"Russian Jaeger battalions in 1812" Topic

I am just reading that osprey book – Russian Jaeger vs French Guardsman, and just was lookign for some better info on the organisation of Russian Jaegers. That book mentions they were trained to fight in the standard column, line, square formations but usually fought in open order

How do people here then like to arrange Russian Jaegers when it comes to miniatures – i would love to see pictures of all scales .

Did the Russian Jaeger battalions have the same kind of size and depth as line infantry, when they were in open order that is

I use my Russian jager in line and open order mostly. My Jagers are 8 to 10 figures a battalion whereas my Musketeers are 11 to 12 in a 1 = 60 scale

I think that in most aspects, especially in 1812 they operated as standard line infantry

Thanks for the replies, were Jaeger battalions of a similar size numerically to line infantry batts do you know?

By 1812 ….

Although Russian Jäger could and did fight in line, column and square formation, their primry use was skirmishing in open order : either in avant- or rear -guard actions or as cover for heavy infantry (itself typically formed in column)

The organizational establishment for combattants of Russian Jäger units was the same as for heavy infantry and fielded 24 files of 3 jäger (72 total jäger) in each of 8 platoons of a battalion (576 total jäger) . Each deployed platoon also had 2 officers, 2 sergents and 3 corporals & typically 3 lance corporals. For firing in open order, the jäger deployed in pairs.

Typically (but not in every regiment), 6 jäger and the NCO's of each platoon were rifle-armed. Regiments formed after 1808 might have fewer or no rifles. Regiments formed by 1803 might have up to 12 jäger per platoon rifle armed. The rifles almost always were the Russian Model 1798 and Model 1805 Jäger rifles – shorter than muskets and provided with long sword bayonets. The muskets for units facing the French were about 1/3 British Brown Bess India Pattern (with Russian leatherwork) and 2/3 Russian Model 1808. The issue of muskets was very uniform with 1 type per regiment at the start of 1812.

Officers had infantry officer swords and, by personal taste, might or might not carry 1-2 pistols, a musketoon, a hunting rifle or a military rifle – and a whistle.

The usual open-order system for Jäger ….

The 8th (Marksmen) platoon, formed in 24 files of 3 ranks was the left reserve (1 officer, 1 sergeant, 4 corporals/lance corporals and 48 jäger of the front 2 ranks) and left anchor (1 officer, 1 sergent, 2 corporals/lance corporals and 24 jäger of the 3rd rank) on the left of the open order deployment. Also with the left anchor were 2 drummers, 1 ammunition caisson, 1 corpsman and 1 barber-surgeon.

Similarly, the 1st (Grenadier) platoon was the reserve (front 2 ranks) and anchor (3rd rank) on the riight of the open order deployment. Also with the right anchor were 2 fifers, 1 ammunition caisson, 1 corpsman and 1 barber-surgeon.

The first 2 ranks of the 2nd through 7th platoons were sent out to skirmish in 144 jäger pairs (in 1 or 2 chains of pairs) with 8 officers, 8 sergeants and 24 corporals/lance corporals. The jäger pairs would be separated by about 2 to 10 meters and so protect a front of 150m to 750m depending on the need. For example, the skirmish screens in front of the prepared positions at Borodino had 1 battalion per 300m. Some commanders (such as Shakhovsky and Rayevsky) ordered whenever possible the digging of "wolf pits", essentially 2-man fox holes with a camoflaged earthen parapet.

The 3rd rank of the 2nd through 7th platoons formed in the center in 48 files of 3 ranks. The center reserve was 2 officers, 2 sergeants, 8 corporals/lance corporals and the 96 jäger of the front 2 ranks. The center anchor was 2 officers, 2 sergeants, 4 corporals/lance corporals and the 48 jäger of the 3rd rank.The Banner group was with the center anchor and included the battalion commander, battalion adjudant lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 4 corporals/lance corporals and 12 jäger. There was, however, no banner. Also with the center anchor were 1 drum-major, 10 drummers, 2 ammunition caissons, 2 corpsmen ans 2 barber-surgeons.

The 2 battalion ambulance wagons, each with a NCO doctor's assistant, circulated between the anchors and the battalion or regimental aid station to the rear.

The use of 1 or 2 chains was debated. Some division/corps commanders thought of 2 fully active chains : the first about 150m from center anchor/reserve and the second about 150 m further forward. This was typical of the Life-Guard Jäger, and may have accounted for their less than "guardy" results at Borodino and elsewhere. Other commanders, seemingly to include Wittgenstein, advocated 1 thick or doubled chain. Others, including Bagration, Shakhovsky, Rayevsky and Barclay de Tolly, advocated 1 support chain close to the front of the center anchor/reserve and 1 active chain about 200m further forward. This resulted in the reserve/ achors acting solely as anchors.

