My map of the battle of Mockern (1813)

I am very proud to see that NOVAG wargaming club has used the map (slightly modified) of one of my old Napoleon's Battles Scenarios from the Leipzig campaign as a basis for one of their wargaming battles.
My NB scenario was the battle of Mockern covering the north flank of the Battle of Leipzig. NOVAG members have used it for the battle of Battle of Kolotscha 1813, a ficitional battle in which:
'A combined Russian / Swedish army catches the French rear guard near the village of Kolotscha following the battle of Leipzig 1813. Marshal Ney is ordered to hold Kolotscha at all costs in order to allow Napoleon and the rest of the army escape back to the Rhine River.'
You can see the battle (and many other intesresting things) by downloading the Issue 55 of the NOVAG's Newsletter, the Gamers Closet and going to the page 11.
This and other issues can be downloaded from the NOVAG site.

Head exchange for the Wurtembergers

For the 1813 Wurtemberg Line Infantry I need 32 HAT 8093 Line Infantry Wurtemberg with their heads changed by the ones from HAT 8027 Napoleonic Austrian Infantry which also wore a simlar double peaked shako.




This time I used an old hobby battery powered drill, re-discovered in a shelf during a cleaning-up, and a 1 mm drill. The rest of the materials, besides the figures, are Loctite (or similar type) glue, a Xacto hobby knife with a new blade and some pins.
After cutting the head from the two figures, I drilled a hole in the body of the Wurtemberger and another into the Austrian's head. I inserted then a pin into the body hole, using a plier to leave it protruding around 4mm.
I put some drops of glue, inserted the head into the protruding pin, clenching the ensemble with the fingers around 10 seconds.
See the results (and many more things!) at my web site

More Italians

A long and rainy week-end.... I have finished the rest of the Italians: The light-blue coated Milan Guard, only one Napoleon's Battles base (around 500 men)




and the Line Infantry Regiments No. 1, 4, 6 and 7 (See the posts from April 24 and 25). These units amounted to 11 Napoleon's Battles bases, i.e. around 5,300 men)






In this way, all Italian Infantry present in the Campaign of Leipzig is now ready for the fight.

And now for the Wurtembergers!

The first painted figures: Italian Light Infantry

At last I finished the first batch of Italian Infantry, the 1st Light Infantry Regiment.
I made five elements à la Napoleon's Battles (2,400 men) showing the Regiment at full strenght. These men formed part of the 2nd Brigade (San Andrea) of the 15th Division (Fontanelli) of the IV Corps (Bertrand).

The Regiment in line:



The Regiment in column


Next time the Italian Line

A long week-end of painting

here at Valladolid.... I started to paint my Italians, both Line and Light Infantrt, the First of May day. I used a black painting car can (to retouch car scratchs) as primer .... and here appeared the first trouble: Whereas the hard plastic ESCI 227 French Line Infantry (Light Infantry and Milan Guard) took the paint whitout problems, the soft plastic HAT 8095 1808-1812 French Line Infantry (Line Infantry) needed a longer time (almost one week) to dry.

After drying I painted the basic colours using Vallejo paints
1) Flesh (faces and hands): 981 (orange brown) + 985 (hull red)
2) Light Infantry. Coat: 975 (military green)
3) Milan Guard. Coat: 963 (medium blue) .
4) Line Infantry: Coat: 992 (neutral grey)+ 990 (ligh grey)
5) Breeches for 3) and 4): 992 (neutral grey)+ 990 (ligh grey)
6) Back packs: 982 (cavalry brown) + 950 (black)
7) Musket butts: 940 (saddle brown) + 950 (black)
8) Rolled coats: 992 (neutral grey)
9) Shakos, boots, cartridge boxes: 950 (black) + 992 (neutral grey)
10) Red facings: 982 (cavalry brown)
11) Green facings: 975 (military green) + 953 (flat yellow)
12) Yellow facings: 977 (desert yellow)


