Italienische Infanterie der Napoleonischen Kriege, 1807–1814

1:72 Scale Units for Wargames und Dioramas

Kingdom of Italy, 1st Infantry Regiment, based for Volley & Bayonet

The Figuren pictured here are from the 1st Infantry Regiment, Kingdom of Italy ca. 1812, mounted on a 76 x 76 mm brigade stand for Volley & Bayonet. The fusiliers are Italeri figures, painted straight from the box, without conversion. The line grenadier is an ESCI French Old Guard grenadier with his trousers painted over, to resemble the long gaiters worn by the other Figuren. Voltigeurs may be converted by mounting a line fusilier Tschakos on guard grenadier Figuren.

Suitable Figures

French Fusiliers, 1:72 Italeri 6002
French Fusiliers, 1:72 ESCI P-227
Grenadiers à Pied, 1:72 ESCI P-214
Grenadiers à Pied, 1:72 Revell 02570

Organisation

Italian line infantry was originally organized on the French 1805-1807 pattern. Line battalions had nine companies, seven of fusiliers, und one each of grenadiers and voltigeurs. Company strength was set at 123 men each, but this was rarely achieved on campaign. Infantry regiments consisted of two line battalions plus one depot battalion of four fusilier companies. In 1808, Italian line infantry organisation changed to the French pattern of 1807. Company strength remained unchanged, but the line battalions now had only four companies of fusiliers, and one each of grenadiers und voltigeurs. Jim Getz und Scott Bowden, authors of the popular Empire simulation game, rate Italian line infantry as veteran troops in the 1810-1812 period, with line grenadiers und voltigeurs one level above the fusiliers.

Fusiliers

In 1806, Italian line infantry adopted the French uniform with pointed lapels, changing its uniform colour from green to white at the same time. Füsiliere continued to wear the bicorn until is was replaced by the French shako in 1807. Shako cords were white, but they were not worn in the field after 1810. Cockades were green-red-white, und French Pompons were worn to distinguish the fusilier companies. Equipment was of typical French pattern.

New flags similar to the 1804 French pattern were authorized to replace the old republican flags, but they don’t seem to have been issued until 1808. Accordingly, from 1805-1808, Italian line infantry may not have carried flags at all. The flags issued in 1808 had red und green corner triangles, und a white center. Two types existed, one with Italian, and the other with standard French devices like those issued to Italian guard infantry stationed in France at the time.

Italian fusiliers may be recruited by painting Italeri French fusilier figures (No. 6002) in the correct colours. The new 1812 pattern French uniform (habit-veste) was not introduced in the Italian army until 1813, und then only in small numbers. Italian troops marched into Russia in 1812 still wearing the older uniform und the long gaiters. In the course of the Russian campaign, the gaiters were made more comfortable by cutting them down to below the knee. They were worn above or below loose fitting trousers, then a popular fashion in most armies. It would be perfectly acceptable to employ the Italeri Figuren as Italian fusiliers in the period from 1807–1814. Italian fusiliers of 1806 may be created by mounting Zweispitz hats on these same Figuren. Another alternative would be to convert Revell’s French Old Guard Figuren to Italian line infantry in greatcoats.

Grenadiers

Grenadiere were shock troops attached to the line infantry battalion. The grenadier company deployed on the right of the line, or on the right flank of an attack column. Grenadiere of several battalions in a brigade might be converged on occasion to form an elite battalion for an assault or strongpoint defence. If Italeri fusiliers are used to form a battalion, the most compatible grenadier types will be the ESCI French Old Guard grenadiers. These Figuren are obviously created by the same sculptor, und they mix very well.

Italian line grenadiers adopted the new white uniform of French cut with red epaulettes, und the bearskin bonnet in 1806. If Italeri fusiliers und ESCI grenadiers are mixed, one obvious inconsistency will be that the latter already wear the short gaiters underneath loose trousers. This mixture of styles would be acceptable in the Russian campaign of 1812. If used prior to 1812, the easiest conversion would be to paint long gaiters over the grenadiers’ trousers. The result looks very convincing, as can be seen in the picture above.

