Archduke Charles at Caldiero
The Battle of Caldiero is a surprisingly little-known, yet bloody action fought during the War of the 3rd Coalition in 1805. The scene of Napoleon’s first battlefield defeat in 1796, this was therefore the second battle to be fought by Napoleon’s army on this site. The position forms a natural choke-point for any army attempting to march along the northern edge of the North Italian Plain, from Milan, Lake Garda and Verona toward Vicenza, Venice and Austria, where the main west-to-east roads are hemmed in between the mountains to the north and the River Adige to the south. The battlefield was fought over again in 1809 (also known as the Battle of Soave or the Battle of Castelcerino) and yet again in 1813.
As mentioned in the title, this scenario is designed for Napoleon’s Battles rules, which are a ‘grand-tactical’ ruleset where the brigade (or large regiment) is the smallest tactical unit.
Historical Background
Masséna
In 1805 the Emperor Napoleon had given up on his plan to invade Great Britain and instead turned the attention of his supremely-trained Grande Armée to the east and the destruction of the Austrian and Russian armies, aiming first for Field Marshal Mack’s Army of Germany in the Danube Valley. In the meantime, Marshal Masséna‘s French Army of Italy faced off against Archduke Charles‘ Austrian Army of Italy in the Adige Valley. With only 49,000 men, Masséna was heavily outnumbered, though nevertheless his mission was to keep Archduke Charles busy in Italy and prevent him from uniting his forces with the rest of the Austrian army in the Danube Valley.
Archduke Charles
It had originally been intended that Archduke Charles would go on the offensive against Masséna, though 30,000 men, a quarter of his command, had already been stripped from him by Mack, leaving him with 90,000. This was almost double Masséna’s 49,000, but Masséna held the ‘Quadrilateral’ of North Italian fortresses: Mantua, Peschiera, Legnano and Verona. Any offensive by Charles would simply result in Masséna withdrawing behind his line of fortresses as he watched the Austrians bleed themselves white in prolonged sieges. A stalemate therefore developed across the line of the Adige and in order to buy time, Masséna even proposed a truce to which the Austrians agreed on 29th September. However, with Napoleon’s advance into Germany, there was a danger that the Austrians might use the truce to disengage a proportion of their forces to further reinforce Mack on the Danube and Masséna therefore advised Charles that hostilities would resume on 14th October.
On 17th October Archduke Charles received word that Napoleon’s army had arrived in Munich. Foreseeing the impending disaster in Germany, Charles immediately made plans to disengage from Masséna and withdraw his army from Italy. However, Masséna was not going to let the Austrians off the hook that easily and on 18th October he launched an assault across the Adige, driving out General Vukassovich and establishing his crucial bridgehead north of the river. As the Austrians licked their wounds and tried to work out a plan, Masséna built up his strength and expanded the bridgehead.
Molitor
News arrived in both camps on 28th October, advising them of the cataclysmic surrender of Mack’s Austrian army at Ulm. Both sides immediately resolved to attack the other and a series of sharp combats on the 29th saw the French push Austrian forces back to their fortified line at Caldiero, which effectively blocked the main road to Vicenza, Venice and ultimately to Austria. Archduke Charles was determined to launch a counter-attack on the following day and ordered Simbschen’s Division to attack from the Colognola Heights on the right, via San Zeno and Caldellara, in concert with an attack by Nordmann through the marshes along the riverbank and Reuss-Plauen through Gambione. Bellegarde’s Corps would then follow up with an attack through the centre to Calderino. Davidovich’s Corps meanwhile, would cross the Adige and threaten the French right flank from across the river.
Gardanne
Masséna meanwhile, planned to launch an attack on Caldiero itself with Gardanne’s Division, while Duhesme’s Division attacked through Gambione and Molitor’s Division assaulted the Colognola Heights. Partouneaux’s grenadiers, Mermet’s heavy cavalry and D’Espagne’s light cavalry would exploit any success. Verdier’s Division meanwhile, would cross back over the Adige and using commandeered boats, would land in rear of the Austrian left, while covered by a large force of cavalry from Pully’s and Mermet’s Divisions.
Duhesme
As the formations formed up in the dark early hours, a thick fog rolled in, completely concealing the opposing moves. Simbschen, attacking through San Zeno, bumped into Molitor and after a confused fight in the fog, fell back to the entrenchments on the Colognola Heights. Molitor attempted to follow up, but was beaten off and the Heights remained in Austrian hands for the rest of the day.
Bellegarde
Realising that the French were also moving forward, Archduke Charles called back his attacking columns as French attacks developed around Caldiero village. Gardanne’s initial assault on Caldiero failed, though the village was taken on the second assault. Reuss-Plauen was also thrown back by Duhesme’s assault through Gambione. However, Bellegarde was swift to respond and his counter-attack drove the French back out of Caldiero.
Down at the river’s edge, the first boatloads of French troops from Verdier’s Division, consisting of Colonel Petit’s 62e de Ligne, slid ashore in thick fog. However, the fog had led to poor navigation in the dark and instead of landing behind the Austrian lines, they had actually landed immediately in front of them and the French infantry were immediately taken to task by swarms of Nordmann’s Grenzer! Verdier meanwhile had encountered Davidovich’s corps south of the river and thoughts of further amphibious operations were abandoned as Verdier faced the new threat. The 62e de Ligne would have to fend for itself. Nevertheless, Petit’s men did remarkably well, successfully pushing back the Grenzer before falling back to join with Duhesme’s Division.
D’Espagne
Back at Caldiero, the French rallied and Gardanne once again threw the Austrians out of the village, this time with support from D’Espagne’s cavalry, Partouneaux’s grenadiers and the 2nd Italian Infantry Regiment. Bellegarde once again counter-attacked, and with the assistance of Reuss-Plauen, drove the Frenchmen out of the village for a second time. The French rallied once again and now with Duhesme’s assistance, took Caldiero for a third time, only for the Austrians to eject them yet again!
Verdier
On the riverbank, Verdier, leaving Pully’s cavalry to screen Davidovich, had at last managed to land the rest of his division on the north bank of the Adige. However, as Verdier advanced he soon came under intense pressure, first from Nordmann and then from Reuss-Plauen. With his infantry threatening to break, he ordered Ormancey’s cavalry, who had been guarding the landing-site, to mount a charge, allowing the infantry to disengage and get back to the boats.
The bloodbath in Caldiero continued unabated as the two sides wrestled for control of the village. At last, the the Austrians were thrown out for a final time and the French infantry pursued them into the fields beyond, only to be halted by fire from the redoubts behind the village, which forced the Frenchmen to fall back to the cover of the houses.
Reuss-Plauen
As night fell, the fighting petered out as both sides took stock of the day’s action. Casualties had been heavy – around 5,000 dead and wounded on both side and neither side had achieved its objectives. The French had succeeded in taking Caldiero village, but at great cost and to no significant advantage, as all other positions, most critically the redoubts on the Colognola Heights and on the knoll behind Caldiero, remained firmly in Austrian hands. Nevertheless, the clock was ticking and Archduke Charles desperately needed to get the bulk of his army back to Austria. Leaving a small force behind to conduct a delaying action at the redoubts and ordering flanking divisions to mount diversionary attacks on Masséna’s rear at Veronetta, the Austrian Army of Italy began its withdrawal that night. However, Masséna easily defeated the diversionary attacks and following a sharp rearguard action at the redoubts, was hot on Charles’ heels.
