French Imperial Guard

[Offworlder]

In all honesty I've only arrived until mid way 1810, but somehow the French Imperial Guard seems to be a bit off. It actually feels like it has too little infantry and too much cavalry. What I mean is that there is only 1 div + 1 Brigade of infantry that seem to represent the Old Guard but no additional infantry units become available. Lecchi's Guard brigade never achieves full complement either (whatever that is supposed to be - similar to the Italian dragoon brigade and the Hanoverian brigades).

As to the cavalry there seems to be a duplication of units as in there is 1 Cuirassier+2 Mounted Grenadier brigades and 1 Guard Heavy division that seems to replicate the same setup (actually there is the equivalent of only 1 Mounted Grenadier brigade within the division). With regard to the light cavalry there also seems to be a duplication as there are 12 light brigades and 6 light divisions (all guards).

Is this off or is it my impression that at least there is an imbalance? Does the Middle Guard and the Young Guard come into play at some stage?

[Montbrun]

Your impression is correct, especially for the French Imperial Guard.

It looks like they made some major compromises when it comes to the Guard units. IMO, for all of the major powers that have Imperial or Royal Guard units, they should become available as in-game "Brigades," allowing the player to create "old-style" divisions with them, as the player sees fit.

[Offworlder]

Your impression is correct, especially for the French Imperial Guard.

It looks like they made some major compromises when it comes to the Guard units. IMO, for all of the major powers that have Imperial or Royal Guard units, they should become available as in-game "Brigades," allowing the player to create "old-style" divisions with them, as the player sees fit.

That could be an idea. Guard brigades tend to be as powerful as weak divisions and once combined with similar brigades can be a force to be reckoned with. Especially interesting would be the construction of the French Imperial Guard which expanded massively and even by absorbing other Guard units (Polish, Dutch etc) and expansion

[Montbrun]

I'm working on historical OoBs for all of the nations involved during this time period. I'm working on the Minors first, then the Majors.

[Offworlder]

That's fantastic! It would give the game more flavour that's for sure!

[veji1]

There are several issues there I think.

First of all on the Lecchi brigade not growing, it's a mystery to me as to whether it may happen or not, because in my last game I put the Polish Lancers and Italian Dragoons in Italy in a division under Sebastiani (a cavalry commander with the international trait) and suddenly in spring 1807 they both filled up (mind you they are small, so it just means one more element) with the one extra polish or italian element. It had never happened to me in any other game so far. So I don't really know why it happened, but it did. Does this mean it could happen to the Lecchi Brigade ? Right now it is in Poland, but I am going to try and put it in a big city on green/green with an international commander and see what happens.

Second on the volume and size of the french guard there are events creating the middle guard and then the young guard. Volumes might not be perfectly exact, but basically for the first 3/4 years it seems all right, and only later should the ability to recruit more infantry divisions ( young guard) appear. I tend to recruit the first old guard division straight away or early enough anyway and although I haven't looked at the events, This first old guard division actually covers the middle guard pretty well. Maybe having the possibility to recruit a second division (which would be the middle guard) in say mid 1809 would make sense. The following is the list found on wiki of numbers in the imperial guard :

Année 1805 - 12 187 hommes.
Année 1807 - 15 361 hommes.
Année 1808 - 15 392 hommes.
Année 1809 - 31 203 hommes.
Année 1810 - 32 150 hommes.
Année 1811 - 51 960 hommes.
Année 1812 - 56 169 hommes.
Année 1813 - 92 472 hommes.
Année 1814 - 112 482 hommes.
Année 1815 - 25 870 hommes.

The balance should be between some flexibility and some realism : Flexibility by giving the playe ability to recruit some units, and realism by only progressively making the pool wider. To me the current problem is rather that there is way way too much recruitable guard cavalry to begin with.

I would start with something like 1 old guard infantry division in the recruitable pool + 1 heavy cav guard division and 1 light cav guard division +1 cavalry arty brigade. This already sort of covers the creation of the first middle guard in a sense, since the Hulin Brigade + Lecchi Brigade + Old guard division is already a boatload of guard infantry ( 800cp easily, I don't have the numbers but that's close to 8/10 000 infantry i'd say). If you recruit the cavs and arty and add it to the already existing cav division (brigades Ordener and Morand I think) and small arty unit you have a very strong corps that is probably 20 000 men strong or so.

I would then allow creation of the "good" young guard in 1809 (say 1 division in mid-1809, 1 in mid-1810, 1 in mid-1811) + a few more gd cavarly brigades or divisions to swell the ranks to about 45/50 000ish by 1812. These guys were conscripts but pretty well drilled. But they shouldn't be fantastic in combat in any way or form, give them the guard tag but make them comparable to normal infantry or just a tiny bit better.

Then some troops should be added as part of the "grand empire" event, or after each annexation, such as the hollandish guard etc. One could wait for the grand empire event to allow the creation of that second Old guard division, symbolising both the prestige of the grand empire + the adjunction fo the Hollandish guards and other "international" guard units.

The numbers coming after that I would discard because by then the young guard didn't mean squat except that they were the young recruits with some decentish quality guns an training, but far from being guard units they were worse than any regular infantry division of the 1805-1807 years.

Honestly there might be adjustments to be made but you don't want to flood the board with guard units, parf of the flavor is their rarity.

