The Russian History of the War of 1813, Vol 2

 

This large second volume of Modest Ivanovich Bogdanovich’s The Russian History of the War of 1813 carries on the job of telling the story of the campaign from a point of view we don’t get nearly often enough. A lot of the credit has to go to Peter G. A. Phillips’ translation, which manages to keep the nineteenth century feel of the original without making it heavy or hard work to read.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is how clearly Bogdanovich explains events that are often rushed through or told mainly from French or German perspectives. Here, the Russian side of the story really comes to the fore. He walks the reader through movements, decisions, and mistakes in a calm, straightforward way, which makes the whole account feel measured and trustworthy. There is no chest beating or drama for its own sake—just a solid attempt to explain what happened and why.

The detail on operations is where the book really shines. Bogdanovich gets into the nuts and bolts of coalition warfare, showing how awkward and fragile alliances could be, and how much effort went into keeping them together. He is also very good on logistics, making it clear just how much supply problems, coordination, and sheer exhaustion shaped the campaign. Along the way, you get brief but useful glimpses of the people involved too—commanders juggling competing interests, officers adapting on the fly, and armies trying to recover after years of hard fighting.

The translation makes all of this easy to follow without sanding off the book’s original character. It still feels very much like a Russian military history written in the nineteenth century, but never in a way that feels dated or awkward. Notes and explanations are kept to a sensible minimum and tend to help rather than distract.

As one has come to expect from Helion’s Reason to Revolution series, the book itself is well put together. The maps are clear, the illustrations are relevant, and the overall presentation supports the text without turning it into something overly academic or intimidating.

If like me you are interested in the later Napoleonic Wars, coalition warfare, or Russian military history more generally, this volume is well worth your time. It fills in a lot of gaps, offers a perspective that is often pushed into the background, and does so in a way that is detailed, balanced, and genuinely engaging.

From Reason to Revolution 1722–1815 No. 156

ISBN: 978-1-804518-21-2 550 Pages Paperback

Some New Napoleonic Cavalry

Pictured in the post are a selection of miniatures produced by Piano Wargames. Mainly 3d resin prints with one of metal castings. As is clear from the photos I still need to do the basing and give them some flags.

Wurtzberg Light Dragoons

Hesse-Darmstadt Garde du Corps. Ok, there shouldn’t be as many figures in the unit as it was quite small. However, in my reality we have a proper-sized unit. These are metal.

Wurtemberg Jäger Garde Squadron.

Wurtemberg Garde du Corps squadron

Two squadrons of Wurtemberg Grenadier-Garde.

In reality this is another unit I decided to field at full strength with four squadrons for no other reason than it looks good.

Danish Napoleonic Smørrebrød

Before I lock the barracks gates on my Napoleonic Danish collection they have been ordered to take part in a parade to celebrate the completed project. The only way I could add to it would mean buying more miniatures, and that is unlikely to happen (but never say never….?).

I never planned to buy any Danes. However, once the seed had been planted (partly by my friend John the Red) to devise a campaign based on the planned invasion of Sweden by a French, Spanish, Danish and Dutch corps in 1808 that was it!

Anyway, here they all are.

A couple of ADCs

The CinC von Essen

Three batteries of artillery. One battery are not really cannon at all being 1pdr amusettes, but needs must.

Line cavalry in greatcoats (Steve Barber)

Two battalions of light infantry.

The infantry en masse. 

More cavalry including the guard hussars and their attached squadron of Bosnaiks.

In total there are four cavalry regiments, 10 infantry battalions (including one guard and two Lanvern), two light battalions and three batteries of cannon. Oh, and some ski troops.

Rather colourful and impressive but they don’t have a wonderful record on the tabletop so far. Maybe now the whole lot are finished….?

Danish Napoleonic Light Battalion

It’s turning out to be quite a productive week, as this battalion of Danish light infantry heads off to barracks. Not the hardest of uniforms to paint but boring. These are of course 28mm Perry Miniatures.

