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1 Formations and Combat

1.1 Simulation Problem
Given the decisions on base sizes, players needed agreed conventions to depict formations. In
particular to reflect cases where the unit was a brigade or division and the individual battalions may
have been in different formations.

Practical considerations
 The Combat Elements would need to occupy the same area on the table as historically to
ensure the representation.
 Standard depictions and conventions would ease perceptions of what firepower was
available. For example only one quarter of the troops if the unit was in squares.

Simulation considerations
 The frontage and depth would be consistent with historical formations. But the precise
relationship between one Combat Element and another may not be.
 Some columnar formations would be difficult to represent. For example the difference
between battalions in a column of platoons and that of a division. The depiction of this is
important with respect to density of target and speed of formation changing.
 It is assumed that the relevant brigade/divisional commanders would handle the specifics.
The player as a more senior general need only be concerned that the unit is in an appropriate
formation. Which may be generally linear or columnar and the circumstances require.

1.2 Game solution

 Standard relative positions of Combat Elements would define brigade and divisional
formations.
 Each formation would have defined firepower or effects relative to its frontal Combat
Elements.

1.3 Infantry Brigade formations

For purposes of explanation the brigade is assumed to be of eight stands of castings, each stand then
representing one Combat Element for ease of the explanations which follow.

1.3.1 Single line of battalions

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Depiction: All stands are alongside each other, and all are facing the same direction
Combat: Count all Combat Elements (e.g. 8 @ 10 CV = 80 CV)
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (e.g. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV to the
Unit). Unit counts as being two or three ranks deep only.

Simulation rationale:
All troops are deployed into the line and no reserves are available.

1.3.2 Double equal line of battalions

4 3 2 1

8 7 6 5

Depiction: Stands are placed alongside each other, all facing the same direction, but in two lines
separated by the scale distance of 50-200m. The rearmost stands may even be
placed two deep to represent them being in some form of columnar formation. This
would fit the depiction of the French adopted in 1807 and the Prussian “brigades”
Combat: Count frontal Combat Elements only (i.e. 4 @ 10 = 40)
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (i.e. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV loss to
the Unit as a whole). Unit counts as being two or three ranks deep only.
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Simulation rationale:
The “supporting” Combat Elements (i.e. battalions) can either be fed into the front line to replace
casualties. Alternatively the Unit commander may exchange rear line troops with those to their front,
such as by the ‘passage of lines’ formation.

1.3.3 Double unequal line of battalions

5 4 3 2 1

8 7 6

Depiction: The stands are placed alongside each other, all facing the same direction, but in two
lines separated by the scale distance of 50-200m. The rearmost stands may even be
placed two deep to represent them being in some form of columnar formation.
Combat: Count only the frontal Combat Elements (i.e. in this case 5 @ 10 = 50)
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (i.e. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV).
Unit does not count as a dense target if rear line is <= half the frontage of the forward
line

Simulation rationale:
The “supporting” Combat Elements are either being fed into the front line to replace casualties, or may
exchange with troops to their front. This effectively provides for brigades with unequal numbers of
battalions or battalions of highly variable sizes. The essence is that the rear line being reserves of a
lesser number than the frontal line. Note that this Unit is more vulnerable to casualties than the
previous as more of it is exposed to being attacked.

1.3.4 Combat Columns

7 5 3 1
8 6 4 2

Depiction: Alternate stands are placed behind the adjacent stand (i.e. stand 2 is behind stand 1).
All facing the same direction, and with one stand intervals between each pair of
stands and the next.
Combat: Count only one quarter of the total Combat Elements
(i.e. in this case 8 @ 10 = 80/4 = 20)
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (i.e. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV).
Unit counts as a dense target and casualties from artillery may be on up to six ranks
deep.
Simulation rationale:
The overall frontage of the brigade is maintained. So if it were to deploy then there is space to form a
line. It is not specified whether the individual battalions are in a column of platoons or of divisions. It
may be assumed the commanding general has elected the optimum where troops are familiar with
using both. The maximum depths for artillery in the C3 rules is for six ranks and hence there is no
effect on the fact that the firer can only get six ranks, when in some cases they may be able to get up
to 24 depending on the precise formation. After much trial and error, which also considered that
deeper formations (e.g. eight French platoons in single platoon frontage with 24 ranks) are less likely
to be hit versus the wider four French platoons in a two platoon or division frontage with the Grenadier
and Voltigeur platoons could be grouped into a separate battalion, and so this has only six ranks).

It is noted that the change of formation is not guaranteed. Some of the randomness can be
considered a reflection of delays due to commanders electing the slower column of platoons over the
column of divisions.

The brigade does not need to deploy all battalions in a single ‘line’ of columns. Part of the Unit can be
forming a second or even third “line” of columns. In which case only the frontal Combat Elements
count.
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1.4 Mixed lines and columns

7 6 4 3 2
8 5 1

Depiction: Some, but not all stands are placed behind a stand in the first line. All are facing the
same direction. This is essentially the way to represent l’ordre mixt.
Combat: Count only the frontal Combat Elements (i.e. in this case 5 @ 10 = 50)
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (i.e. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV).
Unit counts as a dense target (i.e. up to six ranks) if the rear row is equal to half or
more of the frontage of the front row
Simulation rationale:
The overall frontage of the brigade is maintained. What is considered is that part of the brigade is in
columnar and part in linear formations. The precise Combat Elements are not of consequence. In
effect the example denotes that approximately 6/8 ths of the brigade is in some sort of columnar
formation, while the rest is in a linear formation.