[veji1]

To me the biggest size the Imperial guard should be able to reach should be something like this :

1/ infantry
- Maybe the 2 original infantry brigades (one could imagine those 2 being absorbed via event into the first division, in this case the first guard division would be an event via RGD, costing EPs and a big chunk of money but no conscripts as these would technically be soldiers pumped from other units. one could make the event available in mid 1806 for example, or just keep it the way it is).
- 2 old guard divisions (the first one, aka "the real old guard" whether built or via event and the second one aka "the middle guard" available sayin 1808/09)
- 3 young guard divisions (one in mid 1809, mid 1810, mid 1811). Could even consider a 4th one in 1812

2/ Cavalry
- 2 original cavalry brigades
- 1 div worth of heavy cav and 1 div worth of ligh cav + 1 brigade of gendarmes available to build from the start (either make straight in divisions or in 2 brigades of each type)
- 1 div worth of heavy and 1 div worth of light added in the pool in say early 1808 (2 divs or 4 brigades). Polish lances could be one of those brigades for example
- 3 divs worth of light cav added in say 1809, 1810, 1811 to represent the growing cav component and to complement the young guards unit. each growth spurt could be part of an event "Imperial Guard keeps on growing".

3/ Arty
- 1 original cavalry arty brigade
- 1 cav arty + 1 reg arty added in 1808
- 1 cav arty + 1 reg arty added in 1810

This way the max size guard could represent 2 very strong corps (1 div Old guard + 2 young guards+ 1 light cav more or less) + 1 very strong cavalry corps ( 2 heavy divs + 3 more cavalry divisions) with some arty reserve. This is a small army in itself and would pretty well emulate max size Guard with I would wager close to 4500/5000 Cps in those 3 corps.

[veji1]

Looking at OOBs it looks like really the guard remained quite small until 1808. At it's biggest (I mean real biggest, let's discard the 1813/1814 numbers which are close to meaningless) it had baiscally :
- one corps in Spain in 1811 consisting of one old guard division, one young guard division and one cavalry division + some arty, see here
- one corps in Russia in 1812 consisting of one old guard division, two young guard divisions and one very big cavalry division (2 divisions worth really) see here

in 1813 you find agin the samde model as in 1812 (one old guard, two young guard, cav) but with a lot less quality men.

So I would venture that the model I suggested is quite realistic, probably still too rich cav wise.

[Offworlder]

I tend to agree with the reasoning above. Expansion through RDGs would make sense and limit the spamming of guard cavalry divisions. Easily one can create 6 super divisions (3 made of 4 brigades and 3 made of 6 available divisions) of light cavalry. Indeed the Grand Empire event could lead to the creation/amalgamation of other guard units (it could also avoid the problem of minor states AI spamming garrison and garrison artillery units most of the time). Though I very much prefer to use brigades in the case of guards alone (infantry and cavalry) and amalgamate them in divisions, if we go through with using divisions, the Light Division model can also be used in the case of the Young Guard given that these were mostly light regiments.

As to the understrength brigades, I've never seen Lecchi's brigade expand, nor the Italian Dragoons. However, I've seen the Polish Lancers brigade expand by the addition of one element and I think it may be linked to Duchy of Warsaw event.

[Montbrun]

French Imperial Guard
Infantry:
1er Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--07/29/1804 – Formed with 2 x Battalions from the Garde Consulaire.
--04/15/1806 – Designated as Old Guard (“Vieille Garde”).
--12/26/1813 – The regiment is ordered to form a third battalion.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Grenadiers de France.”
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--09/11/1815 – Disbanded.

2e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--04/15/1806 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions.
--01/16/1809 – Disbanded, with the personnel being folded into the 1er Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied, and a cadre moved to Paris for later reformation of the regiment.
--09/13/1810 – After the annexation of Holland into metropolitan France, reformed from the Dutch “Regiment Gardegrenadier,” and redesignated to the 2e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale (Hollandais) with 2 x Battalions.
--05/18/1811 – A new, French, 2e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied is ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and the existing 2e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale (Hollandais) is redesignated to the 3e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale (Hollandais).
--10/11/1811 – Designated as Middle Guard (“Moyenne Garde”).
--11/16/1813 – Designated as Old Guard.
--12/26/1813 – The regiment is ordered to form a third battalion.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Grenadiers de France.”
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--09/24/1815 – Disbanded.

3e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale (Hollandais)
--05/18/1811 – Formed from the redesignated 2e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale (Hollandais).
--10/11/1811 – Designated as Middle Guard.
--02/15/1813 – Disbanded, with the personnel of the regiment absorbed by the 1er and 2e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied.
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--05/09/1815 – Designated as Old Guard.
--09/24/1815 – Disbanded.

4e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--05/09/1815 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Old Guard. Only 1 x Battalion was ever formed.
--09/24/1815 – Disbanded. This regiment only participated in the Waterloo Campaign.

1er Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--07/29/1804 – Formed with 2 x Battalions from the Garde Consulaire.
--04/15/1806 – Designated as Old Guard.
--12/26/1813 – The regiment is ordered to form a third battalion.
--07/01/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Chasseurs de France.”
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--10/11/1815 – Disbanded.

2e Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--04/15/1806 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions.
--01/16/1809 – Disbanded, with the personnel being folded into the 1er Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied, and a cadre moved to Paris for later reformation of the regiment.
--05/18/1811 – Ordered reformed with 2 x Battalions.
--10/11/1811 – Designated as Middle Guard.
--11/16/1813 – Designated as Old Guard.
--12/26/1813 – The regiment is ordered to form a third battalion.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Chasseurs de France.”
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--10/11/1815 – Disbanded.