There is one more battalion infantry on the painting desk and when they are done the Danish corps WILL be finished. 

Kingdom of Wurtemberg Division by Piano Miniatures #1

My mate Togs from the LaSW group 3d printed me a modest collection of Wurtemberg troops to round off my allied contingents for my French army. These are all off .stl files from the wonderful Piano Miniatures. 

Shown here are a battalion of jäger, light infantry skirmish bases, foot and horse artillery and the 2nd Chevau Legere regiment of cavalry.

A few bases of light infantry.

Chevau Leger Regiment

Horse and foot artillery 

The Jäger battalion. I’ve done them in skirmish order.

Some commanders.

And some more commanders.

I have a couple more battalions to do that are wearing the earlier casket helmet which was replaced around 1806-1807, maybe a bit later? Somewhere in the Shed of Despair there is a unit of light infantry also in the Rumford’esk helmet. Might as well get them done.

The ONLY thing I would say is that the minis are a little fragile. However a bit of care sorts that out. 

#2 to follow soon with line and light infantry and the guard, just as soon as I’ve finished their bases.

Something New: Grand Duchy Of Baden

The first units of my Baden contingent. In this post we have the Baden jäger btn, a battery of foot artillery (guns on the way), a command stand, the Baden Hussars and the Baden Light Dragoons. With the exception of the hussars which are Perry hussars wearing their pelises , and a 3d printed command stand (Piano Wargames) the rest are Murowski Miniatures.  I have three battalions of infantry which are almost based up.  A nice little addition.

More to follow…..It is such a shame that Piano have been running a Baden kickstarter! 

The Russian History of the War of 1813, volume 1

 

I have made no secret of my admiration for Modest Ivanovich Bogdanovich’s epic multi-volume account of Russia’s campaigns against Napoleon (see elsewhere on this blog for my thoughts), and this latest weighty instalment, The Russian History of the War of 1813: The War to Liberate Germany, Volume 1, only reinforces that respect. Translated once again with care and clarity by Peter G.A. Phillips, this volume picks up the Russian narrative precisely where the previous series left off with Napoleon's shattered Grande Armée dragging itself out of the snows of 1812 and the Russians in hot pursuit across the Niemen.

Bogdanovich is, as in the 1812 series, not interested in mere broad strokes. Instead, he dives deep into the movements, motivations, and missteps of the armies and their commanders. He offers a wealth of material that is ideal for historians and wargamers alike; numerous and very detailed orders of battle, precise campaign timelines, and his commentary on personalities and politics. I cannot help but be struck by the tension he draws between the Czar’s political caution and the boldness of his generals as they chased a weakened Napoleon into Central Europe.

The subtitle, ‘The War to Liberate Germany’ is most apt. Much of the volume deals with the delicate diplomatic and military ballet performed by the Allies – Russia, Prussia, and the various German states – during the spring and summer of 1813. I found plenty here for fans of the complexities of coalition warfare, as the shifting allegiances and fragile coordination between the powers come vividly to life. I gained a clear picture of how the Allies gradually unified their efforts, despite significant internal bickering and the always present fear of a resurgent Napoleon.

One aspect of the book I found particularly good is Bogdanovich’s analysis of the spring armistice and the battles that bookend it – Lützen and Bautzen on one end, and the preparations for the great autumn campaign on the other. He pulls no punches in his critique of Allied shortcomings, nor does he shy from praising Napoleon where it is due. But unlike many western histories, there is nothing resembling hero worship where Bonapart is concerned. Bogdanovich is resolutely Russian in his perspective, and frank in his admiration for Kutuzov, Wittgenstein, and even the often-maligned Barclay de Tolly.

For wargamers, the maps can easily be supplemented from online sources or other reference material. They are also available to download and print out from the Helion website. The detail Bogdanovich provides on unit compositions and movements makes this a treasure trove for scenario builders. His vivid accounts of the fighting around Dresden and the manoeuvrings before Leipzig, which I suspect will dominate Volume 2, provide plenty of inspiration for scenario designers.

