Boris Yulin Battle of Borodino. Brigand Pounder - Bandit Cannon Bandit Cannon - Ancestor's memories
An important advantage The Russian cavalry had an excellent cavalry, and if it was inferior to anyone, it was only inferior to the cavalry of the English army. At the same time, both the horses themselves and their dressage were at their best.
Artillery
And finally, the Russian artillery was most decisively transformed. As a study by the commission of General A. A. Arakcheev showed, artillery had previously been underestimated, and actual artillery fire was 6–10 times superior to small arms fire. And this meant that it was fire field artillery ensured the success of the army that had it in sufficient quantity. But at the same time, major shortcomings in the composition and organization of Russian artillery were revealed. The artillery was extremely varied in caliber, which made it difficult to control fire and supply ammunition. In addition, there were no horses in the permanent batteries. Usually mobilized horses were used, often of questionable condition, which had a bad effect on mobility. In addition, this did not provide sufficient speed for deploying guns into position and removing them from position.Russian foot artillery
To solve these problems, Arakcheev introduced “artillery” horses, which should “never be separated from the company.” In 1803, following the example of the French artillery, standard charging boxes were introduced on the limbers, which made it possible to sharply reduce the time it took to prepare batteries for firing, since the ammunition necessary for battle moved along with the gun and ended up directly in position and in a convenient container. In 1805, artillery was unified with a sharp reduction in the number of artillery systems and calibers used. The carriages, limbers, harness and charging boxes were also unified. The low-powered regimental artillery was effectively eliminated, and its role was now to be filled by light artillery companies of 6-pounders and 1/4-pound unicorns.
Charging box
Old style 6-pounder gun
Organizationally, the artillery was consolidated into artillery brigades within infantry divisions. Such brigades consisted of battery and light companies. In addition, there were horse artillery companies as part of the cavalry corps and separate companies that were not part of the divisions.
In general, Russian artillery took first place in the world in terms of specific power (weight of a salvo per number of barrels). At the same time, it was distinguished by its harmonious organization and, thanks to the constant high-quality horse composition and the reduction in the weight of the guns, excellent mobility on the battlefield and on the march.
Field artillery charging box
Field artillery charging box
French army
The French army improved throughout the revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. And very often she was an innovator in military affairs. For example, it was in the French army that they first switched to wide application shock column tactics. After clashes with the Russian army in 1805–1807, it underwent a smaller scale of reform than the Russian army, as it demonstrated its superiority. Basically, the reform of this period was expressed in the abandonment of semi-brigades and the restoration of the regimental level.
Infantry
The French infantry corps, which was the main strategic and operational unit of the French army, did not have such a clear and fixed structure as the Russian one. In addition, unlike the Russian corps, it was the highest organizational unit (for the Russians it was an army that included several corps) and, including all three types of troops, could conduct completely independent actions in the strategic direction without additional reinforcement. It consisted of 2–5 infantry divisions and 1–2 cavalry brigades or divisions, as well as corps artillery, which partly compensated for the French divisional artillery, which was weaker than in the Russian army.
The infantry division consisted of 3 brigades of 2 regiments each and usually 2 artillery batteries. The regiment consisted of 4 line and one reserve battalion. True, this division was not rigid. For example, in Davout’s 1st Infantry Corps, the regiments consisted of 5 line battalions and 1 reserve, but the brigade consisted of one regiment, that is, in fact, there was no regimental link. The battalion consisted of 6 companies, 1 grenadier, 4 fusiliers and one voltigeur.
Voltigeurs were an analogue of Russian rangers, but, unlike the latter, most often they were not separated into separate brigades, regiments and battalions, but were dispersed as part of line battalions. This did not make it possible to use them separately as fighting forces on the battlefield. But this order made it possible to better organize the interaction of battalion columns and rifle chains in the division’s battle formations. This also allowed the French to use division formations that were more complex than in the Russian army.
Voltigeurs were considered light infantry. They were armed with both smooth-bore guns and rifled carbines, as well as cutlasses. Voltigeurs, unlike Russian rangers, did not seriously rely on single actions away from their troops and were mainly trained to act in loose formation in the battle formations of divisions and regiments - therefore they were better prepared for such actions.
Their percentage in French units was somewhat lower than the percentage of rangers in the Russian army, which was compensated by a large percentage in allied units, for example in the Westphalian Corps of Marshal Davout.
