The Russian Guard Part 1 - Infantry

The first part of a deep dive in to the Imperial Guard of Russia. Today we're looking at the infantry and their contribution to the final downfall of Bonaparte!
Most of the minis aren't mine, so if you know who's they are, please get in touch for a credit!
Enjoy!

[@ashyahardan]

It's great to see such a niche topic being covered and in such a clear, concise manner. Brilliant work!

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks man! That's lovely to hear!

[@rhysnichols8608]

This is one of my fav vids of yours, I listen to it every year when I’m in a Napoleonic phase (3-4months every summer) my only feedback is that at Austerlitz the pratzen heights were not the right flank of the allied army, north of them Bagration held the right flank near the road to the village of austerlitz itself. The strategy of falling back was actually Detolley’s not Kutuzov, he only took command shortly before Borrodino, he did agree with delaying the French and bleeding their supply lines but also wanted a pitched battle for the armies honour and morale. I also hope one day you can cover he Russian army of the second coalition 1799, they were commanded by the undefeated Suverov and undid all of Napoleons gains in Italy, they also fought some little known but very interesting battles alongside the British in Holland and Belgium in 1799, the battle of Bergan is a cool battle, with street and house to house combat, the French were driven out of the town, but they had huge columns in support and retook it, and then during a second Russian counter attack on the town French cavalry did a wide outflanking move across a river and cut off the Russian retreat. The British campaigns in holland and Italy are also interesting. I would love to see some video about that one day thank you

[@davidcollins2648]

Good job! I look forward to learning more about the exploits of the Cossacks.

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Check out my Napoleonic Figures video on Platov for that, although as I'm sure you can imagine there's plenty in the Russian Guard Cavalry video!

[@davidcollins2648]

@@NapoleonicWargaming When I think of Russian Imperial Guard Cavalry I always think of the LifeGuard Cossacks; the others are just hangers-on as it were.):

[@TheSpritz0]

The Russian Green Uniforms were fantastic!!

[@nathancrisp8881]

An awesome video, could you do a video on your favourite history books and or sources?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

That's a great idea. Watch this space!

[@nathancrisp8881]

@@NapoleonicWargaming I will look forward to watching that video, i find it very difficult to find good and reliable sources on the russian army in particular

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

@@nathancrisp8881 that's been a problem, with most of the books looking at it from the french side

[@anthonysaviourfalzon6072]

I back this as well. There are so many books, one finds it difficult to choose which source book is most suitable for wargaming purposes. This would make a great little series!

[@tjololot3761]

Great video with detailed information, well done! May I also add that their uniforms were identical to those used by the line infantry of the Russian army with the only exception that their collars were red with golden stripes (Preobrazhensky, Litovsky regiments) or blue with golden stripes (Semionovsky regiment) instead of plain red of the regular Russian infantry regiments! They also wore shakos with black plumes on top or shakos with red pom pom.....(there are paintings depicting them with both versions, some wearing plumes, some pom pom). Impressive unit indeed, very hard for every opponent to fight them

[@SillyOne972]

I love your videos dude, only channel on youtube that does this stuff!

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thank you!

[@harveygerndt1874]

Another entertaining video, told with great enthusiasm!! Well done with all the foreign names. An urban legend about the Russian occupation of Paris is that the officers dined out a lot. They were none to patient with the French wanting service "Quickly", or in Russian Bistrovye. This became the French fast food le Bistro! (Yes my spelling of Russian may not be exact but if a typed in Cyrillic who'd know).

[@PPM902]

Just a total hit, every time just such a great watch. I'm still hoping to hear about the swiss or Italian troops (any of the other foreign nation French army troops really)

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks buddy! I'll be finishing the Prussians, then with all the major powers done, I'll be moving on to the smaller ones...I think Italy will be near the top, maybe the Swiss

[@kitswithkaren5003]

Very enjoyable lecture very informative 👍🤗🐻🐉

[@kamov52510]

Happy to find that there are such Videos on Yt, gonna watch them tomorrow. But for now i wanted to ask you if there are any books you recommend about this topic?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I've not really seen any on the Russian guard specifically im afraid (in English at least!) The Osprey publisher books have a good selection on Napoleonic Russians in general

[@jamescrew5460]

I think your videos are great thank you for all of your hard work

[@stevebuk100]

great work Tim, a video like this takes a lot of time and research, well done..