3e Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1815 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Old Guard. This regiment was understrength.
--10/01/1815 – Disbanded. This regiment only participated in the Waterloo Campaign.

4e Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1815 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Old Guard. This regiment was understrength.
--10/01/1815 – Disbanded. This regiment only participated in the Waterloo Campaign.

(1er Battaillon de) Velites Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--07/29/1804 – Ordered formed as an adjunct to the 1er Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied, and on campaign, was integrated into that regiment.
--09/19/1806 – This battalion is combined with the 2e Battaillon de Velites Grenadiers-a-Pied to form the Regiment de Velites de la Garde Imperiale (See Below).

(1er Battaillon de) Velites Chasseurs-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
–07/29/1804 – Ordered formed as an adjunct to the 1er Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied, and on campaign, was integrated into that regiment.
--09/19/1806 – This battalion is combined with the 2e Battaillon de Velites Chasseurs-a-Pied to form the Regiment de Fusiliers de la Garde Imperiale (See Below).

(2e Battaillon de) Velites Grenadiers-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--11/01/1805 – Ordered formed as an adjunct to the 1er Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied, and on campaign, was integrated into that regiment.
--09/19/1806 – This battalion is combined with the 1er Battaillon de Velites Grenadiers-a-Pied to form the Regiment de Velites de la Garde Imperiale (See Below).

(2e Battaillon de) Velites Chasseurs-a-Pied de la Garde Imperiale
--11/01/1805 – Ordered formed as an adjunct to the 1er Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied, and on campaign, was integrated into that regiment.
--09/19/1806 – This battalion is combined with the 1er Battaillon de Velites Chasseurs-a-Pied to form the Regiment de Fusiliers de la Garde Imperiale (See Below).

Regiment de Velites de la Garde Imperiale
--09/19/1806 – This Regiment is formed with the 1er and 2e Battaillon de Velites Grenadiers-a-Pied to form the Regiment de Velites de la Garde Imperiale.
--12/15/1806 – Redesignated to the 2e Regiment de Fusiliers de la Garde Imperiale.
--01/16/1809 – Redesignated to the Regiment Fusiliers-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale, and designated as Middle Guard (See Below).

Regiment de Fusiliers de la Garde Imperiale
--09/19/1806 – This Regiment is formed with the 1er and 2e Battaillon de Velites Chasseurs-a-Pied to form the Regiment de Fusiliers de la Garde Imperiale.
--12/15/1806 – Redesignated to the 1er Regiment de Fusiliers de la Garde Imperiale.
--01/16/1809 – Redesignated to the Regiment Fusiliers-Chasseurs de la Garde Imperiale, and designated as Middle Guard(See Below).

Regiment de Fusiliers-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale
--01/16/1809 – Redesignated from the 2e Regiment de Fusiliers de la Garde Imperiale (with 2 x Battalions), and designated as Middle Guard.
--12/26/1813 – The regiment is ordered to form a third battalion.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Grenadiers de France.” Not reformed.

Regiment de Fusiliers-Chasseurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/16/1809 – Redesignated from the 1e Regiment de Fusiliers de la Garde Imperiale (with 2 x Battalions), and designated as Middle Guard.
--12/26/1813 – The regiment is ordered to form a third battalion.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Chasseurs de France.” Not reformed.

1er Regiment de Tirailleurs-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale
--01/16/1809 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard (“Jeune Garde”).
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated to the 1er Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.

2e Regiment de Tirailleurs-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale
--04/25/1809 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated to the 2e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.

1er Regiment de Tirailleurs-Chasseurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/16/1809 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated to the 1er Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale.

2e Regiment de Tirailleurs-Chasseurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/25/1809 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated to the 2e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale.

1er Regiment de Conscrits-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale
--03/29/1809 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated to the 3e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.

2e Regiment de Conscrits-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale
--03/31/1809 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated to the 4e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.

1er Regiment de Conscrits-Chasseurs de la Garde Imperiale
--03/31/1809 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--02/10/1811 – Redesignated to the 3e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale.

2e Regiment de Conscrits-Chasseurs de la Garde Imperiale
--03/31/1809 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--02/10/1811 – Redesignated to the 4e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale.

Regiment de Flanquers-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale
--09/04/1811 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Grenadiers de France.” Not reformed.

Regiment de Flanquers-Chasseurs de la Garde Imperiale
--09/04/1811 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Chasseurs de France.” Not reformed.

Regiment des Gardes Nationales de la Garde
--01/01/1810 – Ordered formed from existing National Guard units, with 4 x Battalions, and designated as Young Guard.
--05/29/1810 – The 4 x Battalions of the regiment are reduced to two, because of problems with recruitment.
--02/15/1813 – Redesignated to the 7e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale.

1er Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated from the 1er Regiment de Tirailleurs-Grenadiers (with 2 x Battalions). Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

2e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated from the 2e Regiment de Tirailleurs–Grenadiers (with 2 x Battalions). Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

3e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated from the 1er Regiment de Conscrits-Grenadiers (with 2 x Battalions). Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

4e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated from the 2e Regiment de Conscrits-Grenadiers (with 2 x Battalions). Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

5e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--05/18/1811 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

6e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--08/28/1811 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

7e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/17/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--05/12/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

8e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--03/23/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--05/12/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

9e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

10e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

11e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

12e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

13e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

14e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/11/1814 – Ordered formed from remnants of Joseph Napoleon’s Royal Guard, with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

[15e and 16e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/11/1814 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.
These units were not fully formed, and saw no action.]

