Note: the name “Cuirassier” comes from the word “Cuirass” which refers to a combined Front and Back plate, which makes it slightly amusing then that many countries only used the Breastplate portion of the Cuirass, but then that’s name semantics for you. Still, good video. :3
good evening just for your information the cuirassier you show charging are actually the French army's mounted republican guard regiment hired for that movie and re uniformed as Napoleonic cuirassier if you look on u tube you can see them do actual charge in modern uniform cheers
Dear Sir, A very good video. I have just some remarks: a)About the use of cuirassiers on the French side: As their Austrians counterparts they were Reserve Cavalry. Individualy they were on both sides good cavalrymen and fencers. Napoleon gathered his Cuirassiers in whole Cavalry Divisions and Cavalry Corps d'Armée. But as you say, he used them to deliver the main blow as a rupture force. On the Austrian side, as a Reserve Cavalry, they were mainly used to save the Army if things were going bad. So they werent used to try to obtain victory, but as the last way to save the whole army in case of retreat. b) about french cuirasses: each of them was tested by a standardised pistol in a shooting corridor(with the same quality powder etc).They were tested to resist a pistol shoot at 50m and above. Nowaday, you can find on these cuirasses the hallmark (or the punch engraved in the metal) indentifying the officer in charge of the control and inspection but also the mark of the bullet. With time, and mainly after 1812, quality decreased of course. c)about austrian chestplate (and for others germanic states): of course their back wasnt covered, but the chestplate (the front part) was heavier than the french one. Maybe the whole weight between a whole french cuirasse(front and back) and an whole austrian one (back only) wasnt so different for the horse point of view. d) about Prussian cuirasses: I am not even sure that in 1806, Prussian Cuirrassiers still wore the cuirasse. In any case they didnt wear it after 1806. They were dragoons! On the other hand, you could find some pictures of Prussian Guarde du Corps squadrons (a few guys on parade) wearing a "soubreveste" having the aspect of a black cuirass but is was only a cloth. May be in 1813 and 1814 few of them used french captured equipment. e) about rider and fencer skill of french cavalrymen: At the time of Marengo, french cavalry regiments (the cavalry regiments were those of heavy cavalry, "la cavalerie de bataille") were those inherited from Royal cavalry. In these Cavalry regiments, men still were very well trained and skilled in Horse-riding and fencing. Except one or two regiment, they didnt wore the cuirasse anymore. Bonaparte gave back the cuirasse to all these elite cavalry regiments. After 1812, quality in horses and men decreased of course. Compared to their austrians counterpart, the guys and horses were certainly about the same, only the doctrine differs... f)The french cuirassiers' way to use the sword for a charge against infantry in the final approach: Of course, as for all heavies, the charge was reputed to be given stirups to stirups. For the french cuirassiers, the first rank has his sword nearly under the horizontal, straight forward, but a bit low and down, the sword almost at the high of the horse shoulder, the man "nearly lying "on the neck of the horse to deliver a thrusting blow. The second rank was, on the contrary, standing on his stirups, sword high, almost vertically, intending to slash. This was a difference between french and germanic states (who prefered to slash) g)The film showing the cuirassiers charge against russian infantry: it is of course about Eylau. But it is a french film,"the Colonel Chabert": ua-cam.com/video/slaNADrdPMA/v-deo.html The story was given by Honoré de Balzac in his novel"Le Colonel Chabert". In the book, the charge is a charge by a Dragoons Division (maybe for a film, cuirassiers are more impressive) I will let some remarks in the dragoons chapter too.
Some absolutely great additional info there. Thank you very much! I saw your comment on my dragoon video too, but for some reason I can't reply to it. Also thanks for the extra colour you gave there too! It's really great that people want to share their knowledge too, and while I can only get so much in a video, the comments are a great place to add/loo for extra information.
Cuirassiers are cool. Best use of them I've had was charging them against an opponent's Austrian flank, crushing his infantry and running his artillery. Of course, there was no counter to my Cuirassiers, so they were able to reform and their leisure and charge again. I wasn't allowed to bring them back for a rematch.
