Franco-Prussian War. The Destruction of the Imperial Army Vol 4 - Catastrophe: Sedan, Strasbourg and Metz 1870

It is almost with a touch of sadness that I am writing about the final installment in Grenville Bird’s tremendous accomplishment in bringing to life these few weeks in the summer of 1870 that saw the end of the Imperial France  of Napoleon III. I am also very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to review and comment on the entire four-volume series. So, ‘The Destruction of the Imperial Army Volume 4: Catastrophe: Sedan, Strasbourg and Metz 1870’ is another epic, and an absolute whopper of a book (546 pages!), drawing on yet more contemporary documents and correspondence; again, much of which has never been published in English. 

This volume follows the same tried and tested format as the previous three volumes, and is profusely illustrated with 58 images, many of the battlefields, both then, and as they can be seen today, some of the latter annotated with key points of interest from the actual battle. There are also a number of more somber photographs of graves and monuments to the fallen. This tremendous range of illustrations are accompanied by strategic and tactical maps which together with the narrative combine to present a free flowing and detailed account of events.

The book begins at the end so to speak, with an account of the surrender of Sedan, much of which are the letters and reminiscences of those present in the proceedings. The following chapters each focus on one significant event, that is the fall of Strasbourg, Metz and the battle of Servigney, and the siege and fall of Metz.  We then delve into the immediate aftermath of 'La Debacle' , the questions asked of how could this have happened, the recriminations and the bold decision by the new republic to continue the war. Every chapter contains a vast a mount of first-hand experience and contemporary documentation; as always I find the private correspondence especially interesting as a direct window into the thoughts of those caught up in the war.

The final two chapters provide some excellent reading for those wishing to wargame the conflict, as each covers, in some depth, the tactics of both the French and the Germans. I think these will attract a great deal of attention.

As ever, there are numerous appendices (31 in all), providing a vast array of detailed information on subjects such as orders of battle, casualty returns and after action losses. The bulk of the appendices include capitulation treaties and correspondence and reports on  subjects as diverse as the destruction of the French eagles to German siege operations. The best appendices for me are the last four as they examine the effectiveness of French artillery, the Mitrailleuse and a comparison between the French and German weapons.

This is a fitting final volume in what has been for me an absolutely wonderful series. I am now hoping that the author will not rest on his laurels but will now examine the Republican phase of the war in as much detail. Please.....

ISBN 978-1-804514-59-7  softback, 546 pages

The Destruction of the Imperial Army, vol 2 The Battles Around Metz.

I have been waiting impatiently and with great anticipation for this book to arrive. Like volume 1 it is a hefty tome, at 539 pages.

After the tremendous volume 1, (Click here) this new book in Helion’s ‘from Musket to Maxim’ series‘, The Destruction of the Imperial Army, Volume 2: The Battles around Metz by Grenville Bird is another absolute gem.

Volume 2 focusses on the the three major battles around Metz in mid-August 1870. A new book covering any one of these would be great but to include all three, Borny/Colomby, Vionville/Mars la Tour and the iconic battle of Gravelotte/St. Privat, all fought between 14 and 18 August, is a very welcome treat. The author has again used a vast amount of previously unpublished and translated French language sources and this materiel continues to offer a balance against the usual Prussian-focussed studies of the war. The author picks up where he left off in volume 1 and takes the reader on a deep dive into the detail of these three major engagements. The level of detail in insane (in a good way) and an almost forensic analysis of each battle down to minor tactical details in astounding.

There are 64 colour and black and white images, some contemporary and others are photos of features of each battlefield as they are to be found today. As in the earlier volume many of the battlefield photos show both the ground as it was in August 1870 and in the present day. Volume 2 contains 17 highly detailed colour maps showing the topography and the troops involved, which are helpful to refer to when following the strategic and tactical movements of the armies. Incidentally a visit to the Helion website will give you access to .pdf copies of all the maps in order to avoid too much flicking back and forth. An important factor for me is as usual the use of first hand accounts or contemporary correspondence which in my view always add an interesting insight into how the participants thought and felt at the time.

Fifteen appendices give us orders of battle for each of the battles covered in this volume as well as detailed casualty returns which reinforce what we already know about the shear scale of these battles, in terms of the numbers involved, the casualties  and the size of the battlefields, in particular Gravelotte/St. Privat.

