"What period/theatre?" Topic

If I redo Napoleonics (I have some Peninsular from years back) when and which opponent to Boney.

Let this be a (polite) all out bunfight to convince me ;)

Austria was Napoleons greatest enemy.

If it really is the Emperor you want to fight, then avoid the Peninsula. My choice would be, in order:

Austrians 1809
Russians 1812-14
Prussians 1813-15

This means you can bring in the Rheinbund and the result is not a foregone conclusion (at least historically).

The Monster doesn't have to be there in person, but I think we can take it as read 1 army will have to be French!

My top 3

Peninsular
Russian Campaign
Egyptian Campaign

I'd go with:

1809 campaign against Austria – ton of troops on both sides, Lannes still alive (1st half) And Massena in a carriage!

1806/7 but that means old period specific uniforms…

1812/1813 – for the French and their allies, whatever you paint for 1812 just half it when you put it on the table for 1813… you can do the same for the Russians…

1814 – put everyone in greatcoats and call it a day

I'm doing it all in 6mm but it's been 33 years and counting…

Egypt……unless Waterloo of course.

Great uniforms, expanding ranges now in 28mm and just "different".

Austria and Russia are both good options. They are both in many campaigns over a considerable time. The uniforms changed a little but most players won't mind that. The Austrian helmets are just too cool to change out for shakos anyways.

For Austria there is 1805, 1809, 1813-14

For Russia you have 1805, 1806-07, 1812, 1813-14

I prefer 1812 and on Russian, but if I had to live my life over again, I'd develop an interest in the Peninsular Wars, because of the ease of finding terrain pieces.

I do 1812 and it's great: tons and tons of excuses to add units from most countries!

1812 I could use most countries, yes?

I have been looking at 1809. How much do uniforms change. I'm thinking 10mm, maybe 6. The real problem I face I think is the French flag reverting to the tricolour: might see if I can do them removable.

1812-14

Peninsula. I prefer skirmiah gaming with low model counts and some down and dirty street fighting in Spain fills that ticket nicely.

1805-1809. Lots of choices, colourful uniforms and, to believe the many TMP Napoleon haters, the allies were equall.y as good as the French, so a fair fight for all

Have fun

I have 25/28s that I might do Sharpe Practice with, I'm now considering central Europe for FOGN/BP/Republic to Empire/Feu Sacre

I love the 1809 period.we ahve 15mm for it.
An army which you on't see uch are the Tyrolean insurgents

1812-1814 Russians & 1813-1814 Prussians

I used to be all over the Napoleonic spectrum: 1806 Prussians, tons of Austrians, you get the picture. My buddy had always stuck with Waterloo. He has since become my primary gaming opponent, so I decided to concentrate on this same period. I've never been happier. Tons of exotic troop types, many different actions (Quatre Bras, Ligney, etc.).
Although it is the least typical organization of the Napoleonic Wars, I've found joy in the simple organizations and the wealth of literature.
My solution was to find one period and concentrate on it.

1812-1814 Russians & 1813-1814 Prussians. Personally not so keen on Austrians in the 1813-1814 time slot because of their half hearted approach to the conflict. Russia and Prussia were definitely more resolved with an axe to grind against Napoleon.

Easy. Austrians and 1809.

Reasons:
Full range of cavalry types.
Full range of infantry types.
Full range of artillery.
1809 was a pretty evenly matched campaign.
Austrian uniforms are colourful and varied making for a spectacular looking force to oppose the French.
No one else fought the French for so long, in so many actions.
And they fought Napoleon himself, frequently.

Austrians 1809 Campaign, French and allies (Poles, Italians, Bavarians, Wurttembergers, etc)

@ rick32
1806/7 but that means old period specific uniforms…
Is there a way to avoid this, though?
French line infantry to 1807: cutaway coats and bicornes
French line infantry to 1808 to 1812: cutaway coats and shakoes
French infantry 1813 on: square lapel coats and shakoes
There are also coat and facing colour issues with French line cavalry and cuirassiers.

The same affects all armies to some extent.

My preferred era is 1805 to 1807 FWIW – Russians engaged throughout.

I'm tending towards 1809. Not sure I want to do 1813/14,the other popular suggestion. I know the crested helmet was on the way out, but I'm having them! And I know I can have Polish Lancers. I have the Grande Armee list for July 09, and there is a lot of allies in it.

Will leave French flags loose so I can replace them for 1812 and do Russian at a later point.

I went 1813-1814.

A couple corps each of French and Prussians. A small corps each of Russians and 1813-14 Austrians.

The revolutionary wars.

Bicorned, tarletoned, helmeted, and mirletoned Republicans
Casqueted and corsehutted Austrians
Bicorned Russians
Cocked-hatted British
etc

I've drawn up a couple of army lists and worked out the figures for Austrian front 1809. The French have more smaller units 'reformed', while the Austrians have fewer 'unreformed' large units. These are two 800 point FoGN armies. It looks good opposition: can the harder to hurt, and more powerful large units overcome the French range advantage due to skirmishers.