Austrian Reserve Division vs. Infantry Division - A good place to start?

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Austrian Reserve Division vs. Infantry Division - A good place to start?

(9 posts) (7 voices)

Started 1 year ago by Hordini
Latest reply from John de Terre Neuve

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Hordini
Member

Hey guys!

I'm new to Lasalle and new to Napoleonics in general, however I've been wargaming for quite a few years. I started with science fiction and fantasy type stuff, but I'm more interested in historicals now - WWII has been my period of choice for the past several years. I got a copy of Lasalle and I'm thinking about branching out into Napoleonics.

I'm interested in putting together an Austrian force, and I like grenadiers, so I was considering starting with an army based on the Austrian Reserve Division, with Grenadiers and Cuirassiers in support. Would this be a good place to start for someone who is totally new to Napoleonics? I like the idea of a small, elite force, although the lack of skirmishers seems somewhat concerning. Did Austrian grenadiers see much fighting historically? Would it be easy for me to get in on scenario games with a Reserve Division force?

I also like the regular Austrian infantry, and would consider doing an Infantry Division-based force, but it just seems like a lot of miniatures to buy and paint up to start out with, while the Grenadier force would be a lot smaller. Being a somewhat more average formation (as opposed to the more elite Grenadiers), I'm sure it'd be easy to fit into scenario games and such.

So what do you guys think? What are the pros and cons of a Reserve Division force vs. a regular Infantry Division force? Which would be better for a newcomer to the Napoleonic period? Any advice on either army from both a gameplay and historical perspective, or advice about starting Napoleonics in general?

Thanks a lot guys, any and all input is greatly appreciated!

-Hordini

P.S. - As far as miniatures go, right now I'm looking at AB's 18mm line, as they appear to be quite nice, but if anyone has any better suggestions, I'm all ears.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sam Mustafa
Le Grand Fromage

For a new player, you might have more fun choosing a force that has more options, like the Austrian Avant-Garde division or the French Peninsular division. You can sort of grow and learn with those forces, because they have a better balance of infantry (regular and irregular) and cavalry (light), with the option to have elites or heavies in support.

Posted 1 year ago #
MarkGrindlay
Member

15 / 18mm is a LOT faster to paint that the larger scales you may be used to from sci fi and fantasy stuff, so don't worry too much about the painting time. Especially as once you know how to paint the uniform and figure, you can halve the time each figure takes to paint, and the time each regiment / batallion takes.

my top tip is to only prep and work on one batallion at a time, so it never looks too daunting, and each batallion reflects your improved knowledge of the figure.

Sam's advice is sound - and basic regular infantry are much more reusable than elites, as line, dragoons and chasseurs appear far more often than cuirassiers and lancers, etc.

the first Napoleonic army should always be the basic line infantry - and then you add on to that solid base with all the interesting stuff. its much harder to go the other way, since you already have the interesting stuff done.

you'll see this with loads of old time Napoleonic armies (the WRG rules were notorious for this) - always a highland unit in kilts, old and middle and young guard and cirassiers, usually the red lancers, the black hussars, 95th rifles, prussian guard with huge poms etc - but, oh, only two batallions of line because the projct lost interest after a while ... and so the 'specials' are of little use when a new project comes along.

Posted 1 year ago #
MarkGrindlay
Member

oh, yea, AB are undoubtedly the best, but there are plenty of equally good 'good' options - fantassin / warmodelling, campaign games do specifically waterloo stuff, Old Glory 15s, eureka, even dear old essex's are fine.

the big change is that the newer figures tend to be taller (18mm) and thinner, where the slightly older ones tend to be closer to 15mm and a bit more rounded of limb - whihc in some ways is going to look more familiar if you have a fantasy background

imagine your fgure was modelled on an 80's actor - is it jeff goldblum or arnold swartzenegger. or put another way, are you a games workshop or a perry miniatures in 28mm?

Posted 1 year ago #
cam_millar
Member

imagine your fgure was modelled on an 80's actor - is it jeff goldblum or arnold swartzenegger.

Most figures seem to be based on John Goodman wearing baseball gloves.

Cam

Posted 1 year ago #
Max Shadow
Member

ROFL. Yes thats true.
Though there is a brand of 6mm which I'm sure is based on Stewie from Family guy.

Posted 1 year ago #
Biggreenbugeyedmonster
Member

Six units of Grenadiers could be boring to paint (though not as boring as 7 Infantry (+) !!!
Then again, the Grenadiers fought heroically at Essling and at Wagram. And in game terms they get organic Cuirassiers (which is pretty damn scary). Lack of skirmishers isn't really a problem if your tactic is to avoid long range firefights and to charge into contact as fast as you can.

Avant-Garde has lots of different options (And the Avant-Garde with Hussar organic brigade is one of the most powerful lists in the game).

Posted 1 year ago #
Hordini
Member

Awesome! Thanks a lot for the responses guys, I really appreciate it. I've thought about it a bit more, and I'm starting to lean more towards Sam's suggestion of an Avant-Gard Divison force. The variety of units is nice, and would keep the painting from getting too repetitive, and also allow me the chance to learn the game a bit better with its mix of regular and irregular infantry, plus the inclusion of Jägers and organic cavalry (Uhlans no less!) is sweet. I could always paint up a few grenadiers to use as reserve support if I want to, so it's also win-win in that regard.

Thanks for the info on other miniature options as well, although I'll still likely go with AB (as far as I've seen, and most people seem to agree so far, AB is the best in quality at this scale).

So shifting gears a little bit, could anyone give me a bit more information on the Austrian Avant-Gard Division? Where and how it was employed historically, and how it plays in the actual game? It looks like a pretty diverse formation. Did organization vary much in different battles, or is the Lasalle list a pretty solid representation? Would there be a mix of German and Hungarian units in a single division-sized force? Would that vary from battalion to battalion, or regiment to regiment, or at a higher level? Or lower level, for that matter?

I'm guessing it's a kind of "advance guard" division, so would I be correct in assuming it is more of an offensive formation? Is it an actual standard formation, or is it more of an ad-hoc type unit? Would it also be used much on the defensive?

Sorry, I have a lot of questions, but this stuff has been really interesting so far! Thanks a lot guys!

Posted 1 year ago #
John de Terre Neuve
Member

Here are my thoughts on the Avant-Gard division, it is my first Austrian unit and I am about half way through.

http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.com/2010/04/well-maybe-it-will-be-austrians.html

John

Posted 1 year ago #

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