My thoughts on this book are simply that it is jaw-droppingly awesome. It is a fascinating and engaging read, as I’ve said full of detail without being academically dry, and surely is a must for anyone with an interest in the Imperial phase of the war. I fail to see how I am going to resist painting up yet more figures for my already enormous Franco-German War armies. 

I understand volume 3 will be with us soon. By the time the final fourth volume of the series is with us I might have to get a bigger bookcase.

ISBN 978-1-804511-85-5 soft back, 539 pages.

Today’s Displacement Activity

Despite my best efforts I’m still doing almost anything except paint Russian Napoleonics, particularly cavalry. I’ve been distracted by a frenzy on eBay selling a remarkable amount of excess (never needed) unpainted figures, a bit of tidying up and finishing these odd pieces to decorate the table.

First up, a Russian senior officer and his Cossack aide. I thought I could use these for the Crimea, but also for any of Bismark’s wars as a Russian Military Observer to one side or the other.

A Prussian general in hussar dress, either for 1866 or 1870/71. 

An Austro-Hungarian General or just something to decorate the tabletop. He could also join the ranks of my growing international community if military observers.

They look ok and do the job they’re supposed to. All of them together with the Lioness of the Burrow eying them menacingly , thinking “if you don’t tickle my tummy I shall trample all over these men and kick ‘em on the floor where the puppies will eat them!” As if she would …..🐲

I will hopefully get the first two squadrons of Russian dragoons finished tomorrow…..but I’m itching (if that’s the right word) to start my 3D resin cuirassiers.

Friday Roundup and some 1866 bits ‘n’ bobs.

I’m continuing to make progress through the half finished stuff on my desk as well as working on more Russian and Swedish units for my Russian invasion of Finland in 1808. But first here’s another battalion of Austrians for my 1866 army, followed by some Prussian jäger on skirmish bases for both 1866 and 1870/71. Both are a bit of a rushed job just to get them off to barracks.

I’ve had these on the desk for maybe a year or more. I now have three and a half brigades of Austrians; 21 battalions of line and four of jager, together with their artillery, making a full corps, or they will when I finish the last three infantry battalions sitting in the lead mountain. 

My Prussian jäger battalion is based in close order so when I saw these then unpainted figures going for pennies (it’s relative to their price new) on eBay I needed no encouragement to buy them. 

I’ve started having a serious (?) clear out and a few things are trickling onto eBay to replenish the funds. It’s amazing what gets unearthed from the box of doom in the Burrow or down the garden in the greenhouse of forgetfulness. I found those other three battalions of 1866 Austrian infantry referred to above for heaven’s sake! Well at least I will now be able to field a complete Austrian corps of four brigades, each of a battalion of jäger and six of line infantry (two regiments), plus all the necessary artillery and cavalry. On artillery, I’ve just about completed the doubling up of the Austrian batteries, giving them each two models (some actually have a limber, others an abandoned gun) and a wider more accurate frontage. I just need to do the same with the Prussians now, then the French. 
 

The Destruction of the Imperial Army vol 1 - A superb addition to the collection.

This is one of those books that makes a very loud thump as it hits the doormat. At just short of 540 pages it is big. I am prone to devour anything and everything that hits my radar relating to Bismarck’s wars, in particular the Franco-German War, so I was very keen to get my head into this new publication from Helion in their ‘from Musket to Maxim’ series. ‘The Destruction of the Imperial Army, Volume 1: The Opening Engagements of the Franco-German War 1870-1871’by Grenville Bird is an absolute gem.

This volume covers the first two weeks of the war, up to 12 August 1870, in an amazing level of detail. In addition to the normal German sources which have been referenced many times before, the author has used a vast amount of previously unused material written from the French perspective, La Guerre de 1870-1871, published by the French General Staff’s Section historique around the turn of the 20th Century, together with many other official and semi-official Staff studies. Much of the detail in this book derives from these aforementioned sources, and more, many of which had previously never been translated into English.

As I mentioned earlier this volume covers a little under the first two weeks of the war, but begins with chapters on the causes of the war, on the Imperial French and German armies, and the French and German plans and mobilisation. I am familiar with the clockwork-like nature of the German mobilisation and equally with the less than effective French mobilisation, but found there was still a great deal more written in these pages that was new to me.

What then follows are absorbing chapters covering the battles of Saarbrucken, Wissembourg, Froschweiller and Forbach, followed by the French retreat and German advance on the Moselle.