[17e, 18e, and 19e Regiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/21/1814 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.
These units were not fully formed, and saw no action.]

1er Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated from the 1er Regiment de Tirailleurs-Chasseurs (with 2 x Battalions). Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

2e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--12/30/1810 – Redesignated from the 2e Regiment de Tirailleurs-Chasseurs (with 2 x Battalions). Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

3e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--02/10/1811 – Redesignated from the 1er Regiment de Conscrits-Chasseurs (with 2 x Battalions). Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

4e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--02/10/1811 – Redesignated from the 2e Regiment de Conscrits-Chasseurs (with 2 x Battalions). Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

5e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--05/18/1811 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

6e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--08/28/1811 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--03/28/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

7e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--02/15/1813 – Redesignated from the Regiment des Gardes Nationales (with 2 x Battalions). Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--05/12/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

8e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--03/23/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--05/12/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Battalions.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

9e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

10e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

11e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

12e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

13e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--04/06/1813 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

14e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/11/1814 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

15e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/11/1814 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

16e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/11/1814 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.

[17e, 18e, and 19e Regiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Imperiale
--01/21/1814 – Ordered formed with 2 x Battalions. Designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.
These units were not fully formed, and saw no action.]

Velites of Turin
--03/24/1809 – Raised by Prince Borghese, Governor-General of the “Departement des Alpes,” as a “bodyguard” unit. This unit was assigned to the French Imperial Guard throughout it’s existence.
--10/11/1811 – Designated as Middle Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded, with personnel being folded into the 14e Regiment d’Infanterie de Ligne.

Velites of Florence
--03/24/1809 – Raised by Napoleon’s sister, the Grand Duchess of Tuscany, as a “bodyguard” unit. This unit was assigned to the French Imperial Guard throughout it’s existence.
--10/11/1811 – Designated as Middle Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded, with personnel being folded into the 14e Regiment d’Infanterie de Ligne.

Marins de la Garde Imperiale
--07/29/1804 – Ordered formed from the “Matelots de la Garde Consulaire,” as a single battalion.
--04/15/1806 – Designated as Old Guard.
--04/23/1814 – Disbanded.
--05/19/1815 – Reformed with only 1 x Company.
--09/04/1815 – Disbanded.
NOTE: This unit was composed of Sailors (“Matelots”). The French military did not have “Marines,” in the common use of the term. The naval Marine function was performed by regular Line Infantry units, assigned to the task.

Cavalry:
Regiment de Grenadiers a Cheval de la Garde Imperiale
--07/29/1804 – Ordered formed with 4 x Squadrons from the Garde Consulaire.
--04/15/1806 – Designated as Old Guard.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Cuirassiers de France.”
--03/21/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 4 x Squadrons.
--11/23/1815 – Disbanded.

Regiment de Chasseurs a Cheval de la Garde Imperiale
--07/29/1804 – Ordered formed with 4 x Squadrons from the “des Guides de Garde Consulaire.”
--04/15/1806 – Designated as Old Guard.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Chasseurs de France.”
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 4 x Squadrons.
--10/26/1815 – Disbanded.
NOTE: The Compagnie de Mameluks was always brigaded with this regiment, and officially became part of the regiment on 04/24/1815.

[Compagnie de Mameluks de la Garde Imperiale
--07/29/1804 – Ordered formed from the “Mameluks de la Garde Consulaire.”
--04/15/1806 – Designated as Old Guard.
--01/29/1813 – One additional company is raised, bringing this unit to squadron strength.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded, with personnel being folded into the 7e Regiment Chassuers a Cheval.
NOTE: In game terms, this unit should be deemed as included within the Regiment de Chasseurs a Cheval, and therefore, this unit is irrelevent.]

Regiment de Dragons de l’Imperatrice de la Garde Imperiale (“Empress’ Dragoons”)
--04/15/1806 – Ordered formed with 4 x Squadrons, with drafts from the existing line Dragoon regiments, and designated as Old Guard.
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Dragons de France.”
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 6 x Squadrons.
--12/12/1815 – Disbanded.
NOTE: Dragoons were considered heavy cavalry in the French Napoleonic Army.

Legion de Gendarmerie d’Elite de la Garde Imperiale
--07/29/1804 – Formed from the Legion de Gendarmerie d’Elite de la Garde Consulaire, with 2 x Horse Squadrons of 2 x Horse Companies, and 2 x Foot Companies.
--04/15/1806 – The 2 x Foot Companies are disbanded, and the unit is designated as Old Guard.
--04/23/1814 – Disbanded.
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Squadrons.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.
NOTE: Although designated as “Gendarmerie,” this regiment was used in combat.

1er Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale (Polonaise)
--04/06/1807 – Ordered formed from the Polish “Guards of Honor” as the “Chevau-legers Polonaise de la Garde Imperiale,” with 4 x Squadrons, and designated as Old Guard.
--03/20/1809 – The unit is converted to a lancer regiment.
--09/13/1810 – Redesignated to 1er Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale (Polonaise).
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--04/08/1815 – 1 x Squadron ordered reformed for the Hundred Days, becoming part of the new Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.

