The Organisation of the German States Forces in 1866


In this article I shall detail the organisation of the German allies of the Austrians during the 1866 conflict. These are primarily designed for use my adaptation of the 'Fire and Fury' rules and are a supplement to the original article.

The scale is 1 stand = 300 men or 12 guns. The article covers the armies of the following states and formations:

  • Bavaria.

  • VIII Federal Corps (Wurttemburg, Baden, Hesse Darmstadt, Nassau and attached units).

  • Hesse Kassel.

  • Hannover.

  • Saxony.

The Bavarian Army ( VII Corps Federal Army) Corps

Commander: Prinz Carl of Bavaria 1 P. Ldr

NOTES:

* The Divisional Cavalry units are 2 stands strong (1st Chevauleger is 1 stand). They may be ignored or combined to perform additional cavalry brigades, 1 of 4 / 3 / 2 and 1 of 5 / 4 / 3. These can be attached to two of the Infantry Divisions or added to the Reserve Cavalry.

Weaponry: The Bavarian infantry are armed with the Podewil rifle, a MLR. The artillery was armed with a mixture of smoothbore and Krupp guns. The Horse artillery and the majority of the Foot (4 or 5) were SA, while the rest of the Foot artillery (3 or 4) were BLA.

Tactics: The Jagers may use skirmish tactics, all the infantry may use Assault Tactics if in Assault Column. The cavalry may only dismount as part of a scenario.

Leadership: The higher leadership was generally poor and ½ or more should be 'Poor', with 'Exceptional' leaders being very rare or nonexistent. On the other hand the lower (unit) leadership proved to be considerably better, 1/3 or more should be 'Exceptional'.

VIII Federal Corps (Wurttemburg, Baden, Hesse Darmstadt, Nassau and attached units)

Corps Commander: Prinz Alexander of Hesse 1 P. Ldr

NOTES:

Weaponry: The infantry are all armed with MLR's, mostly the Podewil. The Austrians troops, and possibly the Nassau, are armed with the Lorenz rifle. The artillery is more confusing, with the various contingents have a mix of smoothbore and rifled guns. The rifled artillery are probably muzzle-loading, but may be breach-loading for the non Austrians. The Baden artillery, and possibly the Wurttemburg artillery, are all SA. As are ½ of the Hesse Darmstadt and Nassau guns. The Austrian guns, ½ of the Hesse Darmstadt and Nassau guns and possibly 1 of the Wurttemburg guns are RA (or possibly BLA).

Tactics: The Jagers, and others marked 'L', may use skirmish tactics, all the non-Austrian, infantry may use Assault Tactics if in Assault Column. The Austrians are subject to the restrictions outlined in the original article, ********. As indeed may be some of the non-Austrian infantry. The cavalry may only dismount as part of a scenario.

Leadership: The higher leadership was generally poor and ½ or more should be 'Poor', with 'Exceptional' leaders being very rare or non-existent. Similarly the unit leadership was not great, with 1/6 being 'Exceptional' generally, but 1/3 for Hesse Darmstadt.

The Electoral Hessian (Hesse - Kassel) Division

Divisional Commander: Von Lossberg 1 Ldr

NOTES:

Weaponry: The Hessian infantry are armed with the Prussian Dreyse needle gun, a NG. The artillery was armed with a mixture of ½ smoothbore and ½ Krupp rifled guns.

Tactics: The Rifle / Sharpshooters Btn. may use skirmish tactics, all the infantry may use Assault Tactics if in Assault Column. The cavalry may only dismount as part of a scenario.

Leadership: The higher leadership was generally average, with 1/6 being 'Poor' and 1/6 being 'Exceptional' leaders. On the other hand the lower (unit) leadership proved to be quite good, 1/3 should be 'Exceptional'.

The Hannoverian Army Corps (Army)

Commander: Von Arentschildt 1 P. Ldr

NOTES:

* These cavalry units are 2 stands strong. They may be ignored or combined to perform additional cavalry brigades, 2 of 4 / 3 / -. These can be attached to two of the Infantry Divisions or added to the Reserve Cavalry.

** The number of guns available for the army to use is not definitely known. 2 to 4 batteries may be deployed, 1 per slot with a **.

Weaponry: The armament of the Hannoverian army is uncertain, but probably was similar to the other German states. Therefore the infantry are armed with a MLR. The artillery are armed with a mixture of ½ smoothbore (SA) and ½ rifled (RA, or possibly BLA) guns.

Tactics: The Jager may use skirmish tactics, all the infantry may use Assault Tactics if in Assault Column. The cavalry may only dismount as part of a scenario.

Leadership: The higher leadership was generally average, with 1/6 being 'Poor' and 1/6 being 'Exceptional' leaders. On the other hand the lower (unit) leadership proved to be quite good, 1/3 or more should be 'Exceptional'.

The Saxon Army Corps

Corps Commander: Crown Prince Albrecht of Saxony 1 Ldr

NOTES:

* The Divisional Cavalry units are included in the Cavalry Division.

Weaponry: The Saxon infantry are armed with the Podewil rifle, a MLR. The artillery was armed with a mixture of smoothbore and rifled (probably muzzle-loading, but possibly breach-loading) guns. The Horse artillery and half of the Foot (2) were RA (or possibly BLA), while the rest of the Foot artillery (2) were SA.

Tactics: The Jagers may use skirmish tactics, all the infantry may use Assault Tactics if in Assault Column. The cavalry may only dismount as part of a scenario.

Leadership: The higher leadership was generally poor and ½ or more should be 'Poor', with 'Exceptional' leaders being very rare or non-existent. On the other hand the lower (unit) leadership proved to be considerably better, 1/3 should be 'Exceptional'.