1.4.1 Squares
7 5 3 1
8 6 4 2

Depiction: Alternate Combat Elements are placed behind the preceding stand. The odd
numbered stands facing forwards and the even facing backwards. With a one stand
interval between each pair of stands and the next.
Combat: Count only one quarter of the total Combat Elements in the Unit, in effect the facing of
the square towards the enemy (i.e. in this case 8 @ 10 = 80/4 = 20)
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (i.e. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV).
Unit counts as a dense target up to six ranks deep.
Simulation rationale:
The overall frontage of the brigade is maintained. So if it were to deploy then there is space to form a
line or columns.

Special considerations
“carre oblique”
There is a problem on the issue of the French using the carre oblique layout. This would allow
half the muskets to bear to the front. In which case, the French should then be able to fire to
the front counting one half the Combat Elements (i.e. in this case 8 @ 10 = 80/2 = 40). In this
case the stands should be placed at an angle to make the positioning clear. They also take an
extra minute to change formation to allow for the re-alignment.

By all rights this appears to be a much better arrangement; however it seems that after 1807
it falls into disuse. Despite the possibility it worked well at Auerstadt. This suggests it may not
have produced the anticipated benefits. I have noted that in cavalry writings the cavalry are
recommended to charge the corners of squares. Perhaps carre oblique suffered from a
weakness of being able to bring fire to bear on the corner facing the enemy.

“en chequier” or “Chequered squares”

The battalion or Austrian Mass squares are arranged in a chequered formation. Each
alternate square being 20-50m back from the front squares. For ease of depiction, and then
adjust the alternate “squares” as follows. The net effect does not change the overall combat
odds and/or firing.

5 1
6 2
7 3
8 4

Brigade and Division squares

All stands are arranged into a single large square, e.g. such as in Egypt. Then count the
number of Combat Elements on each face of the square as if they were in line.
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1.4.2 Column of March

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Depiction: All stands are alongside each other, and all are facing the same direction. This is
exactly the same as the single line above. However all are considered to be moving
to the side.
Combat: Count all Combat Elements in contact with enemy at one-quarter as the formation is
unsuited to combat (e.g. 8 @ 10 CV = 80/4 = 20 CV). If contacted in the front or rear
then only one combat element counts (i.e. 1 @ 10 CV = 10/4 = 2.5 CV rounded to
2CV).
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (e.g. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV to the
Unit). Unit counts as being two or three ranks deep only.

Simulation rationale:
All troops are deployed in an inefficient manner to be brought to bear. Note that this matches the
principle that columns should not march over a longer frontage than their line deployment. The March
Column can deploy to its left in one minute, but to the front or right requires also the time to actually
move.

1.5 Divisional formations

1.5.1 Single line
As for brigades

1.5.2 Double line

As for brigades, this assumes the 2nd line is formed by each brigade being in double lines.

1.5.3 Supporting brigades

Key difference – the formation assumes at least one brigade is committed and another is held out of
the combat as a reserve.

Part of Division is in single or double line. The balance is in columns to the rear.

1.5.4 Columnar
As for brigades

1.5.5 Mixed
As for brigades

1.5.6 Squares
As for brigades

In addition there may be Divisional squares and do as for brigade squares and count the Combat
Elements on each side.
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1.6 Cavalry Brigade formations

For purposes of explanation the brigade is assumed to be of eight stands of castings, each stand then
representing one Combat Element for ease of the explanations which follow.

1.6.1 Single line of squadrons

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Depiction: All stands are alongside each other, and all are facing the same direction
Combat: Count all Combat Elements (e.g. 8 @ 6 CV = 48 CV)
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (e.g. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV to the
Unit). Unit counts as being two or three ranks deep only.

Simulation rationale:
All troops are deployed into the line and no reserves are available.

1.6.2 Multiple lines of squadrons

4 3 2 1

8 7 6 5

Depiction: All stands are alongside each other, in two or more lines and all are facing the same
direction
Combat: Count all Combat Elements in the front rank (e.g. 4 @ 6 CV = 24 CV)
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (e.g. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV to the
Unit). Unit counts as being two or three ranks deep only.

Simulation rationale:
All troops are deployed into the Line but reserves are available.

1.6.3 Columns of squadrons

Depiction: All stands are arranged one behind the other in several lines and all are facing the
same direction, with approx 100m to 150m between lines
Combat: Count all Combat Elements in the front rank (e.g. 1 @ 6 CV = 6 CV)
Casualties: Divide casualties on all Combat Elements (e.g. 32 casualties / 8 = 4, = -4 CV to the
Unit). Unit counts as being two or three ranks deep only.

Simulation rationale:
All troops are deployed into the attack and each squadron successively follows and replaces the next.
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2 References
The Military Mentor (1809) Essays on the Theory and Practice of the Art of War: Including the Duties
of Officers on Actual Service and the Principles of Modern Tactics, Chiefly Translated from the Best
French and German Writers, Volume 2, R. Phillips

http://books.google.co.za/books?
id=CiREAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1&lr=&authuser=0&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=3#v=onepage&q&
f=false