French Basing Convention V1

Williamite Warfare A Proto-linear system 1 French Early & Late Franco-Dutch Wars 1672-78 (V.1) Formations & Basing Conventions Foot Innovation and reform through the 1660s saw the French infantry battalion arrayed in five to six (5-6) ranks to give fire in either Caracole or Fire by Ranks delivery systems. With a narrower, more square formation than their Dutch counterparts, Williamite Warfare recommends representing Louis battalions five (5) deep which was to be consistent for the French army throughout the Franco-Dutch campaigns. The French administrative unit was the regiment which had one or more battalions each – older regiments generally having several. Uniformity in battalion size was largely non-existent. The number and sizes on companies per battalion varied from two (2) through to twenty (20) companies but generally companied number between 45-50 men. The effectiveness of the French battalions even with a six deep formation was due to their size in this period – the average official strength in 1678 being 902 all ranks – half as big as t heir Dutch rivals 1 . At 1:20 troop scale representation we have an average 46 figures for the French battalion as follows: 12 pikemen (1:4 ratio) and 34 musketeers (including 2 ensigns, one drummer and an officer). All non-pike armed foot count as musketeers for fire calculations and whilst musketeers are identified in the following diagrams as ‘M’ this does not li mit their replacement by additional officers or sergeants. Whilst it remains popular amongst WAB gamers to base figures individually and utilise movement trays, Williamite Warfare strongly recommends the following basing conventions to allow for the three standard formations of Give Fire, March Array and Pike Defence. The Command base (Ensigns, Drummer and Colonel) are based four figures wide by one deep (4x1): Pikemen based in sixes, two figures wide and three deep (2x3); the Musketeers based three figures wide with two three deep (3x3) and two, two deep (3x2). Alternatively, pike blocks may be based in two bases of 4x4 and two of 2x1 to aid casualty removal. Similarly, musketeers may be arranged in four bases of 6x2 and two bases of 3x1. Exceptions There will be numerous exceptions and research may indicate sufficient details to field actual numbers for some battles. Specific diagrams for particular unit formations will feature in special postings on the Williamite Warfare Blog as they are developed. 1 Marechal de Puysegur: Art of War (as cited by David Chandler in The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough).

French Basing Convention V1

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