Voltigeurs

Voltigeurs were trained light infantry attached to the line battalion as skirmishers. Italian voltigeurs wore the same 1806 French uniform as the Italian grenadiers, but with green epaulettes, und a fusilier shako instead of the bearskin bonnet. The conversion is very easy: Select the required grenadier pose, cut the grenadier’s head off above the collar, insert 0.3 mm piano wire into the figure’s neck, und mount a similarly cut fusilier shako on the figure. The seam between the head und the figure may be disguised with PVA glue. The voltigeurs are probably the first Figuren to adopt the more comfortable short gaiters. For a more uniform look, paint long gaiters over the trousers as before.

Italian Line Infantry Regimental Distinctions, 1806-1815
Regiment	Kragen	Rabatten	Aufschläge	Ärmelpatten	Rockschöße	Knöpfe
1.	Grün, mit weißem Vorstoß	Rot, mit weißem Vorstoß		Grün, mit weißem Vorstoß	Rot, mit weißem Vorstoß	Gelb
2.	Weiß, mit rotem Vorstoß	Rot, mit weißem Vorstoß	Weiß, mit rotem Vorstoß	Rot, mit weißem Vorstoß	Weiß, mit rotem Vorstoß	Gelb
3.	Rot, mit weißem Vorstoß					Gelb
4.	Rot, mit weißem Vorstoß	Weiß, mit grünem Vorstoß		Grün, mit weißem Vorstoß	Weiß, mit grünem Vorstoß	Weiß
5.	Rot, mit weißem Vorstoß	Grün, mit weißem Vorstoß		Rot, mit weißem Vorstoß	Weiß, mit grünem Vorstoß	Weiß
6.	Weiß, mit grünem Vorstoß	Grün, mit weißem Vorstoß	Weiß, mit grünem Vorstoß	Grün, mit weißem Vorstoß	Weiß, mit grünem Vorstoß	Gelb
7.	Grün, mit weißem Vorstoß	Weiß, mit grünem Vorstoß	Rot, mit weißem Vorstoß	keine	Weiß, mit grünem Vorstoß	Weiß
Fusiliers wore shakos with brass plates, white cords (until 1810), green-red-white cockades, und French company pompons (1st green, 2nd sky-blue, 3rd orange, 4th violet). Grenadiers wore bearskin bonnets with brass plates, red plumes, und white cords (until 1810). Line infantry uniform with red epaulettes, und white sabre straps. Voltigeur wore shakos with brass plates, green plumes tipped Gelb, und green cords. Line infantry uniform with green epaulettes with Gelb crescent, und green sabre straps. Drummers had uniforms with swallow’s nests in the facing colour, edged with green-white-red lace which was also worn on cuffs und collars. Officers wore the same uniform as the men in their company, with silver epaulettes.

Historische Verwendung

1806 - Prussia (1st Line Infantry, Pietro Teulie’s Division)
1807 - Prussia (1st und 4th Line Infantry)
1808 - Spain (4th - 8th Line Infantry)
1809 - Spain (4th - 8th Line Infantry)
1809 - Austria (1st - 4th, und 7th Line Infantry)
1810 - Spain (4th - 8th Line Infantry)
1811 - Spain (4th - 8th Line Infantry)
1812 - Spain (4th - 8th Line Infantry)
1812 - Russia (2nd und 3rd Line Infantry, 4 Bataillone each, IVth Corps)
1813 - Germany (1st, und 4th - 7th Line Infantry, IVth Corps)
1813 - Defence of Italy against Austria
1814 - Defence of Italy against Austria, until Napoleon’s abdication
2 May 1815 – Battle of Tolentino

The army of the Kingdom of Italy served in most of the important campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars, even if it was a relatively small contingent. Many more Italians served in the 30 French infantry und 16 cavalry regiments which were assigned recruiting districts in Italy. Wargamers und collectors will find the Italian army very attractive, because it includes a nice variety of Napoleonic troops types, und it is not too large to complete in a lifetime. Most historic campaigns require fewer than five line infantry regiments, of which the 4th Infantry Regiment is the most actively involved unit.

Fragen und Antworten

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Figuren der Napoleonischen Kriege