Orders of Battle:
Franco-Prussian War

August 1 1870:
Introduction

by Larry Brom

ED. NOTE: Though an extensive table of organization for the Franco-Prussian War appeared in the rules included with Vol. VII, No. 1, I felt that it was not expressed in a form that would be of much use to wargamers trying to develop a scenario. I therefore asked Larry Brom to describe the organization he uses. The following is the result. Of course the number of battalions and their strength varied from these "paper" TO's. I feel that which battalions and how many of what type of gun were in the attached batteries as described herein are more useful. - DICK BRYANT

FRENCH

Guard Grenadier Rgts 3 Battalions, with each Btn. having 7 Companies of 95 men each, plus Hdqs.
Guard Voltigeurs Rgts 3 Battalions, with each Btn. having 7 Companies of 95 men each, plus Hdqs.
Guard Chasseur Btns 10 Companies, each of 79 men, & Hdqs.
Guard Zouave Rgts 2 Battalions, each having 6 Companies of 95 men, plus Hdqs.
Line Chasseur Btns 6 Companies, each of 115 men, & Hdqs.
Line Tirailleur Rgts 4 Battalions, each having 6 Companies of 110 men, plus Btn. Hdqs.
Line Zouave Rgts 3 Battalions, each with 6 Companies of 95 men, plus a Btn. Hdqs.
Line Infantry Rgts Paper strength was 2,400 men and officers divided into three Battalions, each of 6 Companies of 120 men & officers.
Guard Cavalry Rgts Each had 5 Squadrons of 120 men & officers (1 Squadron was considered a "depot" sqdn).
Line Hussars Rgts Each had 5 Squadrons of 120 men & officers (1 Squadron was considered a "depot" sqdn).
Spahis Rgts Each had 5 Squadrons of 120 men & officers (1 Squadron was considered a "depot" sqdn).
Chasseur d'Afrique Rgts Each had 5 Squadrons of 120 men & officers (1 Squadron was considered a "depot" sqdn).
Chasseur a Cheval Rgts Each had 5 Squadrons of 120 men & officers (1 Squadron was considered a "depot" sqdn).
Line Lancers and Dragoon Regts 4 Squadrons, each having 150 officers & men
Cuirassiers Rgts 4 Squadrons, each having 150 officers & men
Artillery Batteries 6 guns; about 150 men & officers
Mitrailleuse Batteries 2 to 6 guns

PRUSSIANS


Infantry Rgts 3 Battalions each of 4 Companies of 250 men. The First and Second Battalions were numbered, and the Third was designated the "Fusilier" Battalion. (The Companies of a Rgt. were numbered 1 thru 12, consecutively.)
Jaeger and Pioneer Btns 4 Companies of 250 men & officers and a fifth "reserve" Company.
Cavalry Rgts 600 officers & men in 4 Squadrons, each of 150 troopers. (Cuirassiers & Lancers were considered "heavies" and Hussars and Dragoons were "lights".)
Artillery Battery 6 guns & 175 men

From: The Franco-German War of 1870-1871, Field Marshall Count Helmuth Von Miltke, Harper and Brothers, London, 1914.

More Orders of Battle: Franco-Prussian War August 1, 1870


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