tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97754405909576170.post6833210679324348471..comments2024-03-24T19:50:13.945+01:00Comments on napoleonic wargaming: Lubeck Campaign – Day 7thistlebarrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077298970769942656noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97754405909576170.post-83378357599418591772021-09-05T18:01:36.855+02:002021-09-05T18:01:36.855+02:00Hi Bob
I think you are right, the real strength o...Hi Bob<br /><br />I think you are right, the real strength of the Imperial Guard was that THEY believed they could not be beaten. They were almost always held in reserve and only released when the battle was already decided. So the easy victory which followed would increase their confidence. <br /><br />But this belief also gave them that extra confidence to push on despite heavy casualties when they were used to turn the tide. At Plancenoit they performed well against the Prussians.<br /><br />So the final attack against Wellington which decided the battle at Waterloo should also have resulted in them winning the day. The elite of the elite was used for this attack, and they had been sheltered from casualties throughout the battle.<br /><br />The British infantry had been subjected to heavy attack all day. Whilst the French elite were composed of very experienced soldiers, I do not believe this was the same with the British foot guards. My understanding is that they were no better than other line battalions. The 52nd, who some say actually defeated the old guard, was very experienced. But they were not all the same men who had fought throughout the Peninsula Wars.<br /><br />Whatever the reason it is appropriate that the final battle of the long Napoleonic Wars was between the feared French old guard and the equally respected British infantry.<br /><br />I was just glad that my toy soldiers were able to continue the myth.<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Paul thistlebarrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00077298970769942656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97754405909576170.post-23721571204321554792021-09-05T17:20:54.280+02:002021-09-05T17:20:54.280+02:00Thistlebarrow,
So Bluchrr has withdrawn to regrou...Thistlebarrow,<br /><br />So Bluchrr has withdrawn to regroup so that he can fight again in the near future ,.. and Napoleon can congratulate himself for yet another victorious campaign in Germany.<br /><br />You comments about the Imperial Guard are interesting. They are often portrayed as super soldiers, and for much of their existence their intervention in a battle was decisive … but I’ve often wondered if their reputation was based on their reputation (I,e. Being famous for being famous). At Waterloo they were repulsed by steady musket fire from British troops who stood their ground. One suspects that if it had been Dutch-Belgian troops who were receiving the Guard’s attack, the former would probably have run because they were being attacked by the Guard. Mind you, by 1815 they were probably past their sell by date. Recent research indicates that after long exposure to combat, even the best troops begin to lose their edge. A case of wanting to be being an old soldier and not a bold soldier?<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />BobRobert (Bob) Corderyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13109130990434792266noreply@blogger.com