The "about" used with the distances is because the jäger were to adapt to the terrain as they found it to maximize cover.

For comparison, a battalion of heavy infantry formed (as was typical) on a 2 platoon front (48 files wide by 12 ranks deep plus spacing) would be about 30m wide. A heavy infantry battalion deployed in line of battle on 8 platoon front (192 files wide by 3 ranks deep) would be would be about 120m wide. A division formed in checkboard on brigade frontage of 4 battalions, each on 2 platoon front, (as was typical) would be about 300m wide, including space for some artillery.

"My Jagers are 8 to 10 figures a battalion whereas my Musketeers are 11 to 12 in a 1 = 60 scale"

OK for early period.

5 January 1798 – PSZRI 18.308 – Jäger regiments with 2 battalion organization, with each battalion of 5 companies
64 jäger/company
total regiment :
--- 50 combattant under-officers (without lance corporals)
--- 640 jäger

2 February 1802 – PSZRI 20.138 – Jäger regiments with 3 battalion organization, with each battalion of 4 companies
100 jäger/company
total regiment :
--- 108 combattant under-officers (without lance corporals)
--- 1200 jäger

mid-1806 : battalions equalized with heavy infantry
165 jäger/company
total regiment :
--- 120 combattant under-officers (without lance corporals)
--- 1920 jäger

wow that is alot of great information thank you – though when you say 24 files of 3 ranks, i am having trouble visualising what you are meaning by this can you explain that composition in simpleton terms for a numpty like me.
Also what is meant by chains? just a line of skirmishers?

lastly if i were to just have a unit of skirmishers (which could function as either representing a company or battalion depending on the rules i am using, which was a 3 line block of about 8 or so figures per line would that be okay. naturally one makes some compromise between what the rules require and reality. i would perhaps also make a unit which may just be a row of skirmishers in groups of two with space in between
(i am making paper 6mm napoleonic figures)

A formation can be described as horizontal rows of soldiers (the "ranks") by vertical rows (the "files"), with the horizontal aligned (typically) along a line of battle set up oppsed to the enemy – and the vertical, naturally, perpedicular.

Let us assume the enemy is at the top of your computer screen and X is is a soldier.

Then ….
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
9 files, 2 ranks

XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
5 files, 4 ranks

Usually, the files are numbered right to left and the ranks front to back
So …..

XXXXXX
XXYXXX
XXXXXX
6 files, 3 ranks – soldier Y is in the 4th file and 2nd rank

YXXXXXXXY
XXXXXXXXX
9 files, 2 ranks – soldiers Y are in the first and 9th=last files (and thus might be called "rank closers") and the 1st rank

XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXY
9 files, 3 ranks – soldier Y is in the first file and the 3rd=last rank (and thus might be called a "file closer")

In English, there is still I imagine the idiom "rank and file" = (relatively large) group of people of low rank or status.
"The rank and file members of the political party had little enthuiasm for the candidate, despite endorsements from party leaders."

=======================

"chains? just a line of skirmishers" – yes – exactly so (it is the word used in Russian in the era – I likely should have done better than a literal translation)

=======================

I am sorry – I know little of 6mm figures (I play 40mm skirmish). But this sounds perfect to me : "a unit which may just be a row of skirmishers in groups of two with space in between". The "two" would not really be exactly two men, I suppose. But 2 men in a pair "read" as skirmishers for me.

My Russians are the 1st Western Army of Borodino, for my numbers would generally have to subtract 1 company or squadron of every regiment for Borodino, in winter after many regiments had only 1 battion.

thanks that just about covers everything – i am in particular making Wittgensteins 1812 Corps.

The last query comes down to uniform, as in the ESR Guide "Master of the World" for 1812, the Jaegers at the first battle of Polotsk are shown with dark green trousers in the uniform guide, but everywhere else i see Jaegers generally had white trousers (i think the winter dress was different though)

The battle of Polotsk was in mid August and probably it was hot and humid there so i assume they would be in summer dress and have white trousers despite what he ESR uniform guide shows

White / green trousers is a seasonal wear, I and have seen a few others mention over the years use the winter green if only to keep a visual difference.
As said my OOB is for Borodino but have 1 division in overcoats.

From 1808 onward, in parade dress ….

