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I want to propose a new "Military Modifier" - "Winter Clothing." This modifier would reduce the effects of winter attrition. The French would start the game with this modifier, and all other powers would be able to gain it during 1806-07. Unlike previous wars in Europe, when all military activity stopped with the onset of Winter, Napoleon didn't hesitate to campaign during the winter, but, he also made sure that his troops were properly equipped. I just read about the Austrians suffering from lack of greatcoats, and other winter equipment, during the Austerlitz campaign. The Prussians and Russians were also affected by this, until they saw that Napoleon wasn't a "traditional" campaigner.

That wasn't the case in Russia in 1812. The French were not prepared for the Russian winter. Much like a future invader, they expected the campaign to be over before winter.

The major killing effect of the cold weather upon his forces occurred during their retreat. Hypothermia coupled with starvation led to the loss of thousands. In his memoir, Napoleon's close adviser Armand de Caulaincourt recounted scenes of massive loss, and offered a vivid description of mass death through hypothermia:


The cold was so intense that bivouacking was no longer supportable. Bad luck to those who fell asleep by a campfire! Furthermore, disorganization was perceptibly gaining ground in the Guard. One constantly found men who, overcome by the cold, had been forced to drop out and had fallen to the ground, too weak or too numb to stand. Ought one to help them along – which practically meant carrying them? They begged one to let them alone. There were bivouacs all along the road – ought one to take them to a campfire? Once these poor wretches fell asleep they were dead. If they resisted the craving for sleep, another passer by would help them along a little farther, thus prolonging their agony for a short while, but not saving them, for in this condition the drowsiness engendered by cold is irresistibly strong. Sleep comes inevitably, and to sleep is to die. I tried in vain to save a number of these unfortunates. The only words they uttered were to beg me, for the love of God, to go away and let them sleep. To hear them, one would have thought sleep was their salvation. Unhappily, it was a poor wretch's last wish. But at least he ceased to suffer, without pain or agony. Gratitude, and even a smile, was imprinted on his discoloured lips. What I have related about the effects of extreme cold, and of this kind of death by freezing, is based on what I saw happen to thousands of individuals. The road was covered with their corpses.

Aurelin wrote:That wasn't the case in Russia in 1812. The French were not prepared for the Russian winter. Much like a future invader, they expected the campaign to be over before winter.

The major killing effect of the cold weather upon his forces occurred during their retreat. Hypothermia coupled with starvation led to the loss of thousands. In his memoir, Napoleon's close adviser Armand de Caulaincourt recounted scenes of massive loss, and offered a vivid description of mass death through hypothermia:


The cold was so intense that bivouacking was no longer supportable. Bad luck to those who fell asleep by a campfire! Furthermore, disorganization was perceptibly gaining ground in the Guard. One constantly found men who, overcome by the cold, had been forced to drop out and had fallen to the ground, too weak or too numb to stand. Ought one to help them along – which practically meant carrying them? They begged one to let them alone. There were bivouacs all along the road – ought one to take them to a campfire? Once these poor wretches fell asleep they were dead. If they resisted the craving for sleep, another passer by would help them along a little farther, thus prolonging their agony for a short while, but not saving them, for in this condition the drowsiness engendered by cold is irresistibly strong. Sleep comes inevitably, and to sleep is to die. I tried in vain to save a number of these unfortunates. The only words they uttered were to beg me, for the love of God, to go away and let them sleep. To hear them, one would have thought sleep was their salvation. Unhappily, it was a poor wretch's last wish. But at least he ceased to suffer, without pain or agony. Gratitude, and even a smile, was imprinted on his discoloured lips. What I have related about the effects of extreme cold, and of this kind of death by freezing, is based on what I saw happen to thousands of individuals. The road was covered with their corpses.

Yup. We're all aware of Russia, but Russia isn't Western Europe. East of a certain line on the Russian border would have "full" winter effects.

Montbrun wrote:Yup. We're all aware of Russia, but Russia isn't Western Europe. East of a certain line on the Russian border would have "full" winter effects.

It shows Napoleon didn't keep his troops properly equipped. Nothing to do with geography. And I've never seen evidence that Russians of the period were *not* equipped for winter fighting.

Russian infantry wore great coats from Oct to May.

OK - call it "Winter Campaign Preparations"

Winter in temperate western Europe is not the same as winter on the Russian steps where arctic winds can drop the temperature to -20°C for long periods of time. Don't get lost on the words 'winter' and 'winter clothing'. They are vague and relative terms and depend completely on their context.

Captain_Orso wrote:Winter in temperate western Europe is not the same as winter on the Russian steps where arctic winds can drop the temperature to -20°C for long periods of time. Don't get lost on the words 'winter' and 'winter clothing'. They are vague and relative terms and depend completely on their context.

Exactly. As it is now, campaigning in the "Winter" in Western Europe is prohibitive - attrition levels are much too high, which is unrealistic, and ahistorical, given that there were several Winter campaigns in Western Europe. Napoleon didn't hesitate to campaign during the Winter in Western Europe, with proper preparations.

I think what you are actually asking for, with regard to winter vs WINTER is "Russian/Nordic Winter".

Maybe having a National Modifier for 'Winter Preparedness' to reduce attrition affects during winter in general.

Captain_Orso wrote:I think what you are actually asking for, with regard to winter vs WINTER is "Russian/Nordic Winter".

Maybe having a National Modifier for 'Winter Preparedness' to reduce attrition affects during winter in general.

That would work.