about skirmishers...

here`s a summary of the recent posts about skirmishers on the yahoogroup:

French skirmishing options:

1. If they have one use Legere regiments for the divisional "skirmish line".

2. Use the first line of battle’s light companies as "tirailleurs de combat" in direct support of their parent battalions or brigades.

3. "Tirailleurs de combat" may be reinforced by infantry of fusilier companies from the first line (combating with a -1 modifier) or of voltigeurs from the second line of battle.

4. Form a "ligne d`approache" (as outlined in the notes on dispositions)

A minimum of two companies must form the “ligne d`approache” and one of those companies must be kept as a reserve. The effect of formed reserve companies would be to add a +1 to the skirmisher class die roll in combat if it is within 10cms.

5. Form a “flanking brigade” to act more independently, or in support of the brigade/division on one of its flanks.

Skirmishers drawn from line battalions that already have had their voltigeurs drawn off will combat with a -1 to their skirmisher class combat roll.

6. Third rank skirmishers may be used.

7. Tirailleurs "en grandes bandes".

8. Tirailleurs "a la debandade".

For the sake of clarity in the game, options 7 and 8 have distinct formal
arrangements and are shown on page 21.

[These French options are already in the rules.]

British skirmishing options:

1. British brigades/divisions may use light infantry battalions for their skirmisher screens.

2. Use their line battalion’s own light companies.

3. Reinforce these with centre companies from the line (with a -1).

4. Form a flanking brigade.

5. Screening the front of its command, a light brigade`s skirmisher supports would be stationed on the flank, or both flanks of their brigades.

6. Add rifle companies to the above formations.

Line Skirmishers:

Volunteer skirmishers and strengths up to a company:

Prussian, Russian and Austrian line battalions may skirmish with one base, representing volunteers etc. and strengths up to a company deployed for that purpose, but with a -1 modifier to their die roll.

Third rank skirmishers:

Third rank skirmishers are represented by two bases from each battalion. Both bases combat with a -1 to their unit die rolls.

If the third ranks do not manage to perform a unit manouevre back into line, the parent unit will then suffer a -1 to its combat die roll.

Battalions of less than about 300 men will be represented by 3 bases and with the battalion very likely being deployed in two ranks at that strength, it will not be able to deploy third rank skirmishers.

Notes about specialist light infantry:

a)       Austrian Jagers rate as "D" class when formed; all bases may be deployed as "C" class skirmisher bases.

b)       1805 Austrian Grenzers rate as "E" class when formed; they may only deploy one "C" class skirmisher base.

c)       Up to 1800 Austrian Grenzers rate as "E" class when formed; they may deploy all bases as "C" class skirmisher bases.

d)       Detached light infantry companies or divisions (two companies), are represented by one skirmisher base per company.

e)       Light infantry battalions: up to three bases may be deployed as skirmishers.

f)         If they have two or more bases deployed Russian Jagers (unless highly rated) will all combat with -1 a modifier to each skirmisher class die roll.

g)       Due to their small numbers, from 1792 to 1807, only one base of Prussian line skirmishers (Schuetzen) may be deployed from each regiment.

Open & extended order:

Light infantry battalions may be deployed in open or extended order with each unit base counting as skirmishers.

Line infantry battalions may be deployed in open or extended order with each unit base counting as skirmishers, but with a -1 to their combat die rolls.

[The red high-lighted points are already in the rules]