NationStates Jolt Archive


Imperial French [European Wars Thread]

VanAtta
28-07-2006, 04:31
The French Empire
http://campinglarochade.free.fr/french-flag.gif

Leader: Empereur Jacques Bénédicte
System of Government: Military Dictatorship
Capital Province: Orleans
Capital City: Paris
National Population: 50 Million+

Brief History of the Empire
For centuries the French had lived under kings and noblemen alike, serfs to be bound to estates for their entire lives. Little better than slaves, the French peasantry detested this way of life, and recieved their break when King Louis perished without any direct heirs. Many nobles tried to gain power, and when the talks failed, civil war utterly broke out.

The war would rage for over a year before other city-states took advantage of the situation, the Prussian Empire, only a single state at the time, felt unchallenged and took the German lands from the other Germanic states. The Italians took Switzerland from the old French Kingdom. The Spanish took pieces of Aquitaine, the English had even absorbed Normandie for themselves. Things were not well in the toiled land.

It is reletively unknown how Jacques Benedicte, a simple French Dragoon Captain, managed to take control of an army that would conquer the other French Factions in Power. Though it is known that the original surviving members of his Dragoon Regiment are all in places of higher power...the Count of Toulouse, The Baron of Paris, the Lord of Amsterdam, all of them were once Benedicte's comrades. It is also known that Benedicte had gained unwavering support from the French Peasantry due to his ideals of a society without a monarch and a land of laws where men could do as they please, and women could tend to their children, without having a Feudal Lord quite literally owning them.

Benedicte rallied support and managed to create a professional army out of the peasants. At first, he suffered many terrible defeats, Nimes in particular, where he lost over 40,000 men in an all out Rout. Victories came, though later in the war. In the third year of the war, the French Imperial Army as Benedicte called it, won a glorious victory against not a French Army, but the English at Normandy. He utterly smashed them and warned the English king to never invade France while her back was to the wall ever again, or they would suffer yet another defeat. They listened and stayed out of the conflict.

After over 4 years of fighting, Benedicte had amassed an army of over 500,000, the only other French Noble who came close to him was Francis of Nimes, with just over 450,000 men. Benedicte crushed all who crossed him, even his own family members who fought with the Royalist Factions. His father in particular.

Benedicte's only real crushing defeat was at Poitiers, where Francis of Nimes slaughtered over 70,000 of Benedicte's men. This left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Imperial Army, and many lost the will to fight against Francis again. He had killed them at Nimes last time, and again at Poitiers. Yet, the French Imperialists eventually beat aback the rest of the Royalist factions, leaving only the Imperialists led by Benedicte, and the Royalists led by Francis.

They met again at Agincourt, where this time, Benedicte would strategically smash Francis's forces completely and utterly. Francis was captured and guillotined by the Imperialist soldiers, who gladly performed the deed and without second thoughts. The French Empire was established as Jacques Benedicte as the supreme Emperor of France. There were no real nobles with serfs on their estates, but only nobles governing cities and commanding armies. The French people were free from the Kings and the Feudal system, but still under strict control by a dictator who ruled through military power.
_________________________________________________________________

Provinces Under French Influence
Normandy- Green, rolling hills and overgrown hedges make up the majority of the Norman countryside. Small towns and a decent population make this an ideal place for agriculture and trade.
Belgium- Nice weather and a sizeable population make Belgium a prime place for both agriculture and industry in equal measure.
Brittany- A generally nice place to live, Brittany is a major producer of agriculture and trade, making it a valuable asset to the Empire.
Aquitaine- Almost solely agricultural, Aquitaine exports much of its fineries to neighbors and far away lands alike, making it a large trade hub.
South France- A comfortable balance between Agriculture, Industry, and trade make Southern France a flexible place for the Empire.
Alpine- Small and nearly barren, the Alpine Province donates little to the Empire, other than a strong defense point. The Emperor visits the Alpine regularly and visits the Fortress Murs Grands for weeklong stays.
Orleans- The heavily industrialized heart of France houses the seat of the Emperor and the robust Imperial Barracks. A vast amount of wealth flows through the heart of the Empire, and losing it would be a great mockery to the French people and their Emperor.
Aragon- The eastern coastal strip of Spain is mountainous and dry. Much of the area is given over to the production of wine. Agriculture and livestock are also an important factor here, with sheep, cattle and goats being grazed on the coastal plains. Fish and seafood are also abundant here. Major cities are Barcelona and Valencia.