And now the lightings (the mixings contain now a greater proportion of the brighter colour than above). For red tones I prefer Citadel colours
1) Flesh (faces and hands) 981 (orange brown) + 955 (flat fresh)
2) Light Infantry. Coat: 975 (military green) + 953 (flat yellow)
3) Milan Guard. Coat: 963 (medium blue) + 951 (white)
4) Line Infantry. Coat: 990 (light grey) + 951 (white)
5) Breeches for 3) and 4) : 990 (light grey) + 951 (white)
6) Back packs: 982 (cavalry brown) + 985 (hull red)
8) Rolled coats: 990 (light grey)
9) Red facings: Citadel 6106 (blood red)
10) Green facings: 975 (military green) + 953 (flat yellow)
11) Yellow facings: 953 (flat yellow)

For the crossbelts I use pure white (951). All colour interfaces were outlined with a black Pilot ball pen (requised at office!).

The figures were then glued onto 2.5 cm (1") square green carboard bases (for Napoleon's Battles mounting) and 'painted' (after dried) with white glue to avoid the deterioration when touching with the fingers during storage or playthe . Lastly a layer of white glue was extended over the bases and green dyed saw-dust was was sprinkled over to finish the ground.

The figures are finished!

Other French Allied

THE WÜRZBURG INFANTRY REGIMENT
The Würzburgers were left guarding the bridges over the Main river in June 1813. In July other battalion was raised to form the new Würzburg Infantry Regiment whose 2/ and 3/ battalions were included into the 3rd Brigade of the 32nd Division (Durutte) of the VII Coprs (Reynier) fighting in Gross-Beeren and Dennewitz.
The regiment had 963 men at August 12, i.e. 8 Napoleon's Battles figures. They wore a white short-tailed coat similar in cut (nor the tails) to the pre-1812 French habit, white breeches and black under-knees gaiters. Red facings in collar, lapels, cuffs and piping, Voltigeurs and grenadier wore red or green epaulettes, respectively. Black shako and white crossbelts.The best choice is the ESCI 227 French Line Infantry.
THE ILYRIAN REGIMENT
On 16 November 1810, Napoleon gave order to form a light infantry regiment under the name Illyrian Regiment (Regiment d'Illyrie) recruited in Croatia, Istria and parts of Slovenia. At autumn 1813 they formed part of the 2nd Brigade, 14th Division of the XII Corps (Oudinot) and its strenght was around 500 men, i.e. 4 Napoleon's Battles figures.
They wore an uniform similar to French Light Infantry with pointed cuffs and red 'swallow's nest' shoulder wings. Only the collar was red and the piping (in collar,cuffs and turn-backs) was white.
The best choice is again the ESCI 227 French Line Infantry. WESTPHALIAN GARDE CHEVAUX-LEGERS REGIMENT
The Regiment was formed in 1808 from Polish subjects. They had around 500 men (4 Napoleon's Battles figures) at August 1813 and formed part of the 29th Light Cavalry Brigade attached to the XII Corps (Oudinot). The jacket and breeches were green with red facings in collar, cuffs and turnbacks and yellow lace. Their uniform can be assimilated to the French Chevaux-Legers Lanciers so the best alternative are the HAT 8011 Napoleonic French Lancers (adequately decorated!)
HESSIAN LIGHT DRAGOON REGIMENT
This Regiment was brigaded with the Westphalian Garde Chevauleger Regiment and had a strenght of 250 men (i.e. 2 Napoleon's Battles figures). Its uniform was similar to the French Chasseurs with long tails and red collar and turnbacks. Black facings in lapels and cuffs. The helmet was of Bavarian style. The best choice is the HAT 8032 Dutch/Belgian Light Dragoons with heads taken from HAT 8042 Bavarian Infantry set.
The uniform plates are from the HISTOFIG site.

The Polish forces

Tha Polish were the most trusted allied of Napoleon. After the Russian disater, they participate in the Campaign of Leipzig forming the 27th Division (Raglovich) of the French VIII Corps (Poniatowski), the 7th and 8th Light Cavalry Brigades of the IV Cavalry Corps (Kellerman) and the 10th Light Cavalry Brigade in the XIV Corps (Saint-Cyr) as well as the Polish Lanciers of the Imperial Guard.