There are a 16 very detailed colour maps showing the topography and the troops involved, which are very handy when following the strategic and tactical movements of the armies. There also lots of colour and black and white illustrations. In quite a few cases we are presented with an image of an aspect of a particular battle as it was in 1870 alongside a present day photograph of the same location which I always find interesting and very useful. I’d not come across quite a number of these illustrations before so this was an added bonus. The book is also well provided for in extracts from the memoirs of many participants, which always fascinate me, as not only do these passages contextualise much of the narrative but also humanise it.

The appendices, all 17 of them, provide detailed orders of battle for both the French and German armies at the start of the campaign and then for each of the battles covered in this volume. There are also casualty returns which illustrate the ferocity of the fighting and the disparity in losses received.

So, a fantastic book, one that has been painstakingly researched; and don’t forget this is the first of FOUR volumes on the subject! To say I am looking forward to the next one is an understatement.

Now I really must get some more FPW figures from the boxes of doom into production. 

Todays stuff

Hectic day today in real life but I was still able to get these chaps based up.

Command stand for the Sikh Wars or maybe even the Crimea. The guy with the umbrella is a very very old Minifigs figure; a bit small but it works and brings back memories of over 50 years ago when I first had this casting.

Franco-Prussian War Artillery. At the front left we have a pair of 12-pdrs and then a pair of 4-pdrs . Behind, still minus their guns (yet), are more Prussian gunners. They’ll be united with their guns soon.

Same again. The French are Perrys and the Prussians North Star. My mate Barry painted them and all I did was base them up. I like them.

I wonder what I will get finished tomorrow? Have to see where my mood and time takes me.

A small addition to the Franco-Prussian War

Tuesday’s output is just these two stands for the FPW, both Eagles of Empire miniatures. I quite like them, and as displacement activity to avoid the Russians not bad. It will be Russians tomorrow though……

Here they are.

This is Commandant Berbegier based on the painting by Eduard Detaille depicting said Commandant’s demise at the battle Gravelotte in 1870. I might redo the horse as it’s a grey in the painting, but probably not.  

Bavarian General von Der Tann. Equally useful for either 1870/71 or earlier in the Austro-Prussian War 1866.

 

The original.

Odds and Ends

The sun total of this week’s output are these additional command figures for my Bismark’s Wars collection. Not my finest but at least they done and passable.

Von Bredow of his ‘Death Charge’ fame (Eagles to Empire figures)

Prussian dragoon officer (North Star) with a young lady in the dress of the Guard Hussars (Can’t remember the name of the company but they were I. The US and I believe are no longer trading).

Blurred French General for the FPW

Austrian chap more appropriate for 1859 but he will do fine for 1866.

Perry Prussian Napoleonic general I think with the epaulettes shaved off, extorting his man to finish the Frenchman off as they do t like it up ‘em. (Eagles to Empire).

Hardly the most productive of weeks but there is loads almost finished. I have based up the first of the Russians but they need sanding and flocking etc. to finish them off.

Hopefully I will be able to engineer enough time this weekend to get cracking on clearing the ‘almost completed’ stuff off my rather cluttered painting desk so I can start on some more Russians.  I might also investigate buying a new camera and/or a new printer, but a bit strapped for cash after being away. 

All back to normal state of confusion and dithering. 

Some Austrian Generals for 1859 and especially 1866

 

Today we have a couple of Austrian 19thC commanders plus a trio of casualty markers. The miniatures in the pictures immediately above and below  are intended for the 1859 campaign but a bit of variation is always a good idea, hence these chaps will jump backwards and forwards as the games dictate. The chap in green is an adjutant and the gent next to him is a general wearing the undress uniform for general officers. The figure in the cuirass is going to lead my Austrian cavalry; his aide is a hussar. God help ‘em!

The photo above and the two below are cavalry casualty markers; one an old Perry Napoleonic French cuirassier and the others from the lovely Eagles to Empire range.

Having now had a break from Bismark’s Wars I shall consider finishing some Russians for my 1808-1809 project.

Game tomorrow to finish setting up.

The Republic Fights Back, the Franco-German War 1870-1871, volume 2

Another book review thanks to the kind gentlemen at Helion. 

