Dr. S – thank you, that does clarify a few points.
I am using gaming terms out of necessity, since that is the context where this info is being applied in my case. They are also easy to change, to bring them more inline with reality as well.
One point on terminology – in your previous TMP discussion linked above, the naming of the lines is as follows :
1st Line = Fusilier Screen (commanded by a Major)
2nd Line = Line Battalions (commanded by an Oberst)
3rd Line = Other Line Battalions (commanded by an Oberst)
I can easily change the names of my groups to fit that scheme, if thats what is used. No probs, will do it now as we speak.
On the subject of Reserve units – point taken, they are not so green as I may have suggested. In the system I am using (R+E), they are rated as Regular – which gives them all the discipline benefits of being well drilled. (oblique moves, formation changes under fire, etc). Certainly a significant advantage compared to Conscript rated troops. (of which a lot of the opposing 1813 French Line Battalions are)
The simplest way of doing a Prussian Brigade is to have the Brigade Commander and another commander. Then it is up to the player at the start of the game to decide upon the
allocation of command.
True, but then again it depends on the implications of what is a 'Commander' in game terms, which of course depends entirely on what gaming system is being used.
In what I am using (Empire / R+E), the Prussian Brigade is a maneuvre element, so the Brigade Commander is the lowest level that can receive an order such as 'Attack Gerasdorf at 3pm'. This is equivalent to a French Division.
From a morale point of view, the whole Brigade (or French Division) is the unit at which level larger formations become shaken or broken, using Empire terminology.
The sub-commanders that I am referring to in the example do not act independently outside of the Brigade system
but they are used instead to perform minor tactical actions within the framework of the Brigade, as well acting as markers for regulating Battalions of lines within the Brigade.
So in game terms, these sub-commanders are more like the 'Big Man' concept used in IABSM, and other TFL style games. They are not 'Commanders' in the Empire sense of the word.
Having said all that, is it possible in your opinion, for a Prussian Brigade to be broken into 2 separate sub-commands, such that each sub-command can be acting upon a different set of orders ?
. if so, then having 2 'Commanders' (using the Empire definition of the word), would enable that to be the case.
Thanks