Napoleonic Warfare Principles of War

First – a note about military symbology Infantry (foot soldiers with muskets) Cavalry (horsemen with swords) Artillery (cannons) or

Infantry (foot soldiers with muskets)

Cavalry (horsemen with swords)

Artillery (cannons)

Principles of War Mass Economy of Force Maneuver Intelligence Security Surprise Unity of Command

Mass

Economy of Force

Maneuver

Intelligence

Security

Surprise

Unity of Command

Mass Mass – concentrate power at the decisive place and time (maximize your firepower) This is going to hurt

Mass – concentrate power at the decisive place and time (maximize your firepower)

Economy of Force Use minimum energy/ forces in non-critical areas. Main effort (mass) Secondary effort (economy of force)

Use minimum energy/ forces in non-critical areas.

Maneuver Moving to put your enemy at a disadvantage

Moving to put your enemy at a disadvantage

Intelligence Gain information about the enemy Use cavalry and skirmishers Locates a hole and reports back Finds enemy and reports back Finds enemy

Gain information about the enemy

Use cavalry and skirmishers

Security Keep the enemy from gaining information about you Your Army Keep enemy cavalry away

Keep the enemy from gaining information about you

Surprise Hit the enemy when and where it is least expected

Hit the enemy when and where it is least expected

Unity of Command One person in charge. Not “rule by committee” Not democratic Alliances are hard to control

One person in charge.

Not “rule by committee”

Not democratic

Alliances are hard to control

How they fight Usually in lines : Mass many men together or In Squares : To protect against cavalry charges

Now, Plan Your Own Battle - when units fight – who wins? Attackers Even (Heavier guns win) Square Destroyed Weakens Infantry Weakens Cavalry Artillery Artillery lost (infantry damaged) Square destroyed Even fight Cant happen Infantry Artillery lost (cavalry suffers some losses) Cavalry retreats (Heavy Losses) Infantry destroyed Even (heavy beats light) Cavalry Artillery Infantry Square Infantry Cavalry

Our Napoleonic Battle Plan You Decide!

North Artillery Range Musket Range East Woods WEST WOODS Walled Farm 6’ tall walls Wheatfield 3’ tall wheat Cornfield 6’ tall corn Road Ford Ford Wheatfield 3’ tall wheat village BG2 D3 B2 BA2 D2 B1 BA1 DA2 D1 FL2 FL1 FG1 FG2 FG3 FG4 F4 F3 FA6 FA7 FA5 FA4 FA3 FA3 FA1 FH1 FH2 BL2 D4 BG1 BL1 BH1 B3 BA3 BA4