Craig's Italians

Today I'm glad to post a load of Italian troops from my friend Craig over in Oz, if I live long enough I plan to do Italians myself at some point (but only after my Russians and Prussians are built to a very good size) so these are great to see! Craig sent me his pics and txt long ago so Craig I'm sorry for not getting to them sooner (rubbish computer problems!). So I'll let Craig's text explain his Italian army . . .

Brigade Martelli

For something different, I have attached some photos of a different formation from my collection.  As described earlier, as opponents to my 1813 Prussians I have been developing a Franco-Allied Corps from the same period.  I chose the IV Corps under Bertrand from the same campaign, as they were historical opponents at the battle of Wartenburg, and elsewhere.  The second division in the Corps is the 15^th (Italian) Division under GdD Fontanelli.  The first brigade is that under GdB Martelli, comprising 5 battalions of Italian line infantry, or Linea Infanteria Italia.  These were ostensibly French citizens recruited from French lands in the northern parts of the Italian peninsula.  I relied for information principally upon Osprey, and an informative website http://napitalia.org.uk/eng/.  I painted these in 2008-9, using a block style, with a water-based lacquer finish.  Around this time I started experimenting with washes, with somewhat mixed results.  The figures are predominantly AB, although you might spot a couple of stray Fantassin figures. 

During this period the Italian troops wore a French style habite, in white.  The cockade was red, white, green, and otherwise company distinctions were as per the French style.  Facing colours followed a model similar to the French 1807 white uniforms trialled and issued on a limited basis.  The first regiment had green collars and piping – cuffs and lapels were white, cuff flaps were red. The second regiment would be the same, save that it also had green cuffs, and the third again the same, save that all collars, cuffs, and lapels were faced green.  The 4-6^th regiments followed the same model, but in red.  The 7^th Regiment had combinations of red, green, and white.

The first units are the 3^rd and 4^th battalions of the 1^st Infantry Regiment (PrimoRegimento Linea Infanteria Italia).  1^st Italian had been raised in 1805 and served in the 1806/7 campaign in Prussia, then under Eugene in the 1809 campaign, and subsequently in Spain.  They were recalled to Saxony after the Russian campaign, and served throughout the 1813 campaigns, heading back to Italy after Leipzig.

Photo of III/1e Italian

For the III battalion I used a slightly roughened campaign look – a mix of trousers, and covered shakoes.  I was also lucky enough to pick up a few chaps in forage cap, which I have featured heavily in this unit.  As a 3^rd battalion in 1813 I rate them as 2^nd line.  Italian units followed the same organisational model as the French, so this unit is fielded as 6 companies of 6 figures each.  I’ve chosen to depict the units with Italian flags on the Imperial model, rather than the coloured banners the French used after 1812.  I could find no specific detail on this, and was keen to give them the Italian flags, rather than simple banners.

IV/1e Italian

For the IV battalion I used AB figures in greatcoat, to reflect the hasty recruiting and equipping of the class of 1813 – a mix of trousers, and covered shakoes.  You might even spot a Fantassin chap in a pokalem forage cap.  The eagle bearer does not really belong in a fourth battalion, but it was a nice figure, and I was looking for some variety in a greatcoat.  I rate this 24 figure unit as conscript.

1^st regiment skirmishers

In the GdB rules skirmish elements are typically represented when deployed by duplicate skirmish bases.  One of the distinguishing features of GdB is that skirmish elements (either light companies of line regiments, third ranks, or companies of light infantry) are not deployed by battalion, but instead detached to form brigade skirmish screens, which are managed as a single unit until recalled.  We like this feature.  But for the purpose of display, I have just shown the skirmish elements from the battalions of the 1^st Regiment.  I have done a mix of uniforms, allowing at least one figure in habaite to be present per base, in order to assist in unit identification.

II/4e Italian

The other three battalions of this brigade are from the 4e Italian Regiment.  Their facing (or highlight) colour is red.  For the II battalion I used a more regular appearance, although still allowing a bit of campaign latitude through the use of a variety of trousers and headgear.  I also gave them an eagle.  For these uniforms, I used ivory over a buff undercoat.  I then used off-white for the belts to make the leatherwork pop out a bit more from the pale background.

