Project 2016

With the French heavies safely out of the way, I can now turn my attention to my major project for 2016: A Russian Infantry Division c.1812. Again in 28mm, but as the Perry infantry are in plastic, I've reverted to the miniatures they did for foundry for my foot. Artillery and cavalry, however, will come from Perry Miniatures. Flags from GMB and mounted on Warbases as usual.

Given that my French Infantry are based on Ledru's 10th Infantry Division, now supported by the cuirassiers of 1st Heavy Cavalry Division, it may not come as a surprise to learn that I have chosen Russian 3rd Infantry Division: their main opponents at the Battle of Valutina Hill, aka Loubino, fought on 18th August 1812.

Battle of Valutina Hill by Peter von Hess

Considered the model division of the Imperial Russian army of 1812, Pyotr Konovnitsen's force followed the usual pattern of four infantry regiments and two rifle regiments, supported by a large field artillery brigade. Unusually, the two infantry brigades were reinforced by the division's combined grenadier battalions, which were formed from the elite companies of the depot battalions of each regiment. However, in Kickstarter parlance, they are one of my stretch goals. Frankly, even the basic twelve battalions plus command and skirmishers looked beyond me. So Steve Hall of Hallmark Figure Painting Services has kindly agreed to paint the line companies of each battalion, leaving me to crack the command and elite companies, artillery, command, and cavalry. Here's a link to his website: Hallmark

Mounted support will come from half a regiment of hussars with another stretch goal of doing the whole regiment, i.e. eight squadrons, plus a regiment of dragoons.

If I (or indeed Steve) still have any energy left after that then there is always the option of adding an elite brigade from the other division in 3rd Infantry Corps - 1st Grenadier Division.

Near Valutina Hill by Faber du Faur

So no photos of painted toys today, just the orbat, and painted totals reset to zero:

Battle of Valutina Hill (Loubino), 18^th August 1812

3rd Infantry Division (Pyotr Konovnitsen)

1st Brigade (Tuchkov III)

Murom Regiment

Revel Regiment

1^st Combined Grenadier battalion

2nd Brigade (Voeikov)

Tchernigov Regiment

Selenguisk/Kapor Regiment

2^nd Combined Grenadier Battalion

3rd Brigade (Prince Chakoffski)

20th Rifle Regiment

21st Rifle Regtiment

3rd Divisional Artillery (Tornov)

III Positional Battery

V Light Battery

VI Light Battery

1st Grenadier Brigade (Tsvilenev) from 1^st Grenadier Division

Life Grenadier Regiment

Count Arackcheiev Grenadier Regiment

Brigade from I Cavalry Corps (Uvarov)

Nizhinsk Dragoon

Elizabethgrad Hussar Regiment