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There was, perhaps, no class of men on the face of Earth, who led a life of more continued exertion, excitement and danger, and who were more enamored of their occupation, than the gunners of Napoleon's Old Guard. The horse artillery was the elite of Napoleon's Guard Artillery. It was the creme de la creme of French and European artillery.But it was the foot artillery who had the most guns, including the famous heavy 12 pounders that were so feared by Napoleons enemies.
At the Battle of Wagram, Napoleon ordered Lauriston to deploy the Artillery south of Aderklaa. The guard had deployed 40 guns within musket range of the white coated enemies. He then gave a simple order "erase the masses" and so it began, Each gun of Guard Artillery fired approx. 200 rounds.
"At Waterloo one battery of Old Guard fired its last shots into the mass of Prussians and British, then stoically stood by their cannons as if ready to fire again. It was a bluff, but they halted the enemy cold and gained their comrades time."
With the development and improvement of combat weapons throughout the Seven Years' War prior to Napoleon, artillery had expanded to almost every European country, including France with 12-pdr, and 8-pdr cannons. "The Gribeauval guns, developed between 1765 and 1774, were 12-, 8-, 6- and 4-pounders with 6- and 8-inch howitzers."[1]
This style of gun was the artillery of choice for Napoleon, considering they were lighter by one third of the cannon of any other country. For example, the barrel of the British 12-pounder weighed 3,150 pounds, and the gun with carriage and limber about 6,500 pounds. The Gribeauval 12-pdr barrels weighed 2,174 pounds and the gun with carriage and limber 4,367 pounds. Since Napoleon insisted on speed and mobility in conducting his maneuvers, this lighter cannon provided the flexibility he desired. Along with the artillery, the army had vast quantities of mortars, furnace bombs, grape and canister shots, all of which provided substantial support fire.
Artillery also played a role in the war at sea, with most ships containing anywhere from 50-100 cannons. In 1798, Napoleon's flagship L’Orient, with 120 guns made it the most heavily armed vessel in the world.[1] Napoleon's quick, destructive artillery force contributed to a majority of his victories.
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Artillery Company of the IIe Corps.
Expected attendance: 6
Leader of the Artillerie: Major Googly
The 4ème Compagnie du Régiment d'Artillerie à Pied de Garde consists of two batteries of artillery within the Corps, and specializes in cannon sniping and assisting allied lines, we expect all members to love their cannons as if it were their own children. The cannon is victory and victory is life.
We are connected with the 1er Chasseurs, a regiment offers a disciplined experience to the Napoleonic Wars, but with a relaxed atmosphere, as the batteries are split into two, each acts as a squad of infantry would, everyone knows each other and works accordingly. Events occur almost daily, with five events a week. If you're interested in joining this part of the army, add the artillery leader above on Steam.
Tags: IIe_4eArt_*Rank*_*Name*
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