III/4e Italian

For this 3^rd battalion I again used a slightly roughened campaign look – a mix of trousers, and shakoes with and without covers.  When planning this battalion I imagined the ability to have up to half the battalion in firing poses, with alternate companies in loading poses, to capture the volley firing by peleton, as was the practice.  This would also permit a second rank in loading or advancing poses behind it if required.  As mentioned earlier, this results in a formation with a 3 company frontage which is historically inaccurate.  I don’t think I would do this again.  I started experimenting with a pale wash over the white jackets and trousers with this unit.

IV/4e Italian

This is again a fourth battalion in greatcoats to reflect their lower morale status (conscript).  And by now I have given away my internal turmoil over eagles in only the first battalions.  After all, they are Italians.  At this point I am still highlighting faces with white, which in close ups gives them that sunscreened look.

4e regiment skirmishers

I also have skirmishers for the 4e Regiment.

General de Brigade Martelli

For the command element of this brigade I have created a small base which adheres to my standard two mounted/ two foot figures for brigade command bases. I’ve included a grenadier figure from the 1^st Regiment, in bearskin on this base.  The central mounted figure was painted by my friend John Baxter, gifted to me in 2003.  It only took me a 5-6 years to figure out how to use it.  You might say this was the catalyst for me finding an excuse to do Italians.  Thanks John!

Complete Brigade

So that is my first Italian brigade.  The skirmish screen is in the foreground, in the centre of which you can see the voltigeur officer and hornist command base.  To their rear left is the pair of battalions from the 1^stRegiment, and to the left and centre are the three from the 4th Regiment.  GdB Martelli is to the centre, behind the battalion deployed in line.  You can see one of the Italian batteries to the far right flank, but I’ll show that another day.

Excellent Italians Craig, a fine speed bump for your Prussians!

Craig's Prussian 1st Brigade

My friend Craig from Oz sent me over the post below in February to help me out with the odd post while I was short of time due to overdoing it with extra shifts to help our family in the Phils. Unfortunately as it turned out I was to busy even to set the post at the time. Thankfully I am now slowing down with the extra shifts so here it is.

So less of my waffling and over to Craig . . .
  
1st brigade
  

The second brigade (division equivalent) of 1st Korps I created for the 1813 autumn campaign was the 1st brigade. It fought in most of the major actions of the autumn campaign: Katzbach; Goldberg; Wartenburg; and Leipzig. The brigade was composed of the grenadier battalions of 4 regiments (Lieb, 1st East Prussian, Silesian, and West Prussian) supplemented by two companies of East Prussian jager, and a couple of the ubiquitous Silesian landwehr regiments (5th and 13th). Comprising such high quality units (landwehr aside) it is little wonder that they became the shock brigade of Yorck’s 1st Corps. Seizing bridgeheads, assaulting towns, plugging gaps in the line – 1st brigade seems to have been the “go-to” brigade for critical tasks. I chose this brigade because of the presence of the grenadier battalions which sounded somewhat macho, and the East Prussian jager, which sounded like a smart unit. It had the standard 6lb artillery battery in support.
  

6lb foot Artillery battery No.2
  

2nd Lieb hussar regiment
  

The brigade also fields the Lieb hussars, with their Totenkopf (Death’s Head) painted on the shako cover. The Lieb hussar regiment with their Totenkopf badge on the shako is an iconic Prussian unit. Because of the size of the unit (32 figs + 7 jager) I can regularly split it into two half regiments, which is consistent with Prussian (plus Austrian and Russian) practise of the time. The 1808 regulations describe such employment. For variety, I elected to do half the regiment in full-on charge poses (a la Katzbach and Mockern), and the other half in the more relaxed pose.
  

Lieb hussars 1st and 3rd jager sqns
  

Lieb hussars 2nd and 4th sqns
  

Of course having it as two half regiments requires an additional command stand to manage both wings.
  

