Coalition forces of the Napoleonic Wars

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The Coalition Forces of the Napoleonic Wars were composed of Napoleon Bonaparte's enemies: the United Kingdom (the only constant in each of the seven coalitions, the first of which was formed against the First French Republic), Austrian Empire, Kingdom of Portugal, Kingdom of Sardinia, Kingdom of Prussia, Russian Empire, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, Kingdom of Spain, various Italian and German states, and the Ottoman Empire at differing points in the wars. Together at their height, the Coalition could field a formidable force of about 1,740,000 strong, a force the 1.1 million French soldiers would reckon with. This is the military manpower breakdowns of more active armies. Austria, 520,000. Britain, 320,000. Prussia, 300,000. Russia, 600,000.

1 British Forces
2 References
3 Footnotes

[edit] British Forces

The British Army forces consisted of 320,000 troops at their height, a notable 2% of the entire British population at the time.

[edit] Infantry

British 52nd light infantry regiment, early 1800s

Gaining experience under the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War and forged into a disciplined, honed weapon of war, they advanced to become a very prominent force in the Napoleonic Wars.The redcoats, as they were called, principally employed tactics such as disciplined volley fire and bayonet charges and saw much success through these methods.

Most of these foot soldiers had several basic weapons to defeat their opponents. They consist of a sword, pistol, bayonet and the largely inaccurate musket. The British elite light infantry holds a distinct advantage over their counterparts on the battlefield as they are equipped with longer range rifles. However this rifle compromises loading speed, a fact that put Napoleon Bonaparte off using them.

The line, column and square formations are the most recognized tactical formations in use during the Napoleonic Era.^[1] Each of these formations has its own unique purpose in attacking or counter-attacking the enemy and no doubt play a huge role in battlefield tactics. The line formation was the most favored amongst the British infantry. The line formation offered the maximum firepower to any enemy. Unlike the French favored column formation, the line formation enabled all muskets available to fire at the enemy and it also forms a wider front. While this monstrous formation may seem to be the best against infantry, they are not protected from the rear. A leash of the enemy's cavalry would send the frail lines into chaos and horrendous casualties.

The British infantry pay rates ranges from 22 shillings 6 pence per day for a colonel to as low as 1 shilling per day for a private.

[edit] Cavalry

Britain's war effort against France was always hampered by a shortage of cavalry. Its lack of numbers accompanied by poor leadership and indiscipline wasted not only good opportunities but also lives. The cavalry consist of a few important ranks. Each plays a different role in ensuring the army was an effective and formidable war machine.

Like most armies during the Napoleonic Era, it consist of the 3 main forces, the infantry, cavalry and artillery. The British cavalry had therefore developed a few crucial tactics in which to out-do these opponents.

Against Infantry

The British had an idea of planning a cavalry charge just after the enemy's infantry volley. This would minimize the number of muskets available to shoot at the cavalry as the infantry would be busy reloading. The infantry square formation was the best formation designed to outmaneuver the cavalry.

[edit] Heavy Cavalry

There were 2 distinct branches of British heavy cavalry: the Household Regiments and the Heavy Dragoons.

[edit] Household Regiments

The Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards were of little use during the early years of the Napoleonic Wars, but they certainly made up for tardiness with their heroics at the Battle of Waterloo.

[edit] Heavy Dragoons

Dragoon

These mounted infantryman and heavily armed cavalrymen included seven regiments of Dragoon Guards and six of Dragoons.

Being large men on large horses, the British heavy dragoons were used as shock troops in battle. They would throw themselves into the fray to bolster a weakening line, as at Waterloo, or smash through the enemy formations and rout them.

[edit] Light Dragoons

The skills required of light cavalry (patrolling, reconnaissance, and screening) had to be picked up while on active duty.

The best of the British units was the King's German Legion, which performed excellent service in the Peninsula and created history by breaking French Infantry squares at Garcia Hernandez.

[edit] Hussars

Hussars were introduced into the British army after 1806, when four Light Dragoon regiments, the 7th, 10th, 15th and 18th, were styled hussars.

[edit] Artillery

[edit] Cannons

Britain had a small but highly effective artillery arm (the Royal Artillery) that was exceedingly well trained but suffered from light guns. British cannon barrels were brass, with the carriages, wheels, and timbers painted gray and metal pieces painted black. The basic guns were from three to six pounders, and the British found themselves at a distinct disadvantage against French cannons. In fact, the Duke of Wellington forbade his gunners to engage in counter-battery fire against the superior French weapons and ordered them to focus on firing at enemy troops.

The anti-personnel bias of British artillery was boosted by the invention of a fused spherical case-shot that was designed, by General Sir Henry Shrapnel, to explode over the heads of enemy troops and shower them with musketballs.

[edit] Ranges

Cannon
Gun Type (caliber)	Maximum (metres)	Effective (metres)	Firing Canister
3-pounder	1000	320-400	approx. 275
6-pounder	1100-1350	550-640	320-360
9-pounder	1550	725-825	410

Howitzer
Gun Type (caliber)	Maximum (metres)	Effective (metres)	Firing Canister
5.5-inch	1550	640	460

[edit] Crew

Each cannon was manned by five gunners.

[edit] Rockets

Another newfound British invention was the Congreve Rocket, which was intended to shoot a barrage of 12-pounder explosives in the general direction of the enemy.

Unfortunately, the rockets were not very accurate and although they did see action in Iberia, as well as in Germany, they were not viewed as being particularly effective.

[edit] Commanders

Britain's most famous army commander, the Duke of Wellington, was the only battlefield leader capable of matching Napoleon Bonaparte's skills. Not only was he a tremendous field general, but he was also a master of logistics and diplomacy - both of which were critical in operating on the Iberian Peninsula with Portuguese and Spanish troops in addition to his British Redcoats. His colleagues and subordinates, colorful and professional as they were, did not have his mastery of the tactical situation.