--- green wool winter pants, with sewn-on black leather below the knee that closed with 7-9 copper buttons over the boots' shanks and a strap under the arch of the foot
Image from January 1814 – note also what appears to be field expedient re-use of a light cavalry cartridge pouch

--- white summer pants of Flemish linen, with integral canvas-lined spats over the boots and covered buttons
Image from 1814
link

--- boots of sueded leather, 7/8-inch to 1-inch heels, about 13 inches high from the heels, round top without decoration, waxed, blackened only on the foot part with natural color on the shank
Museum example
link

Variations ….

--- the heavy infantry had white wool winter pants : some Jäger regiments had these either because of supply irregularity or because they had been recently converted from heavy infantry
Image from 1814 or 1815

--- Jäger typically went on campaign in loose un-dyed cotton or linen light canvas "bloomers" : tied with a string or tape at the waist and ankles – worn stuffed into the boot tops, or over the green wool pants as an extra layer in deep winter
Image from 1814, see standing figure on the left
link

modern images

Comments

--- "Summer" was typically May through August by the moddern calendar, but subject to local weather and commander's decision.
--- In "Deep Winter" conditions, several expedients were common, especially for sentry duty : wear of all three of summer, winter and bloomers pants / wear of all three of habit, sheepskin vest and greatcoat / 2 layers of foot-wraps / 2 sets of mittens (inner one with trigger finger) / scarf wrapped as a balaclava, forage cap and shako

thanks for those great images. I think as i am making things with paper i can do all the variations i want so i will do sets with white and sets with green trousers.

Just wondering if you know details as to the Shako – those pictures have them with shakos from the early war period whereas i thought in 1812 the Jaegers would have those shorter more distinctively shaped russian shakos

"1812 the Jaegers would have those shorter more distinctively shaped "

No, they used the 1808 Model in 1812.
Maybe the Guard Jäger got new covers in 1812 and styled them a bit differently than the 1808 Model, but likely not.

The "1812 model" was never official. It seems some regiments had new covers made on the march, locally in Germany in 1813/1814 or France 1814/1815, and may have opted for this style. And officers the same.

There was a slightly *taller* official Model that went into service 1816/1817.

"subtract 1 company or squadron of every regiment for Borodino, in winter after many regiments had only 1 battion"

Each regular battalion formed with 24 per each of 8 platoons in 3 ranks. This meant 576 rankers. The war time establishment of a regular battalion was 82 men higher. Some of the excess was taken up in lance-corporals, commissaries, stretcher-bearers, sick, lightly wounded, moving supplies, etc., etc., etc. But there was a good sized "buffer" above the 576 number, not counting the horde of musiciens, medical specialists, religious officials, craftsmen, drivers, clerks and servants that were on-staff in an infantry regiment.

When there were losses enough to burn through the "buffer", then the 3rd rank was thinned out. The 2 active battalions that composed a regiment in the field would equalize as needed. When *both* had below 384 rankers (i.e., when they both had an empty 3rd rank), they were usually combined and any excess personnel sent to the rear to re-form a new battalion with recruits.

If this combination was not suffient to field 576 in the ranks, then one or both of the battalions of the sister regiment in the same brigade could be broken up. This cross-regiment consolidation occurred only once to my knowledge, *after* Borodino, effecting some brigades in the 2nd Western army and only Jäger in the 1st Western army.

Just *prior* to Borodino (30 August through 4 September), the following reserves/recuits – total about 18,000 – arrived to the main army and were distrubuted to make up losses ….
--- 1st Reserve regiment assigned to heavy infantry of 2nd corps (~2100 men)
--- 2nd Reserve regiment assigned to heavy infantry of 2nd Western army (~2100 men)
--- 3rd Reserve regiment assigned to heavy infantry of 4th corps (~2100 men)
--- 4th Reserve regiment assigned to heavy infantry of 6th corps (~2100 men)
--- 5th Reserve regiment assigned to heavy infantry of 2nd Western army (~2100 men)
--- 1st Reserve Jäger regiment assigned to jäger of 2nd Western army (~2100 men)
--- 2nd Reserve Jäger regiment assigned to jäger of 2nd and 4th corps (~2100 men)
--- 2nd Replacement battalion (3 Musketeer companies) of the Yelets Infantry regiment assigned to that regiment (525 men)
--- 2nd Replacement battalion (3 Jäger companies) of the 5th Jäger regiment assigned to that regiment (~400 men)
--- 4th Reserve battalion (3 Recruit companies) of the Yelets Infantry regiment assigned to heavy infantry of 6th corps (~450 men)
--- 4th Reserve battalion (3 Recruit companies) of the 28th Jäger regiment assigned to that regiment (~450 men)
--- 4th Reserve battalion (3 Recruit companies) of the 32nd Jäger regiment assigned to that regiment (~450 men)
--- 2 battalions of the Moscow Garrison regiment assigned to heavy infantry of 6th corps (950 men)
The Reserve units were mostly draftees of the 1811 conscription, with 1 year's training. They were made up of the 4th Reserve battalions of the 7th, 12th 18th, 24th and 26th Infantry divisions, divided into heavy infantry and Jäger. For example, the 4th Reserve battalions of the 5th, 6th, 11th, 19th, 36th, 40th, 41st and 42nd Jäger regiments (total 24 Recruit companies) formed the 1st & 2nd Reserve Jäger regiments, each of 3 battalions of 4 companies, so also total 24 Recruit companies.
The Replacement units were, in essence, depot battalions of active regiments and consisted of long-service men such as found in the 2 "active" battalions, but with the 2nd Grenadier company.