Military Might: 15 Field Armies. 8 Infantry Army. Tot. 2,000,000 men, 30,000 Cavalry, 1,500 Cannon.
Naval Power: 20 Ships. Tot. 12,000 men, 1,400 Cannon
Credits Total: 15.5
Territorial Yield: +35
Trade Bonus: +0
Alliance Bonus: +4
Army & War Support Costs: .5(-17)= -8.5
Projected Profits: 46 Credits

Current Treaties/Alliances/Wars:
*Alliance w/ UK for 12 Years. Treaty active 1800.
*Alliance w/ Italy for 11 Years. Treaty active 1801.
*Peace w/ Prussia for 3 Years. Treaty active 1800.
*War w/ Spain. Active 1800.
VanAtta
28-07-2006, 05:25
French Commanders

Grand General Lucien Petit- High Commander of all Military forces next to the Emperor, and governor of Orleans. General Petit's masterful thinking and unwavering loyalty to the Emperor has made him something of a pet to Bénédicte.
Commands: All Field Armies, Cavalry, and Artillery alike. Governor of Orleans.

General Joseph Monteil- Commander of the 1st Army of the Empire. Though tactically a genius, he lacks in the confidence department and requires his aides to act on his behalf much of the time.
Commands: 1st Army, 16th Army, 17th Infantry Army. 360,000 troops, 4,000 Cavalry, 200 Cannon

General Norbert Martin- Commander of the 2nd Army. Martin worked his way from his lowly beginnings as a Corporal all the way to General. He is a personal friend of the Emperor and is a fitting commander.
Commands: 2nd Army, 80,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon

General Marc Ragot- Commander of the 3rd Army and Gov. of Normandy. Ragot is a master of Cavalry tactics and uses his Cuirassiers and Dragoons to their full extent, and beyond.
Commands: 3rd Army, 18th Infantry Army. 280,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon; Governor of Normandy Province

General Corin Lizot- Commander of the 4th Army and Baron of the Alpine. Lizot is a masterful defender and prefers to use infantry squares to keep enemies at bay. Lizot also commands the garrison at Fortress Murs Grands.
Commands: 4th Army, 19th Infantry Army. 280,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon; Baron of the Alpine/garrison commander of Murs Grands

General Jean Sordeau- Commander of the 5th Army and Governor of Aquitaine. Sordeau is something of a drunkard, but doesn't let this interfere with his exceptional management skills.
Commands: 5th Army, 20th Infantry Army. 280,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon; Governor of Aquitaine.

General Armand Labrousse- Commander of the 6th Army and Governor of Brittany. Labrousse is an extravagant character and fancies the better things. His higher education makes him a well rounded commander, luckily.
Commands: 6th Army, 21st Infantry Army. 280,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon; Governor of Brittany.

General Roland Quenu- Commander of the 7th army and Baron of Belgium. He is the only General in the staff not born in Europe. Louisianian by birth, Quenu moved to France and made a military career for himself. He is a valuable commander.
Commands: 7th Army, 22nd Infantry Army. 280,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon; Governor of Belgium

General Basile Dorat- Commander of the 8th Army. A reletively new addition to the Generals' staff, Dorat is an amazing infantry commander and is revered by all of his underlings.
Commands: 8th Army, 23rd Infantry Army. 280,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon.

General Sebastien Dumont- Commander of the 9th Army. The eldest member of the General Staff, he has long since surpassed the retirement age. His forte is Artillery and Counter tactics. His favorite maneuver: The Column.
Commands: 9th Army, 80,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon.

