel of these Light Infantry units better.

Back to the Ligne regiments; this one is the 23e Ligne. The coats on this unit are a somewhat darker shade of tan than that of the 5e.  And yes, if you look closely, I managed to glue the flag on upside down, grr!

The unit is also distinguished by the light grey "oilskin" shako covers, used to protect the headgear in foul weather.  Sometimes regimental numbers or designs were painted onto these covers.

 In this rear view one might note that unlike my previously shown Ligne units, these troops in overcoats have the correct pom-pom colors for each individual company; that's because I'm already using the coat and shako cover colors to differentiate the units, so I don't need to fall back on the expediency of the pom-pom colors.

  This next unit is the 79e Ligne. It has formed up in square, perhaps wary of nearby Cossacks? They have much darker, red-brown overcoats...

and golden tan shako covers. No mistaking them for any of the previous units! Flags were downloaded from Napflag.org

 The last unit of the Division is the 81e Ligne; they have light brown coats and sickly green shako covers, for a somewhat different look. I think these Old Glory figures are very effective, and they were easy to paint/stain. Can't beat the price, either!

All of these coat and shako cover colors have been recorded, although not necessarily for these units or in these exact combinations. Of course, reality would likely be a much more jumbled assortment of colors for both. Still, even for my campaign uniforms, I like a certain amount of uniformity to facilitate easy identification of the individual units on the tabletop!

That's it for this post. See, I didn't drone on endlessly this time, did I?  :-)

Battle Report: Gorodetschna, 1812

The last post set out the scenario and background for Gorodetschna (with some modifications as a result of this playtest), so we'll move right along to the action. The game was played at The Time Machine in Manchester, CT; thanks to Ken et al for the use of the facilities. Czar Barry and I had the Russians, while Thomas and Greg had the Austrians and Saxons (mostly) respectively. One of the reasons for choosing this scenario was that all of the 'Rats can contribute troops to the game at HAVOC in April. Thomas brought his beautiful Front Rank Austrians, but as he arrived just after we finished setting out the troops only his newest unit (of Austrian Hussars) made it on the table this time.

This first of several pictures by Barry (thanks to the Czarina are in order for the camera, I think!) shows a long distance overview of the Eastern half of the battlefield, with the Austrians of Trautenberg and Frimont in the near ground, and the Russians all concentrated opposite them, Markov's troops being the nearer, and Kamenski's behind. They appear well prepared to defend any frontal crossing of the very marshy banked and difficult river!

The Eastern half of the Table seen from the Southern (Russian) side. The near troops are Barry's, all Front rank and very nicely painted. For all but a few artillery units and Cossacks, it will be their first tabletop action, and you know what that usually means!  Note how they tower over my vintage Minifigs!

To the far West, is the bulk of Reynier's Saxon Corps. They have "stolen a March" on the Russians, and are largely concealed within the dense pine woods. Austrian cavalry prepare to cross over the bridge (causeway) and support them.

Close up of the Austrian Cavalry command of Zechmeister. This photo is particualrly interesting as it depicts thee different units of Austrian Hussars, by three different manufacturers! To the far right are Thomas' beautifully painted unit by Front rank, with the bright blue shakos. To their left are my vintage Minifigs from 2 different regiments, bright green shakos in front and grey behind. On the far left are my Essex Hussars in the scarlet shakos, painted in 2009. The Front rank figures are enormous, I'd guess well over 30mm, and dwarf the "true" 25mm Minifigs, with the Essex in between, perhaps 28mm. Finally, the officer, wearing the uniform of a Hungarian Cavalry general, is by Old Glory!

 Barry's close up of the Russian deployment, focusing understandably on his new Front Rank figures; note once again the contrast between my old Minifigs. His infantry are based on 2 x 2" stands, 4 per stand, while mine are on 1 x 1.5-1.75" stands, further highlighting the disparity. Still, it had no effect upon game play at all, and didn't look badly on the table!

My own picture of the Saxons deployment, ready to burst forth from the Woods. The Saxons inlude my own vintage Minifigs, and some new troops of Greg's, ? Old Glory, with my troops in the shako and his in the bicorn!