French line infantry
Fusilier companies were the line infantry of the French army. Linear infantry, as in the Russian army, was intended for a bayonet attack in battalion columns or for a salvo firefight in a deployed linear formation. But unlike the Russian infantry, the French fusiliers deployed not in a 4-rank, but in a 3-rank formation. This difference was due to the better characteristics of the French gun and the level of training of the infantry. In practice, this meant that the French battalion, firing in deployed formation, had approximately a 25% advantage in fire performance. The line infantry were armed with smoothbore rifles with a bayonet. In the training of fusiliers, much more time was devoted to drill training and actions in close formation, mainly with an attack orientation.
French voltigeurs
The French grenadiers were noticeably different from the Russians. Grenadier companies were also elite, but differed in the principle of formation - to be enrolled there, a soldier had to have 4 years of service or 2 campaigns behind him. Four privates and one corporal in the grenadier company were sappers. Their distinctive feature traditionally had a leather apron and a large beard (a tradition that continues today in the French army) - they had to be strong and tall, since they walked in front of the assault columns and had to open doors, windows, gates and walls in populated areas with their large axes the enemy has settled down. However, in practice, those with the thickest beards were often hired as sappers.
In general, the French infantry, in its organization and composition, was maximally adapted to achieve success in active, attacking operations in field battle.
Cavalry
The French cavalry, in contrast to the Russian, was considered primarily as impact force on the battlefield, so its basis was made up of cuirassier and carabinieri units and also horse-jaeger units intended for the battlefield. In addition, there were hussar, dragoon and uhlan regiments. The last ones were mostly Polish.Because of this composition, the French cavalry was used to a limited extent as an independent force. operational force, but had greater significance on the battlefield than the Russian one. Napoleon again began to use cavalry as a battering ram when breaking through the enemy front, although this was considered unprofitable in the era of the widespread arming of armies with small arms and the high saturation of armies with field artillery. Heavy cavalry made it possible to quickly break the distance and overthrow the enemy. The main thing was to introduce it into battle at the right moment.
"Old Guard", grenadiers
Cuirassiers were practically no different from Russians and also represented men-at-arms, perfectly suited for breaking infantry squares. The weapons were similar, only instead of cuirassier carbines, blunderbusses were used, adapted for firing at infantry at point-blank range at full gallop. The carabinieri of the French army differed from the cuirassiers essentially only in their uniforms and in the same way could successfully attack infantry.
The hussars, whose weapons and uniforms were modeled on the Hungarian cavalrymen, acted as light cavalry capable of pursuing the enemy, engaging with enemy cavalry and performing rapid maneuvers. Actually, the name “hussars” was borrowed from the Hungarian “huzzar”.
The lancers, another part of the light cavalry, were Polish cavalry with their traditional weapons, including the pike. Expectations that the pike would significantly increase the capabilities of cavalry in the fight against infantry did not materialize. But the pike turned out to be useful in battles with cavalry.
Saxon cuirassiers
An important innovation in Napoleon's army was the mounted chasseurs. They were light cavalry, but, like cuirassiers, they were used for action in the thick of battle. Mounted rangers were intended mainly for conducting fire combat both from horseback and on foot.
Napoleon's cavalry demonstrated its capabilities by overthrowing the enemy at Austerlitz and breaking through his front at Wagram.
Cuirassiers and carabiniers were consolidated into heavy cavalry divisions, lancers, hussars and horse huntsmen into light ones. The division included 2–3 brigades of two regiments and sometimes an artillery regiment. But in heavy divisions there were often brigades of the same regiment. Each regiment consisted of 4 squadrons.
The French cavalry corps consisted of 1–2 heavy, 1 light cavalry divisions and sometimes corps artillery. These corps were an important component of attack tactics and were used primarily for rapid frontal attacks and development of success on the battlefield. It was the French who were the first in Europe of that period to use large masses of cavalry in battle.
Despite having excellent training and weapons, the French cavalry had one big disadvantage. Due to the limited capabilities of the stud farms of Napoleon's empire and heavy losses, the French cavalry had, on average, a worse cavalry composition than the Russian cavalry. This limited the mobility of the French cavalry and prevented them from being used on greater depth. Although with a frontal attack on the battlefield special significance it didn't.
