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PREMIER EMPIRE NAPOLEON
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Throughout the Napoleonic period Austria will be the bitterest enemy of France, and in spite of the repeated defeats and even in spite of a matrimonial alliance, she will be present during the 1814 invasion, and only the rapid and unexpected defeat at Waterloo will prevent her from taking part in a new campaign against France. During the ten years in which we are interested the Austrian army will undergo several reorganizations, which we are going to try to detail. The austrian infantry comprises three types of troops : line infantry, jägers and grenz. These three types of infantry were the essential maneuvering force of the Austrian army. We could describe other formations, such as the military frontier cordon and the troops of the Hungarian insurrection, but as far as we know they were never used outside the empire or in campaigns against other western powers., so it seems useless to include them in the present account. The Austrian infantry maneuvers slowly and in the formations inherited from the last century. Its principal fighting formation is the line, and it fights that way as much for defense as for attack. It is one of the rare infantries which still charges in that formation. Austrian battalions can also maneuver in column, but only by companies. The division column is unknown in Austrian manuals. That formation is to be feared when it pierces an enemy formation, but its vulnerability to fire, particularly that of artillery, makes its employment very delicate. The hollow square is known and used but the slow maneuvering of the troops makes the filled square often more preferable. Maneuvering in open order is not a strength of the Austrian army, and the theory and application of that type of combat does not greatly interest the imperial generals. Only troops from the Tyrol and the frontiers show some dexterity in that technique. Over all the Austrian infantry is good, but it is too slow, too clumsy for prompt maneuvers when movement is everything in war. The Austrian cavalry includes five types of troops, only one of which is a true heavy cavalry, the cuirassiers. The dragoons are nominally part of the heavy cavalry, but in fact they are average line horsemen. The light cavalry is represented by the light horse , the light dragoons, the Uhlans, and the hussars. The regiments of heavy cavalry and those of the line have four squadrons, and those of the light cavalry, six. In 1813-14 some hussar regiments have been increased to seven or eight squadrons by adding squadrons of volunteers. The squadrons are formed of two companies of one hundred men, without counting officers etc. The Austrian cavalry is good and can make a good showing. It maneuvers well and when ably used can be very threatening. Unfortunately the tactical teachings of the general staff too often restrict it to a role which does not permit it to show its value. In 1805 the Austrian field artillery was spread throughout the infantry regiments at the rate of six three or six pounders per battery. In 1807 a reorganization is undertaken which leads to the formation of artillery regiments of eight companies with four batteries of eight pieces. The light artillery is equipped with pieces of three or six pounds and the "placed" artillery six or eight pounders or mortars. Each artillery regiment is made up of seven companies on foot and one on horseback, plus one company of technicians managing the English-origin Congreve rockets, introduced in 1808. The Austrian artillery is not the best to be found on the European battlefields, but after the reforms of 1806 it began to give its adversaries a lot of worry. The Austrian army is completely splendid to reproduce in miniatures but difficult to play on the table. The beginner is advised against it, at least if he doesn't have an unbreakable morale and doesn't accept defeat philosophically. On the other hand, the confirmed player could take pleasure in taking up the challenge of trying to beat the other nations. For that it is necessary to know how to draw on the substantial stuff of the qualities of that unloved army. Its trumps: A large infantry, because not dear in terms of budget games, considering its poor maneuverability. A good cavalry, made up of large regiments. An artillery, although it's been mentioned, numerous. The Austrian army is made up of German regiments, those recruited in the German-speaking provinces, and the Hungarian regiments, those recruited in the empire's eastern and southern provinces. Differences in uniforms make it possible to distinguish between the two. In 1805 an infantry regiment has five fighting battalions plus one division (two companies) in depot. Four battalions of musketeers and one of grenadiers. Each battalion has four companies. Each regiment has regimental artillery with six three-pound pieces. Between 1806 and 1809, in peace time, a regiment is made up of two fighting battalions of six companies plus a depot battalion of four. In wartime it is increased to three fighting battalions of six companies and a depot division. In wartime all of the grenadiers are regrouped into nineteen battalions of six companies plus two battalions of four companies. The regimental artillery is suppressed. Between 1810 and 1815 losing or gaining various territories causes the reduction or augmentation of the number of regiments and, consequently, in the number od grenadier battalions. Except for that the regimental organization does not vary until 1813. At that time each regiment has added two battalions of militia (Landwehr) of six companies. The first of these battalions follows the regiment, even on campaign, while the second remains in the interior for garrison tasks and to secure the lines of communication. The rifle company has an effective which varies according to the period and to where they were recruited.