Partouneaux
Having to turn to fight numerous rearguard actions against Masséna inflicted serious delay on Charles’ march to Austria and despite uniting his army with that of Archduke John, which had retreated out of the Tyrol, they were still nowhere near Vienna when Napoleon crushed the combined Russian-Austrian armies at the Battle of Austerlitz on 5th December. With the Russian threat removed, Napoleon now judged Archduke Charles’ force of 85,000 men to be the main remaining threat and sent the Grande Armée south from Vienna to destroy it. However, the Treaty of Pressburg ended hostilities on 26th December before battle could be joined.
Game Sequence
The scenario starts with the Austrian 0900hrs turn and ends with the French 1800hrs turn, so lasts 18 turns.
The first four turns (0900, 0930, 1000 & 1030hrs) are conducted in fog, during which the visibility is reduced to 2 inches. Combined-arms attacks are not possible during these turns. The optional fog-of-war rules may be used (see below).
French Order of Battle
Notes:
- There is no intervening corps structure between Masséna and his divisional commanders.
- Some smaller cavalry units have been incorporated into others in order to bring them up to playable strength.
- Lacour’s Dragoon Brigade actually belonged to Mermet’s Division, but was attached to Duhesme’s Division for this battle. It may be commanded by either commander, but only counts against Duhesme’s strength for the purposes of divisional fatigue.
- Petit’s 62e de Ligne landed first out of Verdier’s Division and operated for some time as an independent regiment while Verdier delayed further landings due to the threat from Davidovich’s Corps. This is therefore treated as an independent brigade for game purposes, with Petit as a general until such time as Verdier arrives, whereupon Petit is removed from play and 62e de Ligne comes under Verdier’s command and divisional strength.
French Objectives
You are to clear the enemy from Caldiero village, the entrenchments and the peak of Monte Castegioni or break the enemy army’s morale, whichever comes first.
French Deployment
Players deploy their divisions alternately in any order, starting with the Austrian player. However, the 62e de Ligne (Colonel Petit’s command) must be the last French formation to be placed.
Note that the French have rather more flexibility in deployment than the Austrians.
Units may be placed on the table in any formation and facing.
Army and corps commanders may be deployed on table at the same time as any formation. They must be placed within a friendly deployment area. The exception to this rule is that Masséna may not be deployed within Area A.
French formations may alternatively be kept off-table, to arrive as reinforcements on a turn pre-determined by the French player. This must be declared to the Austrian player. They will arrive on the edge of the table adjacent to the main French deployment area and may arrive in any formation. They may move a full move on to table during the turn in which they arrive.
French Reinforcements
Turn 7 (1200) – Verdier, with Digonet’s Brigade, lands at Point A in any formation.
Turn 8 (1230hrs) – Brun’s Brigade lands at Point A in any formation.
Turn 9 (1300hrs) – Ormancey’s Brigade lands at Point A in any formation.
Note that units may only land at Point A if there are no enemy units present within the deployment area. Landings may also be voluntarily delayed by the French player.
Austrian Order of Battle
Notes:
- Bellegarde is a Corps Commander, controlling the four divisions of the Centre: Vogelsang, O’Reilly, Lindenau and Lothringen. The other ‘wings’ are independent divisions and report directly to Archduke Charles.
Austrian Objectives
You are to retain control of at least one key location (Caldiero, the entrenchments and Monte Castegioni) or simply break the enemy army’s morale.
Austrian Deployment
Players deploy their divisions alternately in any order, starting with the Austrian player.
Note that the French have rather more flexibility in deployment than the Austrians.
Units may be placed on the table in any formation and facing.
Army and corps commanders may be deployed on table at the same time as any formation. They must be placed within a friendly deployment area.
Batteries of the Artillery Reserve must be allocated to divisions at the start of the game and deployed with that division. They may not be swapped between divisions as the game progresses.
Austrian Reinforcements
Turn 6 (1130hrs) – Argentau’s Division arrives on the road at Point X in march column formation. It may move a full move on to table during the turn in which it arrives.
Terrain Notes
Villages – Most villages may hold a single infantry unit and have a defensive modifier of +2. The exception is Caldiero village, which may hold two infantry units and has been fortified, thus increasing its defensive value to +3. There are numerous other hamlets and farms scattered across the battlefield, but these have no effect on play.
Entrenchments – These are linear defences with a defensive modifier of +2. However, they are all placed at the crest of steep slopes, so the defensive modifier becomes +3 when you factor in the slope.
Marshes – These areas are classed as Rough Terrain and are impassable to artillery. The numerous stands of trees, scrub and drainage-ditches will give infantry units a -1 fire modifier for partial cover.
Scrub – These areas are classed as Rough Terrain for all troop types.
Hills & Vineyards – The steep slopes of the hills hereabouts are mostly covered in picturesque vineyards, orchards, olives and nut groves. These areas are classed as Rough Terrain, though are impassable to artillery. Cavalry may only pass through with difficulty in March Column formation at Half Rough Terrain rate, as they have to keep in single file to the narrow paths that wind up the slopes. However, the shallower slopes (as shown on the map) are clear of vineyards etc and may be traversed as open ground.
Rivers – The river Adige is impassable to all troop types, though units of Verdier’s Division may cross at Point A, taking a whole turn to do so, provided they started the turn at that point (they may also rout in this manner, using the boats to escape). Other rivers may be crossed as Rough Terrain, though are impassable to artillery.
Special Scenario Rules
Fog-of-War (Optional):
This rule is entirely optional, as it will undoubtedly slow the initial stages of the game quite substantially. It is good fun, however…
The fog of war during the fog-bound turns may be represented by replacing every unit on the table with a playing card. In addition, add eight cards to each side as dummy units. Note on the order of battle which card represents which unit and which represent dummies. Note that you will need two packs of cards once the dummy units are included.
Batteries and generals are placed on table as normal, but add three ‘dummy’ batteries per side and two dummy generals. The dummy generals’ labels will duplicate generals on the order of battle. Secretly mark each dummy as such, perhaps by using a sticker under the base.
Before the start of deployment, each player may exchange one or more Free Roll Markers for dummy units, at a rate of three dummy units per Free Roll Marker. One dummy unit in each group of three generated in this manner may be replaced with a dummy general OR dummy battery.
During the deployment phase, dummy units may be placed within any friendly deployment area.
The alignment of the playing card will show the formation of the unit – column or line. Use markers to indicate Square or March Column formation.
Units may never move faster than the normal movement rate for that troop-type as printed on the Unit Data Card. However, dummy units may of course move at any rate selected by the owning player.
Dummy generals may not command units, though a wise player will make it appear as if they are (e.g. by commanding dummy units).
Units are revealed when they come within 2 inches of an enemy unit or battery, but not generals (this is to prevent generals, with their high movement rates, being used as recce units!). Dummy generals will be revealed as such when they are contacted by enemy units.
Units moving to contact may immediately halt their move when their target is revealed to be a dummy unit. Alternatively, they may continue the move as normal, up to their maximum move distance.
Cavalry units that fail a recall move must attack the next eligible unit if their first target is revealed to be a dummy (and so on if the subsequent target also proves to be a dummy).
At the start of Austrian Turn 5 (1100hrs), all units are revealed and are placed on table. All dummies are removed from play.