Artillery
French artillery was at the forefront of its fleet and organization even before the French Revolution. Faced in mid-18th century century with the superiority of the enemy’s artillery, the French were the first to undertake a radical and strictly thought-out reorganization. The great engineer and artilleryman General Gribeauval introduced such generally accepted innovations as limbers with standardized charging boxes, new frame sights, vertical aiming screw mechanisms, “long-range” buckshot in tin caps, and returned to cap loading.In 1803, Napoleon carried out another reform that affected the number of calibers. For example, 8-pounder and 4-pounder guns were replaced with 6-pounder ones, since, according to Napoleon's observations, in battle the guns of both old calibers were used in the same way and the differences between them were not taken into account. A longer howitzer of a slightly reduced caliber was introduced to achieve greater range, which made it possible to unify the ammunition with 24-pounder siege guns.
By the time of the invasion of Russia, French artillery was reduced to 8-gun companies with 6 guns and 2 howitzers, which made it possible to use the battery for a wide variety of purposes, although it complicated fire control and supplying the battery with ammunition. Reserve (or corps) artillery had batteries of 12-pounder and 8-pounder guns and large-caliber howitzers and was intended for long-range combat and the destruction of fortifications and suppression of enemy artillery. Divisional artillery was represented mainly by 6-pound and 4-pound cannons and medium-caliber howitzers (24 pounds) and was used in the division's combat formations at the starting positions for direct fire support. The regimental artillery had a different organization of batteries - 4-guns and was equipped with 3-pounder and 4-pounder cannons. She was supposed to accompany the attacking infantry with fire and wheels.
In terms of mobility and firepower per number of guns, French field artillery was somewhat weaker than Russian due to the large number of light 3-pound and 4-pound guns. But it included both heavy long-range guns and regimental artillery, intended for operations in infantry combat formations not only in defense, but also in the offensive (which allowed it to be used more flexibly), and had more powerful artillery systems in heavy artillery.
Armament of armies
Russian army
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Russian army was faced with enemy superiority in small arms. This fact was all the more unpleasant because since the time of Peter the Russian small arms was at the proper global level. But the very first clashes between the Russian army and the French showed the superiority of the French gun of the 1777 model over Russian guns. But not only did French weapons provide tactical advantage, it was also more monotonous. And in the Russian army by 1808 the situation was such that 28-caliber guns were in service. At the same time, the guns were like domestic production, and foreign.In 1805, a new, very reliable gun was adopted. But due to the unification of the cartridge with the old one, it turned out to be heavy and with powerful recoil with a modest range and accuracy of fire.
Infantry pistol model 1809
In 1808, relying on captured French guns of the 1777 model and purchased English guns of the 1794 model, Tula gunsmiths managed to develop a model that was not inferior to them. The new gun had, following the example of foreign prototypes, a caliber reduced from 19 mm to 17.8 mm and a reduced weight from 5.16 kg to 4.46 kg. Managed to increase initial speed bullets and shooting accuracy. They were also able to increase the number of hits on a standard 1.8 to 1.22 arshin target from 100 steps to more than half the bullets, while when shooting from the old gun the norm was a quarter of the bullets hit. Maximum range shooting reached 300 steps. To speed up loading, all types of guns used paper cartridges containing a bullet and a powder charge.
Gun flintlocks
In 1805, new models of screw guns were created for non-commissioned officers and huntsman rifles. These were rifled weapons that provided the ability to fire at a distance of up to 1 thousand steps, and at 500 steps they showed the same accuracy as a gun of the 1808 model at 100. Also, based on the gun of the 1808 model, cavalry guns were developed.
But, despite the successes in rearming the army, only half of the army managed to rearm with the new model guns. Another disadvantage was the use of an old bayonet - shorter than the French ones, and designed for older, longer guns, which was especially noticeable when repelling cavalry attacks. True, the percentage of rangers armed with rifle weapons has increased noticeably. Now screw guns and fittings were available in the Jaeger regiments at the rate of 12 per company and in the cavalry units, except for the hussars, at the rate of 16 per squadron.
6-inch long (left) and 24-pounder (right) French howitzers
In general, the small arms of the Russian army in 1812 can be assessed as somewhat worse than the French, but at the level of the general armament of the “Great Army”, taking into account the armament of the troops of the allied and subject states.