2e Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale (Hollandais) (“Lanciers Rouges”)
--09/13/1810 – Ordered formed from the “Kurrassiers van de Garde,” and the “Gardehuzaren” of the Dutch Royal Guard, with 4 x Squadrons. Designated as Middle Guard. Known as the “Red Lancers.”
--05/12/1814 – After Napoleon’s abdication, the regiment is incorporated into the “Corps Royale des Chevau-legers de France.”
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 3 x Squadrons, and designated as the Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale.
--09/20/1815 – Disbanded.

3e Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale (Lithuanie)
--09/12/1812 – Formed in Warsaw and Vilna with 5 x Squadrons. This unit never had a strength greater than 2 x Squadrons. Designated as Young Guard.
--10/19/1812 – Destroyed at the Battle of Slonim.
--03/22/1813 – Officially disbanded, with the remnants of the regiment being folded into the 1er Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale.

1er Regiment des Eclaireurs-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale (“Scouts”)
--12/09/1813 – Ordered formed with 4 x Squadrons of 2 x Companies each, from drafts of the
existing line cavalry units and the Gardes d’Honneur, designated as Young Guard, and attached to the Regiment de Grenadiers a Cheval.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.
NOTE: After the Russian Campaign, Napoloen was so impressed with the scouting and harrassment abilities of the Russian Cossacks, that he decided to form a similar corps of troops. He chose the term “Eclaireurs” (“Scouts”) to describe these three regiments.

2e Regiment des Eclaireurs-Dragons de la Garde Imperiale (“Scouts”)
--12/09/1813 – Ordered formed with 4 x Squadrons of 2 x Companies each, from drafts of the
existing line cavalry units and the Gardes d’Honneur, designated as Young Guard, and attached to the Regiment de Dragons de l’Imperatrice.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.
NOTE: See 1er Regiment des Eclaireurs-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale.

3e Regiment des Eclaireurs-Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale (“Scouts”)
--12/09/1813 – Ordered formed in Krakow, with 4 x Squadrons of 2 x Companies each. The 1er Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale (Polonaise) is reduced from 7 x Squadrons to 4 x Squadrons. The extra 3 x Squadrons from that regiment are used to form this regiment, and volunteers from existing line cavalry units, to form the last squadron, designated as Young Guard, and attached to the 1er Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers de la Garde Imperiale (Polonaise).
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded. Not reformed.
NOTE: See 1er Regiment des Eclaireurs-Grenadiers de la Garde Imperiale.

Artillery:
Regiment Artillerie a Cheval de la Garde Imperiale
--07/29/1804 – Ordered formed from the “Corps d’Artillerie Legere de la Garde Consulaire,”
with 2 x Squadrons of 2 x Companies (Batteries) each, and designated as the “Artillerie a Cheval de la Garde Imperiale.”
--04/15/1806 – Reorganized with 3 x Squadrons of 2 x Companies each, and redesignated to Regiment Artillerie a Cheval de la Garde Imperiale. Designated as Old Guard.
--04/12/1808 – The regiment is reduced to 2 x Squadrons of 2 x Companies each.
--02/15/1813 – One additional Squadron of 2 x Companies is formed, for a total of 6 x Companies.
--01/28/1814 – A Young Guard Horse Artillery Company is ordered formed from the disbanded Spanish Guard, as part of this regiment, for a total of 7 x Companies.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 2 x Squadrons of 2 x Companies each.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.
NOTE: This regiment also contained companies of artisans, and pontoneers.

1er Regiment Artillerie a Pied de la Garde Imperiale (Old Guard)
--04/12/1808 – Ordered formed with 6 x Companies, and designated as Old Guard.
--06/09/1809 – A second Regiment Artillerie a Pied de la Garde Imperiale is ordered formed, so this regiment is redesignated to the “1er Regiment Artillerie a Pied de la Garde Imperiale.”
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--04/08/1815 – Ordered reformed for the Hundred Days with 6 x Companies.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded.
NOTE: This regiment also contained companies of artisans, and pontooneers.

2e Regiment Artillerie a Pied de la Garde Imperiale (Young Guard)
--06/09/1809 – Ordered formed with 3 x Companies, and designated as Young Guard.
--12/12/1811 – A fourth company is ordered formed.
--02/15/1813 – Two more companies are formed, for a total of 6 x Companies.
--04/08/1813 – An additional 10 x Companies are formed, for a total of 16 x Companies.
--01/28/1814 – An additional company is ordered formed from the disbanded Spanish Guard, as part of this regiment, for a total of 17 x Companies.
--05/12/1814 – Disbanded.
--04/08/1815 – The regiment is not reformed, but 1 x Young Guard Foot Artillery Company is reformed for the Hundred Days.
--4Q/1815 – Company disbanded.
NOTE: This regiment also contained companies of artisans, and pontooneers.