Entrenched Austrian Artillery:
Austrian artillery batteries emplaced behind entrenchments may increase their arc of fire to 45 degrees, but will suffer a -2 firing modifier for doing so. They will fire with normal effect when firing within their normal firing arc.
Unit Labels
As Mrs Fawr will tell you, there’s nothing I like better than sitting around at home playing with myself and the lockdown has given me ample opportunity! Last month I thought I’d set up something a bit bigger and better than another solo game of X-Wing, but my dining-room table isn’t all that big (3 feet by 5 feet), so I had to find a scenario that would fit the available space, or at least have a map that could be ‘trimmed to fit’ and which would also fit my collection of models. The scenario ideally needed to be an assault on a fairly static defensive position, as those tend to work best for solo play, as you can play the attacker ‘against the scenario’. Freewheeling encounter battles like the 
Above: Here’s how it looked on my dining-table!
Above: An overview of the starting positions, looking from the Reb side toward the Union side. Apologies, but for some reason all my small ‘orchard’ trees are in autumnal colours and therefore look a little out of place for July.
Above: In the centre of the Union III Corps salient is the Peach Orchard Knoll, which is occupied by Graham’s Brigade of Birney’s Division, reinforced by two batteries of artillery. Graham’s Brigade included the very snazzily-dressed 114th Pennsylvania Infantry, otherwise known as the Zouaves d’Afrique, which I just so happen to have painted! 🙂 
Above: Aligned along the Emmitsburg Road north of the Peach Orchard is Humphrey’s Division. Carr’s Brigade, reinforced by two batteries, is deployed along the road itself with Brewster’s Brigade in reserve and Burling’s Brigade deployed behind the Trostle Farm. Note that I haven’t painted any specific commanders for this battle, so the HQ flags have the XII Corps star badge instead of the III Corps diamond. 
Above: Aligned along the low Cemetery Ridge to Sickles’ right-rear is the left-hand division of Hancock’s II Corps, namely Caldwell’s Division. Note that the HQ flag here should be the shamrock badge of II Corps, not the crescent of XI Corps. A battery of reserve artillery is also deployed forward near the Codori Hose.
Above: South of the Peach Orchard, Barnes’s Division of Sykes’ V Corps had been inserted into the centre of Birney’s Division, in order to defend the Wheatfield position. Tilton’s very weak brigade is deployed along the edge of woodland, on the bank of the West Plum Run, with his left flank linking with De Trobriand’s Brigade, whose line follows the river for a short distance before turning left to follow the line of the stone wall along the southern edge of the Wheatfield. Sweitzer’s Brigade is in reserve at the Wheatfield, along with another battery. Note also that I’ve used I Corps HQ flags for V Corps, so they have the I Corps disc badge instead of the V Corps ‘iron cross’.
Above: On Tilton’s right, three batteries of artillery sweep the gap between Tilton and Graham. 
Above: The left of Sickles’ line is formed by Ward’s Brigade of Birney’s Division, which is deployed at right-angles to De Trobriand and whose flank is protected by the rocks of The Devil’s Den.
Above: To Ward’s rear, Vincent’s Brigade of Barnes’ Division (Sykes’ V Corps) has taken up a strong position on the commanding rocky heights of the Little Round Top and has spent its time wisely, building some hasty breastworks from the abundant lumber and boulders around the position. An artillery battery is negotiating the steep, rocky and wooded slopes to join Vincent in his eyrie. The single officer figure on a circular base indicates Vincent’s status as an ‘Exceptional’ brigade leader.
Above: The right wing of Longstreet’s Confederate I Corps is formed by Hood’s Division, which is ideally placed to roll up Sickles’ isolated corps.
Above: Law’s Brigade, on the right flank of Hood’s Division, has seized the Big Round Top without opposition and is preparing to launch an assault on Vincent’s Little Round Top. In Fire & Fury game terms, Law can just reach Vincent in a single move from his starting position if he rolls a ‘Double Quick’ on the Manoeuvre Table. I decided that as the Rebel commander, I would have one attempt at seizing the Little Round Top with Law’s Brigade, in the hope of capturing it ‘on the bounce’. After that I would not commit any more resources to its capture and would instead concentrate on the other two objectives – the Wheatfield and the Peach Orchard/Emmitsburg Road.
Above: Hood’s remaining three brigades; GT Anderson on the left, Robertson on the right and Benning in reserve, move forward from the Slyder Farm to assault the Devil’s Den and the Wheatfield. 
Above: On the left of Longstreet’s I Corps, McLaws’ Division is arranged in two lines, two brigades forward and two back, supported by seven artillery batteries, with the intention of launching a direct assault on the salient. Here’s Barkshaw’s Brigade, deployed to the left of the Warfield House. Wofford’s Brigade is coming up in reserve. To the right of the road is Kershaw’s Brigade, with Semmes’ Brigade in reserve. Just visible on the left of the picture, near the Spangler Farm, is Wilcox’s Brigade. This is the right-flank brigade of RH Anderson’s Division of AP Hill’s III Corps.
Above: Another view of the opening positions.
Above: Longstreet’s assault is preceded by a massive cannonade by seven batteries of Confederate artillery. In terms of numbers, the Union side has more guns, but the Rebels are able to concentrate all their guns on to a small number of targets. Very quickly, the Rebel gunners damage and silence the two Union batteries on the Peach Orchard Knoll, aiding McLaws’ assault enormously. 
Above: However, the Rebs don’t get it all their own way, as one of their batteries is silenced and driven off by Union counter-battery fire. Additionally, in something of an own-goal, two Rebel batteries are temporarily forced to withdraw to replenish their ammunition limbers following the intense bombardment.
Above: Union guns also put an end to poor Dobbin, loyal steed of General Hood. Enraged by the death of his faithful four-legged companion, Hood (now on foot) attaches himself to Law’s Brigade and orders the charge! The ‘Rebel Yell’ is heard for the first time this day, as Law’s men sweep down into the saddle and up the other side to assault Vincent’s breastwork’s. Astonishingly, Vincent’s men fire high and do no damage whatsoever to the Rebel charge! The returning Rebel volley however, is the very model of military efficiency, as dozens of Union soldiers are snatched back from the breastwork’s by Rebel Minié bullets! [in game terms. this really was the epitome of unlucky/lucky dice-rolling, with the Rebels inflicting suffering no loss and then inflicting Withering Fire on the defenders! But worse was to come…]
Above: Whooping in triumph, the Rebels swarm over the breastworks and get to work with their bayonets. Vincent’s men are no match for the Rebels and are driven back from the Little Round Top with heavy losses. The Union battery commander is shocked to see the infantry streaming down the hill towards him and frantically orders the drivers to turn their limbers around!
Above: The rest of Hood’s Division pushes forward against Ward’s Union Brigade at the Devil’s Den. Ward is occupying a strong position, but the sheer weight of enemy fire soon whittles down his strength.
Above: Even though his artillery support has been silenced, Graham’s Brigade gives a bloody nose to Barksdale’s Rebels as they cross the valley in front of the Peach Orchard. 
Above: Humphreys attempts to move one of his two remaining batteries to Carr’s left, in order to better support the Peach Orchard position, but the watchful Rebel gunners quickly destroy the Union battery as it attempts to unlimber. 