Hussar command
  

This unit was one of my first attempts at using Army Painter matt varnish. The figures had already been lacquered, and I sprayed them some years after with Army Painter. My technique has improved somewhat since then, but it shows the beading and greying effect it can have when not used well.
  

I painted these figures back in 2006-2007. Back then I used a standard layered block painting style over a black undercoat of enamel spray. Highlight is limited to faces. A bit heavy in some parts, making them look like they have applied zinc cream to avoid sunburn. Painting gear remains 0 through to 000 brushes, Vallejo colours almost exclusively, all targeted using the Mk I eyeball.
  

The Vanguard brigade that I deploy for 1st brigade has the Lieb grenadier battalion, 2 companies of the East Prussian jager battalion, II/5th and IV/13th Silesian LWIR. As discussed previously, these lads were leading the way, or covering the withdrawal, depending upon the week.

Vanguard deployed

An interesting aside – in the first game I fielded this vanguard, my opponent (the ubiquitous JP) thought to launch a charge into my brigade with a single battalion of his infantry. Looking at the brigade deployed – which to you seems to be 2nd line or conscript troops, and which might just possibly be something a bit more steady? Apparently it was not as obvious as it is to me. JP’s bog-standard Ligne battalion crashed into my elite Lieb grenadier battalion and it was duly routed. I have been taunted about my army of Prussian supermen ever since – notwithstanding that half my Corps is landwehr.
  

Lieb grenadier battalion
  

As almost every wargamer of the period knows, Prussian regiments post 1808 reforms were composed of a couple of musketeer battalions, a fusilier battalion, and a couple of companies of grenadiers. The grenadiers would be paired with the two companies of grenadiers from another regiment to form a grenadier battalion. The Lieb grenadier battalion was formed from the grenadiers of the 1st and 2nd Lieb regiments (which was also the Brandenburg regiment IR12). Accordingly, the battalion sports poppy red facings, but the grenadiers from the 1st regiment have the white shoulder straps of the 1st regiment, and the grenadiers from the 2nd regiment have red shoulder straps as worn by their regiment’s official uniform (IR12 being a former reserve regiment). In addition, many line units were able to attract freiwillinge jager - volunteers who were attached to the regiment, and served as light infantry. Usually these get represented by 2-5 figures, depending upon the popularity of the regiment. The Lieb regiment, being somewhat fashionable has 9 additional jager figures to serve as skirmishers. It was on the basis of the high number of jager attached to the battalion that I selected it for the vanguard. These are almost all AB, but the mounted officer figure is Fantassin.
  

II/5th Silesian LWIR
  

The third unit in the vanguard is II/5th Silesian LWIR. It wears the standard landwehr uniform of dark blue litewka (long jacket) and schmirtze (peaked cap) with facings in the provincial colour, which is yellow for Silesia. The shoulder straps are red as it is the second battalion in the regiment. The battalion is also known as Battalion Mumm – after its commander, Major Mumm. I chose to do this battalion in firing positions, but with the ability to deploy it in either a firing line, or as a column of divisions, with only 2 companies abreast. For that reason I chose to do two stands in advancing poses, as they look like they are almost ready to fire, and one each in the loading and firing poses.
  

IV/13th Silesian LWIR
  

The third unit in the vanguard IV/13th Silesian LWIR. The shoulder straps are light blue as it is the fourth battalion in the regiment. The battalion is also known as Battalion Martitz – after its commander, Major Martitz. I purchased this unit already painted by a Hong Kong service provider. I figure that with 24 x 32 figure battalions of Silesian landwehr to paint, I am entitled to outsource some small part of it. Whether I retire it and paint another one myself, is something to think about another time.
  

