French Guardsman vs Russian Jaeger: 181214

(Paperback)

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Description

The Russian Jaeger regiments and Napoleons Young Guard clashed repeatedly during the campaigns of 181214. The Russian Jaeger were light infantry who gained enormous experience and prestige during the struggle to rid Europe of Napoleons armies, while the Young Guard was expanded to become the main strike force of the French field armies. In appalling winter conditions in 1812, the Young Guard turned to confront their opponents, including Jaeger forces, at Krasnyi. In the face of constant bombardment, Young Guard regiments held off the Russians, covering the retreat of large parts of Napoleons forces. They clashed again at Leipzig in 1813 and then again in the bitter cold at Craonne in 1814, where horrendous casualties finally told on the newly formed Young Guard units pitched into an attack upon Russian Jaeger regiments. Putting the reader in the shoes of the ordinary soldiers of both sides, this absorbing book traces the evolving trial of strength between Russias Jaeger arm and Frances Young Guardsmen at the height of the Napoleonic Wars.

Reviews

"Details of how units were organized, uniforms, weapons and gear are combined with fascinating first-hand accounts...traces the progression of the test of strength between the Young Guard and Russian jaegers during the course of the Napoleonic Wars." --Toy Soldier & Model Figure

Author Bio

Laurence Spring, an expert on Napoleonic Russian uniforms, is the author of Ospreys Warrior 51: Russian Grenadiers and Infantry 17991815 and several other books on the Napoleonic Wars.