This past weekend I had time to texture and flock the
bases for the Bavarians and Russians.
The Russians
The Russians represent the additional troops that
augmented I Corps Wittgenstein during the late summer. These are two Don
Cossack regiments, a host of irregular Cossacks, the Pavlov Grenadiers, Polish
Uhlans and the St. Petersburg Opolochenie.
These would all be present for the second Battle of
Polotsk, in essence the high water mark for the northern campaign.
The Bavarians
The Bavarian infantry are two brigades of the 20th
Division. Led by General von Wrede they distinguished themselves at the second
Battle of Polotsk. The Chevauxleger in the background are the corps cavalry.
This leaves von Siebein’s 19th Division and one brigade of the 20th
to do.
The question: is it worth painting an additional 26
elements of Bavarians knowing that all the regiments were nearly half strength
by the second Battle of Polotsk. The reduction in strength was not through
battle, but units were parceled out to protect the line of communication and
assist Macdonald with the siege of Riga.
The campaign
I have sufficient information to construct a map for
the northern campaign. Although the line from the Nieman River to Vitebsk was “linear”,
the map should have a sufficient number of “nodes” to allow flanking maneuver,
a line of communication with Riga and St. Petersburg.
Map movement will also be influenced by events taking place
between the main French and Russian armies. More later.
Cheers,