During the Campaign, these units were usually attached to one or another French Army Corps. For example he 27th Division and the 18th Light Cavalry Brigade were atached to the IV Corps (Bertrand) and fought at Dennewitz and Leipizg.
Polish infantry sets were not available until the firm Waterloo 1815 launched its AP 008 Polish Infantry 1812/1814 set. Before that, a conversion was necessary and thus I made my POLISH INFANTRY conversion. Therefore, I own sufficient Polish infantry figures and no new painting is necessary. Polish Chasseurs a Cheval wore uniforms similar to their French equivalents, whereas the Uhlans were dressed in their traditional uniform.

See a scheme of the uniforms as seen in HISTOFIG site.

The Bavarian foces II. The painting

1) Bavarian Line Infantry wore a short-tailed cornflower blue (deep sky blue) habit with red turnbacks, white breeches and black under-knees gaiters. The facings were shown at lapels, collar, cuffs and piping. The helmet was the characteristics Raupenhelm, the grenadiers and voltigeurs having respectively red and green plumes. White double crossbelts. 2) The uniform for Bavarian Light Infantry had a dark-green short-tailed habit with red turnbacks, grey breeches and black gaiters. Black lapels and cuffs with red piping, red collar. Black Raupenhelm and double crossbelts.
3) The Bavarian Chevau Legers had a dark-green short-tailed habit with dark green turnbacks and breeches (grey overalls). A provisional Regiment was raised for the Campaign so the facings are unknow. I choose red lapels, cuffs and collar. Black Raupenhelm and white crossbelts.
4) The Foot Artillery wore a dark blue short-tailed habit and trousers and black gaiters with black lapels piped red, red turnbacks, collar and cuffs. Black Raupenhelm with red plume and white crossbelts.
The uniforms of 1813 can be seen at HISTOFIG and other Internet-based sources.

The Bavarian forces I. The figures

Tha Bavarians participate in the Campaign of Leipzig along the French until shortly before the battle Leipzig. At that time, they defected the Rheinbund and joined the Allied. Until then, they formed the 29th Division (Raglovich) in the French XII Corps (Oudinot).

I have used the OOB of Nazziger's book, based upon the '15th August State' corrected by attrition (1% per day). Some rounding down was necessary to acomplish the requeriments of Napoleon's Battles and, at last, I arrived to the following numbers

29th Division (Raglovitch)
1st Brigade (Treille)
1st Bavarian Light Infantry battalion
2/3rd Bavarian Infantry Regiment
1/13th Bavarian Infantry Regiment
1/4th Bavarian Infantry Regiment
2/8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade (Wolf)
2nd Bavarian Light Infantry battalion
2/5th Bavarian Infantry Regiment
2/7th Bavarian Infantry Regiment
2/9th Bavarian Infantry Regiment
2/10th Bavarian Infantry Regiment
Artillery
1st Bavarian Foot Battery
2nd Bavarian Foot Battery
1st Bavarian Reserve Battery
Corps Cavalry Reserve (Beaumont)
1-3 Bavarian Chevauleger Regiment

At Gross-Beeren there was the following forces (numbers between parenthesis are Napoleon's Battles figures) :

Line Infantry 3,640 (29)
Ligh Infantry 850 (7)
Foot batteries 3 (3)
Chevaux-legers 400 (3)

Actually there is a specifically designed set for Bavarian Infantry: HAT 8042 so it will be used.

29 Line Infantry HAT 8042 Napoleonic Bavarian Infantry
7 Ligh Infantry ditto
3 Chasseurs a Cheval HAT 8032 Dutch/Belgian Light Dragoons with heads from above
1 (+2) Foot Artillery ZVEZDA 8028 French Foot Artillery

The Wurtemberg forces II. The painting

1) Wurtemberg Line Infantry wore a short-tailed blue habit,white breeches and black under-knees gaiters. After 1811 the facings were only shown at collar, cuffs, turnbacks and piping. In 1813 the characteristics helmet was replaced by a double-peaked shako. White double crossbelts.