Last is Siegenthal's Austrian Division, deployed West of Frimont and East of Zechmeister's commands.

More close up shot of Frimont's command and part of Trautenberg. The Russian buildings are by Hovels.

Trautenberg's Division as deployed at the start of the game.

 Close up of the massed Russian deployment. "I'm supposed to pin down all of that?"  Yeah, right!

Hordes of Ruskis eagerly await any attempted crossing of the river by the Kaiserlicks!

Overview of the table at the start of the game. Russian scouts have just reported a possible out flanking move by the Saxons. Do ya think?  Allied objectives are the low ridge, and the Russian line of communications (road exit near Zavnice, the building in the upper right hand (South- East) corner of the table.

The game commences, and very early the Russians turn a Maneuver card. How convenient! Czar Barry turns a Dragoon Division and an Infantry brigade to the West in response to the rumors of suspicious goings-on auf der Sachen-Wald. Note that in Field of Battle, troops can only move when they get a MOVE card, and they can only change their facing on a MANEUVER card, or on a MOVE card where they roll an "even" number on the Leadership die roll by the Command Group leader.  Thus just because you can see a threat to your flank gives NO guarantee you can  respond to it!

 On a hot streak, the Russians turn a MOVE ONE COMMAND card; they chose the newly maneuvered Dragoon Division to act upon the card. Czar Barry rolls very high, and they are allowed THREE move segments - 36' in all. Forming a nice echelon, they ride hell-for-leather to head off the Saxons form the vital road exit! Gorgeous troops, eh?  Barry's Front rank Russians with GMB flags.

In Field of Battle, when the two C-in-C's roll for the initiative, the winner chooses whether to go first or second, but both sides will ultimately have the same number of impetus points (cards, essentially) to act upon. The sequence of the cards, and their usefulness at the time, my be radically different, however! On the Allied initiative, a MOVE card sees the Saxons emerge from among the trees. An unlimbered Austrian horse battery  has moved forwards, perhaps a trifle too boldly; limbered artillery is terribly vulnerable, and as there is no set turn sequence, leaving them unscreened is asking for trouble if the play of the cards goes against you. In addition, Russian reinforcements are known to be coming, due to arrive along the very road the guns are astride.

Meanwhile, North of the River, Thomas is playing his Austrian commands quite aggressively, as they start the difficult task of fording the marshy river in the face of massed Russian opposition. The first artillery shots of the battle are exchanged, and an Austrian Battery is routed due to loses.

The Russians seize the initiative again, and another MOVE card appears. Hullo, the Western end of the table looks quite different now with the arrival of Lambert's command of Russian reinforcements. And damned if the Russian Dragoon command didn't roll three segments and *even*, allowing a grand charge. Their first time in action finds them unable to resist the temptation, as one unit slams into the flank of the Saxon Dragoons and another charges a unit of Saxon foot in line formation. A unit of Russian Hussars has already charged and routed their Saxon counterparts, seen streaming to the rear in their sky blue uniforms.

The same scene seen from the opposite side of the table; the Saxon Infantry is about to seize the ridge.

Another picture of the grand charge of the Russian Dragoons! Note the D12 from the set of  "Jalapeno Dice" in the background. What dice can be hotter than Jalapeno dice, I ask?

Aftermath of the charge: not surprisingly the Saxon Dragoons are forced back (but not destroyed). The Saxon Foot, who only start with a D8 Combat Die (worst possible) desperately need a good volley to prevent the Dragoons from trampling them underfoot in the melee to follow. Hmm, UP 1 for First fire, UP 1 for Point Blank Range, and UP 1 for Target in deep formation - Now that D8 is up to a D12 +1!  Greg rolls for their fire, having selected the dreaded Jalapeno Dice for this game. Greg rolls a 10, plus 1 is eleven, while Barry's D6 Defense Die roll is... a two. Difference of nine, causing the Dragoons to lose 3 Unit Integrity. As that reduces them to zero UI, they Rout. Saxons win!  Note the use of "smoke" to indicate the Saxons have fired, and are "unloaded" (unable to fire) again until the smoke is removed when the Allies next turn an INFANTRY FIREPOWER card.  Note also the "Rock" and the "Ram" markers on the Saxon Dragoons in the background. The "rock" indicates the Dragoons have lost one UI, whilst the "Ram" indicates the unit is "Out of Command"; this is a bit like "shaken" might be in some other rules sets. Finally, note the "smoke" on the unit of Russian Musketeers with the yellow flag in the foreground; they have just fired at the limbered Horse battery, scoring heavy losses and removing it from play.