Above: The fall of the Little Round Top triggers a scenario rule, allowing Caldwell’s Division to be released. Historically Caldwell counter-attacked down the valley of the East Plum Run and fought over the Wheatfield. On this occasion however, Caldwell advances past the Codori House to reinforce Sickles’ right flank , with the intention of eliminating the threat posed by Anderson’s Confederate Division and then rolling up Longstreet’s left.
Above: With the Little Round Top having fallen and with Ward’s Brigade in the Devil’s Den being hard pressed and outnumbered 3:1, Barnes pulls Sweitzer’s Brigade back to cover the left flank and counter any advance by Law’s Rebel Brigade from the Little Round Top. The battery in the Wheatfield also slews its guns around to face the new threat to the rear.
Above: Sykes’ reserve battery meanwhile has narrowly escaped capture at the Little round Top and unlimbers at a safe distance to bombard Law’s exposed brigade. This single battery was to be a constant thorn in Law’s side throughout the day, inflicting a constant stream of casualties and disorder.
Above: The Rebels had been hoping for Graham’s Brigade at the Peach Orchard to be quickly swept away by the volume of fire directed at them. However, with one Confederate battery silenced, two batteries withdrawn to replenish ammunition and most of the remaining Rebel artillery concentrating on counter-battery fire, Graham proves to be remarkably resilient. The firefight for the Peach Orchard soon degrades into a battle of attrition, which is the last thing that the Rebels, with inferior numbers, want to get into. Both Graham’s and Barksdale’s Brigades quickly become worn and both have depleted ammunition. The Rebels suffer further woe as Barksdale (an Exceptional brigade leader) is mortally wounded by a Minié ball.
Above: Behind the Peach Orchard, three Union batteries make like miserable for the Confederate gunners, successfully knocking out one of the batteries on the Seminary Ridge. However, they are forced to switch their attention to Kershaw’s approaching infantry and the Rebel gunners renew their counter-battery fire, damaging and/or silencing off all three Union batteries in succession.
Above: Ward’s Brigade, isolated and unsupported among the rocks of the Devil’s Den. is coming under intense pressure from Hood’s Rebels. He decides that it would be better if his brigade were to fall back from the rocks and align with de Trobriand’s Brigade at the Wheatfield. However, Hood isn’t going to let him escape so easily and orders an immediate assault on the Devil’s Den. GT Anderson’s Brigade doesn’t receive the order and remains stationary, though Robertson, accompanied by Hood himself (who has now found himself a new horse) leads his men into the rocks. Benning meanwhile, reforms his brigade into a column, with the intention of by-passing the Devil’s Den and attacking the Wheatfield from the rear.
Above: Already weakened by fire, Ward’s brigade simply disintegrates and is soon fleeing in disorder up the East Plum Run!
Above: Hot in pursuit of the defeated foe, Hood urges Robertson on through the Rose Woods and soon comes up against de Trobriand’s Brigade, which is strongly emplaced along the stone wall bordering the Wheatfield.
Above: Ward somehow manages to rally the shattered remnants of his brigade and they take shelter behind a stone wall, alongside Vincent’s demoralised command.
Above: Meanwhile, back at the Peach Orchard, Humphreys has inserted Burling’s Brigade into the line on Graham’s right and has thickened Carr’s line, ready for a left-wheel against McLaws, in concert with Caldwell’s attack on the right. Brewster’s Brigade has also been shifted to the left, to replace Burling in reserve behind the Peach Orchard.
Above: And not a moment too soon, as McLaws finally manages to coordinate a major assault on the Peach Orchard! The remains of Barksdale’s Brigade charges across the road in concert with Kershaw’s fresh brigade from the right. The silenced Union artillery and Tilton’s tiny Union brigade are unable to disrupt Kershaw’s charge. Wofford’s Rebel Brigade meanwhile, shifts to the left to counter the growing threat from Humphreys’ Division.
Above: After a long and dogged resistance, Graham is finally ejected from the Peach Orchard and the Rebels break through! Kershaw captures a battery and Barksdale pushes back Burling’s Brigade. However, Brewster’s Brigade, waiting in reserve behind the Peach Orchard, pours a withering fire into Kershaw’s men. Kershaw himself almost becomes a casualty statistic as his ADC takes the bullet meant for him.
Above: General Hood seems unstoppable this day, as sword in hand, he leads Robertson’s Brigade through the Rose Woods, in a charge to seize the Wheatfield! De Trobriand’s Brigade lays down withering fire, which manages to kill Hood’s second horse, but the return volley is just as telling and is quickly followed up by the Rebel Yell as for the third time today, Hood puts an enemy brigade to flight!
Above: As de Trobriand’s men scatter, Robertson’s Brigade breaks through to capture a Federal battery and the Wheatfield! With two objectives now in Rebel hands, the Union forces now suffer a permanent manoeuvre penalty until they can seize them back. That might not actually take too long, as Robertson is weakened and Sweitzer’s Union Brigade is in the ideal position to mount an immediate counter-attack. However, the Union’s ability to launch charges is severely restricted in this scenario (they have to roll a ‘Double-Quick’ on the Manoeuvre Table) and that is now increasingly difficult.
Above: Tilton’s tiny brigade, still positioned just west of the Wheatfield, is now completely surrounded by Rebel forces and Tilton wonders how he’s ever going to extricate his command. His dilemma is resolved in short order, as his brigade is annihilated by a sudden storm of Rebel fire…
Above: On Sickles’ right, Caldwell’s Division is advancing past the Warfield House with the intention of knocking out RH Anderson’s Division and rolling up Longstreet’s left flank. Caldwell isn’t restricted by the Union scenario rule regarding charges, so should be able to launch an immediate assault. However, Wilcox’s Rebel Brigade falls back from its advance position at the Warfield House and crosses back over the stream to take position behind a stone wall (here represented by a fence, because I’d run out of stone walls!), thus forcing Caldwell to come into the Confederate artillery’s killing ground. RH Anderson meanwhile, narrowly escapes death as Union artillery kills his horse with a long-range shot (the Rebels are losing a lot of horse-flesh!). Lang’s tiny Rebel brigade meanwhile (at the lower-right corner of the photo), comes under long-range musketry from Brooke’s Brigade and immediately suffers losses.
Above: Back at the Peach Orchard, Burling’s Union Brigade manages to launch an assault on the remnants of the late General Barksdale’s Brigade and completely annihilates it. Brewster was meant to follow this up with a charge on Kershaw to re-take the Peach Orchard, but refuses to advance, despite remonstrations from both Sickles and Humphreys. Carr however, with his right flank covered by Caldwell’s Division, wheels his brigade forward to threaten Wofford’s flank.
Above: With his flank being turned by Carr’s Brigade, Wooford has no choice but to withdraw his brigade back to the foot of Seminary Ridge, falling in with Semmes’ fresh brigade on his right and Wilcox on his left. However, this now means that Kershaw is on his own at the Peach Orchard.
Above: Help for Kershaw is soon at hand, as GT Anderson’s Brigade suddenly emerges from the woods , bypasses Sweitzer at the Wheatfield and hits Brewster in the flank!
Above: Somewhat unsurprisingly, Brewster’s outflanked Brigade is defeated by Anderson’s charge and retreats to the Trostle Farm.
Above: Caldwell commences his assault on the Rebel left: Zook’s Brigade is making slow progress as he comes under long-range musketry from Wilcox’s Brigade, though Kelly’s Irish Brigade manages to circumvent the stream and aims for Wilcox’s right flank.
