Hello everyone! I recently picked up a French starter army for 1806-1812 and I discovered that it contained some line infantry that the website calls Elite troops. I am new to the period and believe the term Elite troops refers to the Young and Old Guard? Is this the case and if not what figures from Baccus would be considered Young/Old Guard? Thanks!

Hi Norse,

No the elites are the grenadier and voltigure companies with the battalion.

Each battalion will consist of 1 command, 4 line and one elite strip.  The elites, as Bunny correctly points out, are the Grenadiers and Voltogeurs.

Thank you for the information. Which figures in your line would be used to represent the Old and Young Guards?

Old Guard infantry would mainly be NFR04,021 and 028 and 029, essentially any foot code with 'Grenadier' in the title.  Young Guard would typically be NFR02,03,023,024, 026, 027, so anything with 'Elite' or 'Voltigeur' in the title. There were a couple of minor details of difference between Guard troops and their nearest Line equivalents, but nothing you are usually going to notice in 6mm, except that quite a lot of Young Guard troops did not have epaulettes, but did have sabres.  So, pick your poison, you might want to represent higher numbered Young Guard regiments in particular with line troops.  As to whether any individual unit of the guard was elite, it depends on the unit, depends on the year, depends on what you are counting as 'elite'.

I was a Napoleonic wargamer for thirty years... not anymore... Whirlwind is right (absolutey) specially in 6mm... but I suggest (humbly) that nothing equals a prior documentation. Try the Books by Jouineau-Mongin... excellent references!... always remember that in 20 years the Guard evolued in numbers and organization in the afore mentioned books (also edited in English) there is an excellent explanation... try the link to HISTOIRE&COLLECTIONS EDITIONS. It is a French Editorial but where to get good info about The French if not in France?

Useful INFO:

As I said before some are out of print... some not... English editions available.  About the Line Infantry (Light Infantry is always Elite... stands represents Brigades -usually- but you can put some elite cos in each flank Carabiniers with Bearskin -or Colpack mind!-  and Chasseurs with Shako on the other)... Line Infantry is even easier flank Cos Grenadiers (with bearskin or Shako with red plume -your choice-) and Voltigeurs on the other flank (Shako with yellow plume or bicolor yellowandgreen). The French Napoleonic Army is truly colourful and almost anything goes... it was cannon fodder alright... but with class!

Cavalry and Artillery I guess everybody knows... no many problems painting those! Cheers