East Prussian jager battalion
  

Another interesting unit in the brigade is the East Prussian jager battalion. Raised specifically as a battalion of sharpshooters and skirmishers, they wore the holly green that is commonly associated with light infantry. As with other light troops, I have created duplicate skirmishing bases.
  

skirmishers
   

The command stand that I have created for the vanguard follows my practise of having a group which reflects the variety of units in the brigade. For brigade level commands this means two mounted figures, and two foot figures. This group represents Oberst von Losthin, commander of the 2nd Landwehr brigade (5th and 13th Silesian LWIR) who I have decided would be an appropriate commander of the vanguard brigade. He is accompanied by another mounted officer wearing the regulation kollett in holly green, with the orange-red facings of the East Prussian jager battalion. The two figures on foot represent an officer and jager from the Lieb grenadier battalion. Sometimes the dark green and the very dark blue can be difficult to distinguish.
   

Command stand
  
Excellent troops Craig and a really interesting read. Great to know the amount of thought you put into building your armies!

Craig's Brigade Belair

Hello, I hope everyone had very peaceful New Year celebrations and I wish you all the very best for 2014!

  

I have been working in and out through the festive season (and have been loaded with man flu to) so haven't really had a chance to do any more painting (however I'll be happy when the money comes in!). My buddy Craig in Australia sent over some more pics of his ecellent Napoleonic collection, this time more French.

I'll let Craig take it from here:

Small shot of the Legere in defensive position
  

Brigade Belair

The second infantry regiment of my French 12th Division from Bertrand's 1813 IV Corps to share is 8e Legere. This regiment, commanded by General de Brigade de Belair is represented by 4 battalions (I, II, III, and IV). The Regiment served in Dalmatia and Italy during the 1809 campaign, Russia in 1812, Germany throughout 1813 and won a battle honour for Wagram.

Legere altogether

   

I/8e Legere is again, a standard French light battalion of the period. These figures are all AB, and were painted in 2008-9. Again I used a standard layered block painting style over a black undercoat of enamel spray. Highlight is limited to faces. Painting gear is largely 0 through to 000 brushes, and Vallejo colours. The blue is a dark sea blue, which although dark, has a slight green tinge to it. This brings out the contrasting colours on the piping nicely.

 I/8e Ligne

  

I have done this unit as a 36 figure battalion, with six companies of six figures each. As per usual, I have created duplicate skirmish bases for the voltigeur companies. Under the rules we play (GdB) we are able to deploy half the strength of light battalions as skirmishers. For high quality units, this can be as high as 75%. That makes for a lot of duplicate skirmishers.

  

skirmish line

  

Although the orbat I have chosen is for 1813, I have chosen a uniform for the elite companies from the pre-Bardin period. Who could resist voltigeurs in colpack, and carabineers in bearskin? Not I, and certainly not for the first battalion, which also carries the regimental eagle. The plume combinations I took from Osprey, which indicates a red tipped yellow plume for the voltigeurs of 8e Legere. All other chasseur companies sported green pom-poms and white cords.

  

elites and voltigeur company

  

The next battalion is II/8e Legere. This is similar to the first battalion in structure and size. The key differences are that there is no standard carried, and therefore no porte-aigle; and that the elite companies wear plumed shakoes rather than more elaborate head-dress.

  

II/8e Legere

   

The next two battalions (III and IV) are quite similar, and probably a more realistic depiction of French light infantry during 1813. The figures are largely in greatcoats and covered shakoes. The battalions carry no colours. The only distinction I have allowed them is a porte-fanion in the carabineer company – carrying the green company marker with a grenade on it. I picked up the idea from the colour plate in the Osprey on Napoleon’s Light Infantry.

  

III/8e

  

IV/8e Legere

  

Of course, these also have their own duplicate skirmishers.

  

skirmishers III/8e Legere

  

For the command element of this brigade I have created a small base which adheres to my standard two mounted/ two foot figures for brigade command bases. This stand depicts GdB Julienne de Belair, former Colonel of 8e Legere promoted in February 1813. At closer inspection I think the paint job looks a little rougher than I’d like. The accompanying figures are a carabineer officer, and a voltigeur (too tasty to say no!), and a mounted ADC.

  

General de Brigade Belair

   

The regiment/brigade takes up a bit of space when deployed, largely because of the skirmish capability.