Average battalion size for army regular infantry at Borodino was about 480 combattant soldiers in the ranks per battalion, and so maintained the desired 24 files per platoon. The 3rd rank, which only loaded and did not fire, was on average 1/2 populated – unless non-combattants or militia were pushed into service.
About 47% of these were out of the ranks after the battle (killed, wounded, missing), leaving only an average of about 255 men in the ranks per battalion and leading to the consolidations noted above.
I could try to be more precise if given specific units of interest.

I have less detail ready to hand for the cavalry.
For the army cavalry to be used as replacements, the following units received their Replacement (depot) squadrons – 1 squadron per Dragoon regiment, 2 per Hussar regiment – about 24 August in the 1st Western army and 5 September in the 2nd Western army
--- Courland Dragoon regiment
--- Orenburg Dragoon regiment
--- Karkov Dragoon regiment
--- Chernigov Dragoon regiment
--- New Russia Dragoon regiment
--- Kiev Dragoon regiment
--- Pskov Dragoon regiment
--- Moscow Dragoon regiment
--- Ingermanland Dragoon regiment
--- Kargopol Dragoon regiment
--- Sumy Hussar regiment
--- Pavlograd Hussar regiment : sent into Mariupol Hussar regiment
--- Akhtyrka Hussar regiment
--- Izyum Hussar regiment
--- Yelisabetgrad Hussar regiment
Total was 20 squadrons and 2500 to 3000 men
Average squadron size for army regular cavalry at Borodino was about 120 combattant troopers in the ranks per squadron – effectively full strength as a squadron was supposed to field 60 files of 2 troopers at full-strength.
About 40% of these were out of the ranks after the battle (killed, wounded, missing).

I am referring not to the covers but the whole shako design itself – see the Russian Jaeger shako in this picture – did only some have this style and others have the older taller shakos still in 1812?

Does anyone make miniatures of Russian Jager (or other infantry?) with "scarf wrapped as a balaclava"?

Cheers,
John

the great majority of the Russian infantry did continue to wear the old shako – see what Michman did write about that, alas a lot of miniatures were sculpted in the new style of shako lower and concave top, which was rarely seen, and this is well up to 1814.

Perrys plastic set gives you an option for the older style shako of 1809.

"covers but the whole shako design itself"
Sorry, maybe a bad choice of English word. I thought that one called a military hat a "cover" in English. Am I wrong?

"Does anyone make miniatures of Russian Jager (or other infantry?) with "scarf wrapped as a balaclava"?"
Look for French "retreat from Russia" figures.

@Georg Buechner
Regarding the images you posted ….

French are OK, except ….

The "Infantry" really = light infantry (silver/white metalwork)

I think the "Old Guard Grenadier" is a replica

"Cuirassier" really = Garde de Paris Model 1876

For the Russians :

"Infantry" 1 really = Life-Guard foot regiment Model 1817, as worn through 1825

"Infantry" 2 really = Life-Guard foot regiment Model 1828

"Grenadier" really = well-used Model 1808 shako : the chin scales and 3-flame grenade badge are too large and come from the larger Model 1817 shako

"Jager" really = Life-Guard foot regiment, possibly as worn 1813-1816, but I think this photo shows a replica
Previous Model 1808 :
link

"Chevalier Guard" = army Cuirassier, Dragoon, Gendarme regiments or Horse Artillery, reign of Alexander – with the possible exception of the Military Order Cuirassier regiment

@Michman
Re: your posting 27 June 2022 01:59. Do you have an order of battle for the Russians at Borodino including the replacement numbers in your list?
Thank you for posting – very useful information.