The characteristics of the main guns in service with the Russian army were as follows.
Model 1805 infantry rifle. Its weight (without bayonet) is 5.16 kg, length 145.8 cm (with bayonet 183 cm). Caliber – 19 mm, bullet weight – 30 g, gunpowder weight – 10.7 g. Maximum firing range 250–300 steps, effective aimed shooting range (probability of hitting a standard target more than 1/2) – 75 steps.
Infantry rifle model 1808. Its weight (without bayonet) is 4.47 kg, length 145.8 cm (with bayonet 183 cm). Caliber - 17.8 mm, bullet weight - 23.8 g, gunpowder weight - 9.9 g. Maximum firing range is 300 steps, effective aimed shooting range (probability of hitting a standard target is more than 1/2) - 100 steps.
Model 1808 infantry rifle
Dragoon rifle model 1809. Its weight (without bayonet) is 3.73 kg. Caliber - 17.8 mm, bullet weight - 23.8 g, gunpowder weight - 9.6 g. Maximum firing range is 200 steps, effective aimed shooting range (probability of hitting a standard target is more than 1/2) - 75 steps.
Dragoon rifle model 1809
Model 1805 rifle. Weight 4.26 kg. Caliber - 16.5 mm, bullet weight - 23.8 g. Maximum firing range is 1 thousand steps, effective aimed shooting range (the probability of hitting a standard target is more than 1/2) - 500 steps.
Cavalry fitting of the 1803 model. Weight 2.65 kg. Caliber – 16.5 mm, bullet weight – 23.8 g, gunpowder weight – 7 g. Maximum firing range is 900 steps, effective aimed shooting range (probability of hitting a standard target is more than 1/2) – 300 steps.
Cavalry fitting, model 1803
However, due to the lower rate of fire of small arms (compared to artillery) and the shorter range of smoothbore rifles (compared to buckshot), the role of small arms fire in relation to artillery was small, which smoothed out the effect of the difference in small arms.
Jaeger fitting
In the field of artillery, the picture was more favorable for the Russian army. Thanks to the reform, the most used calibers remained in service. These are respectively 12-pounder and 6-pounder guns and 1/2- and 1/4-pound unicorns. The remaining artillery systems were lightened and standardized across carriages. Maintenance of the guns has been simplified. Artillery companies received a mixed composition of guns and howitzers, selected according to the weight of the artillery system - and this allowed flexible use firepower and at the same time equal mobility of all guns in the artillery company. The mobility and weight of a volley of artillery companies were considered more important than range. Therefore, from the 12-pounder guns, medium and small-proportion guns were left; 12-pounder large-proportion guns, not suitable for rapid transportation and deployment, remained only for fortress and siege artillery. The same fate befell the 1-pound unicorn.
1/4 – pound unicorn in section
Sectional view of a 12-pounder small-proportion gun
In addition, much attention was paid to maximizing the rate of fire and ease of loading. For this reason, the gap between the core and the walls of the barrel bore was made larger than that of French guns. Also, for guns of small proportions, the barrel was made shorter. This simplified loading the cannon with a cap, which contained a projectile, wad and gunpowder. But at the same time, such measures reduced the accuracy and range of fire due to the worse obturation of the projectile core in the barrel bore.
Lighting shells
Unitary loading shots
Quite a specific weapon of the Russian army were unicorns. The field artillery of other countries included howitzers, which differed from cannons in having a much shorter and thin-walled barrel. They were intended to fire mainly grenades and bombs and had a lower muzzle velocity and a steeper trajectory. In the Russian army, instead of field howitzers, unicorns were used, which, in fact, occupied an intermediate position between a cannon and a howitzer.
The characteristics of the guns in service with the Russian army were as follows.
12-pounder medium proportion gun
12-pounder model 1805 gun
Gun weight - 800 kg (50 pounds), system weight - 1624 kg (101.5 pounds), caliber - 4.76 inches (121 mm), barrel length - 16.5 caliber, harness - 6 horses.
Firing range: cannonball - 2.8 km (1300 fathoms), grenade - 1.1 km (500 fathoms), buckshot - more than 300 meters (150 fathoms).
12-pounder gun of smaller proportion:
12-pounder small proportion gun
Gun weight - 480 kg (30 pounds), system weight - 1210 kg (75.6 pounds), caliber - 4.76 inches (121 mm), barrel length - 13 calibers, harness - 6 horses.