  

Complete Brigade

    

The 1st battalion is posted in the large dwelling to the right, with half its strength deployed forward in the fields in the foreground. The second battalion is posted in the small hamlet to the left, with its voltigeur company deployed forward. To the centre rear is the 3rd battalion, in column, and to the left rear is the 4th battalion, with half its strength deployed as skirmishers in the small woods on the right flank. GdB Belair is in the centre, directing traffic, and earning his Legion d’Honneur.

  

This is a largish regiment, but I did not mind as the legere uniform is an interesting departure from the ligne battalions, and the elite companies have the potential for some interest. I think that my style has improved somewhat since I did these, but they still work well on the table. They served my mate JP (Ed: Does every Napoleonic group have a JP?) well when they last made it to the table He stormed a defended ridge with them, only to be ejected when finally overwhelmed by a horde of landwehr. C’est la guerre.

Craig's Prussian Dragoons

Everyone who follows my blog will be aware of the situation of our family in Tacloban. I have been trying to get my head straightened out with hobby, work and life related things instead of thinking to much about what has happened. Progress with my own troops has been painfully slow. However thankfully Craig has been able to paint up some new Prussian cavalry regiments and has put together a post to show how they turned out. They look top class to me!!!

Dragoon Brigade

As Paul has done such a cracking job with his dragoons, I thought I would share mine so you can see what second place looks like, or if not second place, what your average punter (as opposed to a Scottish miniature-painting grand master) can achieve. The cavalry reserve for Yorck’s Corps is composed of three brigades. The first brigade that I put together was the dragoon brigade, under Colonel Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck. The brigade is composed of two regiments, 1st West Prussian dragoons, and 3rd Lithuanian dragoons.

 Dragoon brigade
   

The brigade fought in a number of the major actions of the Autumn campaign: Katzbach; Goldberg; Wartenburg; and Leipzig. It was involved in some of the intense action around Goldberg in which it rescued elements of 8 Brigade which had been cut off by French cavalry and was withdrawing under heavy pressure.
   

During the 1812 campaign, two squadrons from each of these regiments were combined to form the 1st combined dragoon regiment which fought as part of Yorck’s Corps under McDonald on the northern flank of the Grande Armee’s advance. After the treaty of Tauroggen they were reformed as whole regiments and brigaded together under Yorck.

  

Lithuanian dragoons

  

The first AB cavalry I painted was the 3rd Lithuanian dragoon regiment. It wears the standard dragoon uniform of litewka (long coat) over grey overalls, with white belts and covered shako. Facing colour is red. The colour of the litewka was something I pondered for a while, as Osprey and other sources seemed to all differ slightly. I was not until I came across a photograph of some Prussian re-enactors and a picture of a museum exhibit that I plumped for the sky blue. I used a flat blue undercoat, with a deep blue mid-coat, highlighted with pale blue. I have been satisfied with the result.

   

Lithuanian dragoons close-up
  

Under the August 1813 orbat I am using, this is a pretty strong regiment, of 32 figures, in 4 squadrons of 8 figures each, plus a jager squadron of 8 figures. I have had some reasonable performances from this unit on the table, although like most Napoleonic cavalry they tend to have as much effect threatening to do something, as actually doing it. The commander, Major von Platen (nicknamed Crazy Platen) was made (more?) famous by the action of his bugler in dispatching a French cavalryman with his bugle. Paul has done a superb vignette of this.
  

As per the infantry, freiwillinge volunteer jager detachments were part of each regular unit, with the size varying according to the popularity of the regiment. The Lithuanian dragoons were reasonably popular, and so were able to field an entire squadron.

Lithuanian dragoon jager squadron
   

For each unit painted, I also provide a casualty marker in the appropriate uniform. Its presence adjacent to a unit means that the unit has taken casualties, and the casualty sheet should be checked before making calculations that include unit strength as a factor. 

