I have found that there are three things that always happen when I watch a loss in Napoleon's Battles. One side always does one or more of the following: Fails to property deploy units for both usage and depth of reserve. Fails to property maneuver during a battle. Fails to property engage enemy forces during the battle. Granted, I will be the first to admit that there is no standard pattern to Napoleonic battles. They vary widely according to circumstances. But there are some basic principles to follow, so let's take it one step at a time and simplify this as much as possible while looking at each piece of an army as if it is on an order of battle card: Advanced Guard, Light Infantry, Cavalry, Line Infantry, Artillery, and Reserve Corps. According to Napoleon, the duty of the Advanced Guard does not consist in advancing or retiring, but in maneuvering. An Advanced Guard should be composed of light cavalry, supported by a reserve of heavy cavalry, and by battalions of infantry, supported also by artillery. An Advanced Guard should consist of picked troops, and the general officers and men, should be selected for their respective capabilities and knowledge. A corps deficient in instruction is only an embarrassment to an Advanced Guard. So what did this tell us? First, you have to know how to maneuver; second, you have to be able to use a combined arms corps to use the Advanced Guard correctly; third, they have to be good at what they do, which means they have to be lead well, which means they have to have leadership that is second to none and you have to command them correctly. In the event that the order of battle calls for an Advanced Guard, and you cannot maneuver troops, cannot use combined arms very well, or have selected generals with poor leadership, then you have already lost the battle. Proper deployment of forces is critical. With combined arms, you are going to use the cavalry as an advanced scout to slow the enemy advance and to harass the enemy. They are going to be hung out to dry if you cannot support them when ... not if ... they get into trouble. Artillery is more essential to cavalry than to infantry, because cavalry has no fire for its defense, but depends upon the saber. To remedy this deficiency, horse artillery was invented. I suggest using it to reinforce the Advanced Guard cavalry units. Therefore, cavalry should never be without cannon, whether attacking, rallying, or in position. If you are fielding an army which utilized skirmishers, use skirmishers! They can harass an enemy and slow his advance. They can be used to drive back the enemy skirmishers, fire on his main body, and if within range, fire on the enemy artillery. They are sometimes referred to as Light Infantry, Jaegers, or Rifles; it depends on the army you have chosen. Universally, the negative aspect of skirmishers ... enemy cavalry! Watch out for it! And never, never let your skirmishers get cutoff from your lines. Orchards, olive gardens, small woods and the like should be used to your advantage; they check the movement of attacking troops while giving cover to defenders. They are an excellent defense for skirmishers. Cavalry and artillery units are at a great disadvantage in such terrain, but light infantry is at it's best! The tactic I like to use is to place line infantry next to the woods, orchards, or the like and skirmishers in the given terrain to prevent a flank attack. Naturally, stone walls, hedges, streams, and rivers can all be used to your advantage by checking an advance, so initial deployment of troops is critical. Continuing with this thought, Sun Tzu, in "The Art of War", said to let half the enemy cross the river, then attack them. This is a good maneuver and I happen to know that it works as I have used it successfully against the French. It is basically what Archduke Charles did in the battle of Aspern-Essling, with glorious results for the Austrians and devastating consequences for the French. Of course, you have to develop your own tactics, but never get caught crossing a river or with your back too close to water as it limits your maneuvers and closes a possible area of withdrawal. Line infantry is the most versatile troop on the battlefield as they can operate in virtually any terrain in both offensive and defensive positions. The position from which you can do the most damage to the enemy and offer the greatest advantage for you should be your primary objective. This is the point at which you should concentrate the bulk of your infantry and your Grenadiers, Guards, and the like. It is imperative that you take and hold this objective regardless of the cost! This is the point on the battlefield where you are to drain the enemy of all his resources. It is essential that your line, your support, and your reserves are in proper position in the initial setup; and never leave intervals by which the enemy can penetrate between corps formed in order of battle unless it is to draw him into a trap. If you can get a unit of cavalry into the rear of an enemy line, then attack undefended artillery units. Not only will this reduce the enemy effectiveness, but it will also have severe psychological effects on your opponent. If you see that you can accomplish this tactic, advise other generals within your army of what is going to happen so they can time advances and charges to coincide with your actions. Light cavalry can screen flanks. Medium cavalry is excellent at breaking an enemy unit that has been shaken in previous combat. Heavy cavalry is the only cavalry that has a chance of breaking an enemy line and surviving. In offensive maneuvers, cavalry is excellent to expand the line and envelope the enemy forces to prevent escape, thus ensuring a more rapid and glorious victory. In defensive maneuvers, cavalry is best used as a rear guard in limited counter-attacks. Napoleon said that it is the business of cavalry to follow up the victory, and to prevent the beaten enemy from rallying. He also said that charges of cavalry are equally useful at the beginning, the middle, and the end of a battle. They should be made always, if possible, on the flanks of the infantry, especially when the later is engaged in front. This brings up the rule in Napoleon's Battles where if an enemy unit is within 1" then you cannot change your formation. This rule is very accurate because it reflects real life situations that actually occurred several times in battles of the period. Artillery is used best in defense where it can fire constantly at an advancing enemy force. Personal experience has taught me that it is also excellent at interdiction of enemy forces attempting to form up for an advance. Naturally, in a march, on in position, the greater part of the artillery should be with the divisions of infantry and cavalry. The rest should be in reserve, but never fielded alone or unprotected. Napoleon thought that artillery should always be placed in the most advantageous positions, and as far in front of the line of cavalry and infantry as possible, without compromising the safety of the guns. Field batteries should command the whole country round from the level of the platform. They should on no account be masked on the right and left, but have free range in every direction. Villages are vital because of the inherent defensive nature and field of fire opportunities afforded to artillery units. Villages, towns, and the like become vital to defensive lines; they are usually the focal point within that line and are thus the primary objective of the enemy forces. Field fortifications are tricky. They offer a defensive position similar to villages and protect artillery and /or infantry, but also present a tangible objective. Ideally, if a fieldwork is constructed a little in advance of the main line, it will absorb or break up the enemy attack(s). Fieldworks are most useful in open country; especially so if you are defending and are weak in cavalry. A prime example of this is the battle of Borodino. Lastly, if engaged in a campaign, remember economic viability. You may be able to use two corps of heavy cavalry to take the enemy fieldworks, but will you ever recover from such a heavy loss? (Ask the French if they recovered from doing this at Borodino.) I hope this helps. Thanks, good luck, and good gaming! Back to MWAN #114 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2001 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com