Above: Brooke’s Brigade, on Caldwell’s right flank, comprehensively smashes Lang’s Rebels and sweeps them from the field! Breaking through, Brooke drives on to cross the stream and threaten Wilcox’s left flank.
Above: On Caldwell’s left, Cross’ Union brigade assaults Wofford’s flank as he withdraws, though somewhat astonishingly is comprehensively beaten off and retreats back behind the Warfield House!
Above: Shockingly, Sickles’ III Corps has now reached its Heavy Casualties threshold and all units in Sickles’ III Corps (and Caldwell’s Division from II Corps) will now have an additional penalty applied to their manoeuvre rolls in addition to the penalty already incurred by losing key objective locations. Nevertheless, Brewster’s Brigade rallies and is soon advancing once again, to exact revenge upon GT Anderson at the Peach Orchard.
Above: Speaking of revenge… Despite the loss of general army morale, Sweitzer’s Brigade manages to roll a ‘Double-Quick’ and launches a charge against Robertson in the Wheatfield.
Above: Robertson may have won a stunning string of victories earlier in the battle, but his men are now worn and disordered, while Sweitzer is fresh. Robertson is soon ejected from the Wheatfield and Sweitzer takes control of that key location! However, Benning’s Rebel Brigade has now arrived and quickly deploys to outflank Sweitzer.
Above: Benning’s manoeuvre is not without risk however, as de Trobriand has rallied near the Weikart Farm and threatens to outflank Benning in turn.
Above: Not too far away, Vincent’s shattered brigade decides that they have had enough and shamefully flee the field. Ward’s and Graham’s similarly-wrecked brigades also falls back, though rally at the Weikart Farm. However, they will play no further part in the battle.
Above: On the other side of the battlefield, Caldwell’s Division is building up to mount a three-pronged assault on Wilcox’s Brigade, just west of the Spangler Farm. Wilcox (with RH Anderson in attendance) is positioned solidly behind a stone wall, though Brooke, having defeated Lang on the Confederate left, is now threatening to outflank Wilcox. Wilcox has no choice but to refuse his left flank to face the new threat.
Above: Caldwell’s assault finally erupts, with Zook attacking frontally as Kelly and Brooke take the flanks. However, Wilcox’s refused flank somehow manages to halt Brooke’s charge by fire, while Kelly’s Irish Brigade is utterly destroyed by supporting fire from Wofford and canister fire from a battery on Seminary Ridge. That leaves only Zook’s Brigade to assault the stone wall alone… Zook is handsomely repulsed with very heavy casualties!
Above: Meanwhile, Humphreys and Sickles personally encourage Burling and Brewster to push the Rebels back out of the Peach Orchard. Both brigades roll the required ‘Double-Quick’ manoeuvre and launch their assaults – Burling against Kershaw and Brewster against GT Anderson (who has in the meantime extended his line in order to maximise firepower). Burling is comprehensively defeated by Kershaw in the Peach Orchard and retreats back to the Trostle Farm. Brewster is also beaten off and grudgingly falls back from Anderson’s line. However, despite these Union setbacks, the Rebels have also now reached their Heavy Casualties threshold!
Above: At the Wheatfield, Benning halts his column and forms line to the flank. His men pour a withering volley into Sweitzer’s flank, inflicting very heavy casualties. Sweitzer’s men have had enough and retreat to the relative safety of the Trostle Woods.
Above: However, Benning is himself outflanked as de Trobriand re-enters the battle! Nevertheless, the Union musketry proves ineffective and they inflict only light casualties on Benning’s Rebels. De Trobriand tries to persuade his men to close with the bayonet, but they’re not having any of it.
Above: Thanking his lucky stars, Benning wheels his brigade back from the renewed threat of de Trobriand while the ragged remnants of Robertson’s Brigade recapture the Wheatfield. However, a brand-new threat has just appeared on the crest of the ridge!
Above: At long last, Union reinforcements have arrived from Sykes’ V Corps! General Sykes himself appears, along with Weed’s and Day’s Brigades from Ayres’ Division. The situation at the Wheatfield and on the Little Round Top is about to get interesting…
Above: General Ayres meanwhile, appears at the Weikart Farm, along with Burbank’s Brigade and a fresh battery of artillery.
Above: Seeing the fresh Bluecoats massing at the foot of the Little Round Top, Law starts to worry. His brigade has continued to suffer a constant trickle of casualties from Union artillery and his men are starting to lose confidence.
Above: While things may be looking up for the Union on the eastern flank of the battle, in the centre and west they are going from bad to worse. Having been repulsed, Brewster’s Brigade is now being shot to pieces by the Rebel infantry around the Peach Orchard.
Above: The rest of Humphreys’ Division is also collapsing. As Semmes’ and Wofford’s Rebel Brigades resume the advance, Carr and Burling fall back in front of them as the broken remnants of Caldwell’s Division flee past their flank. 
Above: The view from behind Carr’s Brigade as it all goes to rat-poo around them. 
Above: Having comprehensively repulsed the rest of Caldwell’s Division, RH Anderson joins Wilcox in destroying the remnants of Brooke’s Brigade. Caldwell, watching from the Spangler Farm, can only look on in despair, before spurring his horse for the relative safety of Cemetery Ridge.
Above: Having destroyed Caldwell’s Bluebellies, Wilcox’s Brigade forms up on the left of McLaws’ Division and joins the general advance. Behind them, the Rebel guns pound the last visible Union targets into submission.
Above: Humphreys’ Division disintegrates in front of them! Brewster’s Brigade, shot to pieces by GT Anderson’s Rebels, staggers back to the Trostle Farm, where they find Sickles standing around, wondering where his corps went…
Above: While Burling’s brigade heads for the hills along with the remnants of Caldwell’s Division, Carr, Graham and a gaggle of damaged batteries attempt to make a stand along the banks of the East Plum Run. However, some Bluebellies still have fight in them, as Burbank’s freshly-arrived brigade (at the right of the picture) crosses the river and plunges into the Trostle Woods, with the intention of attacking GT Anderson.
Above: Back at the Wheatfield, Benning manoeuvres his brigade into position along the stone wall. Robertson falls back behind the wall and forms up on Benning’s left. A pair of Rebel batteries also unlimbers at the western edge of the Wheatfield, creating a lethal killing-ground among the trampled wheat-stalks. The first victim is de Trobriand, who approaches too closely and who is then put to flight for a second time, this time carrying away General Birney with him! 
Above: De Trobriand’s men this time don’t stop running, but Union forces continue to build up in this corner of the battlefield. Ayres’ Division forms up for the assault (all the time under fire from long-range Rebel artillery) and he is now joined by Crawford’s Division.
Above: Back at the Peach Orchard, McLaws and RH Anderson have now completely cleared the Emmitsburg Road of Union forces and claim it as their third captured objective!
Above: With the infantry having taken the objective, Rebel batteries move forward to take up position on the Peach Orchard Knoll, from where they can better sweep the approaches to the Wheatfield and the slopes of the Little Round Top.
Above: Back at the Wheatfield, Benning has reached the cover of the stone wall, but is taking heavy fire from several freshly-arrived Union batteries. Day’s Union Brigade has formed line in preparation for an assault on the Wheatfield, but has been stalled by Rebel artillery fire and the general loss of confidence that is infecting the Union side. Impatient at the delay, Fisher (from Crawford’s Division) orders his brigade to remain in column and bypasses Day, aiming to outflank Benning.
