Napoleonic basics: Russian Infantry

[@williamballangarry2995]

A part of the 1812 reforms, “Musketeer” Regiments were renamed “Infantry” Regiments.

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Ah, interesting!

[@levsharus5899]

Excellent. Very good historical insight into the structure of the Russian infantry. There are a couple of clarifications though. The second battalion did not fully stay at home during a war. A grenadier company was detached and used in a combined grenadier regiment of a division. A grenadier company consisted of two platoons - a grenadier and a riflemen/shooters («strelkovy”) platoons. Riflemen did not have plumes on their shakos. During a battle a grenadier platoon stood on the right of a battalion and a riflemen platoon was on the left, while three musketeer companies were in the middle. A Pavlov grenadier regiment was granted a Guard status only in 1813. But the mitre caps were allowed them to wear by the tzar for their particular bravery. Officers of the Pavlov grenadiers did not wear mitres. They wore normal shakos. The Preobrazhensky , Semionovsky, Izmaylovsky and Litovsky Guard grenadier regiments considered to be even of higher quality troops than the Pavlovs. The yager battalions were a key stone of the Russian infantry in 1812. There were 52 light battalions and 96 line battalions in the Russian army in that year. P.S. I liked your conversion of the Warlord figures into Russian militia (“opolcheniye”). Also the Front Rank has good line of Russian militia on sale.

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Awesome insights here dude! Thanks!

[@levsharus5899]

Napoleonic Wargaming the pleasure is mine to help such a good war game channel. P.S. Being such a history lover you might like General de Brigade/d’Armee Rules by Dave Brown.

[@kalebthehistorian5928]

Wait, so did the Grenadiers stay in the battalion, or form their own?

[@robharris5317]

Great historical insight and knowledge, and a great way to understand about the actual armies from that period, thank you

[@bloodyswordsvids4463]

Great video. That is exactly what I have been looking for!

[@Rusty_Gold85]

I really enjoyed learning about the Ruski's . I have a few boxes stored ready to pump out an Army and this will be very helpful . I will subscribe and hope you make a vid on Their cavalry and Artillery too

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I don't own any Russian cavalry at the moment! I'll be picking some up next month, so look for a video after I've painted them!

[@music123videos]

Fantastic collection, particularly like the converted militia.

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks dude!

[@kevinkelley5014]

the Russian 24# Was a 'UNICORN' a type of long barreled howitzer. Had not the range or hitting power of the long gun.

[@tabletopgeneralsde310]

Another great video about the troops who fought in these wars.

[@countalma9800]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@CorsetLebelle]

Also it’s called combined battalion in the army books as it took the company from each field battalion and the depot battalion and field a battalion of shock troops

[@Darthvegeta8000]

Awesome I look forward to seeing you tackle the French Empire, Austria and Prussia also! And a special about the Old Guard! :)

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Don't worry, the Old Guard deserve their own video! Not least because I find them super confusing!

[@martinradcliffe4798]

Excellent video. Lots of info! No longer have the eyes or the patience to do Napoleonics but there's nothing looks more impressive on a tabletop.

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks Martin! Hope you enjoy the channel and it keeps your Napoleonic spirit alive!

[@grahamgoodwin6880]

Thanks really enjoying your series. Did I miss any reference to jägers? I thought Russia had a few battalions of them, especially 1813 and beyond .

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I'm planning a separate video on light troops. I'm going to add them into that one! Thanks for the comment!

[@levsharus5899]

Not a few but many yager regiments. Russia had yager infantry from 1765 (yager companies) and 1775 (yager battalions) on. In 1812 there were 2 guard and 50 ordinary yager regiments.

[@steveholmes11]

Pavlovs were still wearing those mitre caps in 1917 - awesome!!

[@philRminiatures]

Your Russian units look superb, lovely flags, painting and basing...and splendid militia!

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks Phil! It's nice to hear

[@kevinkelley5014]

@@NapoleonicWargaming Never had two identical flags in a regt.

[@Nobleshield]

The more I read about Russia during the Napoleonic Wars the more I like them (watching the BBC War & Peace miniseries probably helped...)

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I'm 100% in agreement with you!

[@Nobleshield]

Only thing I can't figure out is the Warlord 1812-1815 box has 32 models, but it's a standard unit. So shouldn't it be 24?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

@@NobleshieldYeah. Looks like you've got the first 8 men of your next battalion then! ;)

[@bjkernowpaintingandmodelli9119]

Nice video mate, have really enjoyed the series and dip in and out

[@bruceschmidt3404]

Excellent narrative and figures!

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks Bruce!

[@alejandrotabilo1988]

Very Interesting, Thank you for putting this video together. Cheers

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks Alejandro!