Other Units:
Gardes d’Honneur de la Garde Imperiale
--12/30/1812 – Napoleon proposes the raising of a new corps of troops as a personal guard for his residences and headquarters while on campaign.
--04/03/1813 – Four regiments of 2 x Elite Squadrons of 2 x companies each, and 4 x Maneuver Squadrons of 2 x companies each, are ordered formed using volunteers from wealthy, prominent families, who had to pay to arm and equip themselves, as well as provide their own horses:
----1er Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur de la Garde Imperiale (Ready 06/11/1813)
------Raised in Versailles from the 1er, 14e, 15e, 16e, 24e, and 30e Military Departments.
----2e Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur de la Garde Imperiale (Ready 06/27/1813)
------Raised in Metz from the 2e, 3e, 4e, 5e, 17e, 18e, 25e, 26e, and 28e Military Departments.
----3e Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur de la Garde Imperiale (Ready 06/06/1813)
------Raised in Tours from the 10e, 11e, 12e, 13e, 20e, 22e, 29e, and 31e Military Departments.
----4e Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur de la Garde Imperiale (Ready 06/08/1813)
------Raised in Lyon from the 6e, 7e, 8e, 9e, 19e, 21e, 23e, 27e, and 32e Military Departments.
--07/29/1813 – The four regiments are officially inducted into the Imperial Guard, and designated as Young Guard.
--09/06/1813 – It soon became apparent that these regiments were not able to perform up to expectations. As a result, these regiments were assigned to existing Guard Cavalry units:
----1er Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur to the Regiment de Chasseurs a Cheval.
----2e Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur to the Regiment de Dragons de l’Imperatrice.
----3e Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur to the Regiment de Grenadiers a Cheval.
----4e Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur to the 1er Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers.
--07/14/1814 – The 1er Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur is officially disbanded.
--07/15/1814 – The 4e Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur is officially disbanded.
--07/17/1814 – The 3e Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur is officially disbanded.
--07/22/1814 – The 2e Regiment de Gardes d’Honneur is officially disbanded.
NOTE: These regiments never operated as independent entities, and should not be represented in-game.

Gendarmes d’Ordonnance de la Garde Imperiale
--09/24/1806 – Ordered formed with 2 x Horse Squadrons of 2 x Horse Companies, from volunteers of the noble families of the “Ancien Regime.”
--12/26/1806 – 1 x Foot Company is formed.
--07/12/1807 – Disbanded.
NOTE: This unit never exceeded the strength of a single squadron, and is irrelevent in game terms.

Sapeurs du Genie de la Garde Imperiale
--07/16/1810 – 1 x Company of Sapeurs is ordered formed, to be completed by 01/01/1811, with the initial intention to man the fire service pumps at the Imperial Palace, and designated as Old Guard.
--04/20/1811 – The unit is expanded to a Battalion, with the addition of 2 x Companies of Sapeurs, and 1 x Company of Mineurs, all designated as Young Guard.
--05/12/1814 – Battalion disbanded, and folded into the “Corps Royale du Genie.”
--04/08/1815 – 1 x Company of Sapeurs is reformed, including 1 x Platoon of Mineurs, and designated as Old Guard.
--4Q/1815 – Disbanded


Italian Royal Guard (Guardia Reale Italiana)
Infantry:
Reggimento Fanteria della Guardia Reale
--Granatieri della Guardia Reale (1 x Battalion)
--Cacciatori a Piedi della Guarda Reale (1 x Battalion)
----06/20/1805 – The “Infantry Regiment of the Royal Guard” is formed from infantry units of the Presidential Guard of the Italian Republic. This regiment is later deemed the equivalent of the French “Old Guard.”
----10/04/1810 – The Cacciatori a Piedi della Guarda Reale battalion is redesignated to “Carabinieri della Guarda Reale.”
----01/05/1813 – The Carabinieri della Guarda Reale battalion is essentially destroyed in Russia. This battalion is merged with the Reggimento Coscritti della Guarda Reale, to form a new four battalion regiment, the Reggimento Cacciatori a Piedi della Guarda Reale. At the same time, a second Granatieri della Guardia Reale battalion is formed. This regiment now contains the 1° Battaglione Granatieri della Guardia Reale, and the 2° Battaglione Granatieri della Guardia Reale. The regiment is also redesignated to “Reggimento di Granatieri della Guardia Reale.”

Reggimento Veliti della Guarda Reale
--1° Battaglione Granatieri Veliti della Guardia Reale
--2° Battaglione Cacciatori a Piedi Veliti della Guarda Reale
--[3° Battaglione Cacciatori a Piedi Veliti della Guarda Reale – Never Fully Formed]
----06/20/1805 – The “Velite Regiment of the Royal Guard” is formed from infantry units of the Presidential Guard of the Italian Republic. This regiment is later deemed the equivalent of the French “Middle Guard.”
----10/04/1810 – The 3° Carabinieri a Piedi Veliti della Guarda Reale is officially disbanded, never reaching a strength greater than two companies. This battalion is folded into the other two battalions of the regiment. The remaining Cacciatori a Piedi Veliti della Guarda Reale battalion is redesignated to “Carabinieri a Piedi Veliti della Guarda Reale.”

Reggimento Coscritti della Guarda Reale
--10/04/1810 – The “Conscript Regiment of the Royal Guard” is ordered formed with 2 x Battalions, and deemed the equivalent of the French “Young Guard.”
--03/03/1813 – The Reggimento Coscritti della Guarda Reale is reorganized as the “Reggimento Cacciatori di Guarda Reale” (“Chasseur Regiment of the Royal Guard”).

Reggimento Cacciatori di Guarda Reale
--03/03/1813 – The Reggimento Cacciatori di Guarda Reale is organized from the “Reggimento Coscritti della Guarda Reale,” and the remnants of the Cacciatori a Piedi della Guarda Reale battalion of the Reggimento Fanteria della Guardia Reale, for a total of 4 x Battalions.