Thus it can be seen that between 1806 and 1815 a Hungarian battalion theoretically contained 1428 men in time of war.
Organisation in 1804 From 1802 all regiments have in peace time two war batallions (Leib and Obrist Bataillon) each with six companies. They also comprise one depot batallion with four companies and two grenadiers companies. 5th, 6th and 64th regiments are deprived of these grenadiers companies. Organisation in 1805 Grenadiers are gathered in a separate grenadier batallion with four companies. This batallion remains attached to his regiment. Organisation between 1806 and 1809 In war time grenadiers are gathered in nineteen batallions each of six companies and two batallions of four companies. 5th, 6th and 64th IR still does not have grenadiers. Grenadiers batallions remains unnumbered and wear the name of their commanding major or lieutenant-colonel. Grenadiers and heavy cavalry are gathered in reserve corps comprising infantry and cavalry divisions and brigades. Grenadiers brigades have four or five grenadiers batallions. Organisation between 1810 and 1815 The territory losses imposed by the peace treaty which concludes the 1809 campaign leads to the disbanding of infantry regiments 13, 23, 38, 43, 45, 46, 50 and 55. Thereafter the total of grenadiers batallions is reduced from twentyone to nineteen, of which fifteen comprise six companies and four only four companies. They are still organised in four batallions brigade gathered in reserve corps Like the other European armies, Austria has developed a corps of light troops, but without having completely understood their utility. The chasseurs are troops of volunteers recruited only in the Tyrol. In 1805 there is only one regiment of jagers (four fighting battalions and a depot division). In wartime the battalions have four companies of one hundred sixty men. In 1813 three new battalions are formed following the same model. Recruitement The Tyroler Feld-Jäger-Regiment is raised in 1801 at Innsbrück and this regiment is oddly enough ranked 64 in the line regiments. FML Marquis J.G. Chasteler de Courcelles becomes proprietary-colonel in 1802 and the regiment is disbanded in 1808. Organisation 1804 The IR.64 has the same organisation as all other line regiments but company strength is lower (160 men in war time) and he is deprived of grenadier companies and organic artillery (to be confirmed). Organisation 1805 In 1805 the regiment comprises 3 batallions each attached to a different divisions as needed Organisation between 1808 and 1815 IR.64 is disbanded in 1808 and nine new batallions are raised, followed by three more in 1813 (see table).
These are troops coming from the provinces bordering the Ottoman Empire (Croatia, Slavonia, Banat, Vojvodine, Siebenbuergen), initially intended to defend these frontiers. Their effectiveness is such that they are soon integrated into the regular army as light troops. In 1805 there are seventeen Grenz regiments and three fighting battalions (two in the Siebenbuergen regiments), each battalion having four companies. The regimental artillery has six pieces of three pounds. Beginning in 1806 the organization returns which prevailed between 1802 and 1804: two battalions of six companies in peacetime; a third, reserve battalion being formed in wartime. The regimental artillery has four pieces. The fighting companies have two hundred twenty six men, twenty elite sharpshooters (respectively two hundred and sixteen for the Siebenbuergen). It is to be noted, for the interest, that the Grenz regiments would be accompanied by from fifty to three hundred "Serezaner", Moslems whose duties included being military police
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