1. By 1805, the French Army had evolved into a highly trained and experienced force, the most effective in Europe at the time.
2. The document profiles three different French forces from this period - a line infantry battalion, a light infantry battalion focused on skirmishing, and a mobile column combining different troop types.
3. Each force profile provides information on unit composition, leader ranks, weaponry, tactics and characteristics. Standardized profiles are also provided for the various French troop types of the era, such as line infantry, light infantry, cavalry and artillery.
1. By 1805, the French Army had evolved into a highly trained and experienced force, the most effective in Europe at the time.
2. The document profiles three different French forces from this period - a line infantry battalion, a light infantry battalion focused on skirmishing, and a mobile column combining different troop types.
3. Each force profile provides information on unit composition, leader ranks, weaponry, tactics and characteristics. Standardized profiles are also provided for the various French troop types of the era, such as line infantry, light infantry, cavalry and artillery.
1. By 1805, the French Army had evolved into a highly trained and experienced force, the most effective in Europe at the time.
2. The document profiles three different French forces from this period - a line infantry battalion, a light infantry battalion focused on skirmishing, and a mobile column combining different troop types.
3. Each force profile provides information on unit composition, leader ranks, weaponry, tactics and characteristics. Standardized profiles are also provided for the various French troop types of the era, such as line infantry, light infantry, cavalry and artillery.
1. By 1805, the French Army had evolved into a highly trained and experienced force, the most effective in Europe at the time.
2. The document profiles three different French forces from this period - a line infantry battalion, a light infantry battalion focused on skirmishing, and a mobile column combining different troop types.
3. Each force profile provides information on unit composition, leader ranks, weaponry, tactics and characteristics. Standardized profiles are also provided for the various French troop types of the era, such as line infantry, light infantry, cavalry and artillery.
where it had evolved from the Levée en Masse of French Light Infantry the revolution to a well trained and highly Leader Status III experienced force. With the exception of the Leader Status II British Army whose linear method of fighting was Four Groups of 8 Chasseurs, Muskets the antithesis of the French emphasis on the Leader, Status II mobile column, this was without doubt the most Leader, Status I effective Army in Europe, aided by the Three Groups of 6 Voltigeur Skirmishers, Muskets youthfulness of its main leaders, unencumbered Point Value: 79 as they were by the shackles of historical priviledges and obligations encountered in the armies of the reactionary monarchies. Finally we have a mixed column made up of light troops and with attached cavalry. What the French had retained from their revolutionary roots was the emphasis on speed. French Mixed Mobile Column This crystalised with an emphasis being placed on Leader Status III efficient systems of drill and the imbuing of the Three Groups of 8 Chasseurs, Muskets troops with a martial, aggressive spirit and belief Leader, Status II in the bayonet to settle matters. However, the Leader I French soldiers of this period were also Two Groups of 6 Voltigeur Skirmishers, Muskets sufficiently well trained to trade musketry with Leader, Status I an opponent. In short, this was the most well‐ One Group of 8 Dragoons, Carbines & Sabres rounded French Army of the entire revolutionary Point Value: 68 and Nepoleonic period and it was to win its laurels with some style. Force Specific Characteristics: Here we have three forces presented. Line troops, Light troops and a mobile column. The These French forces use the Pas de Charge and first is a force of French Line infantry from one of Cuirass rules from the Peninsular War section in their standard battalions. the main rules.
French Line Infantry Leader Status III Leader Status I Three Groups of 8 Line Infantry, Muskets Leader, Status II Two Groups of 8 Line Infantry, Muskets Leader, Status II Two Groups of 6 Voltigeur Skirmishers, Muskets Point Value: 77
The second list represents a force from a light infantry battalion. Here there emphasis is on a nucleus of formed troops accompanied by a swarm of skirmishers to harrass the enemy and protect the main body as it closed with the bayonet. French Line Infantry, 1805 to 1807 Type Regulars Points Value 7 Weapon Musket Size 8 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always Yes First Only 2 2 2 Pas de Charge, Aggressive French Legere Infantry, 1805 to 1807 Type Regulars Points Value 7 Weapon Musket Size 8 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always Yes First Only 2 1 1 Pas de Charge, Aggressive French Grenadiers, 1805 to 1807 Type Elite Points Value 8 Weapon Muskets Size 8 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always Yes Yes 2 1 1 Pas de Charge Aggressive French Voltigeur and Chasseur, 1805 to 1807 Type Regulars Points Value 7 Weapon Musket Size 8 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always Yes First Only 2 1 2 Pas de Charge, Aggressive, Sharp Practice French Carabinier, 1805‐1807 Type Elite Points Value 8 Weapon Musket Size 8 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always Yes Yes 2 1 1 Pas de Charge, Aggressive, Sharp Practice French Voltigeur and Chasseur Skirmishers, 1805‐1807 Type Light Infantry Points Value 9 Weapon Musket Size 6 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always Yes ‐ ‐ 2 ‐ Sharp Practice, Aggressive French Cuirassiers, 1805 to 1807 Type Impact Cavalry Points Value 9 Weapon Sabre Size 8 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 2 Tally Ho, Cuirass, Aggressive
French Dragoons, 1805 to 1807 Type Dragoons Points Value 8 Weapon Sabre & S/B Carbine Size 8 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always No No ‐ 2 2 Tally Ho! French Hussars & Chasseurs 1805 to 1807 Type Scouting Cavalry Points Value 6 Weapon Sabre Size 8 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always No No ‐ 2 2 Tally Ho! French Artillery 1805 to 1807 Type Artillery Points Value 7/8/9 Weapon Gun Size 5 Formation First Fire Controlled Crashing Step Drill Characteristics Volley volley Out Always Yes Yes 2 2 2