Nice informative presentation. I don't play black powder but enjoy Napoleonic ,I'm looking forward to the next videos already I may do some myself very soon also.. Thank you for posting!
again great video! A small remark, the film fragment is of the battle of Eylau is not a Russian film, it is a French production (not with English subtitles but definitely worth watching) called ''le colonel Chabert (1994)''. Soldier on! :-) Warm regards, Stan
Good video again. We have actually introduced a 'Blown' house rule for all Heavy Cavalry whereby if they charge, they may not charge in the next turn. They may then charge in the following turn after their period of 'rest'. We will see how it goes. We may look at making them Disordered should they need to make an emergency charge or counter charge in the turn after charging but will try keeping it simple at first. The rule makes you more careful in the use of HC but without going so far as to literally make them a one shot wonder by giving them just one charge per game, it is a game after all and has to be enjoyable.
Why do movies like Waterloo show heavy Calvary galloping for what seems like a mile before contract. Wouldn't they first advance at the walk, then the trot and then the gallop perhaps a 100 yards before contact?
The British Heavy Cavalry getting cut up at Waterloo had more to do with the British Cavalry not regrouping after they carved a lane through the French infantry. The best performance by the British Cavalry was under Major General Gaspard le Marchant and his 1st brigade. They were under good control and did not become carried away with the slaughter. Unfortunately, le Marchant was killed at Salamanca.
That charge was from Colonel Chabert 1994. And it was a French production. Not Russian.
you are so full of knowledge thank you for sharing
Note: the name “Cuirassier” comes from the word “Cuirass” which refers to a combined Front and Back plate, which makes it slightly amusing then that many countries only used the Breastplate portion of the Cuirass, but then that’s name semantics for you. Still, good video. :3
Well they sometimes don't even wear an armor at all in some nations
good evening just for your information the cuirassier you show charging are actually the French army's mounted republican guard regiment hired for that movie and re uniformed as Napoleonic cuirassier if you look on u tube you can see them do actual charge in modern uniform cheers
Dear Sir,
A very good video.
I have just some remarks:
a)About the use of cuirassiers on the French side:
As their Austrians counterparts they were Reserve Cavalry. Individualy they were on both sides good cavalrymen and fencers.
Napoleon gathered his Cuirassiers in whole Cavalry Divisions and Cavalry Corps d'Armée. But as you say, he used them to deliver the main blow as a rupture force. On the Austrian side, as a Reserve Cavalry, they were mainly used to save the Army if things were going bad. So they werent used to try to obtain victory, but as the last way to save the whole army in case of retreat.
b) about french cuirasses:
each of them was tested by a standardised pistol in a shooting corridor(with the same quality powder etc).They were tested to resist a pistol shoot at 50m and above. Nowaday, you can find on these cuirasses the hallmark (or the punch engraved in the metal) indentifying the officer in charge of the control and inspection but also the mark of the bullet. With time, and mainly after 1812, quality decreased of course.
c)about austrian chestplate (and for others germanic states):
of course their back wasnt covered, but the chestplate (the front part) was heavier than the french one. Maybe the whole weight between a whole french cuirasse(front and back) and an whole austrian one (back only) wasnt so different for the horse point of view.
d) about Prussian cuirasses:
I am not even sure that in 1806, Prussian Cuirrassiers still wore the cuirasse. In any case they didnt wear it after 1806. They were dragoons! On the other hand, you could find some pictures of Prussian Guarde du Corps squadrons (a few guys on parade) wearing a "soubreveste" having the aspect of a black cuirass but is was only a cloth.