Casualty marker

  

The second unit in the brigade 1st West Prussian dragoons. It wears the standard dragoon uniform with a mid-blue litewka faced white and covered shako. This unit is slightly weaker, at 24 figures, plus a single jager figure. This probably reflects that in August 1813 much of its recruiting areas in West Prussia were still under French control. This unit has also given good performance on the table, breaking an Italian square during a notable game in the back of Eureka Miniatures.
   

West Prussian dragoons

  

West Prussian dragoons close-up

   

The command stand that I have created for the brigade follows my practice of having a group which reflects the variety of units in the brigade. This group represents Oberst Graf Henckel von Donnersmark depicted using the AB Blucher figure suitably painted as a Prussian commander, an officer from 1st West Prussians, and a bugler from the Lithuanians.
  

Brigade command stand

  

Excellent Craig and I'm really looking forward to your next regiment. Something a wee bit special for us 1813 Prussian fans!

Thuringian Battalion

I set this post in the page a couple of weeks ago.
While I have been slow to produce new troops Craig has sent me some pics of a really interesting battalion from his late Prussian army.

I'll let Craig explain the details . . .

Thuringian Battalion

An unusual unit that I have in my 1813 Prussian collection is the Thuringian Battalion, sometimes known as the 2nd Light Bn/ Lieb Regiment. My copies of Osprey, Smith, and Summerfield indicate that they were recruited from Duchal Saxon troops captured in May 1813 (in Saxe-Weimar), as well as other German deserters and POW. The text indicates that they wore a mix of (French style) uniforms, as well as Prussian and British uniforms and equipment. They also drilled according to the French regulations in which they had been trained, which meant an organisation of six companies rather than four. The battalion featured in all the major actions of Yorck’s Corps in the Autumn 1813 campaign in Germany, and according to most accounts, seems to have performed well.
  

Having played for some years against my mates JB and JP, both of whom have a predeliction for "exotic" troops, (as opposed to my army of Prussians in a consistent shade of dark blue and dark grey) I was tempted by the thought of some brighter colours in the unit. I decided upon 6 bases of 6, each with a couple of figures in the Prussian kollet with sky blue facings to reflect cadre or early recipients of the Prussian uniforms, and the remainder in the Duchal Saxon uniforms as later arrivals. I was concerned that it might look a bit too patchwork, or as someone warned,” if the companies are all different, it will just look like you’ve assembled a battalion from leftovers”.
  

The Osprey plate indicates a figure which looks reasonably Prussian, although the dark blue jacket is British in manufacture. That was easy enough to do with standard Prussian musketeer figures. My limited research for uniforms for the Duchal Saxons yield a mix of Green with yellow facings (Saxe-Weimar), and Blue with red facings (Saxe-Coburg, Saxe-Meningen and Saxe-Althausen). Some of the lads on the GdB siteb provided me with links to some really useful online sources

Here is one of the companies close up. Apart from the fellows in the Prussian issue uniforms, I have included a chap from Saxe-Weimar in the front rank, and two Saxons in the second rank.
   

Thuringian Hesse Anhalt
   

This company has included in the front rank a fusilier from Saxe-Meningen In the second rank you can glimpse a Schwarzburg regiment fusilier.
   

Thuringian Saxe-Meningen

This is how the whole battalion looks as one. I think the mix of uniforms looks ok, given that it has the consistency provided by the Prussian issued uniforms in each element. The officer figure and drummer are of course in Prussian issue uniforms. The battalion carried no colours.

  

Thuringian battalion

  

There are also figures representing uniforms from Lippe, Waldeck, and Hesse-Anhalt.
  

Thuringian battalion
  

And because they were used in Prussian service as light infantry, I have created a set of duplicate skirmish bases.
  

Skirmish line
  

Painting this unit posed some interesting questions, and has provided a more colourful addition to the mass of landwehr that is the dominant troop type in the 1813 Autumn Campaign orbat.

I think this is an excellent battalion and I may do something similar myself at some point to add a wee bit of interest to my Prussians army.

Craig's French 12th Division

Hello, Craig sent me a post on his cracking French units and I am sure you will enjoy it! I'll let Craig take it from here . . .