Emperor Jacques Benedicte- Famed warrior of the French Civil War, he united the French peoples and became the infamous Emperor known for his madness and mongering attitude.
Commands: Overall Commander, but commands 10th Army personally, 80,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon.

General Edouard Tupin- Commander of the 11th Army. A recently promoted Brigadier General, Tupin was a fine selection to serve as General of the 11th. His administrative abilities may make him a canidate for governor of newly conquered territories.
Commands: 11th Army, 80,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon.

General Alfred Pineau- Commander of the 12th Army. A grizzled war veteran, Pineau served in the Hussars his entire military career. The fact that he survived to see 50 is enough reason to make him a General of an army.
Commands: 12th Army, 80,000 troops, 2,000 Cavalry, 100 Cannon.

General Ariel Svensk- Commander of the 10th Army. An ex-General of the Rebel Hungarian army, Svensk has much aptitude for using troops of all types, and excels in using his Light Infantry regiments.
Commands: 13th Army, 14th Army, 15th Infantry Army. 360,000 troops, 4,000 Cavalry, 200 Cannon
VanAtta
28-07-2006, 07:11
French Military Make-up

Breakdown

French Infantry and Artillery
1. Army: 80,000 Infantry and 800 Cannon. Commanded by General
-2. Corps: 40,000 Infantry and 400 Cannon. Commanded by Lt. General
--3. Division: 20,000 Infantry and 200 Cannon. Commanded by Major General
---4. Brigade: 10,000 Infantry and 100 Cannon. Commanded by Brigadier General
----5. Regiment: 5,000 Infantry and 50 Cannon. Commanded by Colonel
-----6. Battalion: 2,500 Infantry and 25 Cannon. Commanded by Lt. Colonel
------7. Company: 250 Infantry and 2-3 Cannon. Commaned by Major or Captain.
-------8. Platoon: 125 Infantry and 1-2 Cannon. Commanded by Lieutenant.

1 General
2 Lt. Generals
4 Major Generals
8 Brigadier Generals
16 Colonels
32 Lt. Colonels
96 Majors
224 Captains
640 Lieutenants
6,150 Sergeants
12,300 Corporals
60,527 Privates

French Cavalry
1. Cavalry Brigade: 10,000 Cavalry. Commanded by Brigadier General.
-2. Cavalry Regiment: 2,000 Cavalry. Commanded by Colonel.
--3. Cavalry Battalion: 1,000 Cavalry. Commanded by Lt. Colonel.
---4. Cavalry Detachment: 100 Cavalry. Commanded by Captain.
----5. Cavalry Squad: 10 Cavalry. Commanded by Lieutenant.

1 Brigadier General
5 Colonels
10 Lt. Colonels
100 Captains
1,000 Lieutenants
2,000 Sergeants
6,884 Ensigns


French Military Units

Infantry
Line Infantry
----Fusiliers
----Grenadiers
----Voltigeurs

Light Infantry
----Raiders
----Skirmishers

Special Infantry
----Imperial Guards
----Combat Engineers

Line Infantry
The Line of the French Army is to be rightly feared. Few can match the discipline, training, and general effectiveness the Line Infantry offer. The power lies in the Line and its diverse unit make-ups. A few of the unit types in one Regiment will be listed. The units and values listed are the base numbers for a single infantry regiment, which contain 5,000 men.

Fusiliers
The rank and file of the French Army. Generally new recruits and younger men, the Fusiliers most often find strength in numbers. There are numerous tactics that can be used with the Fusiliers due to their flexibility in the field, tactics such as the column, which is as frightening for enemies to behold as it is comforting to the men on the line. Another fancied tactic is the square which offers maximum protection in sticky situations. They are recognizable by their blue coats and white trousers. They also wear bicorn hats and in cold weather they wear grey greatcoats. There are 3,500 Fusiliers in a Regiment, and every Fusilier Regiment comes with 6, 12 lb. Cannons.