Ralph Weaver’s ‘The Republic Fights Back, the Franco-German War 1870-1871, Volume 2’ picks up where his earlier book left off, and focuses again on the armies rather than the battles, something to my knowledge not previously put into print. Helion have therefore yet again excelled themselves in providing the ideal platform for this work in their excellent and eclectic’From Muskets to Maxim, 1815-1914’ series.

The author is a well known expert on nineteenth century warfare and he takes us through the period after the French surrender at Sedan and subsequent fall of the Empire of Napoleon III, summarising the events of the Autumn and Winter fighting and manoeuvring in the north and east and indeed at the gates of Paris.

One important part of the book for me at least are the chapters on the raising and organising of the new Republican armies, including as they did the remnants of the Imperial army, and large numbers of volunteers, Gardes Mobiles, and a sprinkling of foreign volunteers, notably the Papal Zouaves (not strictly foreign but…) and the multi-national troops of Garibaldi’s volunteers. The sections covering the treatment of prisoners, the war at sea and how the Republic turned the Britain and the United States as a source of new weapons and ammunition are especially interesting, as is that on codes and cyphers.

The Germans too faced problems after the defeat of the imperial armies, as they had to guard their increasingly long lines of communication against frequent attacks by francs-tireurs, which in a taste of what was become the norm for German troops occupying conquered areas of France in the two World Wars, were dealt with ruthlessly. These and other issues facing the Germans such as the use of railways are explained and put into context.

Leaving the best till near the end we have a superb chapter on the state and role and challenges of the medical services on both sides during the war, including the many foreign volunteer ambulance services which operated throughout this phase of the war. This is an all too brief but detailed and absorbing chapter full of useful information.

Overall, I must say that for a relatively small book it packs a punch and for me, fills an important gap in the previously available books on the war, most of which seem to focus on the Imperial phase. Overall it is well presented and thoroughly researched. There are several informative maps, lots of black and white illustrations and 20 super colour plates drawn by the author showing a wide range of (often quote exotic for the French) uniforms from both sides as worn during this phase of the war. The longer Republican phase is by far the most interesting part of the war and my appetite to find out more has been well and truly whetted. A great addition to the library of anybody with an interest in the war.


ISBN:978-1-915070-50-0 155 pages, soft back.

Baden and France: Some more 1866/1870 oddments

French cuirassier general

 I finished these oddment’s today. All for the Bismark’s Wars collection. The single figures are from the excellent but pricey Eagles to Empire range. They’re very fine and dynamic.

French Cuirassier coming a cropper!

Another French Cavalry General.

These last two photos are of the Baden Jäger btn for 1866. I understand they wore headgear very like that of the Austrian jäger, and as their army seems to have gone to war in their greatcoats this has given me the chance to do something with some surplus Austrian jäger. I like them.

Swedish Jäger, 1808 and a few 1866/1871 command stands.

We’ve been very busy having a major reorganisation and cull of my stuff, mainly as Katherine wants her study back as it was an overflow room for numerous boxes of items I’d in many cases forgotten I had them. Usual story I suppose, of buying for a rainy day then getting distracted and forgetting about the purchase.

Anyway, first up is a unit of Swedish jäger for my Russo-Swedish War 1808-1809 collection. The unit is the Varmland Jäger by the Perry twins, although I have read somewhere that this battalion didn’t see active service defending Finland. Well, whatever the case, they’re in my collection and I’ll use them.

Next we have some more command stands for ‘Bismarck’sWars’. Two of these are Prussian from North Star 1866 and the third guy all on his own is a generic commander complete with Federal brassard to command elements of the Federal VIII Corps which fought in the western campaign. The figure is actually a Balkan Wars general from Tiger Miniatures but he has the right look.

I have a game here on Saturday so this afternoon I shall have to finish setting it all up.

More units for the 1866 collection

It’s amazing (actually if you think about it, it isn’t) but my lead mountain has managed to yield these figures, enough for several units. 

Cuirassier Regiment No.6 (Czar Nicholas I of Russia). These are wearing the early version of the helmet. North Star 1866  miniatures.

Two battalions of Baden infantry with a battery of 12-pdr smoothbores (one gun model needed). These are actually Danes from the North Star 1864 range but they’re almost right as the Badeners went, albeit unwillingly, to war in peaked forage caps and greatcoats.

Another Austrian battalion for 1866. This has been on the painting desk for six months at least but I finally completed them yesterday. North Stae ex-Helion 1866.

