Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia marked a major turning point in his reign. His Grande Armée, consisting of over half a million men, was decimated within six months, leaving only about 10,000 survivors. The campaign cost over a million lives, including soldiers and civilians.
Historian Paul Dawson examines the uniforms and equipment of the more than 120 regiments that participated in the invasion and later campaigns. His research, based on over 1,000 archive boxes from the Service Historique de l'Armée de Terre and the Archives Nationales, provides unprecedented detail about the army's clothing and equipment. Dawson's study reveals the adoption of the 1806 and Bardin regulations and their practical implementation.
Each year, regiments were inspected, and soldiers were issued clothing and equipment, with repairs recorded. New recruits paid for their gear through deductions from their wages, and any damage due to misuse was charged to them. The army faced constant challenges in maintaining uniforms and supplies, from simple vests to more specialized items like epaulettes and tools for sapeurs.
This groundbreaking book offers rare insights into the French line infantry's attire, featuring period illustrations and photographs of existing uniforms, shedding light on what soldiers wore during Napoleon's final campaigns.
Dawson, Paul L.: - Paul L. Dawson BSc Hons MA, MIFA, FINS, is a historian, field archaeologist and author who has written more than twenty books, his specialty being the French Army of the Napoleonic Wars. As well as speaking French and having an in-depth knowledge of French archival sources, Paul is also an historical tailor producing museum-quality replica clothing, the study of which has given him a unique understanding of the Napoleonic era.
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Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia marked a major turning point in his reign. His Grande Armée, consisting of over half a million men, was decimated within six months, leaving only about 10,000 survivors. The campaign cost over a million lives, including soldiers and civilians.
Historian Paul Dawson examines the uniforms and equipment of the more than 120 regiments that participated in the invasion and later campaigns. His research, based on over 1,000 archive boxes from the Service Historique de l'Armée de Terre and the Archives Nationales, provides unprecedented detail about the army's clothing and equipment. Dawson's study reveals the adoption of the 1806 and Bardin regulations and their practical implementation.
Each year, regiments were inspected, and soldiers were issued clothing and equipment, with repairs recorded. New recruits paid for their gear through deductions from their wages, and any damage due to misuse was charged to them. The army faced constant challenges in maintaining uniforms and supplies, from simple vests to more specialized items like epaulettes and tools for sapeurs.
This groundbreaking book offers rare insights into the French line infantry's attire, featuring period illustrations and photographs of existing uniforms, shedding light on what soldiers wore during Napoleon's final campaigns.
Dawson, Paul L.: - Paul L. Dawson BSc Hons MA, MIFA, FINS, is a historian, field archaeologist and author who has written more than twenty books, his specialty being the French Army of the Napoleonic Wars. As well as speaking French and having an in-depth knowledge of French archival sources, Paul is also an historical tailor producing museum-quality replica clothing, the study of which has given him a unique understanding of the Napoleonic era.