Grenadiers
The elite crack troops of the French Army. The Grenadiers are often called upon to make the crushing strike against weakened foes, worn down by the Fusiliers. The entire make-up of the Grenadiers are tall, brave men who have had much combat experience in the Fusiliers. Grenadiers are distinguishable by their tall fur hats and red epaulettes. They also wear blue coats and blue trousers. Because they are so hardy and elite, every regiment only has 500 Grenadiers, and they usually cover a weak flank. They sometimes carry a single 12 lb Cannon, but not very often.

Voltigeurs
Sometimes considered the opposite of the Grenadiers, the Voltigeurs are elite and hardy men nonetheless. A majority of them are short, but this makes them ideal for Urban combat, pursuing fleeing enemies, and screening in front of the main force. They are almost considered light infantry, but Voltigeurs are different in that they perform their duties while still on the line or in prolonged combat. They are recognizable by their red and white striped trousers and their green epaulettes. There are 1,500 Voltigeurs in every regiment. Due to their status as semi-light infantry, they do not carry any Artillery pieces.

Light Infantry
The Light Infantry are a command all their own. Many times they use tactics of irregulars, including raiding, ambushing, guerilla tactics, and sometimes even downright terror. Light Infantry are excellant marksmen and are remarkably fit, but they require more training, and they unfortunately don't have a very long life expectancy. Light infantry come in Regiments of 1,000.

Voleurs
Voleurs, or raiders, are the terrorizers of the enemy. They raid enemy camps, steal horses, food, kill or kidnap officers, or just generally raise hell. They also perform scouting duties. Not unknown to use guerilla tactics on unsuspecting supply wagons, the Voleurs have made quite a reputation for themselves as a fearsome unit, worth their weight in gold. They usually make up their own Regiment of 1,000 men.

Escarmouches
Escarmouches, or Skirmishers, are unique troops in that they chase down retreating troops off of the battlefield until they have done sufficient damage they deem satisfactory. Their views of satisfactory usually mean total elimination of armies, fortunately for the enemy, rarely do they succeed in 100% elimination. They usually make up their own Regiment of 1,000 men.

Special Infantry
The Special Infantry of the French Army perform many duties from being strictly ceremonial to widely important. All in all, the Special Infantry are specialists in a wide range of tasks that differ from the Line Infantry and the Light Infantry.

Imperial Guards
The French Imperial Guards are ceremonial fighters that rarely see combat, but if it should come, they would be more than ready for it. Armed with rifles instead of the widely inaccurate muskets, these men are expert marksmen and are generally used as the 'Infantry bodyguard' of a General or Colonel in an army. They can be seen wearing black battle dresses and wear black fur hats. They most often come in Regiments of 1,000-1,500 and sometimes carry 1-2 12 lb. cannons with them into battle, should it come.

Combat Engineers
Unlike the Imperial Guards, the Combat Engineers are widely used in the French Army. Known for their canny ingenueity and overall creativity, the Combat Engineers are a prime asset to the Imperial Army. They are used for building bridges, clearing forests, building fortifications and camps, and even forging sap points to destroy enemy fortifications. They are distinguishable by their brown longcoats they wear, and by the Bicorn hats that make them seem like Fusiliers. They come in Regiments of 5,000 and do not carry artillery, as they are not a real combat unit.


Cavalry
Light Cavalry
----Dragoons
----Hussars
Heavy Cavalry
----Cuirassiers
----Lancers

Light Cavalry
The French Military values its light cavalry very much, many commanders rely on them to be the 'fast infantrymen' of a military force. Though they are few in number, they perform many important duties in the army.

