"Napoleon's Russian Campaign Without French Units?" Topic

I'm mildly interested in painting some Napoleonic forces. I like Russians, and I don't like French, or troops wearing French infantry uniforms. Is it possible to game small actions (up to a division per side) of the 1812 Russian Campaign without French forces? I know there were allied contingents, but did they do much fighting by themselves? Didn't the Austrians and Russians pretty much agree not to fight each other? Are the Bavarians a possibility? Advice from those in the know is appreciated.

Poles.

Prussians?

Austrians and Saxons fought the Russians,with no French nearby. Bavarians also.

Might be worth doing some "generic" infantry in greatcoats and shako covers.

I'd say your best bet would be to concentrate on the French allied corps that were composed of a single nationality. Those would include St Cyr's Bavarians, Jerome/Junot's Westphalians, Poniatowski's Poles and Reynier's Saxons. You also have Schwarzenberg's Austrians and Macdonald's Prussians.
As these were corps sized elements there's more opportunity/chance that they could/would fight independently without French support. The Austrians and Saxons fought together on Napoleons southern flank.

Unfortunately, the two major battles involving the Bavarians (1st and 2nd Polotsk) both included contingents of French as well. Shame, as both are corps-sized battles and both are very interesting tactically.

Here's a page on the Austrian contingent, details some battles etc:

link

Battle of Gorodetschna is the best:
Austrian and Saxons against Russians.

Considering the French were the main antagonists in the Napoleonic Wars you are limiting yourself in the context of historical accuracy. In any case try Swedes against Russians not the 1812 campaign but prior.

Could I ask why you don't like painting the French please?

But i would go for Bavarians

I've just never cared for them, and never spent any time researching them. I think it has to do with the epaulette fringe, shako cord and pom-pom colors. My brother always painted the French, while I painted Brits, Portuguese, KGL, Russians, some Confederation of the Rhine, etc.

Some good ideas so far. Thanks.

Francophobia in someone who wants to fight the Napoleonic Wars……sure………why not…..?

Seriously, Saxons and Poles are the obvious choices as the figure range is so good……….retreat from Moscow as well as the more conventionally attired folk…………and great rig

Saxons, Poles, Bavarians and Westphalia

Free Gorodetschna scenario:

link

Italians….