Firing range: cannonball - 2.6 km (1300 fathoms), grenade - 1.1 km (500 fathoms), buckshot - more than 300 meters (150 fathoms).
6-pounder gun
Model 1805 6-pounder gun
Gun weight - 355 kg (22.2 pounds), system weight - 980 kg (61 pounds), caliber - 3.76 inches (95 mm), barrel length - 17 calibers, harness - 6 horses for cavalry and 4 for foot artillery .
Firing range: cannonball - 2.2 km (1 thousand fathoms), grenade - about 900 m (400 fathoms), buckshot - more than 300 meters (150 fathoms).
1/2 pound unicorn
Gun weight - 680 kg (42.5 pounds), system weight - 1810 kg (113 pounds), caliber - 6.1 inches (155 mm), barrel length - 10.5 caliber, harness - 6 horses.
Firing range: cannonball - 2.2 km (1 thousand fathoms), grenade - 1.3 km (600 fathoms), buckshot - 550 meters (250 fathoms).
1/4 pound unicorn:
Gun weight - 345 kg (21.6 pounds), system weight - 950 kg (59.3 pounds), caliber - 4.84 inches (123 mm), barrel length - 10.5 caliber, harness - 4 horses (6 - equestrian).
Firing range: cannonball - 1.3 km (600 fathoms), grenade - about 900 m (400 fathoms).
If we take into account the number of guns in the army and their superiority in rate of fire over small arms (up to 9 rounds/min. versus 4 rounds/min. for smoothbore guns and 1–2 rounds/min. for rifled guns), then it becomes clear that exactly artillery pieces determined the firepower of the army.
Markevich quadrant
Sight (diopter) of the Markevich system
Kabanov's sight
1/4 – pound unicorn model 1805
Unicorn breech with wingguard and scope mount
As the main tactical code, Russian artillery used the “General Rules for Artillery in a Field Battle” developed by Count Kutaisov, approved by Emperor Alexander I and sent to the troops as instructions. Here is the content of these “Rules”.
"1. In a field battle, shots at 500 fathoms are doubtful, at 300 fathoms they are quite accurate, and at 200 and 100 fathoms they are fatal; for the last three distances our new buckshots can also be used. Consequently, when the enemy is still at first range, you should shoot at him rarely, in order to have time to aim your gun more accurately and make it difficult for him to move with your shots; at the second distance, shoot more often in order to stop or at least prolong his approach, and finally strike with all possible speed in order to knock him over and destroy him.
2. From the beginning of the battle, hide the number of your artillery, but increase it as the case continues, so that your point of attack will be hidden from the enemy, and if he were attacking, he would meet artillery where he might not have expected it.
3. When the real intention of the enemy has not yet been noticed, the batteries should consist of a small number of guns and be scattered in different places. In this situation, you are a small target, and you yourself have more means of harming him with indirect and cross shots and complicating his enterprises.
4. Batteries of a large number of guns should be placed in such cases when it is necessary to make a breach in the enemy’s line or to stop his strong desire to reach some point, or when it is necessary to knock him out of some position.
5. Avoid placing batteries on very elevated, steep places; on the contrary, batteries of unicorns can be placed with great benefit behind small elevations, which would only cover them, for almost all of their shots, except grapeshot, are mounted.
Fully machined, copper plated and blackened cast guns made Dmitry Shevelev, gold champion of the world and Russia in ship modeling. The author has his own outstanding style, his works are distinguished by historical authenticity, artistic taste and the effect of antiquity.
To cast the guns, a dental alloy with a melting point of 105 degrees is used, then the casting is mechanically processed to lathe, the channel is drilled, brushed, copper-plated and only then blackened. The process is not easy, but the result is amazing. There’s no need to even stutter about historical authenticity; a mosquito won’t hurt your nose. The master model of this gun was made according to drawings from the monograph Le Cygne by the French publishing house Ancre.
Technical characteristics of the gun:
- length 59 mm; - scale 1:48;
- caliber 8 pounds;
- channel diameter 2.2 mm;
- France, 1806;
- initial development for the Le Cygne brig model. Requires 2 pieces.
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Pounder
Pounder
Pounder
Cannon - depending on the difficulty level 8-pounder, 12-pounder and 16-pounder - Boss living in the Thicket.