The listing of the reinforcements (and later ones):
Кутузов М.И.
Сборник документов и материалов
М.: Воениздат, 1950-1956
Т. IV, Ч. 2, C. 538-543
link

For strengths & losses
link
PDF link

For formations, organizations, etc. :
link
litmir.me/br/?b=224917&p=1
link
A good summary in English is :
Tactics of the Russian Army in the Napoleonic Wars: Volume 2
Alexander Zhmodikov & Yuri Zhmodikov
The Nafziger Collection, 2003

The topic is open to relatively a large degree of interpretation, hence I was qualifying the numbers quoted as "about" or "~XXX men".

I was responding to @14Bore :
"subtract 1 company or squadron of every regiment for Borodino,"
For the army regular infantry, the average under-staffing was *about* 96 men per battalion, or almost 1.5 companies per regiment of 2 battalions (total 8 companies). And the way this handled was thinning the 3rd ranks, keeping the standard frontage of 24 files per platoon.

On the other hand, the army regular cavalry was, on average, at full tactical strength.

Anything more detalied than what I linked above would require research into specific units.

I wanted to learn Russian in high school, but did I?
Noooo

Michman, thanks I too did notice those other helmets looking incorrect for the period, especially that french cuirassier helmet, so I was ignoring those and just focussing on the Jaeger shako and my query has now been answered thanks

The word "cover" is not used in English to ever describe a hat or helmet or poce of headwear, at least not on its own. "Headcovering" might be used but that always sounds like something that someone has improvised and may mean something religious.

If you talk about just a "cover" when discussing military headwear one might think you are referring to something that will go over the headwear – like that coverings that went over the shakos to protect them from the elements

@Michman
Thank you for the links – again, very useful.

@14Bore

It's not hard to learn a little "pidgen" Russian.
Start with the letters. Make flash cards (Latin on one side, Cyrillic on the other).
Capitals are just larger in most cases.

When the letters start looking "normal" to you, you can (i) often get military terms taken from French, German or English, and (ii) have a good idea what to copy/paste into Google search or translate and (iii) start learning words.

These usually work somewhat the same as in English
A, а = A (short a sound)
б = B
д = D
E, е = E (short e sound, but after another vowel Ye like "nYEt" = no)
э = E (short e sound)
ф = F
г = G (also can be used for Latin H like "Garvard", "Gamburg", "Gitler")
и = I (long e sound)
к = K
л = L
м = M
н = N
о = O (long o sound, but often pronounced as short a)
п = P
р = R
с = S
т = T
у = U (oo sound)
в = V
з = Z

These letters make the indicated sounds
ё = Yo – sounds like "YO-YO"
х = Kh – sounds like "KHan" or "Horror"
ж = Zh – sounds like "ZHukov"
ц = Ts – sounds like "TSar"
ч = Ch – sounds like "CHat"
ш = Sh – sounds like "wiSH"
щ = Shch – sounds SH-CH, not bad inside a word of 2+ syllables
я = Ya – sounds like "YArd"
ю = Yu – sounds like "YUle"

These are annoying
ы = write Y – short i, sounds maybe like i in ill
й – write Y – sounds maybe like y in toy

ъ and ь are signs, not letters, learn about them later

I have my Borodino OOB in Russian, if I keep up sometimes I recognize what Regiment it is. I have watched countless Russian moves on YouTube( Union of Salvation twice as a example) and don't understand a word.
Maybe should try to remember the list. I think I am getting actual pronunciation better.

" watched countless Russian moves "
I have found the order of difficulty to be :
--- reading (easiest, but most useful for gaming)
--- speaking (basic, pidgen really)
--- writing
--- hearing (hardest)
I have found movies, radio, etc. to be harder than talking to real people. I have also found talking to regular working people of modest education much easier than people trying to correctly teach me the language.

" my Borodino OOB "
Do you have all the units ? or only a specific division, corps or other selection of them ?
I could maybe find some details as to strengths, commanders, equipment, etc. – if that would be of interest to you.

You are doing something like 1 figure = 1 platoon + 1 commander + 1 banner carrier + 1 drummer = 1 formed battalion with 11 figures, yes ?
For a battalion formed on the frontage of 2 platoons (typical), something like ….

5th Musketeer Command 4th Musketeer
6th Musketeer         3rd Musketeer
7th Musketeer         2nd Musketeer
8th Marksmen          1st Grenadier

I have complete 1st Western Army of Borodino, a couple substitutions cavalry unit made before the plan and 2 Cossack of 14 because can't find proper Tartar Cossacks so Tartar uhlans got the call.
As it says
link