RUSSIAN INFANTRY 1808-1815

A Line infantry regiment consisted of 3 battalions. Each battalion theoretically numbered 738 but campaign losses mean that this was rarely achieved and sustained. The third battalion was used as an undersrength depot formation.

The regimental grenadiers were normally separated and brigaded into composite grenadier battalions.

As well as Line there were Guard, Grenadier and Jaeger regiments.

For Line infantry, the dark green jacket had red collar, cuffs and turnbacks. The shoulder straps were coloured and used to show which Division the unit belonged to and its seniority within the formation. They were coloured red for the 1st regiment, white for the 2nd, yellow for the third, dark green for the 4th and light blue for the 5th. The divisional number was embroidered on the shoulder strap.

Legwear was white breeches or overalls with black gaiters. . Straps were white leather for musketeers and grenadiers. Tthe rucksack and cartridge box were black.

The 1808 pattern shako bore a single flamed grenade for line and jaeger units, a triple flamed version for grenadiers. The white cords were hooked over the pompom. These were white with green centre for 1st battalions, green with centre for 2nd and blue with white centre for third. Grenadiers had a tall thin plume. All these decorations were carried on the ‘kiwer’, which replaced the shako in 1812.

The greatcoat was carried rolled across the body held in place by equipment straps.

All of the above are shown with the 1808 shako.

There were fifty Jaeger regiments in 1812. They wore a similar uniform but with green collars, cuffs and turnbacks piped in red. Dark green breeches were worn in winter and all leather work was black.

Shoulder straps were sky blue except for those numbered 1 to 11, 13, 15 to 20, 23, 27 to 31 and 49 where they were yellow.