Don't even think of it - mixing troop types in Brigades
Hi all
At todays game, my worthy opponent brigaded cavalry and infantry in the same brigade. I said I felt this was wrong and reduced flexibility, but he indicated that that is what Prussians did! (well enough said).
Am I correct in stating that the same brigade order applies to all units within the brigade. Thus, he could not have his infantry troops on a 'hold' order while the cavalry charged other troops.
Indeed, the point was raised in relation to where individual brigade units have to be placed - my view is that they have to be together and not on different parts of the battle field - am I correct?
All opinions welcome.
I think that the problem here is one of nomenclature. The Prussian army was banned from raising divisions so called them "brigades". Each "brigade" was the size of a division and contained sub-commanders (for example, most "brigades" had a commander for the line infantry and another for the militia/reserve regiments). The cavalry were usually under the direct command of the "brigade" commander.
It is probably best to treat Prussian "brigades" as divisions, each containing one or two infantry brigades and a small cavalry brigade.
Re: Don't even think of it - mixing troop types in Brigades
Hi all
At todays game, my worthy opponent brigaded cavalry and infantry in the same brigade. I said I felt this was wrong and reduced flexibility, but he indicated that that is what Prussians did! (well enough said).
As Colin says, there might be a confusion in definition of what was a "brigade" in game terms as opposed to a "Brigade" in Prussian use, although even there they definitely split up cavalry regiments and attached a couple of squadrons to infantry formations. These are brittle, but handy for keeping French skirmishers at bay! If by "brigade" you mean a handful of battalions, a battery and a cavalry regiment/pair of squadrons etc, then they are acceptable for Late Prussians. There are examples of this sort of mixed brigade in the 1813 scenarios, eg Reigencourt's (Austrian Advance Guard) and Preussen's Brigades at Dolitz and Krafft's at Gross Beeren.
Am I correct in stating that the same brigade order applies to all units within the brigade. Thus, he could not have his infantry troops on a 'hold' order while the cavalry charged other troops.
Yes, all must be on the same order, which can make for interesting decisions on changing orders.
Indeed, the point was raised in relation to where individual brigade units have to be placed - my view is that they have to be together and not on different parts of the battle field - am I correct?
Yes, they should all be together - cavalry might get some distance away due to charges/pursuits etc, but would be out of command range etc if they stayed that way.
All opinions welcome.
Hi Folks
Just to be accurate. The army I was facing was an anglo Portuguese one.