Hi everybody!
I'm mainly playing the Austrian army and currently I'm still fighting 1794 in version 4.07 but even there the ever present French skirmishers cause me huge problems. Reading the latest AAR about the changes with the current 4.08.1 version makes me really worry how to deal with them in this version. I know that they were a real huge advantage for the French army in reality but I suspect that scenarios were not re-balanced in regards to these latest changes.
https://wargameds.com/blogs/news/quatre-bras-aar
So do you have any advice how to deal with French skirmishers in 4.08.1 with an army that fields mostly "Restricted" bataillons that cannot detach their own and generally has few light bataillons?
Any advice how to deal with French skirmishers as Austria
Any advice how to deal with French skirmishers as Austria
Tapfer. Standhaft. Treu.
(PzGrenB 13, Ried im Innkreis)
(PzGrenB 13, Ried im Innkreis)
Re: Any advice how to deal with French skirmishers as Austria
As you mentioned it's quite historical for the Austrians to suffer against the French in this aspect. The Austrian army is the most challenging to command due to its lack of distinctive advantages.
• The British have their +50% musket firepower.
• The Russians have powerful artillery and French-like organization from 1812 onwards at the division-corps level.
• The Prussians, while being two different armies over 1806-1807 and 1813-1815, have high-quality units and a sufficient number of well-trained light troops post-1807.
• The French benefit from superior organization vs others at least up to 1812, have better command range, numerous good-quality light troops, and battalion sizes optimal for musket use (a 540-strong battalion being the best size).
Given these factors, no wonder the Austrians struggled to oppose the French, especially when part of their artillery is made of 3-lbs facing French 8-lbs.
A few thoughts though:
1. Austrian skirmishers are mostly packed into a light brigade within an “advance guard” or “light” division (with the cavalry brigade being the second brigade). Instead of using the light brigade as an operational unit, spread the light troops by company across the front and mix them with line infantry to compensate for the lack of skirmishers in the line infantry divisions:
This approach allows for more tactical flexibility at the stack level, although it will narrow your front. Also keep in mind that the light infantry divisional commander might struggle with maintaining effective command and control over the wider front so some on the companies will end up being detached. However, this tactic provides an opportunity to counter French skirmishers and boost your stacks with FP.
2. Before 1805, the French army rarely had a light brigade or regiment assigned to each infantry division. This means they will have to detach light companies from line battalions and these have compromised morale (C less one = D). Use extended lines for large Austrian battalions to maximise FP and position half-battalions in a solid line. This formation will outgun French skirmishers detached from non-light battalions. The Austrian line may be outgunned once French line infantry joins the firefight, but you might be able to rout the enemy skirmishers with a couple of volleys.
3. Although easier said than done, try to avoid obstructed terrain where skirmishers excel.
4. When it is time for an Austrian cavalry to charge, make sure they overrun a juicy stack of French skirmishers on the way.
Overall commanding an Austrian army is more demanding with all things being equal (and it never is)
• The British have their +50% musket firepower.
• The Russians have powerful artillery and French-like organization from 1812 onwards at the division-corps level.
• The Prussians, while being two different armies over 1806-1807 and 1813-1815, have high-quality units and a sufficient number of well-trained light troops post-1807.
• The French benefit from superior organization vs others at least up to 1812, have better command range, numerous good-quality light troops, and battalion sizes optimal for musket use (a 540-strong battalion being the best size).
Given these factors, no wonder the Austrians struggled to oppose the French, especially when part of their artillery is made of 3-lbs facing French 8-lbs.
A few thoughts though:
1. Austrian skirmishers are mostly packed into a light brigade within an “advance guard” or “light” division (with the cavalry brigade being the second brigade). Instead of using the light brigade as an operational unit, spread the light troops by company across the front and mix them with line infantry to compensate for the lack of skirmishers in the line infantry divisions:
This approach allows for more tactical flexibility at the stack level, although it will narrow your front. Also keep in mind that the light infantry divisional commander might struggle with maintaining effective command and control over the wider front so some on the companies will end up being detached. However, this tactic provides an opportunity to counter French skirmishers and boost your stacks with FP.
2. Before 1805, the French army rarely had a light brigade or regiment assigned to each infantry division. This means they will have to detach light companies from line battalions and these have compromised morale (C less one = D). Use extended lines for large Austrian battalions to maximise FP and position half-battalions in a solid line. This formation will outgun French skirmishers detached from non-light battalions. The Austrian line may be outgunned once French line infantry joins the firefight, but you might be able to rout the enemy skirmishers with a couple of volleys.
3. Although easier said than done, try to avoid obstructed terrain where skirmishers excel.
4. When it is time for an Austrian cavalry to charge, make sure they overrun a juicy stack of French skirmishers on the way.
Overall commanding an Austrian army is more demanding with all things being equal (and it never is)
-
Bill-Peters
- Posts: 216
- Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2022 8:41 pm
Re: Any advice how to deal with French skirmishers as Austria
Another suggestion is to put several of your infantry battalions into extended line in order to create a larger front. Less likely that the French skirmishers will get in behind your lines that way. The Austrians have a lot of cavalry too. Have them protect the flanks of the infantry brigades. Won't work in woods of course but it will keep them at bay for fear of being overrun.