The ask a Historical Question thread

[Black Watch 1745]

Where there any sort of Polish groups or units the served germany in ww2? Also any names of said people?

As far as I am aware the Germans did conscript some Poles into their army but not into separate Polish units since they had absorbed much of Poland into the Reich and the rest was considered occupied territory. The last thing they wanted were units with a distinct Polish identity since they were trying to 'Germanize' much of Poland.

[BabyJesus]

Who were Napoleons best/worst marshals?

[Wolff]

hard to answer. I would say that Davout was probably his best marshall

[Cara]

Depends what you think is "best". Some, as Ney, were great leader of men in the battle, they inspired the regiments to make the impossible. But Ney was only a lion, he was a poor stratege. One of the best marshal, with both leadership and tactics, was Lannes (who died in 1809).

[The Mighty McLovin]

I would probably say his worst was Auguste de Marmont. Of the three marshals created after the Battle of Wagram, Napoleon said Between ourselves, you have not done enough to justify entirely my choice. Also, after his promotion, the French soldiers said:

MacDonald is France's choice.
Oudinot is the army's choice.
Marmont is friendship's choice.

[AeroNinja]

Depends what you think is "best". Some, as Ney, were great leader of men in the battle, they inspired the regiments to make the impossible. But Ney was only a lion, he was a poor stratege. One of the best marshal, with both leadership and tactics, was Lannes (who died in 1809).

Maréchal Lannes?

[habsburg]

Does anyone know this blue and red unit on the right? He's standing next to the rifleman, so it might be some kind of light infantry

Spoiler

[close]

Edit: I forgot to give some context- Those are the "Böhmisch-Mährische Legion", an Austrian Landwehr and Garrison unit.

[Phillyz]

Does anyone know this blue and red unit on the right? He's standing next to the rifleman, so it might be some kind of light infantry

Spoiler

[close]

Edit: I forgot to give some context- Those are the "Böhmisch-Mährische Legion", an Austrian Landwehr and Garrison unit.

I suspect that it's probably a marine or some sort of skirmisher.

Did some research and found a picture that said what the unit was underneath. It just says Legiounär - 16. Bat. .... Could be a different type of legion uniform.

Spoiler

[close]

[habsburg]

Does anyone know this blue and red unit on the right? He's standing next to the rifleman, so it might be some kind of light infantry

Spoiler

[close]

Edit: I forgot to give some context- Those are the "Böhmisch-Mährische Legion", an Austrian Landwehr and Garrison unit.

I suspect that it's probably a marine or some sort of skirmisher.

Did some research and found a picture that said what the unit was underneath. It just says Legiounär - 16. Bat. .... Could be a different type of legion uniform.

Spoiler

[close]

That is a very interesting Version of the picture, the text below describes the uniforms of the different Battalions. The 16th Battalion (also Line infantry) was paid by the Earl of Waldstein and because of that he was allowed to chose the colours.
Very informative,
Thanks a lot for your help.

[Wolff]

Let's all thank God for giving us Mr. Knötel and his great uniformplates

[Seegert]

Does anyone know all the ranks and roles of the Bavarian Army during the Napoleonic Wars because I am finding it hard to get anything from it because I know the ranks their are different from other German nations or states such as Austria and Prussia. But yeah if someone knows anything I would be most obliged for the help.

[Seegert]

Also I find it quite hard to find Bavarian quotes because I have quite a fascination about Bavarian Culture and History but I found not a single quote about war which is kinda of strange in it self.

[The Mighty McLovin]

Don't know where to post this but i'll just post it here.

Does anyone recommend a book(s) specifically focusing on Napoleon's campaigns/battles rather than his life?

[Duuring]

Well, '1812' is a classic of course. It's quite a big book, but I enjoyed reading it very much and its frequent anecdotes make it especially interesting to read for re-enactors. It also shows the Russian side of things and (spoiler alert) battles the myth that Russia's retreat into the mainland was some sort of plan or strategy, as was actually just that; A retreat, and one quite badly performed.

[The Mighty McLovin]

thanks i'll look into it.