 Meanwhile, the initiative has returned once again to the Allies! Showing remarkable aggressiveness and sang-froid, Thomas throws the Austrian Divisions of Frimont and Trautenberg across the river and into the teeth of the hordes of waiting Russians. This can't end well for the white coats... can it?

Back on the Western end of the table, the Saxons use the MOVE card to form square with some of their infantry to protect the flank of the rest of the Division as it advances upon the key ridgeline, while the newly arrived supporting Austrian cavalry Division of Zechmeister sends a unit of chevaulegers charging into the unloaded Russian line infantry seeking to avenge their Horse Artillery's extermination.

 Overview of the Western end of the table, with Bianchi's Austrian Infantry Division now also across the bridge and into the woods.

Reynier's troops seize the Ridge, as the remaining unit of Russian dragoons can only watch impotently, being bereft of meaningful infantry support.

Another Austrian Move card results in storm of cavalry charges, a unit of Russian Jagers in skirmish order being caught unloaded. Not surprisingly, they were destroyed in the ensuing melee!

 Overview of the Saxon position and Western end of the battlefield at this juncture.

The Saxon infantry are now firmly established on the ridge, with little likelihood the Russians will be able to eject them. I love the Saxon standards, BTW; in this case all hand painted by me many years ago.

 Back to Eastern half of the battlefield. Thomas' troops have charged several times in a row, and have blown straight through the first Russian command with minimal losses. Amazing! Meanwhile, Russian Cavalry gallops to the West attempting to contest the dangerous Saxon advance. Well placed Austrian batteries have already routed the Uhlans with their timely fire. The Austrian Infantry command continues to the West, but is still too far away to accomplish anything.

  Close up of the seemingly unstoppable Austrian steamroller, powered by Thomas seemingly rolling nothing but 11's and 12's! Czar Barry could seldom roll more than 2 or 3 in response.

 

Even Siegthal's Division is across the stream now, and enjoying shooting up Russian cavalry from the flank. There will be much weeping in Moscow!

What is left of Lambert's troops (my command) - a rather naked looking horse battery, a unit of Hussars, and a single infantry unit... with hordes of Austrian infantry and cavalry descending upon them!

The Russian Infantry Command detailed to contain the Saxons hasn't made much progress; We (the Russians) had a huge run of impetus - 11 points, and made good use of it, but when the Austrians got their 11 impetus thereafter, they made even better use, and won the next roll for yet another 9 impetus points. Although Filed of Battle includes LULL cards that can interrupt a long run like this at the most inopportune times, the few that the Allies turned wound up doing nothing to further the Russian cause, and by the time the dust had settled, an absolutely astounding number of Russian units had been destroyed outright - something that is quite unusual in Field of Battle. In addition to allowing deadly Allied action, the long impetus run precluded the Russians turning any LEADERSHIP cards to rally their troops.  Although the Russians would doubtless have used their own upcoming impetus run to redress the situation , they had only two army morale points left versus more than thirty for the Allies. In Field of Battle, when an army reaches zero Army Morale Points, it is vulnerable to the ARMY MORALE CHECK card; flub that roll, and your army pretty much packs it in then! As I had promised to be home to take my wife out to dinner, we called the battle at this point. It was clearly a Major Allied Victory... and threatening to become even worse than that for the Russkis!

Although Barry and I had our clocks cleaned but good in this one, we had an absolute blast playing the game anyway. As you can see, it looked great as well. Total playing time was less than 4 hours. Vive FoB! Hopefully the game goes half as well at HAVOC in April!