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks man. It was a lot of work, but really rewarding. Now, back to part 2... 🤤

[@CullodenPaintingStudio]

Great stuff. Those Front Rank models are looking more and more appealing...

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I've always held off buying them for 2 reasons, lack of sculpts, usually 1, maybe 2 so you end up with a synchronized dancing squad, and they're bigger and bulkier than Perry/Warlord. I think with them being Russian guard they're allowed to be chonky bois and the new reinforcement packs with the multiple poses take care of the first problem! All my Russian guards units will be FR!

[@anthonysaviourfalzon6072]

Great video as always and an even better source of information.

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks bud. It's always tough trying to be as comprehensive as possible, there's always something you miss out

[@granapriego]

Great videos as always buddy. Sat listening to it while painting some French Middle Guard.

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Ooh nice! Which manufacturer?

[@granapriego]

@@NapoleonicWargaming Front Rank.

[@kmorton54]

Excellent, Excellent video. I really enjoy your channel. I wish I lived in the U.K where wargaming is plentiful. I live in California USA and historical wargaming is almost non-existent. I look forward to the next episode. The Russian army was always the one I painted for the 7 Year War and Napoleonic periods

[@davidcollins2648]

Move to central Virginia, I'm in the same boat.

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

I've been fallowing Epic Games TV's stuff about 'Is historical wargaming dying?' and I have to say, here in the UK I think it's as strong as it's ever been. 7YW Russians was a very early project for me too, only ever did 2 battalions and some cuirassiers! They're a super interesting nation, I was supposed to be visiting St Petersburg in November, but the coof put a stop to that :(

[@khankrum1]

I am British and have long been a Wargamer and now live in Bulgaria and have a similar problem, but I do have a friend here that is also a wargamer. we meet every Saturday at my home for lunch and a gaming afternoon. Perhaps you could find a local friend to fill that gap. we also have modified DBN to our own rule set, WTF, with entails a great deal of stimulating conversation . Richard has painted a Bacchus 6mm War of independence army which we use a " modified" set of WTF for, The " Yankees" sometimes win. lol

[@MedievalWargamer]

Another very interesting and very informative video!!

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks man!

[@daliborzeman1452]

22:45 the answer is that change OrBat of the Guard to comply with new regulations for all Infantry into 4 company battalions. Previous organisation of the regiment was different (I dont remember it, I have to look after if if you are interested).

[@user-nk7xu8uy7c]

I believe the Narrator mentioned Mamelukes..present at the Battle of the Pyramids, Egypt, 1799..an interesting subject..fearsome, well-trained, largely offspring of Europeans (fair hair, blue eyes) captured by the Ottoman Turks

[@dragondragon7790]

Would be cool if you done something like this on the Italian Guardia!

[@paintinghistory1475]

Great mate, got a set from front rank this will be usefull!

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Me too. I'm going to do the whole guard with FR minis (I'll eventually replace my Pavloskis too!)

[@paintinghistory1475]

@@NapoleonicWargaming awesome that's some thing I want todo after I finish my prussian/russian army

[@mr.g161]

i wonder if you would be interested to do a video on Eugène de Beauharnais, and the soldiers of the kingdom of italy? im finding getting info hard work, but it seems they played a key role in napoleons army through out. plus.. im kinda a fan boy of these guys.

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Ah yeah, he's an awesome dude! I will definitely be doing a Napoleonic figures video on him! Check out the book 'Napoleon's Consul' for a biography for him

[@jamescrew5460]

I love history I think I must visit the UK

[@ronvaughan4600]

Great, but a few maps would have enhanced the video.

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

KEEP THEM COMING LOV THIS

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Thanks man. It's enthusiasm like yours that keeps me going!

[@edwardkim8972]

They sound like Young Guard / Middle Guard level quality.

[@nneryfjiisdfgyyk4061]

Cool

[@jeffwesevich1239]

Prey-oh-brah-zhensk and Sem-yon-ovsk. :-)

[@daliborzeman1452]

Pre-oh-bra-zhenskiy and Sem-yono-vskiy i think, no?

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

If you're watching any, and I mean any, of my videos expecting correct pronunciation, you're gonna be grossly disappointed 😂

[@daliborzeman1452]

@@NapoleonicWargaming noworries, I am happy for the video

[@fiddlersgreen2433]

@@daliborzeman1452 yes, I confirm as a Russian. Names are based on the village names they were first garrisoned in.