I have one more Austrian battalion to complete then they can join their regiment’s 1st battalion in my fourth brigade of Austrians, making a total of 28(!) battalions, which is the equivalent of an entire corps. And that doesn’t include my Saxons, Hessians, Bavarians and minor state chums or the cavalry.

Prussian cuirassiers and Baden infantry painted by my mate Barry of the Like a Stone Wall Group. I did the Austrian battalion and I based and flagged all of the units.

Another trip down Route 1866

Last Saturday the Burrow was home to a capacity crowd with nine of us playing another 1866 Austro-Prussian War game using suitably amended Picket’s Charge rules. (Thank you Neil).  Dave, Richard, Ivor and myself were the Prussians while Nigel, Shaun, Mike and John H were the Austrians. Neil adjudicated.

The scenario was simple. One Prussian division with a cavalry brigade attached was deployed on the table. Another infantry division commanded by yours truly and more cavalry would arrive around midday (real time) somewhere along the baseline. ALL the Austrians (a full corps of four brigades plus heavy and light cavalry) were permitted to start on the table. They had to move fast if they were to drive the invaders back (again!) before enemy reinforcements arrived. 

Here are some pictures and a brief narrative of the game, in more or less the right order as I lost track of what was going on in the centre and on the right once my troops arrived.

The Prussian high command. 

The Austrian CinC looking unconcerned at the sight of the Prussians deployed  to their front.

The Prussians refused their left and held the centre weakly with a small North German infantry brigade, the cavalry, and the divisional artillery, while a brigade of solid Prussian infantry held the right.

The Saxon brigade on the Austrian left.

The Prussian right and beyond the thinly held centre

The Austrians massed their infantry in the centre but they were unable to take advantage of their superiority in artillery due to the congestion in front of it. 

Enthusiastic Austrians in storm columns

Two North German battalions facing a brigade of Austrians bearing down on them. No pressure guys!

On the Prussian left my leasing brigade had marched up the road into a maelstrom as they were facing another Austrian infantry brigade and a brigade of light cavalry.

Richard’s cavalry in the centre wisely kept out of the way.

More Austrians….

The Austrians just keep on coming.

The Prussian centre was only held by a thin line of guns.

Mike’s cavalry ready to pounce on my brigade in march column. I wouldn’t have chosen to join the battle in this formation but the scenario rules I created forced me. Doh!

Forwards!

The central Prussian brigade faltered as the enemy pressed home their attack. Thankfully they passed the test and carried on.

Mike threw his cavalry and infantry towards my Prussians. Despite being caught in march column every Austrian attack was bloodily repulsed. That result seemed very wrong but as my units were well supported and I threw much better dice than Mike the Austrians were destroyed or forced to retire beaten.

The right wing of the Prussian army advanced against the Saxons facing them.

Saxons on the Austrian left. 

Storm Columns

The Saxe Altenberg battalion engaged in the centre.

In order to buy some time in the now crumbling centre Richard launched his cavalry against the advancing Austrians. A brave sacrifice indeed.

Austrian artillery. The Austrians weren’t able to make very good use of their artillery as they were crowded out by the massed infantry columns in the centre. Austrian doctrine called for the artillery to be brought into action as soon as possible.

Mike’s Austrians attempted to halt my brigade as it marched up the road. Again march columns prevailed over the assault columns. Mmm?

Another futile charge by the Prussian dragoons in the centre.

The Austrians pressed on in the centre.

Cuirassiers and Uhlans of the Reserve Cavalry made a late entrance to the fight. Too late to influence the outcome.

We called a halt at this point due to running out of time (4pm and we’d been playing for about five hours). The outcome was technically a draw - neither side had achieved their objectives although I suspect that when the remaining Prussian reinforcements arrived they would be able to push the Austrian right wing back; the Austrian and Saxon troops on their left had already been pushed back so the centre was at risk of being enveloped, given time and a few good dice rolls.

A tremendous game I thought which everyone seemed to enjoy. Some useful lessons learnt for next time as well and a very few anomalies need tweaking eg march columns, and maybe the skirmish rules we’ve imported from GdA need a minor adjustment. The poor Austrians don’t get ANY brigade skirmish screen bases as they didn’t use them; the jäger can skirmish but in reality they were used as elite shock troops and frittered away.

This is my last game until I’m back off holiday in India at the end of March. Can I survive Seven weeks without a game or without painting anything?