French 12th Division – GdD Morand

As discussed previously, the principal formation that I have been building as the basis of my 1813 collection has been the Prussian I Corps. But as opponents can sometimes be hard to find, I decided that building an opposing force made reasonable sense, and would also alleviate the monotony that painting 24 battalions of landwehr can threaten. To that end I started looking for potential opponents for my Prussians in the 1813 campaign. Some prerequisites I had included that they should have fought in Germany in 1813, and that there should be a level of variety in the troops available. Painting a force exclusively of French line and legere, supported by chasseurs could quickly replace one source of monotony with another. 

It was those objects in mind that I came across the Battle of Wartenburg. This is a great battle, as it involves things I enjoy: 

A tactical challenge (an opposed river crossing);

A reasonable amount of troops, without being too large (a corps a side);

A variety in the French forces (a division each of French, Italian and Wurtemburgers); and

A Prussian force not dissimilar to the one I was building (it is the one I was building!). 

And so to balance my Prussian collection I embarked upon a parallel build of Bertrand’s IV Corps from the Autumn 1813 campaign. The constituent divisions 12th (Morand), 15th Italian (Fontanelli), and 25th Wurtemburg (Stockmayer) include allied forces, as well as allied cavalry (Hessian and Westphalian Cheveaux-Legere). The Corps was present for Bautzen, and Dresden. It was also at Dennewitz, Wartenburg, Katzbach, Leipzig as well as a bag of other smaller actions, and was the rearguard for the Grand Armee post-Leipzig (by which time the Wurtemburgers had switched sides).

Brigade Hulot

The first division to illustrate is Morand’s 12th Division. It is composed of three French brigades, each based upon an infantry regiment. It also has two supporting field batteries. The infantry regiments are 8e Legere, 13e Ligne, and 23e Ligne. The third brigade, commanded by General de Brigade Hulot is formed upon 23e Ligne, represented by 4 battalions (I, II, IV, and VI). The fifth battalion was a depot battalion and not fielded with the remainder of the regiment. I do not know where the third battalion was at this time. The Regiment served in Dalmatia and Italy during the 1809 campaign, and won battle honours at Wagram, Bautzen, and Dresden. 

I/23e Ligne is a pretty standard looking French line battalion of the period. It comprises 6 companies (four fusiliers, one of grenadiers, and one of voltigeurs). They all wear the regulation habite, with 1807 shako. Companies are distinguished by pom-pom colours. The grenadiers and voltigeurs, as the elite companies, have plumes, as well as a short sword, suspended upon a second crossbelt. The grenadiers have a red plume and cords, and blue piping on their collar. The voltiguers of the 23e Ligne have a yellow and green plume (normally voltigeurs have a green plume), with green cords, and a chamois collar piped red. The command element is identifiable by the eagle, officer and drummer figures.
   

I/23e Ligne

  

I have done this unit as a 24 figure battalion, with six companies of four figures each. I’ve based them as 8 figure stands, with one of them split between the elite companies, in order that I may remove the voltigeurs when deployed in the skirmish line (for which I have a duplicate skirmish base of four figures). These figures are all AB, and were amongst the first that I painted. Again I used a standard layered block painting style over a black undercoat of enamel spray. Highlight is limited to faces. Painting gear is largely 0 through to 000 brushes, and a mix of Vallejo and Tamiya colours.
  

The next battalion is II/23e Ligne. This battalion I wanted to have more of a campaign look. 23e Ligne spent much of its service at the far end of the Mediterranean, and as such was at the end of a long supply chain. For that reason, I can justify it having a less homogenous appearance. To that end I depicted it with a mixture of covered and uncovered shakoes, and a few bicornes thrown in. The AB Republican French in bicorne are a nice range, with some interesting poses not seen in the later Imperial French range. After 1812, eagles were only issued to the first battalion of each regiment, and a coloured standard was provided instead to subsequent battalions. The standard for second battalion is white. These figures are mostly AB, in firing poses, with a few Fantassin in the elite companies. When planning the battalion I imagined the ability to have up to half the battalion in firing poses, with alternate companies in loading poses, to capture the volley firing by peleton, as was the practice. This would also permit a second rank in loading or advancing poses behind it if required. That results in a 3 company frontage formation which is historically quite inaccurate. I’m not sure how to retrieve the situation, without expanding the number of battalions that I have.