May be in 1813 and 1814 few of them used french captured equipment.
e) about rider and fencer skill of french cavalrymen:
At the time of Marengo, french cavalry regiments (the cavalry regiments were those of heavy cavalry, "la cavalerie de bataille") were those inherited from Royal cavalry. In these Cavalry regiments, men still were very well trained and skilled in Horse-riding and fencing. Except one or two regiment, they didnt wore the cuirasse anymore. Bonaparte gave back the cuirasse to all these elite cavalry regiments. After 1812, quality in horses and men decreased of course. Compared to their austrians counterpart, the guys and horses were certainly about the same, only the doctrine differs...
f)The french cuirassiers' way to use the sword for a charge against infantry in the final approach:
Of course, as for all heavies, the charge was reputed to be given stirups to stirups. For the french cuirassiers, the first rank has his sword nearly under the horizontal, straight forward, but a bit low and down, the sword almost at the high of the horse shoulder, the man "nearly lying "on the neck of the horse to deliver a thrusting blow. The second rank was, on the contrary, standing on his stirups, sword high, almost vertically, intending to slash. This was a difference between french and germanic states (who prefered to slash)
g)The film showing the cuirassiers charge against russian infantry:
it is of course about Eylau. But it is a french film,"the Colonel Chabert":
ua-cam.com/video/slaNADrdPMA/v-deo.html
The story was given by Honoré de Balzac in his novel"Le Colonel Chabert". In the book, the charge is a charge by a Dragoons Division (maybe for a film, cuirassiers are more impressive)
I will let some remarks in the dragoons chapter too.
On c) I speak about chest part and not back part for austrian cuirass (I made a mistake)
For pursuit after charge:
Generally, the pursuit was let to the light.
Some absolutely great additional info there. Thank you very much! I saw your comment on my dragoon video too, but for some reason I can't reply to it. Also thanks for the extra colour you gave there too! It's really great that people want to share their knowledge too, and while I can only get so much in a video, the comments are a great place to add/loo for extra information.
Cuirassiers are cool. Best use of them I've had was charging them against an opponent's Austrian flank, crushing his infantry and running his artillery. Of course, there was no counter to my Cuirassiers, so they were able to reform and their leisure and charge again. I wasn't allowed to bring them back for a rematch.
Another great vid. Really appreciate you putting these together and look forward to next weeks videos. Have a great weekend!!!
Thanks buddy! You too!
Nice informative presentation. I don't play black powder but enjoy Napoleonic ,I'm looking forward to the next videos already I may do some myself very soon also.. Thank you for posting!
again great video! A small remark, the film fragment is of the battle of Eylau is not a Russian film, it is a French production (not with English subtitles but definitely worth watching) called ''le colonel Chabert (1994)''. Soldier on! :-) Warm regards, Stan
Great info! I shall track it down. Thanks!
Thank you Stan!!!
Very nice video, love the historical content, have subscribed, all the best Garry
Good video again. We have actually introduced a 'Blown' house rule for all Heavy Cavalry whereby if they charge, they may not charge in the next turn. They may then charge in the following turn after their period of 'rest'. We will see how it goes. We may look at making them Disordered should they need to make an emergency charge or counter charge in the turn after charging but will try keeping it simple at first. The rule makes you more careful in the use of HC but without going so far as to literally make them a one shot wonder by giving them just one charge per game, it is a game after all and has to be enjoyable.
Absolutely, and who doesn't want to see a glorious heavy cavalry charge?! I works well in Shako, I need to trail ot more in BP though
Nice vids mate, really informative
Wonderful stuff
very interesting
Why do movies like Waterloo show heavy Calvary galloping for what seems like a mile before contract. Wouldn't they first advance at the walk, then the trot and then the gallop perhaps a 100 yards before contact?
Well, it's nice and dramatic I guess!
The British Heavy Cavalry getting cut up at Waterloo had more to do with the British Cavalry not regrouping after they carved a lane through the French infantry. The best performance by the British Cavalry was under Major General Gaspard le Marchant and his 1st brigade. They were under good control and did not become carried away with the slaughter. Unfortunately, le Marchant was killed at Salamanca.
Can you imagine if he was still alive at Waterloo the Scots Dragoons wouldn't have been wasted
12:32 What movie is this? It looks great!
its from a french movie : colonel chabet (1994) that the only battle scene of the movie, but the movie and story is really great
Playing Black Powder? No General de Brigade?
No. We solely focus on BP here. GdeB is a good game, but I prefer BP fir getting a game actually finished in a club night!
The movie was ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel_Chabert_(1994_film)
The Austrian Cuirassiers had no back armour, only a breastplate, and the Prussian Cuirassiers had no armour at all