Above: On the Little Round Top meanwhile, Weed’s Brigade is pushing forward and inflicting casualties on Law’s Rebels, though suffers losses in turn. These casualties tip Sykes’ V Corps over their Heavy Casualties threshold. Weed loses momentum at the critical moment and fails to press home the attack. Law’s men use the opportunity to fall back to cover among the trees on the southern side of the crest.
Above: Seeing Weed’s assault stall on the crest of the Little Round Top, Crawford sends McCandless’ Brigade up the slope in column, with orders to take the heights or die trying! General Ayres also spurs up the slope in an attempt to get Weed moving.
Above: Despite the support of McCandless’ fresh brigade and the personal intervention of General Ayres, Weed still fails to press home his attack. McCandless however, is made of sterner stuff and his brigade column sweeps over the crest, taking back the objective and charging over Vincent’s former breastworks to utterly crush Law’s Rebels! General Hood can only watch in despair from his position at the foot of the hill as Law’s Brigade is scattered to the four winds. With one of the three key objectives now back in Union hands, it is imperative now that he maintains control of the Wheatfield! The sun is now setting and he prays for God to bring him night!
Above: Sadly for Hood, the Bluebellies are certain to arrive at the Wheatfield before nightfall! Covered by four artillery batteries, Day’s Brigade has deployed into line and is about to assault across the East Plum Run. Fisher’s column meanwhile, is marching to outflank the Wheatfield position, forcing Benning’s Rebels to wheel back away from the Wheatfield, in order to face the new threat. Two more brigades (Wheaton’s and Bartlett’s) have also arrived as reinforcements from VI Corps, but are probably too late to achieve anything meaningful before nightfall.
Above: GT Anderson’s Brigade once again becomes the focus of Union counter-attacks as Ayres’ Division launches its assault. Day charges across the Wheatfield and Burbank emerges from the Trostle Wood. Ayres also sends a battery forward with Day, in the hope that they will be able to assist him in defending the captured objective.
Above: However, Day’s Brigade and the supporting Union guns are hammered by the Rebel artillery – two batteries firing canister across the Wheatfield, plus a third battery behind Anderson and another two batteries on the Peach Orchard Knoll. Burbank, despite his covered approach through Trostle Woods, suffers losses to Anderson’s rifles and the Union assault is beaten off. The two Union brigades retreat back across the East Plum Run.
Above: With the latest assault beaten off, the Rebel artillery concentrates its efforts on counter-battery fire, as it’s unable to spot Fisher’s Brigade approaching through the Rose Woods. However, night is starting to fall and the longer-ranged guns start to fall silent.
Above: Shattered remnants of Sickles’ III Corps mill around the Weikart Farm.
Above: Some remnants still hold a line along the East Plum Run, though luckily for them, McLaws is content to hold the line of the Emmitsburg Road and has no interest in hunting down the last of Sickles’ men.
Above: Ayres’ Division soon rallies, but shows little interest in renewing the assault. Thanks to long-range Rebel artillery, the two brigades from VI Corps are also slow to march into danger. As the sun sets below the horizon, the Rebels start to breathe a sigh of relief, as they still have control of two of the three objectives; the Wheatfield and the Emmitsburg Road/Peach Orchard line.
Above: Suddenly, a loud “Hurrah!” is heard as Fisher’s Brigade bursts from the Rose Woods and storms across the Wheatfield! Longstreet is astonished at this last-ditch attempt by those Blue-bellied rascals to steal a victory point in the very last turn of the game!
Above: Fisher’s column is utterly shredded by close-range musketry from Benning’s Robertson’s and Kershaw’s brigades firing into the flank, as well as two batteries firing point-blank canister immediately to his front and another four batteries firing shot and shell from the direction of the Peach Orchard!
Above: However, there is no Rebel unit actually ON the Wheatfield and despite taking maximum casualties, there is nothing to actually stop Fisher’s Brigade from seizing the objecting for the Union! “Christ on a velocipede!” rages Longstreet, as he realises to his horror that this is the last turn of the game and there is no way to get back that Victory Point! 
1st Chasseurs à Cheval (Strzelcy Konni)
Breeches were dark green with a wide facing-coloured stripe at the side and worn with hussar-style boots, edged in facing-coloured lace and tassels. On campaign green overalls were worn, again with a stripe or double-stripe in the facing colour. Grey overalls were also used.
Horse furniture was a dark green shabraque and round valise, edged in scarlet lace. Officers’ shabraques were edged with a double row of gold lace. Saddle-covers were white sheepskins, edged in scarlet dog-toothed cloth and as with the French, the sheepskin saddle-cover was often used on its own, with the shabraque saved for parade order. Some sources show black sheepskins for officers, or none at all, just the shabraque.
Trumpeters of the 1st Chasseurs wore a white habit-kinski with brass buttons and scarlet facings as for the rest of the regiment. Epaulettes were the same as the rest of the regiment, with the addition of a mixed green & yellow aiguillette in full dress. White colpacks were worn by the trumpeters of all companies. These were decorated with a scarlet bag and cords, with scarlet-over-green plume or a scarlet pompom. Breeches were initially green with scarlet stripes, though may have later changed to scarlet breeches with gold stripes and Hungarian knots. Overalls were dark green with a double scarlet stripe. Had I waited for the Rawkins book to arrive, I would have discovered that the trumpeters of the 1st Chasseurs typically had the same shabraques as the rest of the regiment, with black sheepskins (possibly having white shabraques edged red at some point). However, I followed an internet source which suggested reversed colours of scarlet with a green edge… sigh…
As with their French figures, AB Figures don’t produce any Polish light cavalry standard-bearers, due to a general order from Napoleon, banning light cavalry regiments from carrying their standards on campaign. However, Polish standards do look pretty spiffing and emphasise their ‘Polishness’, without which these chaps could easily be mistaken for French, Italian or even flippin’ Neapolitan Chasseurs! So I made my own Chasseur Eaglebearer from a spare trumpeter figure, utilising a Polish Eagle taken from an old Battle Honours figure (also sculpted by Tony Barton back in the day). 
3rd Uhlans (Ulani)
The czapka was made of black leather with a blue cloth-covered ‘box’ and brass fittings. The black lower part was separated from the blue upper box by a band of white lace. The box was originally edged with white piping, plus a white ‘X’ across the square top, but this had changed by 1809 to black piping. I actually painted the czapka top in a very slightly lighter shade of blue to make the black piping stand out. The front of the czapka was decorated with a white metal eagle, standing on a brass crescent, on which was enameled the number ‘3’ in black. A white cockade was worn on the front-left face of the box and was fixed in place with a brass button and white or brass cross. Above the cockade was a black pompom or full-dress plume. Full-dress cords were white. 
Officers had gold lace and piping on the ‘box’, silver cords and a gold cross on the cockade. Plumes and pompoms were black for junior officer ranks and white for senior ranks. After 1811 all officers’ pompoms were gold.
Horse furniture consisted of a blue full-dress shabraque and round valise, edged crimson (gold for officers) and a white sheepskin saddle-cover, edged with crimson dog-toothed cloth. As with the Chasseurs, it was often only the sheepskin that was worn on campaign. 