Peter G.A. Phillips once again deserves immense credit for his work on the translation. The narrative is readable without sacrificing the more formal tone of the original, and the footnotes are invaluable in clarifying obscure references. His notes provide context for both the Russian and western reader, and I never feel lost in the blizzard of regiments and generals.

In summary, if you enjoyed the previous volumes in this monumental series, you’ll find The War of 1813: Volume 1 an essential continuation. If you are new to Bogdanovich, do not be daunted; start with 1812, but know that this volume marks a real turning point in the narrative, as the war shifts from defence to liberation and, ultimately, to vengeance. The Russian bear is on the move westward, and Bogdanovich is its most eloquent chronicler.

Highly recommended for students of the Napoleonic Wars, Russian military history enthusiasts, and anyone with a love of well-told campaign history. I look forward to the next volume.

ISBN: 978-1-804516-78-2 452 pages. Soft back

1812 Invasion of Russia in 54mm

Conrad offered to run a 54mm Napoleonic game here at the Burrow so on Saturday he arrived with his car stuffed to the gunwales with boxes of La Grande Armee and the army of the Czar. What appears on the table is but a small fraction of his collection; he has some 40-50 ‘French’ infantry battalions alone, each of 24 figures. Where he puts them I do not know, and I’ve been to his house!

As well as Conrad we had Richard, Neil and John the Red. Richard and I were the good guys, er the Russians, tasked with holding a series of low hills and delaying the French attack as long  as possible. We were outnumbered in infantry but we had the edge in numbers and quality so far as the cavalry and artillery were concerned. We used Black Powder without any of my normal house rules, to keep it simple.

What followed was a tremendously enjoyable game, especially as we (the Russians) held the French and sent them packing. Indeed we were all done by lunchtime, so this holds the record as the quickest game played here. We still went through six or more turns in the two and half hours of play. 

Essentially, Neil led his German cavalry forward against our right wing but despite catching the Guard Cuirassiers in the flank were broken. The same fate fell on the Badem Hissars when they were charged by the  cuirassier, destroying one brigade on the Deench side.In the centre Richard our CinC advanced rapidly against the Poles and Wurtemburgers advancing slowly towards us. In a prolonged fight the Wurtemburgers were broken but so was Richard’s brigade. On our left Co rad moved his mixed foreign brigade forward and formed square facing my light cavalry. My grenadiers charged the Croats and then the Portuguese, eventually routing them - goodbye the third French brigade and the battle was over in time for soup.

Here are a random selection of photos culled from those I took as well as contributions from Richard and John. 

Neuchatel, Croats and Portuguese.

Bavarians

Russian uhlans and hussars on our left 

The centre advances 

The Russian centre 

The Poles 

Russian Guard Hussars

Btn Neuchatel

My Grenadiers were held by the Croats but overran the Portuguese Legion easy enough.

The collapse of the French right.

Our centre in action 

 Broken Wurtemburgers 

Broken Baden Hussars

The end is nigh, and the cat of war declares a Russian victory!

There was some talk about all of us moving into this scale but fabulous as it is it ain’t going to happen here.

New Perry Spanish Napoleonic Sets

 

These arrived in the post today. They look amazing and I’m looking forward ( that is a lie as I hate sticking plastics together but…..) to assembling them. I don’t think I need any more Spanish as I already have 10 or 11 battalions of line and one of lights. I suppose I can justify a couple more so I have Romana’s entire corps in Denmark in 1807-1808. There were technically 12 line battalions from four regiments, two light battalions, three horse and two dragoon regiments and iirc three artillery batteries including one of horse. Mule more like I reckon. Anyway they are really pretty so that’s enough for me. I’m not really fussed about doing any for the Peninsular War but that doesn’t mean I won’t.