[Marinai della Guardia Reale
--10/01/1808 – One company of “Sailors of the Guard” is raised.
--02/11/1814 – This company is redesignated to “Equipaggio di Marinai della Guardia Reale.”
In game terms, this unit is irrelevent.]

Cavalry:
Reggimento Dragoni di Linea della Guardia Reale
--06/20/1805 – Ordered formed with 2 x Squadrons.
--04/1807 – The “Compagnia Gendarmeria Scelta” is raised as part of this regiment to emulate the French Gendarmes d’Elite of the Imperial Guard.
--01/01/1812 – The Compagnia Gendarmeria Scelta is made independent, and is detached from this regiment.

[Corpo della Guardie d’Onore Reale
--06/20/1805 – Four companies of “Honor Guards” is ordered raised. A fifth company was raised in 1806. These companies operated as independent entities, as HQ guards.
In game terms, this unit is irrelevent.]

Artillery:
Artiglieria della Guardia Reale
--Compagnia Artiglieria a Cavallo di Linea della Guardia
--Compagnia Artiglieria a Piedi di Linea della Guardia
----06/20/1805 – The “Horse Artillery Company of the Guard” is ordered formed.
----02/04/1811 – The “Foot Artillery Company of the Guard” is ordered formed. At this time, the artillery train is also expanded to two companies.

GENERAL NOTES:
1) I have not addressed the evolution of the interior organizations of the various units, because, in game terms, all infantry battalions, cavalry regiments, and horse and foot batteries have universal organizations (for now).
2) The French and Italian Guard also contained Artillery Train battalions and regiments, in order to mobilize the guns.
3) I have only concentrated on combat units.
4) Napoleon abdicated the throne of the Kingdom of Italy on April 11, 1814, and the Kingdom was annexed by Austria on June 12, 1814.

SOURCES:

Belhomme, Victor Louis Jean Francois, “Histoire de l’Infanterie en France (Editione de 1893-1902),” Tome 4, Henri Charles-Lavauzelle, Editeur Militare, Paris, France, 1902 (Reprint by Hachette Livre, 2014).

Fallou, L. “La Garde Imperiale (1804-1815),” J. Olmes (“Armees du Passe”), Krefeld, France, 1975 (Reprint of 1901 Edition).

Nafziger, George F., “The French Army – Royal, Republican, Imperial, 1792-1815, Volume 4, The Consular & Imperial Guard,” The Nafziger Collection, Pisgah, OH, 1997.

Oliver, Michael and Richard Partridge, “Napoleonic Army Handbook, the French Army and Her Allies,” Constable & Robinson Ltd., London, UK, 2002.

Rawkins, W.J., “The Army of the Kingdom of Italy, 1805-1814,” The History Book Man, Maidenhead, UK, 2014.

Smith, Digby, “Napoleon’s Regiments, Battle Histories of the Regiments of the French Army, 1792-1815,” Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA, 2000.

von Pivka, Otto, “Napoleon’s Italian and Neapolitan Troops,” Osprey Publishing, Ltd., London, UK, 1979.

[Montbrun]

IMO, all of the "Guard Divisions" should be removed - for all nations - and replaced with brigades, and the ability to build "Old Style" Divisions. Also, we need to figure out how to turn off the "flag" that allows regiments to expand to four battalions, for Guard Regiments.

SUGGESTED IN-GAME FRENCH IMPERIAL GUARD ORGANIZATION:

French Old Guard Brigade (At Start)
--1er Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied (2 x Battalions)
--1er Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied (2 x Battalions)
--Marins de la Garde Imperiale (1 x Battalion)
--Horse Artillery Company of the Old Guard
NOTE: This unit is on-map at start. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Old Guard Brigade
--2e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied (2 x Battalions)
--2e Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied (2 x Battalions)
--Foot Artillery Company of the Old Guard
NOTE: Available 04/15/1806. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Old Guard Brigade
--4e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied (2 x Battalions)
--3e Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied (2 x Battalions)
--4e Regiment de Chasseurs-a-Pied (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 04/06/1815. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Middle Guard Brigade
--Regiment de Fusiliers-Grenadiers
--Regiment de Fusiliers-Chasseurs
--Foot Artillery Company of the Young Guard
NOTE: Available 09/19/1806. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Middle Guard Brigade
--Velites of Turin (1 x Battalion)
--Velites of Florence (1 x Battalion)
--Foot Artillery Company of the Old Guard
NOTE: Available 03/24/1809. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Middle Guard Brigade
--3e Regiment de Grenadiers-a-Pied (2 x Battalions)
--Foot Artillery Company of the Young Guard
NOTE: Available 05/18/1811. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--Regiment de Flanquers-Grenadiers (2 x Battalions)
--Regiment de Flanquers-Chasseurs (2 x Battalions)
--Foot Artillery Company of the Young Guard
NOTE: Available 09/04/1811. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--1er Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--1er Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 01/16/1809. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--2e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--2e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 04/25/1809. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--3e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--3e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 03/31/1809. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--4e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--4e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 03/31/1809. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--5e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--5e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 05/18/1811. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--6e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--6e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 08/28/1811. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--7e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--7e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 02/15/1813. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--8e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--8e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 03/23/1813. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--9e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--9e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 04/06/1813. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--10e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--10e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 04/06/1813. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--11e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--11e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 04/06/1813. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--12e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--12e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 04/06/1813. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--13e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--13e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 04/06/1813. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--14e Regiment de Tirailleurs (2 x Battalions)
--14e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 01/11/1814. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Brigade
--15e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
--16e Regiment de Voltigeurs (2 x Battalions)
NOTE: Available 01/11/1814. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Old Guard Cavalry Brigade
--Regiment de Grenadiers a Cheval
--Regiment de Chasseurs a Cheval
--Gendarmerie d’Elite
--Horse Artillery Company of the Guard
NOTE: This unit is on-map at start. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Old Guard Cavalry Brigade
--Regiment de Dragons de l’Imperatrice
--Horse Artillery Company of the Old Guard
NOTE: Available 04/15/1806. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Old Guard Cavalry Brigade
--1er Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers
--Horse Artillery Company of the Old Guard
NOTE: Available 04/06/1807. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Middle Guard Cavalry Brigade
--2e Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers
--Horse Artillery Company of the Old Guard
NOTE: Available 09/13/1810. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Young Guard Cavalry Brigade
--3e Regiment Chevau-legers Lanciers
--Horse Artillery Company of the Old Guard
NOTE: Available 09/12/1812. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Young Guard Cavalry Brigade
--1er Regiment des Eclaireurs-Grenadiers
--2e Regiment des Eclaireurs-Dragons
--3e Regiment des Eclaireurs-Lanciers
--Horse Artillery Company of the Old Guard
NOTE: Available 12/09/1813. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