[@daliborzeman1452]

Hello Tim, with great respect to your work and videos, please allow me some comments: Where are jagers? :-D Flags - the flags in the battalion are positioned one behind the other, for first battalion the white (chef's) leads. You can show that on multiple bases, not very practical on single base, so I place them as well one next to another . Just sayin ;-) Plumes (Sultans) - in infantry battalions flag bearers and musicians do not have plumes. Plumes are granted only to the grenadier platoon of the grenadier company. Theoreticaly color guard can have some grenadiers in it but not the banner ensigns. In grenadier battalions all staff has plumes. In 1811 after 1811 levy fourth battalion has been formed by three additional recruit companies has been attached to the Regiment thus forming 4th Battalion renamed Reserve or Recruit Battalion, this units usualy stays at depot. 3rd battalion is called zapasnyj, which means Replacement. And follow the main army. It was done just to increase staff and personal in main army. Converged or Combined Grenadiers formed in 1812 from 2nd grenadier companies of the regiments. It means from grenadier company (Grenadier and Marksman platoons) of Second Reserve Battalions of the Division. Each division formed two Converged Grenadier battalions according to seniority of the regiments, each from two infantry grenadier companies (2nd grenadier company of the infantry battalion) and one jager grenadier company (2nd grenadier company of the jager battalion). Marksmen do not have plumes, so half battalion would have no plumes, and third of the battalion will have black belts. There is no flag, however there is color party. Converged battalions are thus smaller only 3 company, and not 4 company as standard battalions. It also means that in Converged Grenadier Battalions are no Musketeers - only grenadiers and marksman. Grenadier battalions of grenadier regiments has no musketeers either, they have one Grenadier company (Again grenadier and marksman platoon) and three fusilier companies. (Video 11:50 :-D)

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks man! Some great extra knowledge there!

[@daliborzeman1452]

@@NapoleonicWargaming Hope this helped. Looking for more about Russians :-D

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

@@daliborzeman1452 absolutely! Next month will be a good month for you then!

[@rhysnichols8608]

Poolra durra, shtick molodyets!! (Roughly how the Russian motto of ‘the bullet is a coward the bayonet is the hero’ sounds in English)

[@bonysminiatures3123]

Nicely painted , and a big thumbs up for your explanation of battalions regiments etc , i would certainly love to paint the pink facing guys , pernov did you say ?

[@MarkMusic13]

I thought the converged Grenadiers were made up from the grenadier companies from the depot battalions alone, I maybe wrong.

[@skipsmoyer4574]

In 1812 you are correct, see Alexander Mikaberidze's Battle of Borodino OOB www.napoleon-series.org/military-info/battles/Borodino/Mikaberidze/OrdersofBattle/c_MikaberidzeOOB1.html

[@kevinkelley5014]

That (above ) is correct. Any no flag.

[@lancereyes5645]

Did the russians had some sort of light infantry companies? Or light infantrymen are just picked from the line infantry in battle?

[@LucaZ283]

What happened at minute 8.17?? 😁😁😁

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Haha, a glimpse behind the curtain!

[@LucaZ283]

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for the quality of your videos, the research you put into this, as well as the passion and nice humour that accompany them :)

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

@@LucaZ283 thanks buddy! More importantly than me making them, thank you for watching them!

[@thekameleon9785]

Awesome. Iam using 1/72 and not sure whether to use 6 figs a base or 4

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I dont really think it matters overly, 4's give you more flexibility, but 6s are easier to move! Which manufacturers are you going with?

[@nighthawkdutchchameleon9815]

@@NapoleonicWargaming thanks! Uhm iam going Prussian from Revell. And then i don't know. I always look on plasticsoldierreview. Feel free to see my channal. Subbed to yours. Ps what size for bases do you suggest?

[@nata8929]

Hello, I have a question how did you divide them into companies? Each battalion had four companies, I can not see it. I also paint the Russians and each battalion for me are four companies after the bones of the figures. I see it differently with you. why are you making them six bases?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I don't divide them into companies Michal. Because I play games that are Battalion and above (Black Powder, Shako 2, GdeB) I just use them as battalions. The bases don't necessarily represent a sub grouping or something like that, I find 6 bases makes it easy to show a variety of formations.

[@khankrum1]

I am painting Russian polecenie in 15mm but have a question. Where their officer's drawn from the regular army, or did they have their own officers? I have some Essex Figures for the polecenie officers , but they look rather well dressed

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

They would probably be local dignitaries, many of whom would have served in the army. A fun little conversion would be having a unit of militia led by an officer in a Potemkin uniform...in fact...that gives me an idea...

[@khankrum1]

@@NapoleonicWargaming I converted a couple of Austrian artillery officers in Bicorn's. Don't know how accurate, but they look good! lol

[@raymondkisner9240]

Many free Russian men join the army after Napoleon invaded Russia. So many the Russian Army run out of rifles and muskets to issue. So they got any edge weapon to give them. They captured rifles and muskets from Napoleon Army so some got these as issued.

