Corunna 1809
Corunna 1809 Notes I have ignored the quieter left flank which was Hopes XX faced by Delaborde XX for now, as I have'nt got enough troops painted yet ! Troops listed left to right for both forces, 1/4th was at the extreme right end of the british line and had to refuse its right flank as the 47th Ligne and the Dragoons tried to outflank them. Pagets division came forward to assist , Disney X and the rifles taking on the French Dragoons who were so hampered by the walled and rough terrain that the British didn't have to form square ! Anstruthers X took on the 4 battalions of the 47th Ligne British CinC XXX Sir John Moore Reserve Division XX Paget Disney X 28th North Gloucestershire (yellow) frnt n rear shako plates 750 36 FIG LINE 91st Argylshire (yellow) kilted 698 36 FIG LINE Anstruther X (died of cholera day before battle, ? who took over) 1/52nd Oxfordshire (Buff) light infantry 828 42 FIGS VETERAN 20th East Devonshire (yellow) 499 24 FIGS LINE 1/95th Rifles 820 may be deployed as skirmishers for both brigades 41 FIGS 1st Division XX Baird Bentincks X 1/4th Kings Own (Blue) 754 36 FIGS LINE 1/50th West Kent (Black) 794 36 FIGS LINE + 4 SKIRM start in Elvina village 1/42nd Royal Highland Black Watch (Dark Blue) kilted 880 42 FIGS LINE Manningham X 3/1st Royal Scots (Blue) 597 30 FIG LINE 2/81st ? (Buff)615 30 FIG LINE 1/26th Cameronian (yellow) 745 36 FIGS LINE Ward X 1/1st Foot Guards 800+ 42 FIGS VETERAN 3/1st Foot Guurds 800+ 42 FIGS VETERAN Artillery Total of only 9 light 6lb guns, 6 6lb Guns distributed along the front of 2nd Division 3 6lb Guns with Paget xx. Rest of artillery and all cavalry were already aboard ship ready for evacuation C in C XXX Soult Lahoussayes Dragoon XX X Marisy, X Caulaincort 17th, 18th, 19th , 27th Dragoons, the latter dismounted to fight on foot. Probably around 400 sabres per regt, and probably poorly mounted ? so 4 REGTS with 20 FIGS, LINE, POOR MOUNTS and a chance to use any dismounted Dragoons as skirmish screen say max 10 FIGS with the other half of the 27th Regt as mounted supports Mermet XX X Galois, X Jardon, X Lefebvre 47th Line 4 Battalions 31st Leger 4 Battalions 122nd Line 4 Battalions Merle XX X Raynaund, X Sarrut, X Thomieres 2nd Leger 3 Battalions 36th Line 3 Battalions 4th Leger 4 Battalions 15th Line 3 Battalions French numbers and troop quality probably 500 to 600 per battalion as all regts had one battalion added from dissolved Junot's XXX, and the 122nd was newly created so 24 to 30 FIGS and rated as LINE and 2nd LINE ? for 3rd and 4th battalions ? Use whatever troops you have ! I do :shock: French Grand battery of 10 guns on the high ground above the lower British ridge and facing Bentincks Brigade, which was within long range and oblique 'almost' enfilade. Watch out for those French double sixes Bentinck and Sir John... Sources Oman Vol 1 Osprey Campaign 83 'Corunna 1809' Thats it for now folks...

Simon Thanks for your efforts and for sharing the information. Looking at the British battalion strenghts, I am surprised at how large some of the units are following the lenghty retreat to Corunna. Lasalle

Some of the better disciplined units lost very few on the retreat, especially the Guards and Oman lists a further 10 well disciplined battalions that kept together, others fell apart due to the rigours of the march. I've taken a guestimate between the November returns and troops that made it home after the battle figures. The French numbers are a complete guess based on Oman. It's fun reading up these battles and while I'm arranging my own OB's and sorting out what needs painting first I thought I would share it with you all. :D Back to French white crossbelts this evening :(

It was "Ross" who took over from "Anstruther". See Napoleon Series. The British are ready but I am still painting up French Infantry. I will not be ready for January 2009 :( The 200th Anniversary of the cavalry engagements (due december) will have to be delayed aswell. But they will make very quick scenarios !

Born on the 150th anniversary. Let us have pics, won't you.

Ronan. Try and stop me posting the pictures ! Cacadores. 'Bump' Here's my Corruna OB

Aha! Thanks, a gent. That's a fair bit of work, translating it into bases

It is indeed a lot of bases. With the numbers that you gave in your link about 500 men 24 Figs per french battalion works about right. This is good news as I can concentrate on finishing 24 figure battalions first and expand them up to 36's later. Both Dragoon XX of 4 regts each are given as 1,600 men Merle XX 6,200 men in 13 battalions Mermet XX 7,500 in 12+3 swiss battalions, But were the swiss actually present , or dropped off to garrison the LOC ? Also from your source the british brigade strenghts are listed as... Pagets XX (Reserve) 1,500 which seems a bit on the small side for 20th 52nd, 95th , 28th and 91st. Maybe this was just one brigades strength Baird XX Warde X 2,000 Gds Manningham X 1,600 for the 1st 26th 81st Bentinck X 1,500 for the 4th 42nd 50th

Simon, have you actually played this one yet? I would like to have a go at doing a bits of all the peninsular battles as the anniversaries occur, but I fear that my Brits (and Portuguese) will need some rapid expanding... John

I'm very close ! The 28th North Gloucesters were finished at christmas! I was slogging my way through the last 4 battalions of french in campaign uniforms but was just not enjoying it so I've diverted to finishing the union brigade for Waterloo for some light relief, and am enjoying painting again ! :D I do an hours painting before work most mornings and 3-4 hrs at the weekends I was clearly not going to make January for the 200th anniversary and I'm off to Normandy for two weeks in June so this battle has been pushed back to my next holiday in August.That should give me plenty of time to finish the remaining French. Elite Minitures sent me a new release slip this weekend. French Light Infantry in Campaign uniforms, same sculpts as the Line but these have pointed cuffs