A game in the making - The French Army at Cloppenhammer.

The French army at Cloppenhammer - Austria 1809.

Most of our Napoleonic games see the opposing generals sorting the available models into useful formations as we set up and then these are recorded onto a roster - it works well enough and has served us well so far.

However, I don't find this wholly satisfactory. I reflected on this in the concluding paragraphs of the Prestento/Perrini batrep last year. Our favoured General d'Armee rules don't cater for a Divisional structure in game mechanics although Corps games are covered, this was also covered in the same article. Writing a structured orbat will hopefully go some way to scratching that itch for me.     

The Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte & entourage from my collection.
These are 28mm Perry models painted by Tony Laughton who is largely a "fictitious" Marauder these days.
We miss you old chum.

Here's what I am going with for the French army using all 10mm models available.

Commander in Chief - Napoleon Bonaparte.

I Corps -

Division 1
French brigade - 1 x 36 legere, 4 x 36 line, 12 skirmishers.
French brigade - 1 x 36 legere, 4 x 36 line, 12 skirmishers.
French brigade - 1 x 36 legere, 4 x 36 line, 12 skirmishers.
Divisional artillery - 3 foot batteries.

Division 2
Polish brigade - 4 x 36 line, 8 skirmishers.
Polish brigade - 4 x 36 line, 8 skirmishers.
Polish cavalry brigade - 2 x 24 Uhlans.
Divisional artillery - 1 Polish foot battery.

Corps Assets - Light cavalry brigade - 2 x 24 French Hussars.

II Corps -

Division 1
French brigade - 1 x 36 legere, 4 x 36 line, 12 skirmishers.
French brigade - 1 x 36 legere, 4 x 36 line, 12 skirmishers.
Wurtemburg brigade - 5 x 32 line, 10 skirmishers.
Divisional artillery - 1 Wurtemburg foot battery, 2 French foot batteries.

Division 2
Westphalian brigade - 4 x 36 line, 8 skirmishers.
Westphalian brigade - 4 x 36 line, 8 skirmishers.
Light cavalry brigade - 2 x 24 hussars.
Divisional artillery - 2 Westphalian foot batteries.

Corps Assets - Light cavalry brigade - 3 x 24 French Chasseurs.

Heavy cavalry Corps -
French brigade - 2 x 32 cuirassiers, 1 x 32 carabiniers.
French brigade - 3 x 32 dragoons.
Allied brigade - 2 x 32 Saxon Cuirassiers, 1 x 32 Polish Cuirassiers.

Corps assets - 3 x horse batteries.

Old Guard Corps -
Old Guard infantry brigade - 2 x 40 Grenadiers a pied, 2 x 40 Chasseurs a pied, 1 x 40 Dutch Guard.
Old Guard cavalry brigade - 1 x 32 Grenadiers a cheval, 1 x 32 Dutch lancers.
Old Guard cavalry brigade - 1 x 32 chasseurs a cheval, 1 x 32 Polish lancers.
Old Guard artillery - 2 x 12lb foot batteries, 2 x horse batteries.

That's what the French get to play with. This includes everything we have including some which is still to be based and some models still with Barry's painters (no pressure mate ;).

French & their Allies storm a village at bayonet point.

French heavy cavalry brigade - Two regiments of dragoons & a horse battery. 

Polish foot battery opens up on approaching Austrians.

The idea is that each player has a Corps and one of the reserve corps when released by Napoleon. (Obviously if it's just one player he can do as he damn well wishes!)

The structure, in game terms, looks about right. Taking either Corps I or II for a spin on the table top will give anyone lots of power & some interesting options for attack or defense. Add in either reserve Corps & the work load doubles up along with the pressure - that tests the general and that's when mistakes are made and that is where battles are won or lost; which is why we play.

This is worth saying again as it is so important to our games...

"the work load doubles up along with the pressure - that tests the general and that's when mistakes are made and that's where battles are won or lost; which is why we play." 

It's a beautiful thing.   

Chasseurs de Corse.

Westphalians & Italian grenadiers.

Polish infantry from Murawski painted by Barry Hill - GMB flag.

That's your lot for today, tomorrow I'll do the Austrians who are a very different proposition.

I would appreciate any feedback or input on this project, rewrite the orbat if you fancy it.
Stay well out there, very best wishes,

Jeremy