[@paintinghistory1475]

Did the line regimental command have plumes or was it only tbe grenadier command because every photo shows the line command with no plume but i personally like them with the plume was it possible for them to have plume or was it strictly no plume?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I not 100% sure because the drummers certainly had a plume (it was a red one!). I tend to give them the plumes to help them stand out, but I'm more than open to being told they didn't have them

[@paintinghistory1475]

@@NapoleonicWargaming thanks mate you really helped me out

[@christopherginn2173]

you appear to have missed out the Russian column of attack which was frequently used with four companies, one behind the other. you have also misunderstood the combined grenadier battalions. these were made up of the grenadier companies of the 2nd depot battalions of a Division. each regiment of the division contributed to these unit which only had 3 companies, not 4. Two of the companies would be line infantry and the third would be drawn from the jaegers.

[@marka7759]

I find it really hard to get a clear overview on what flags to use for what regiment xD any ideas?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

It's pretty confusing to be honest! Check out GMB Designs, they sell by regiment with *some pictures. That can help, and the sheet that come with the boxes are good too. Also check out Mikhail Betski on Facebook. He does russian flags and is a Russian! He stuff looks superb and he labels the regiments. To be honest, I just go with the flag I think looks coolest! 😂

[@marka7759]

@@NapoleonicWargaming nice! thx for the tipp :D found all i wanted! it was a pain in the ass researching on web with the ambiguity of writtings translating regimental names from cyrillic russian :D k's and g's, e's and a's, sometimes overall different wording. Finally I can recreate Golitsyn V as opponent for my Division Roguet wich i recreated in a 1:10 scale :) offf tooooo the paiiiinttinnggtable!

[@Ratmilker]

Excellent video! I’m just jumping into the game and this was a big help, and as for your Russian you didn’t do bad at all, only thing is you through me off saying Kernov instead of Chernov, and Opolcheniye is hard to do in general if you aren’t familiar with Russian pronunciation. But most importantly I must ask, where did you find the Orthodox priest model?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks buddy. Hes from The Assault Group. I got him as freebie for spending over a certain amount. You can buy them individually now though

[@tigertank3024]

How did you make the flag they are so nice

[@DaGeek117]

loving your channel, recently got into black powder and loving it. your channel really has helped me learn more. currently doing Russians and my next project is doing a militia brigade, may I ask where you got that st Micheal flag? thanks!

[@thomasandrew4881]

Did all Russian Infantry have red cuffs on the uniform? Or where they like the British Army that had different coloured facings for each Regimental colour?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

By 1812 yes, except some guards units. Earlier they were more like the british. My basic rule of thumb (not 100% but good enough) is regular shako, different coloured facings, kiwer and its red, unless guard (Lithuanian was yellow iirc)

[@andrewglines9561]

Who are ur top 5 napoleonic regiments?

[@imhollywood101]

You need more subs!!

[@justynadadej1812]

Hey, what would be your best favorite units amongst all Napoleonic range of miniatures

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Ahhh, that's going to be a video in itself ;)

[@austinvickymoore3656]

Just getting into it! Would love to see some full length battles! And im going to be starting my first few models in about 3 days!

[@eddiepennington345]

What about the Russian Jagers!

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

HOME Made Beards ....right on ... I am going to do that great idea....

[@paintinghistory1475]

Great miniatures! im actually starting a 1812 russian army but I'm not sure what green to use do you have any suggestions?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I use Dark Angel Green from GW (now caliban green). I actually spray them with angel green from Army Painter first

[@paintinghistory1475]

cool thanks

[@paintinghistory1475]

An Olive green highlight might add some contrast

[@paintinghistory1475]

@@NapoleonicWargaming what color did you use for the russian Pavlov mitas I tried retrabutor armour but it seems to be a bit to yellow

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

@@paintinghistory1475 i think that's a gold, but I used a brass. I cant remember which, but now I'd use Runelord brass then an Agrax Earthshade wash

[@richiehall3042]

Are they GMB flags?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

No they're just the ones you get in the Warlord boxes. I might extend our when I've done both battalions of all these regiments, but that's not for a while yet!

[@rosslambda9613]

i have russian infantry and cavalry and 1 pack of cannon for my moscow french retreat run back to paris campaign senario

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

YES I REALLY LIKE THIS ....FIRST RATE BUDDY

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks buddy!

[@CorsetLebelle]

This is why I am fielding a russian army

[@rhysnichols8608]

Very interesting, although I find it hard to believe Russia was the only army to do bayonet drill in that era. Given that melee combat was quite common surly all armies trained the basics at least of CQC....every single infantry man had a bayonet and yes volley fire was the primary method of fighting, bayonet charges were still used and it seems unbelievable that an army would issue bayonets and not do drill. I’m aware that actual bayonet fighting was quite rare as charges usually scared off one side or the other, but they still happened, also infantry against cavalry, or artillery getting over run often necessitated bayonet and hand to hand fighting, so SURLY all armies drilled it to a certain extent. Every army in 1914 still trained the bayonet, when ranged weapons were far more deadly, so 100 years prior it makes sense they’d be drilling it even more rigorously surly ??

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Yeah you'd think so. Remember this is an era where you *maybe* got 5 rounds a year for firing drill! I'm sure units would conduct their own bayonet practice, but I'm not so sure about it on a large scale