"Strength of French cavalry squadrons" Topic

For some years it has been my impression that French cavalry regiments tried to keep up the strength of their squadrons by reducing the number of squadrons in the regiment, while on campaign, in order to maintain the squadrons at something closer to their correct manpower. I wonder now if this is correct? If anyone cares to comment on this or the practice in any of the other Napoleonic armies thank you in advance for any comments you may care to make. John Miller

The French had less squadrons in a regiment than Austrians as a rule. As for lessening the number of squadrons to keep more regiments in the field, I don't think so, but I am not expert.

rustymusket: I did word my question rather awkwardly. I was not referring to the number of regiments in the field but rather how strong the squadrons within the regiment would be. Would they continue to operate with four understrength squadrons or would they spread the manpower around so that they would instead operate the regiment with three squadrons at a figure closer to what the strength of a squadron was supposed to be? It had been my belief that the above was the case but now I am not so sure. In any case thanks very much for your response. John Miller

In the Peninsula, they often fielded 2 very large (double strength) dragoon squadrons of over 200 men, per regiment. Thus, the French company would be the equal of many British squadrons.

French regts would rarely field the full 4 squadrons at any given time.

I seem to recall many years ago (1970's) that the French Dragoon "Division" at Albuera in Spain was of 10 squadrons total. I had the estimated totals per regiment, divided by 20, called for about 6 figures per squadron: 60 figures for the division. So the squadrons were not near theoretic strength.

Even more years ago (1960's), the Vietmeyer system of 1:20 called for French strength per squadron at about 200 men, 10 figures. The Guard squadrons were supposed to be 12 figures, or 240 men.

I painted a French dragoon division of 6 each for the 1st, 2nd, 4th (composite scarlet regiment); 14th, 16th, 17th (composite rose regiment); 19th, 20th (composite jonquille regiment); and 26th, 27th (Composite orange regiment).

There are elite companies in the 1st; 16th; 19th; and 26th.
Some day I'd like to use rules where each squadron gets to move on its own – as really happened.

GdeP

John,

See my article on this subject on my website.

link

The article quotes sources to demonstrate that all nations did reducer the number of squadrons per regiment to maintain optimum strengths. The reason is simply that squadrons needed to be an optimum size to operate effectively. Too large and they were slow to manoeuvre, too small and casualties would have a disproportionate effect on them.

Rod

rusty musket, huevens011, Garde de Paris, Rod McArthur: Thanks for you responses to my question. I had believed your postings, (and similar), to be the case but a discussion occurred at the last convention I attended wherein it was alleged that squadrons were routinely allowed to dwindle down to 80, 60,50, or 40, without adjusting their numbers in relation to the strength of the other squadrons. This seemed contrary to what I had read and thought to be the case. It seems, for once, I was not to far off,(probably be the only time, however)

Rod: I am going to make a copy of those charts you were nice enough to post for me and carry them around in my wallet in case I come across that guy again.

Thanks again to all, John Miller

Really nice article Rod!

On the Russians iirc the heavy cav was 5 sqn, but 1 was a depot sqn, so 4 in the field, light cav 10 sqn but 2 depot and the 8 field sqn organised into 2 battalions. At least at full strength anyway, I hadn't realised how common squadron amalgamation was though.

I expect squadron deployment occurred way back to the ECW where the surviving plans for naseby and Marston moor suggest something similar.

I don't know about Napoleonic practices, but during the Civil War understrength regiments would often consolidate their companies for drill or battle while still keeping all ten on the books for administrative purposes.