Help with Peninsula French Battalion Ratios

[ClausewitzRulesOk]

Hi Guys,

I'm a long term lurker on these forums, and finally registered so I could join in properly.

I'm putting together some Victrix 1807-1812 French, doing battalions of 30.

My question is, at a ratio of one model representing twenty (ish), what sort of command group is suitable?

Also, what are the differences between battalion and regimental commands, and what models do you guys use for representing non-eagle bearing battalions?

Currently I only have this book for reference (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-Enc ... 0754815714) and I'm hoping to get some Osprey books soon, but in the meantime I feel rather in the dark.

Thanks

Cameron

[grant]

At 1:20 or so, you really have a choice whether to represent a battalion or a regiment. The difference? A regiment is essentially made up of multiple battalions. So 22eme Regiment de Ligne might have 3 battalions. Only the Regimental Command would carry the eagle and the regimental standard. For me, all my units have the full banner. It's nicer. Battalion command will only have a fanion, a smaller single colour (usually) flag. Some were decorated by the battalions to taste.

Do what makes your stuff look nice, to you!

And welcome to the forum.

[ClausewitzRulesOk]

Thanks Grant,

I was especially curious about the number of models people use to make up their command groups. The victrix set gives you way too many officers, and potentially too many drummers, so I was just trying to collect ideas.

Are the battalion fanions really just single colour flags then? And I presume with no eagle, there would be no porte-aigle to look after it?

Also do you have any recommendations for osprey books to get first?

[grant]

Well, I wouldn't actually recommend Osprey; they are far too general in my opinion. Not worth the money unless you can find them second hand for a few dollars or so.

For my units, a command consists of an officer (usually mounted), a standard bearer, a drummer, and a couple of troopers. This is one of my command stands:



For a battalion command inspiration, this is from http://www.perry-miniatures.com

[Correus]

I like your style!

[grant]

Thanks!

But this thread isn't about me - it's about helping the fellow who erroneously thinks Clausewitz is Ok - when clearly Napoleon is... (joking ... )

[ClausewitzRulesOk]

Thanks Grant, I was unsure about the perry command groups because they are post-Bardin reforms, so I wanted to check. Eagles do look cool, so I might not worry about fanions for a while.

So does your mounted officer represent a Colonel?

Your models look great by the way, great inspiration.

So if not Osprey, do you have any recommendations for this kind of thing?

Incidentally, my user name is taken from the name of an article Colin Gray wrote to expound the great Prussian's virtues.

[grant]

No worries on the name - a gentle kidding can be entertaining! (you should see the Parliament/Rebelle and Royalist pokes that go on ) Naturally, I do have Clausewitz on my shelf!

My mounted officer does represent a colonel. I liked the way it looks, so am doing most of mine this way - except Lights, they will all on foot. All of my French are for Leipzig 1813. Thanks for the kind comments!

Anyway, for books, I actually meant to post some websites for you instead
Some of these are post-Bardin, but they are still my favourite.
http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/
http://empire.histofig.com/-Armees-et-Uniformes-.html

Hopefully some others can post some book suggestions as I am not a "Peninsular" guy.

[grant]

Check out this thread - his French Battalion has a fanion : viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4549

[ClausewitzRulesOk]

This is great stuff Grant, thanks a lot.

Don't worry, I took your comments as a joke, I meant to say that in my older post! I love Clausewitz, I think he is my favourite strategist. I studied/am studying him as part of my undergraduate and Masters courses, so he was on my mind when I was picking a username!

It's great to chat to some Napoleonic gamers, I myself being a recent refugee from Games Workshop (with all of my wargaming friends remaining solidly playing WH40k and WHFB), this is the only place I can grab some tid-bits of information for Napoleonics.

I'm currently trying to stay focused on Napoleonics rather than get distracted and buy some TYW stuff....