II/23e Ligne
  

The third battalion in the brigade is IV/23e Ligne. I’ve given it a similar mixed uniform look to the second battalion, with more non-issue trousers and mixed head-dress. As the fourth battalion, it has a blue standard rather than an eagle. Casualty marker to the rear.

IV/23e Ligne
  

In order to rebuild the army after the disaster of 1812, the French called up a fresh class of conscripts, drew upon previous years, mobilised convicts and sailors, as well as the National Guard, veterans and invalids. In addition to creating new regiments to accommodate the new intake, Napoleon also expanded the number of battalions per regiment in order to maintain a degree of quality. Commander of regiments could be relied upon to provide a cadre of reasonable quality to battalions of their own regiment. The same could not be said if they were providing cadre to some other regiment. Some organisational behaviour does not change.

VI/23e Ligne

  

The fourth infantry battalion is VI/23e Ligne. This was one of the new battalions raised in order to expand the army. I’ve used figures in great-coat, including the Fantassin “Marie-Louise” in pokalem forage cap. This gives it a distinctly “under-equipped” look which is appropriate for 1813-14. To identify it a little more clearly. I’ve adopted a technique I used in my Prussian reservist battalions. On each stand, I have kept a cadre figure in habite and shako. You might be able to spot them in the rear rank. The standard for sixth battalions is yellow. I’ve used some coloured paper.

In the rules we use (General de brigade). Skirmish elements are a critical part of any infantry force, and are typically represented when deployed by duplicate skirmish bases. One of the distinguishing features of GdB is that skirmish elements (either light companies of line regiments, third ranks, or companies of light infantry) are not deployed by battalion, but instead detached to form brigade skirmish screens, which are managed as a single unit until recalled. We like this feature.

Skirmish screen

In order to expand the artillery, and reportedly to steady so many unseasoned troops, in 1813 the French re-instituted regimental artillery. The “Cannon company” was comprised of two light field pieces, manned by infantrymen with some rudimentary training in how to serve and maintain the guns. It seems that it was more for moral effect than any distinct tactical advantage. I have replicated this here with gunners in the infantry uniform. The distinction is the red and black pom–pom.

Regimental cannon company
  

The last element of Brigade Hulot for the commencement of the Autumn campaign is an 8lb foot battery. Additional units would be added as the campaign went into its final stages. The battery includes a 10” howitzer. I’ve used Fantassin artillerymen in greatcoat for this battery for variety. They are also much easier to paint without piped lapels and turnbacks.
  

Foot artillery battery
  

Each battery has a limber.
  

Artillery limber
  

I also created a casualty marker using an OG casualty figure I was given. I cut and twisted a spare wheel to create a distinctly artillery casualty scene.
  

Casualty marker
  

For the command element of this brigade I have created a small base which adheres to my standard two mounted/ two foot figures for brigade command bases. I’ve included a sapper figure on this base, along with and ADC in greatcoat. At closer inspection I think the paint job looks a little rougher than I’d like. One of the challenges of painting in summer is the speed with which the paint dries on the brush, creating a glugginess. I’ve only recently learned to keep refreshing the brush with water, and mixing a little excess water into the paint to maintain viscosity.
  

General de Brigade Hulot

    

So that is the first exposition on my Franco-Allied IV Corps. These figures were painted across a period extending from 2001-2006. 

  

Complete brigade
   

The skirmish screen is in the foreground, in the centre of which you can see the voltigeur officer and hornist command base. To their rear are the II, and IV battalions in line, and to the rear is I and VI battalions in column of divisions (two company frontage). GdB Hulot is between the two rear battalions, and the battery is deployed to the flank in the distance.