Dragoons
The French Army mostly uses Dragoons to make ends meet on the battlefield. They are the most widely used cavalry unit in the known world, all the more reason for the French to make theirs highly elite! To be a dragoon, one must weigh less than 130 lbs., and be under 5'6''. This assures that all Dragoons can be the most mobile forces on the field. They carry on their person numerous pistols and short carbines to pepper up an enemy. If the going gets tough, they can make a headlong charge into enemy flanks and decimate them with their cavalry sabers. Dragoons can act as Infantry if the commander so wishes it. They are also useful for counter-guerilla warfare, turning the tables on their ambushers. Dragoons come in Companies of 500.

Hussars
The French Hussars act as light scouts who carry with them only light armaments. They are the eyes and ears of the French army, they scout and give intel on enemy troop movements. Being a Hussar is a dangerous line of work, therefor they only work in small squads of 10 or less. There are roughly 500 Hussars in a Field army.

Heavy Cavalry

Cuirassiers
Cuirassiers are an adaption from Medieval Knights to the age of gunpowder. They are kept as a very powerful reserve, and are used to rout enemy units on the open field. Because they are the actual 'battle winners', they are cocky and have to be strong, especially since they bear a heavy Cuirass with the French Coat of Arms upon it. They work in Companies of 500, though that number can change depending on the type of combat they are exposed to. They somtimes perform duties as either infantry or Dragoons should the general wish it.

Lancers
Yet another gunpowerder innovation for a Medieval unit. Lancers carry long lances into battle and charge into enemy formations, either routing them on the spot or causing horrendous casualties. Again, these men are the 'battle winners' on the field, like the Cuirassiers. But they are quite useless in urban combat as well as forest combat. Because of this, they can also perform duties as Dragoons or Hussars should the need arise. They are in Companies of 500.
VanAtta
31-07-2006, 00:55
Military Positions

Naval Positioning
1st Fleet.........Bay of Biscay
2nd Fleet........Bay of Biscay

Army Positioning
1st Army..........Aragon-Barcelona
2nd Army.........Aragon-Vitoria
3rd Army..........Normandie-Cherbourg
4th Army..........Alpine-Freiburg
5th Army..........S. France-Nimes
6th Army..........S. France-Nimes
7th Army..........Belgium-Brussels
8th Army..........Aragon-Barcelona
9th Army..........S. France-Nimes
10th Army.........Orleans-Paris-*Permanently Stationed*
11th Army.........Belgium-Brussels
12th Army.........Orleans-Paris
13th Army.........S. France-Nimes
14th Army.........S. France-Nimes
15th Infantry.....S. France-Nimes
16th Army.........Orleans-Paris
17th Infantry.....Orleans-Paris
18th Infantry.....Orleans-Paris
19th Infantry.....Aragon-Barcelona
20th Infantry.....Aragon-Barcelona
21st Infantry......Aragon-Barcelona
22nd Infantry.....Aragon-Barcelona
23rd Infantry......Aragon-Barcelona
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Army Experience

1st Army **
Campaign of Aragon Total Losses: 10,880
-Battle of Bilbao Losses: 10,236
-Battle of Vitoria Losses: 644

2nd Army *
Campaign of Aragon Total Losses: 2,105
-Battle of Vitoria Losses: 2,105

3rd Army
N/A

4th Army
N/A

5th Army *
Campaign of Aragon Total Losses: 1,023
-Skirmish of Saragossa Losses: 1,023

6th Army *
Campaign of Aragon Total Losses: 1,204
-Skirmish of Saragossa Losses: 1,204

7th Army
N/A

8th Army *
Capaign of Aragon Total Losses: 3,387
-Battle of Barcelona Losses: 3,387

9th Army *
Campaign of Aragon Total Losses: 1,844
-Battle of Barcelona Losses: 1,844

10th Army
N/A

11th Army
N/A

12th Army
N/A

13th Army
N/A

14th Army
N/A

15th Infantry
N/A

16th Army
N/A

17th Infantry
N/A

18th Infantry
N/A

19th Infantry
N/A

20th Infantry
N/A

21st Infantry
N/A

22nd Infantry
N/A

23rd Infantry
N/A