The Russian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (1): Infantry 1799-1814

Osprey Men at Arms #185

by Philip J. Haythornthwaite, Paul Hannon (Illustrator)

In 1795 the Russian army was as vast as the territory from which it was drawn. The College of War calculated that the regular army amounted to 541,741 men, plus 46,601 enrolled cossacks, and at least a further 100,000 irregular cavalry which could be mobilised in time of war. Inspired by the icons paraded by their priests before battle, the Russian infantry were capable of astonishing feats and total, blind obedience to orders. Philip Haythornwaite examines the organisation and uniforms of the remarkable Russian infantry troops who fought in the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815).

Genres: History, Russia, Nonfiction, Russian History, 19th Century, Military History

48 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 1987

About the author

Philip J. Haythornthwaite (born 1951) is an internationally respected and prolific author and historical consultant specializing in military history, uniforms and equipment. Whilst his main area of research is the Napoleonic Wars, his impressive list of publications covers a much wider range of periods from the English Civil War until WWI.

Reviews

[Jereme]

A very solid MAA title if suffering from the usual issues of the series where the author does not quite have enough room to discuss all that he has too. This is especially tragic as the British and French are lavished with a great deal of books on this subject while Russia gets two. Includes information on the uniforms, organization, and weapons but lacking in tactics and the character of the individual regiments. Were the soldiers all Russian for example, the role of emigre units etc.

Aside from that, a great resource. Plates are also excellent.

[Sean Chick]

Not much on tactics here but a lot on uniforms. The later is of course for miniature fans, who must navigate the army's complex uniform patterns. Still, this could have been so much more.

[Gonzalo]

This is the first time I read a MAA book with as a source of inspiration to paint an army, and I am pretty happy with it. It could certainly have more, but I suppose it is a good starting point.

[Dave Newport]

Good overall. a little shy on the info I needed, at least in my looking which was fairly cursory. Good, if not enough illustration plates. Lots of useful information (from a wargamers POV)