The elite company trumpeters are recorded as having white kurtkas with crimson facings and piping, with white fringed epaulettes. Trousers are recorded as either dark blue with crimson stripes or the reverse, crimson with dark blue stripes (I opted for the latter). Headgear for the elite company was a ‘proper’ colpack of white fur with crimson bag and white cords and plume. Headgear for the other companies isn’t recorded, so I’ve opted for the most common pattern for trumpeters, which was a white-topped czapka, with scarlet lace and piping and a scarlet pompom.
Again, I converted some Uhlan Eaglebearers (and a Cuirassier Eaglebearer) from other figures and some donated Polish Eagles. Fighting 15s don’t produce a 3rd Uhlans standard, but they do include some generic Polish standards without regimental numbers, so I used one of those and added a yellow Roman numeral III in the bottom corner of the fly, as that was a common way of indicating the regimental number. I did the same for the 7th (VII) Uhlans and the 14th (XIV) Cuirassiers. 
6th Uhlans
The uniform is basically the same as the 3rd Uhlans mentioned above, except that these are in campaign dress, so they’ve covered their czapkas with linen covers (black waxed covers were also common), have removed their pompoms and epaulettes and have reversed their lapels to reveal the dark blue reverse side (the lapels were completely detachable and could be reversed like this to protect the coloured facings).
Regimental distinctions for the 6th Uhlans were a white collar piped crimson, crimson lapels and cuffs piped white, dark blue turnbacks piped crimson and crimson piping on the rear of the kurtka. Trouser stripes were crimson, as was the shabraque-edging. Elite company headgear is not certain, though was probably a Chasseur-style fur colpack. A trumpeter of the 6th Uhlans is described as having a white kurtka with light blue facings and no piping (I clearly didn’t know this when I painted mine!). One other mistake I made is that the piping around the reversed lapels should probably be white, not crimson.
Lance-pennants are recorded as either scarlet-over-white or as scarlet-over-blue-over-white. All other details were as for the 3rd Uhlans. The officer is wearing a crimson Morocco-leather cover over his cross-belt in order to save the expensive gold trimmings from the elements. This was a very common item among cavalry officers of the Napoleonic Empire. 
7th Uhlans
Shabraques were edged yellow, as were the sheepskin saddle-covers. Officers are shown as having black sheepskins.
There are no specifics recorded for the uniform of the elite company. Lance-pennants are recorded as being either scarlet-over-blue-over-white, or as yellow-over-blue-over-scarlet. I’ve opted for the latter version, as it fits with the yellow theme.
Trumpeters are described as wearing a white kurtka with yellow collar and cuffs piped scarlet, scarlet lapels and turnbacks without piping and all other piping scarlet. Epaulettes were scarlet with yellow crescents and brass scales. The czapka had a white ‘box’ with scarlet lace, piping and cords and a scarlet plume or pompom. Overalls were dark blue with a double yellow stripe. Saddle-covers were made of black sheepskin with a yellow cloth edge. Trumpet cords were mixed scarlet and white or mixed scarlet and yellow.
14th Cuirassiers (Kirasjersky)
However, the regiment had suffered grievous losses at Borodino and worse was to come during the long retreat back to Poland. Nevertheless, the survivors, amounting to 20 officers and 77 men, finally made it back to Warsaw and joined with their depot squadron and new recruits to rebuild the regiment. However, as Poniatowski rebuilt his army during the first half of 1813 it was clear that the regiment could not reform as Cuirassiers. It kept the title, though lost the iconic steel cuirass and was now classed as a regiment of light horse, being brigaded under General Uminski alongside the newly-raised regiment of Krakusi. Uminski’s Brigade would form the cavalry element of Poniatowski’s VIII Corps for the coming campaign. 
AB’s new(ish) range of Late Cuirassiers are perfect for the 14th Cuirassiers, as they’re wearing the shorter-tailed coat. However, they don’t do a late Cuirassier standard-bearer, so I’ve used an Early Cuirassier figure for that job (again modified with a Polish Eagle).
Thus far they looked just like French Cuirassiers, though there were some significant differences. To start, the ‘metal’ colour of Polish Cuirassiers was yellow, whereas the French had white metal. Thus the Poles had brass buttons and gold officers’ epaulettes, as well as yellow edging and grenade badges on their blue square shabraques and the number ’14’ in yellow, within a box of yellow lace on the ends of the square valises. They also had brass scaling on the straps of their epaulettes. Most unusually, officers had shabraques and holster-covers of a completely different colour; namely crimson, edged with gold. As discussed above, they lost the cuirasses in 1813, though kept the other uniform details, including the helmets.
Right, that’s it! My next post will be an American Civil War after-action report for a solo game I played recently of ‘Sickles’ Salient’ during the Battle of Gettysburg. I never knew that playing with myself could be so much fun…
Equipment consisted of two white cross-belts, supporting a sabre-briquet and a black cartouche decorated with a brass grenade badge.
Horse Artillery
Headgear was initially a black uhlan-style czapka with white piping and cockade, scarlet cords, scarlet pompom, scarlet full-dress plume and badges very similar to those of the Foot Artillery. This was changed in 1810 to a black fur colpack with green bag piped scarlet, scarlet cords, white cockade and scarlet pompom, topped off with a scarlet plume in full dress.
Poniatowski’s ADCs wore a unique hussar-style uniform in crimson, sky-blue and silver, as shown above. Other Polish ADCs wore a far plainer uniform, as modelled alongside Kellermann and shown in the background of the General of Brigade painting above. This was a relatively plain uniform in Chasseur à Cheval style, consisting of a dark blue habit-kinski with sky-blue collar and crimson piping down the front and around cuffs and turnbacks. Buttons and epaulettes were silver. This was worn over a crimson waistcoat, decorated with silver hussar-lace. Trousers were dark blue with crimson side-stripes and the shabraque was dark blue, edged crimson. Belts were black, edged silver. this was topped off with a black fur colpack with crimson bag and sky-blue pompom. The AB Figures Polish Chasseur à Cheval officer figure is perfect for as an ADC.
Enough for now! Polish artillery next time and then the cavalry. 🙂 Oh go on then, have some more generals…
Here’s a close-up of the 1st Infantry, showing the post-1810 regulation uniform in detail: The half-lapels and turnbacks were white, while the collar and shoulder-straps were dark blue, all edged with crimson piping. The crimson piping also extended down the front seam of the coat below the half-lapels. Cuffs were crimson with white cuff-flaps and may or may not have been piped white. Buttons were brass. 
The infantry-pattern czapka headdress was essentially just a squared-off black felt shako, unlike the cavalry czapka, which was a heavier leather helmet topped with a cloth-covered square ‘box’. All regiments had a brass band just above the brim, pierced with the regimental number. This was then surmounted by a white metal eagle and a white cockade. Centre company pompoms were sky-blue for most regiments and white cords were worn in full dress.
The Grenadiers wore scarlet fringed epaulettes (some had white crescents or even white epaulettes with scarlet crescents) and bearskins with brass plates and scarlet rear-patches, decorated with a white lace cross. White or scarlet cords and scarlet plumes were also added in full dress.
Some sources show the 8th Infantry as adopting the 1810 regulation uniform or a variant using rose-pink instead of crimson. While that would certainly add a splash of colour, I wonder if the pink is a mis-translation of crimson from a faded picture or faded survivng uniform?
