21st DBL - French Infantry complete - The first offering of 2017

A new year and a new start after the dismal finish to 2016, 2017 starts with a bang...

After a couple of false starts the core French Infantry force for the French Expedition to Egypt is well is well under way. Back in November last year I completed the test figure basing the unit upon that of the 21st DBL, I now have the first 3 groups complete.

When considering the make up on the force for Sharp Practice I wanted to rely on the tactics of the day with masses of skirmishers and artillery to shock the enemy before fast moving enthusiastic columns moved in with the bayonet to deliver the coup de grace and drive the Ottomans from the field.

I decided to follow the guide lines set out by Rich for the French in the early revolutionary period but reduce the core unit of Line Infantry down from 4 to 3 Groups of 8 Regulars, with two officers in command.

A Leader Officer Status III and a supporting NCO at Status II.

I painted up a Standard Bearer (awaiting a flag at the moment from GMB Designs) and a Drummer to give me some support options within the Sharp Practice rules.

I wanted to give them "worn" look and have mixed a number of trouser colours to break up the uniformity, Perry Miniatures already have several head variants so the unit has a good mix of posses.

The French expedition suffered incredible supply issues after the Battle of the Nile. To address the issue of uniform resupply they redesigned the uniform and adopted a wide variety of colors to the Demi-Brigades as they lacked sufficent French Blue to issue to the army tailors. These Kleber uniforms included: Light Green, Sky Blue, Red, Purple, Brown, Dusty Pink, and Violet.

Perhaps next time I will experient with a pink or violet?

For reference I used the following colours.

Tunic - Coat d Arms - Bavarian Blue.
Back Pack - Foundry Chestnut Shade 53A
Rifle - Foundry Tan Shade- 14A
Barrel, Flash Top - Citadel Lead Belcher - High Lighter Mithril Silver.
Flask - Citadel Tau Light Ochre
Flask - Vallejo 160 Neutral Grey
Roll - Vallejo 168Black Grey, Foundry Rawhide 11c, Raw Linen 30c
Flesh - Citadel Elf Flesh, Founndry Palomino 56B
Plume - Foundry Deep Blue Shade 20A, Citadel Mephiston Red
Collar and Cuffs - Mephiston Red.
Webbing - Coat d Arms 101 White
Head Gear - Citadel Black
Buttons - Vallejo 173 Old Gold
Army Paint Soft Tone wash.

Next up a couple of groups of Legere to give me a skirmish screen to keep the Ottoman cavalry at bay.

Once complete the force be made up of the following points.

LEVÉE EN MASSE
Leader, Status III
Leader, Status II
Three Groups of Line Infantry, Muskets

Leader, Status I
One Group of 6 Légère Skirmishers, Muskets
Leader, Status I
One Group of 6 Légère Skirmishers, Muskets
Point Value: 56

 

The Stats for Sharp Practice are included below.

French Line Infantry					Type	Regulars
Points Value	7	Weapon	Musket		Size	8
Formation	First Fire	Controlled Volley	Crashing Volley	Step Out	Drill	Characteristics
Always	Yes	First Only	2	2	2	Pas de Charge, Aggressive

French Skirmishers					Type	Skirmishers
Points Value	7	Weapon	Rifle		Size	6
Formation	First Fire	Controlled Volley	Crashing Volley	Step Out	Drill	Characteristics
Always	Yes	No	-	2	-	Sharp Practice