Austrian Grenze

[SteveC]

Lists have them as poor drilled light infantry or average irregular skirmishers, later lists only the irregular option.

Can I ask on what evidence this classification is based?

Of the 17 Regiments, 1 - 14 were 'regular' and the other 3 classified as 'irregular'.

1805 the Grenze had domestic political issues with the State, so Poor is a fair reflections for that period. Also only a fraction of the paper strength formed part of the field army.

1809 they had no similar gripes and performed as well as any other regular Austrian infantry, so far as my reading of Gill's trilogy would suggest. The 3 irregular regiment were with VII Corps in Poland. So Haupt Armee and Army of Inner Austria should have only regular Grenze units

1812 Campaign the Austrians did their best to be there without doing anything too useful - but that's generally the problem with Austrians - slow and a lack of any real aggression

1813 + Probably no different that the 1809/12 period - but my sources are more limited.

Ta

[deadtorius]

Don't forget that poor effects them in melee only. Shows a reluctance for close in fighting. From what I have read there seems to be few instances of them getting up close or going in with the bayonet.

Poor drilled still get 2 dice for tests, although they will have to re-roll 6's. I use them in my Austrian army regularly in skirmish mode, and have found them quite effective as they are.

[SteveC]

Grenze weren't good at close fighting - just not in their psychy - or appropriate to their peacetime role as border guards operating in small groups (classic light infantry tactics). Certainly there was a lack of appreciation of how to best use their skills in the early years and that also may have had a bearing on their lack of 'enthusiasm' come 1805.

Most actions they got involved in in 1809 the Austrians were on the back foot (may not have started out that way but poor co-ordination/lack of urgency usually undid the initial advantage), so little scope for a good write up. However, although the earlier lack of understanding had been largely mitigated, they were still looked down upon in many quarters.

I'll have a try with them as Poor. Not convinced this is a fair reflection other than in 1805.

[hazelbark]

There are few if any cases where the Grenzers outfought and out skirmished the French Legere. That may influence the rating as well.

[deadtorius]

if its just a friendly game you can always count them as average, with the points increase if that makes them seem any better. Like I said I use them all the time as poor drilled, and in skirmish from deployment on, they work fine for me. They have even gotten some pretty good kill ratios in some games, and being able to transform back into reformed makes them rather useful. Keep in mind that skirmishers are not restricted for the first two turns so can move out on your first turn to block second moves by your opponent.
Try them in an extended skirmish line so they can affect more enemy units, just shrink their frontage if they get close to the line troops again.