While I haven’t painted any of these regiments, the 9th to 12th Infantry Regiments originally wore uniforms with white facings with scarlet piping and brass buttons, though again, most adopted the 1810 regulation uniform or other oddities of their own making.
When a 13th Infantry Regiment was raised in 1809, it wore an esoteric uniform made from captured Austrian uniform cloth, being white with sky-blue facings. I did want to paint this unit, but it doesn’t appear to have been reformed following the 1812 campaign and wasn’t therefore at Leipzig (the remnants ended up as a fortress garrison). Nevertheless, I think I might have to paint the 13th one day, as it’s such a spectacular uniform.
One notable feature of the 14th to 17th Regiments is that their centre companies are recorded as having pompoms coloured by company as per French regulations: 1st – green, 2nd – sky-blue, 3rd – aurore (orange) and 4th lie-de-vin (violet). Sky-blue pompoms with company-coloured tufts are also recorded. Some of the 1st to 13th Regiments may also have used company-coloured pompoms.
In the 1st Edition of Mr Rawkins’ Army of the Duchy of Warsaw book, he stated that the tops of infantry czapkas were decorated with a box of lace tape around the edge and an ‘X’ of lace across the centre, very much like cavalry czapkas. However, in the latest edition, he has revised this to ‘infantry regiments may have decorated the tops with piping or lace’. However, give me an inch and I’ll take a mile… I like the look of the ‘X’ and it makes them stand out as being Poles not French, so I’ve painted it on all my infantry.
Following the disastrous 
As the war went on beyond Normandy, some of the division’s sub-units were converted to amphibious vehicles such as the 
Instead of the usual main gun, a highly unusual 
In addition to the Spigot Mortar, the AVRE retained the hull MG for self-defence and the crew would also often carry other engineering stores such as demolition charges, wire-cutters and Bangalore Torpedoes. To use these, the AVRE would drive up to the obstacle and a crewman would crawl out of one of the hatches (usually the floor-hatch) and use the vehicle as cover as he place the charges. He would then crawl back in and the vehicle would reverse before detonation of the charges. A variety of demolition charges were also developed that could be mounted on frames at the front of the AVRE, which would drive up and push the charge against the obstacle to be demolished and hold it in place as it was detonated (I presume that the crew were also issued with ear-plugs).
Other kit commonly carried included the Small Box Girder (SBG) Bridge (which was useful for ramping sea-walls or bridging anti-tank ditches), Fascines (which were huge bundles of chestnut palings, used to fill smaller trenches and craters) and Bobbins (which were huge reels of matting that would be laid out onto soft mud, to provide a more solid roadway for following vehicles).
Another element of the 1st Assault Brigade RE was the 87th Assault Dozer Squadron RE, equipped with armoured versions of the Caterpillar D7 Dozer. Their unit serial was ‘819’, again on a cobalt-blue backing. This is a lovely model by Skytrex.
The 
Another vehicle used by 1st Assault Brigade RE was the Churchill ARK Mk I (Armoured Ramp Carrier, abbreviated by a dyslexic). This was a turretless Churchill hull, designed as a quick and easy way to place a ramp against a sea wall. It had two treadway-decks added on top, plus two matching ramps at the rear. They would usually carry a fascine at the front, in order to create another ramp at the front of the vehicle. I’m not sure which unit(s) within the brigade operated these, so I’ve marked it as belonging to the 149th Assault Park Squadron RE, whose serial was ‘1236’. This lovely model was converted for me from a Flames of War hull by the supremely talented Martin Small.
The ARK Mk II was developed in Italy, which had matching ramps at front and rear. If trying to bridge particularly deep ditches, ARKs could also be stacked! 🙂
As mentioned above, the 30th Armoured Brigade operated Sherman Mk V Crab flail tanks. This is a lovely Skytrex model, modified by Martin Small with ‘flails’ made from wire.
Here an AVRE belonging to 5th ARRE follows a 22nd Dragoons Crab. A dispenser on each side of the hull dropped a trail of white chalk-dust to mark the cleared path for following vehicles. At night, following vehicles used the array of four small red guide-lights (each mounted in the centre of a white disc) to keep station directly behind the Crab. 
In the first few months of 1811, 
Above: Terrain Map (each grid-square is 1km and in Napoleon’s Battles represents 12 inches square).
Above: Deployment Map.
My good mate, lapsed wargamer and former Best Man, Gary P was recently browsing this blog. As a long-serving senior officer of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, a veteran of numerous wars and operations, a Staff College graduate and having undertaken staff-rides and battlefield tours with worthies as illustrious as Brigadier Richard Holmes, I awaited his professional military assessment of my writings…
Above: An Armoured Squadron, equipped with 
Above: A Mechanised Infantry Company equipped with 
British infantry companies followed the familiar ‘triangular’ pattern of three Platoons, each with 3x Sections. Each Section consisted of 8-10 men, plus the FV432 APC and its crew of two and was led by a Corporal. The core of the Section was the belt-fed 
Platoon HQs usually included an 
Above: An Armoured Squadron Group, comprising an Armoured Squadron HQ, with three Armoured Troops and a Mech Infantry Platoon.
Above: A Mech Infantry Company Group, consisting of a Mech Infantry Company HQ, two Mech Infantry Platoons and an Armoured Troop.
Above: An Armoured Regiment’s Close Recce Troop. From the mid-1970s until December 1982, all close recce tasks were handled by the Medium Recce Regiments, who in wartime would attach a Troop to each Armoured Regiment and Mech Infantry Battalion. However, this proved unworkable in practice, so the Close Recce elements were handed back and the Medium Recce Regiments in Germany then concentrated on the ‘Covering Force Battle’.
Above: A Guided Weapons (‘Swingfire’) Troop. Another element of Armoured Regiment Squadron HQs during this period was the Guided Weapons Troop, which consisted of nine 
Above: A MILAN Detachment. Mech Infantry Battalion’s primary anti-tank element was the support Company’s MILAN Platoon, which consisted of 16 
Above: An Armoured Engineer Troop. For heavier Sapper needs, 32 Armoured Engineer Regiment would provide the goods! The regiment had three Squadrons, each initially of three Troops and an FV180 CET Troop. Each Troop had an AVRE Section with three 
Above: A Royal Artillery Light Air Defence Section. To provide some local, short-range air defence for the Battlegroup, I’ve got a Royal Artillery Light Air Defence Section, consisting of a pair of 
Above: A Royal Artillery Forward Observation Officer (FOO). Every Infantry Company or Armoured Squadron Group in 1 (Br) Corps would have a FOO Team attached; either from the divisional Field Artillery Regiments or from supplementary Forward Observation Batteries (many of these would be provided by the TA). The normal OP vehicle was the FV432, often fitted with a dismountable thermal-imaging sight on the commander’s hatch, in lieu of a GPMG. A ground-surveillance radar set was also carried (which seems to have been used dismounted – I’ve never seen a photo or heard of one mounted on a vehicle).
Divisional guns were a 50/50 split of Abbott self-propelled 105mm guns and M109 self-propelled 155mm guns. 1st Armoured Division had two Regiments of M109 and one of Abbott. That ratio was reversed in 4th Armoured Division. 3rd Armoured Division had one Regiment of each. Each Regiment had four batteries, each of six guns (theoretically increased to eight guns in wartime).
Above: An RAF Forward Air Controller. This chap, wearing RAF beret and glasses, mopping his brow and looking completely out of his depth, reminds me of someone…