As the Croatians of modern day Yugoslavia fight for their independence from the Serbian state. I am reminded that this is not the first time they have struggled for liberty.

Following the defeat of the Austrian Empire in the 1809 campaign, the Peace of Vienna ceded the Croatian frontier to France. Croatia then became a puppet state of the French Empire.

Croatia was divided into six departments, each of which was required to furnish two regular battalions and one National Guard battalion. No further conscription was necessary as Napoleon simply converted the six Austrian Grenz regiments (Nos. 1-4, 10, 11) that had previously been recruited from these areas, namely the Lika, Ogulin, Ottoschatz, Sluin, Glina and Petrina territories.

In 1811, Croatia was required to furnish two Provisional Regiments of two battalion each, for what ever reason they were number 1st and 3rd. The 2nd and 4th Regiments were raised in 1813 following the disaster of 1812, as was a short lived Croatian Hussar Regiment. The 1st and 3rd Regiments were reestablished

The Croats viewed Napoleon in much the same way as did the people of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. That is to say that if they cooperated fully with their Emperor, they might one day gain full sovereignty, even if only on a semi independent basis.

The Provisional Croatian Regiments were given the opportunity to prove themselves in 1812, when the 1st Regiment found itself with a strength of 2000 men as part of Roussel's Brigade of the 13th Division (Delzon), IV Corps (Eugene). The 3rd Regiment, 1700 men was attached to Amey's Brigade, 9th Division (Merle), II Corps (Oudinot). Each Regiment had its own regimental artillery company consisting of two three pounder cannon and was organised in the French manner.

Actions in 1812

Both II and IV Corps saw action in most of the major engagements of the campaign, for example Borodino, Smolensk, Polotsk, Maloyaroslavets and the Beressina crossing. In II Corps the Croats found themselves brigaded with the indomitable Swiss Regiments, and because the Swiss never seemed to know when to call it a day, and because of this they often found themselves with a tarnished reputation. In fact they fought exceptionally well, they just didn't want to fight to the last man!

In IV Corps the situation was somewhat different, the Croats here fought well, but when not in action they suffered from a relatively high desertion rate. Not surprising when you consider that they were now brigaded with troops whom they were in action against during 1809!

53 officers and men of the 1st, and 158 of the 3rd Regiment emerged from Russia. The Colonel of the 1st Regiment, Slivarich was promoted to General for his unit's pains.

In 1813, four regiments were required to be raised and the 2nd and 4th Regiments were activated. The 2nd Provisional Regiment was attached to 2nd Brigade (Sicard), 12th Division (Morand), IV Corps (Bertrand). The 4th Provisional Regiment was assigned to Eugene's Italian Army and performed in a decidedly lack lustre manner. After the mid-campaign armistice, the Croatian Regiments disintegrated somewhat, however, the 2nd battalion of the 1st Regiment fought on for Napoleon, until the end came in 1814, still clinging to their Emperor's star.

Actions of 1813

As part of IV Corps they saw action in the major battles of the Campaign, namely Lutzen, Konigswartha, Bautzen and Gross Beeren and finally at the defence of Magdeburg.

General Fighting Qualities

The Croats were described (by Teste) as excellent skirmishing troops and very competent at defending buildings, and fought bravely in these circumstances. They did not perform well when required to fight in line of battle. Perhaps this is a `National Characteristic' that should be catered for in any game that you use these troops.

Uniform details

The Infantry

Black 1812 pattern shako, brass chinscales (silver for officers) and silver (brass 1813) plate. French cockade and pompon in company colours.

The grenadier company wore a red plume, red shako side chevrons and epaulets, gaiters trimmed with red lace and red tassle.

The voltigeur company wore a red plume with yellow tip, yellow shako chevrons and green epaulets with yellow crescent, gaiters trimmed with yellow lace and yellow tassle.

The uniform was dark green French light infantry pattern. Short tailed single breasted surtout, with yellow collar, cuffs, turnbacks and piping, lapels were green piped yellow, and was worn over a white waistcoat. The dark green trousers had a yellow strip down the outer seam, this was silver for officers. The remaining equipment was standard French issue, all belting being white. The 3rd Regiment was known to have a light blue vertical patch on the collar.

Both white and black gaiters were worn and the greatcoats issued were either brown or grey. The 1st Regiment is known to have been issued with both colours at the same time.

Drummers. The 3rd Regiments drummers were clothed as follows, green trousers with yellow stripe. Light blue surtout. Shako as for grenadiers with short red tuft instead of plume. Gaiters as for voltigeurs. Pesumably the drummers of the 1st Regiment were to wear yellow coats?

The Provisional Croatian Regiments are eminently suitable for the latter period wargamer. They are colourful and make a welcome change from the monotonous blue. There is the added advantage that they could `impersonate' several Confederation of the Rhine units and Italian Light Infantry units, (you may have to squint to avoid the odd difference in facings!)

The Croatian Hussars

The Croatian Hussars were raised in February 1813. Unfortunately their existence as a mounted regiment was short lived. Probably because of the lack of horse flesh, they were converted to a pioneer battalion.

Their uniform was of the French Hussar pattern, sky blue pelisse and dolman with white lace, buff collar and cuffs. Breeches were Iron Grey.

As far as I can ascertain the Croatian Hussars did not manage to acquire a combat record. They are therefore difficult to justify on a wargames table. However, if you have some spare figures and fancy something unusual, why not have a couple of squadrons?