Monday 24 October 2011

Recently Painted No 35 Russian Litovski Lifeguard 1812



 "The French blasted canister at us and then their cuirassiers charged. Our battalions were formed in squares, and they surrounded us on all sides. We allowed them to come closer and then fired at 50 paces, killing and wounding many of them. We shouted Urrahhh! and charged the cavalry with bayonets. The [French] cuirassiers fled." (- an officer of Lithuanian Lifeguard Regiment) 


The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions

Trying to find info about the three battalions of The Litovski (Lithuanian) Lifeguard proved to be damned difficult I can tell you. So I'll firstly explain the figures are from Essex and are part of Posties fine collection painted by myself a couple of months back. 
I did find out that they were in the,
5th Infantry (Reserve) Corps, commanded by H.M. Grand Duke Constantine
Guard Infantry Division: Major General Ermolov, on 12 July 1812 appointed as Head of Staff of the 1st Western army. He was replaced by General Lieutenant Lavrov
1st Brigade: Major General Baron Rosen
 Preobrazhenski Lifeguard Regiment (3)
Semyenovskyi Lifeguard Regiment (3)
2nd Brigade: Colonel Udom
Ismailov Lifeguard Regiment (3)
Lithuanian Lifeguard Infantry Regiment (3)
3rd Brigade: Colonel Bistrom III
Lifeguard Jager Regiment (3)
Finland Lifeguard Regiment (3)
Guard Artillery Equipage
2 Guard Position Batteries
2 Guard Light Batteries
2 Guard Horse Batteries





The 1st

The 2nd

The 3rd






Lastly a quote from Officer Udom
 “… the Lifeguard Lithuanian Regiment was sent to the Second Western Army of General of Infantry Prince Bagration near the village [of Semeyonovskoie] … On regiment's arrival to this site, the enemy made a strong attack on our battery and, upon being informed by Artillery Colonel Taube, I led the II Battalion of the regiment and drove the enemy back, which, however, was soon reinforced and compelled our entire line to retreat for 50 paces. The enemy showered us with cannonballs and canister and attacked with cavalry. My three battalions were arranged in squares awaiting cavalry and despite being surrounded by a superior enemy, they met him gallantly.
They allowed the French [cavalry] to approach to close range before delivering a battalion volley, and, yelling 'Hurrah!'; they drove the enemy, inflicting heavy losses. Our soldiers were so incensed that no prisoners were taken. We lost no wounded on that occasion. The enemy … made a second attack on the regiment, but was met with equal courage and fled to the right, while the height was occupied by the enemy skirmishers. To counter them, I dispatched … the II Battalion to drive the enemy back and capture the heights. Although this was accomplished with considerable success, the enemy was reinforced with several columns in this direction and supported the skirmishers, which made it impossible for my regiment to capture the heights. … I was wounded in the right hand by a bullet. So the regiment was left in the hands of Lt. Col. Schwartz, … [he] charged with the I Battalion to the mentioned heights and, having sent out skirmishers, he captured it. Both sides suffered heavy casualties ... The enemy, meantime, was reinforced again.
My regiment had lost too many people by now and on the order of General Vasilchikov … the regiment retreated, fighting back, to the woods, where it dispatched skirmishers for cover and then joined a battalion of the Lifeguard Izmailovsk Regiment. … In this battle, the regiment had 143 NCOs, 53 musicians, 1,543 privates, 1 non-combatant. The regiment lost up to 400 killed and about 443 wounded, with 130 missing in action. “
 Udom to Lavrov, 31 August -12 Sept 1812 Borodino

34 comments:

  1. Some really nice painted figures.

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  2. Lovely work Ray. Really nice looking Russians.

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  3. I'm addicted to these wargame pages and it's not just for the workmanship on the figures. It's also the history. The listing at the end of the regiment members and the fact that musicians were counted as well knocked me out.

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  4. Nice work Ray especially on the historical background.

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  5. Great stuff as always. Are those Essex figs ?

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  6. @ Ann - Glad your enjoying, all of our wargames blogs
    @ Sgt Stiener - Yep!! They're Essex figs, I do love an Essex figure or two...

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  7. They look great Ray, fantastic work.

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  8. Great work Ray - love it.

    Thanks for the excellent research work in providing background information on the unit as well - much appreciated. I understand how much hard work that can involve.

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  9. Love the colour combination. You painted some great troops and Postie will be happy again.

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  10. Great stuff - wonderful painting and the massed effect is spectacular!

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  11. Those nice, dense blocks of troops really do look impressive.

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  12. quite impressive ray - how many figures in a battalion?

    Cheers

    Ken

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  13. Bloody 'ell, 50% casualties, and still fighting. Top job on the painting, havent touch 15's for a while now. Maybe I'll send you mine....

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  14. Yes, but where are the zombies????

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  15. lol indeed where are the zombies.

    Very nice indeed Ray!

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  16. Really cool figures Ray,
    1 day I will paint up some guard to. What age I will be when that happens god only knows?
    Cheers
    paul

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  17. You've outdone yourself! The quotes are really great.

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  18. Nice minis and great write up!

    Jason

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  19. Fine body of soldiers. Look forward to an AAR showing how how well they can fight (roll dice?) under pressure. They have a history to live up to...

    Michael aka WR

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  20. Very good post; the photos and the background info are very complementary

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  21. The French, ROFL sorry.

    Looking good here mate.

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  22. Did the Litovski Guards myself (using Sash and Saber figures) earlier this year - the red lapels make it stand out more from the Line/Grenadier regiments than many other regiments of the Lifeguard. Nice work!

    Peter

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  23. Absolutely brilliant figures. Very well painted and based. Great stuff.

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  24. wow, rows and rows of these guys, good work Ray

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  25. Very nice work on that regiment, Ray.

    Curt

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  26. Nice job and a good read - and a full three battalions too! Many gamers get fed up after the first.

    ;O)

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  27. Hi,

    Can you tell us which units of French Cuirassiers fought against the Lithuanian Lifeguard Regiment in Borodino?

    Thanks.

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