Battle of Kobryn Part 3

A quick update: Due to work commitments the project timescale has being changed so updates will be bi-weekly (He says optimistically!). Next time I will look at the composition of the Saxon infantry regiments. For now the only real update is I will definatly be doing the project using 15mm miniatures - I ordered some Fantassin minitures a while ago (Still not here...) to see what the quality of them is like. AB miniatures would be ideal but are too costly, Fantassin miniatures look like they will be a good balance between cost and quality...
I am always tempted by Old Glory 15s particularly as they do a range of Bashkirs and Cossacks but they are inconsistant in scale and quality and without good pictures they would be a risk particurlaly as I need so few figures (no hiding amongst 1000s of figs) we shall see - maybe a sample is needed.

Battle of Kobryn Part 2

Thought it was time for an update and an image... Above is the map illustration taken from 'Napoleon's German allies: Saxony 1806 - 1815' (von Pivka, O 1979) Not sure who di the illustration, guess it was probably the author... As I'm on a roll here are the orders of battle as listed in the fantastic 'Napoleon's Invasion of Russia' (Nazfiger, G Presido Press 1988)
Saxony: Generalmajor Klengel. Konig Infantry Regiment (2 battalions), Niesmeuschel Infantry Regiment (2 Battalions), Prinz Clemen Uhlan Regiment (3 squadrons), and the regimental artilery - 2 batteries each 2X4pdrs.

Russia: In the North (road to Pruszana) Lt Col Matadov, Alexandria Hussar Regiment (2 sqds), Cossacks (1 Sotnia).
Second wave: Alexandria Hussar Regiment (2 sqds), Starodoub Dragoon Regiment (2 sqds).
In the West: (Road to Antopol) Pavlovgrad Hussar Regiment (8 sqds), 13th Jager Regiment
In the South: (Road to Bulkovo and Brest) Starodoub Dragoon Regiment (2 sqds), Tver Dragoon Regiment (2 sqds), 19th Jager Regiment, 14th Jager Regiment.

In the next blog I will look at composition and numbers for the Saxon forces as there doesn't seem to be any conflicting views on who was there. The Russian list seems much more complicated as I've read different accounts about which troops were there, who was in command and the times they arrived at... I will return to them at a later date but for now the Nazifger list seems a good place to start....

Battle of Kobryn Part 1 27th July 1812

Well here we go... welcome. The 1st of (hopefully) many projects is the re -creating/re fighting of the battle of Kobryn. Although I will try to be as rigorous as possible with my research, the project is essentially a 'wargaming' one so there may be liberties taken when it comes to 'interpretation' and the normal rigour I would apply to academic research may slip a bit.

Where to start??? lets start with Osprey publications:

'' [Kobryn]... it was here that Von Klengal's isolated brigade was overwhelmed by vastly superior Russian forces. Having only only three squadrons of cavalry, the Saxons' intelligence gathering was not adequate to warn of the impending disaster. At the left can be seen the initial Russian cavalry attack; the Russian main body came up from the west and south. The Saxon last stand was on the old earthworks by the abbey".
Otto Von Pivka (1989) Napoleon's German Allies (3): Saxony 1806 -1815.

I think its the 'last stand' bit, 'the old earthworks by the abbey', and the not many (but interesting) troops involved that's attracted me.