Russian Line Infantry (1812-1815) by Warlord Games

Napoleonic Wars: Russian Line Infantry (1812-1815) plastic boxed set

The infantry formed the backbone of all armies in the Napoleonic Wars, but no army relied more on its simple private foot soldiers than that of Imperial Russia.

Brave, tenacious, and resilient, they had to cope with poor conditions, inadequate supplies, and a cadre of mostly incompetent officers. Whenever Western observers spent time with the Russian army, they were repeatedly astonished by the sheer tenacity and good humor of the average Russian infantryman in the face of adversity.

Many thousands of men were driven by the imperial war machine to defy Napoleon on the battlefields of Europe. They often suffered terrible punishments, but they remained undeterred. French officers admired their ability to withstand artillery fire, cavalry charges, and the famous French assault columns. It was said that only when you bayoneted them could you be sure you were dealing with ordinary men.

The Russians seemed to use the bayonet more often than any other army; it was in their nature to strike. Furthermore, the Russian army was generally poorly equipped, and the quality of their muskets was usually inferior to that of their opponents. Bayonets were always reliable!

Contrary to popular belief, it was not the fear of punishment or excessive alcohol consumption that drove these men to continue fighting while others might have collapsed, but rather the unwillingness to accept defeat.

Recruitment was never a problem for the Russian army. Many recruits came from agrarian, serf-like backgrounds and were little more than uneducated slaves. The army offered a regular income and regular meals. Any hardship they had to endure was an improvement for many, so conscription was generally not seen as a curse. Service was for life, although after 1805 it was reduced to 25 years, which in reality was still a lifelong commitment, if only in name. After being drafted, a man left his village as if he were already dead, and appropriate ceremonies were held, since the hope that he would ever return was slim.

This box set allows you to assemble a regiment of Russian infantry. The variants included in the box let you field both musketeers and grenadiers, along with a command detachment to lead them into battle. We've also included a selection of flags from different regiments so you can send them into battle immediately.
For the Fatherland!

Contains 24 miniatures made of plastic and metal.

The models are delivered unassembled and unpainted.