2) The uniform for Wurtemberg Light Infantry had a dark-green short-tailed habit, green trousers and black gaiters. After 1811 the facings (sky-blue or black) were only shown at collar, cuffs, turnbacks and piping. In 1813 the characteristics helmet was replaced by a double-peaked shako. Buff or black double crossbelts.
3) The Chasseur a Cheval wore a dark-green short-tailed habit, and trousers. Dark-green piped yellow facings. Black shako and crossbelts. 4) The Chevau Leger had a blue short-tailed habit with yellow collar, cuffs and sash, and blue piped yellow lapels and turnbacks. White crossbelts. Helmet similar to British or French dragoons

5) The Wurtemberg Foot Artillery wore a greyish blue short-tailed habit and trousers and black gaiters with black collar, cuffs and sash, and blue piped yellow lapels and turnbacks. Black shako and white crossbelts.

6) The Wurtemberg Horse Artillery wore a similar uniform to Foot artillery but with grey breeches.

All the plates were from HISTOFIG site.

The Wurtemberg forces I. The Figures

Wurtembergs were present at Leipzig as well as in the battles of Gross-Beeren and Dennewitz forming part of the polyglot French IV Corps (Bertrand).
There are some inconsistences amongst the sources I have used for the strenght of the Wurtemberger infantry at Gross-Beeren time. Thus, Nafziger shows the below OOB (12 batalions) but, in the state of forces for August 15 only appear 8 batalions with 3,594 men (the missing ones are from 4th and 6th line regiments).

A request addressed to the NAPOLEON-SERIES forum received a friendly answer from Markus Stein which confirmed the OOB with 12 batalions based upon "Geschichte der Nordarmee" (1859-1865) with a infantry total of 5,698 men. (Incidentally, assuming that the missing Nafziger's 4 batalions were in route, the total forces at Agust 15 could be estimated as 3,479x12/8 = 5,391 i.e a very similar number).
"Geschichte der Nordarmee" also says that until 2oth August some men were reeived as reinforcements, so we can assume a near null attrition.

38th Division (Franquemont)
1st Brigade (von Spitzenberg)
1/,2/1st Wurtemberg Line Regiment
1/,2/2nd Wurtemberg Line Regime
2nd Brigade (Doring)
1/,2/4th Wurtemberg Line Regiment
1/,2/6th Wurtemberg Line Regiment
3rd Brigade (Stockmayer)
1/,2/7th Wurtemberg Line Regiment
1/9th Wurtemberg Light Regiment
1/10th Wurtemberg Light Regiment
Artillery
1st Wurtemberg Heavy Foot Battery
1st Wurtemberg Light Foot Battery

24th Light Cavalry Brigade (Briche)
1-4/3rd Wurtemberg Chasseur Regiment
1-4/1st Wurtemberg Chevauleger Regiment
Artillery
1st Wurtemberg horse artillery

At Gross Beeren there was the following forces (numbers between parenthesis are Napoleon's Battles figures)

Line Infantry 3,830 (32)
Ligh Infantry 766 (6)
Foot batteries 3 (3)
Chasseurs a cheval 310 (3)
Chevaux-legers 280 (2)
Horse batteries 1 (1)

Using the above information with the given in The Plastic Soldier Review showing the actual posibilites (i.e. miniatures in the market) I made the following choices:

Line Infantry HAT 8093 Wurtemberg Infantry (with heads from HAT 8027 Napoleonic Austrian Infantry (many thanks to Erik Chase from the HAT forum for his kindly help)
Ligh Infantry ditto
Chasseurs a Cheval HAT 8032 Dutch/Belgian Light Dragoons
Chevau Legers HAT 8033 British Heavy Dragoons
Foot Artillery ZVEZDA 8028 French Foot Artillery
Horse Artillery ditto


Bibliography
Napoleon at Dresden. The Battles of August 1813
George Nafziger
The Emperor Press , Chicago, 1994

1813: The Year that Doomed the Empire.
Special Study Nr.1
Operational Studies Group.