French Guard Reserve Artillery Brigade
--4 x Foot Artillery Companies of the Old Guard (12-pdr.)
NOTE: Available 04/12/1808. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Guard Reserve Artillery Brigade
--4 x Foot Artillery Companies of the Young Guard (6-pdr.)
NOTE: Available 02/15/1813. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Guard Reserve Artillery Brigade
--4 x Foot Artillery Companies of the Young Guard (6-pdr.)
NOTE: Available 02/15/1813. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

French Guard Reserve Artillery Brigade
--4 x Foot Artillery Companies of the Young Guard (12-pdr.)
NOTE: Available 02/15/1813. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.


SUGGESTED IN-GAME ITALIAN ROYAL GUARD ORGANIZATION:

Italian Guard Brigade (Attached to the French Imperial Guard – “Lecchi’s Brigade”
--Infantry Regiment of the Italian Royal Guard
----Grenadiers of the Italian Royal Guard (1 x Battalion)
----Chasseurs of the Italian Royal Guard (1 x Battalion)
----Horse Artillery Company of the Italian Royal Guard
NOTE: This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

Italian Guard Brigade
--Velite Regiment of the Royal Guard
----1° Velite Grenadier Battalion of the Royal Guard
----2° Velite Chasseur Battalion of the Royal Guard
----Foot Artillery Company of the Italian Royal Guard
NOTE: In Italy at start. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

Italian Guard Cavalry Brigade
--Chasseur Regiment of the Royal Guard
----1° Chasseur Battalion of the Royal Guard
----2° Chasseur Battalion of the Royal Guard
----3° Chasseur Battalion of the Royal Guard
----4° Chasseur Battalion of the Royal Guard
NOTE: Arrives 10/04/1810. This unit should have the “Strong Morale” tag.

Italian Guard Cavalry Brigade
--Dragoon Regiment of the Royal Guard
NOTE: In Italy at start. This unit should have the “Guard” tag.

[Offworlder]

Impressive! Yes, using brigade size forces is the way forward with the Guards and not just the Imperial Guard.

[veji1]

Really solid work. I was mostly ok with the in game more abstract model but this would be very good too.

[Nappy]

Does anyone have a complete list of all the guard infantry units allowed for the french that are actually in the game, at this point, 1807, there are 3.

The 1st Guards Division, which is a beast in and of itself. Available from 1805.

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The Italian guard, available from 1805.

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And a 4 element brigade, also , available from 1805.

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Note, there are many cavalry guard units and a few artillery...I find it strange that the infantry is so limited considering the more extensive training needed for the "specialties" arms, but I suppose it's the larger number of men to fill out the infantry units?

Anyways, back to my question....a complete list of all the guard infantry units allowed for the french that are actually in the game?

[Offworlder]

Thread necromancy!

Is the Young Guard represented in the game?

[veji1]

The guard isn't perfectly modeled buthe infantry wise it sort if works. The issue though us that way too much guard cav can be bought at start.

[Nappy]

Next trick question, other than Napoleon and the Guard corp leader (can't remember name right now), are there other french leaders with the Commit Guard trait?

[PhilThib]

Only 2 other than Nappy : Bessières and Walther (the 2 historical commanders of the Guard)

[Offworlder]

The guard isn't perfectly modeled buthe infantry wise it sort if works. The issue though us that way too much guard cav can be bought at start.

I think that there should be independent Young Guard Infantry divisions as well (at least two) since the Guard infantry division actually only covers the Old and Middle Guard, or so it seems.

As to the commanders, I would add Dorsenne as well as Bessieres and Walther, as he basically served the bulk of his time with the Guard. But that's just my opinion...

[BigDuke66]

Don't want to beat a dead horse but currently in early 1806 I see 11 guard chasseur brigades, it was already mentioned that is too much guard cavalry but isn't the real issue that there isn't enough normal cavalry?

All I can currently build are 6 hussar and 6 chasseur brigades besides the full cavalry divisions.

Personally I like to see much less guard chasseurs and instead more normal chasseur brigades so you can flesh out the Grand Armee with a proper compliment of light cavalry that is flexible enough because of its brigade instead of division form.