Bandit Cannon - Ancestor's memories
| “ |
Simple folk are by their nature loquacious, and the denizens of the hamlet were no exception. It was not long before rumors of my morbid genius and secretive excavations began to fill local legend. In the face of my increasingly egregious flaunting of public taboos, awe turned to ire, and demonstrations were held in the town square. The whisper wilds of heresy roused the rabble to violent action. Such was the general air of rebellion that even my generous offer of gold to the local constabulary was rebuffed. To reassert my rule, I sought out unscrupulous men skilled in the application of force. Tight-lipped and terrifying, these mercenaries brought with them a war machine of terrible implication. Eager to end the tiresome domestic distraction, I instructed my newly formed militia of hardened bandits, brigands and killers to go ahead and do their work. Compliance and order were restored, and the noisesome population of the Hamlet was culled to more managable numbers. |
„ |
Story
When rumors of the Ancestor's experiments reached the ears of the local residents, they became furious. In order to contain them, the Ancestor hired a gang of robbers who brought with them huge cannon incredible strength. Now that the Ancestor has died, the robbers continue to use it, terrorizing the village.
Behavior
Bandit Gun appears in the second position, with three bandits in the other three positions. The most dangerous of them is the Rogue Pyro, who makes the Cannon fire. If the Pyro is able to act on its turn, the Cannon will use one of its two attacks. The first one, BOOOOOM! (“BOOOOOOOM!”) is a long-range attack that hits the entire squad with huge damage and also causes a lot of stress. The second attack is a misfire! ("MISFIRE!") does no damage and gives the party stress treatment. The Cannon itself cannot use any of its attacks except the Reinforcement skill! (“Reinforcements!”), which summons another rogue. The cannon will use this skill at the start of each turn until all positions are filled. If you killed the Arsonist Rogue, the Cannon will first summon him, and therefore all other types of robbers. The chance of Cannon using his devastating attack increases depending on the dungeon's level.
Skills
| Apprentice Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skill name | Attack type | From the position | Strikes to position | Chance to hit | Crit chance | Damage | Effect | Effect on yourself |
| Reinforcement* | Ranged | 1, 2, 3, 4. | 1, 2, 3, 4. (allies) | 0% | 0% | 0 | Summon Brigands** | No effect |
| BOOOOOOOM!*** | Ranged | 1, 2, 3, 4. | 1+2+3+4. | 83% | 0% | 9-27 | Stress +15 | No effect |
| MISFIRE!*** | Ranged | 1, 2, 3, 4. | 1+2+3+4. | 0% | 0% | 0 | Stress -10 | No effect |
| Veteran Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skill name | Attack type | From the position | Strikes to position | Chance to hit | Crit chance | Damage | Effect | Effect on yourself |
| Reinforcement* | Ranged | 1, 2, 3, 4. | 1, 2, 3, 4. (allies) | 0% | 0% | 0 | Summon Brigands** | No effect |
| BOOOOOOOM!*** | Ranged | 1, 2, 3, 4. | 1+2+3+4. | 89% | 0% | 12-35 | Stress +15 | No effect |
| MISFIRE!*** | Ranged | 1, 2, 3, 4. | 1+2+3+4. | 0% | 0% | 0 | Stress -10 | No effect |
| Champion Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skill name | Attack type | From the position | Strikes to position | Chance to hit | Crit chance | Damage | Effect | Effect on yourself |
| Reinforcement* | Ranged | 1, 2, 3, 4. | 1, 2, 3, 4. (allies) | 0% | 0% | 0 | Summon Brigands** | No effect |
| BOOOOOOOM!*** | Ranged | 1, 2, 3, 4. | 1+2+3+4. | 103% | 0% | 18-54 | Stress +15 | No effect |
| MISFIRE!*** | Ranged | 1, 2, 3, 4. | 1+2+3+4. | 0% | 0% | 0 | Stress -10 | No effect |
* Bandit Cannon will always use Reinforcements! (Reinforcement) at the beginning of each of your turns, until all positions are occupied by robbers.
** Reinforcements! Reinforcement can only summon Brigand Matchman, Brigand Cutthroat, Brigand Fusilier and Brigand Bloodletter. If the Firebug Rogue is not on the battlefield, he will always be summoned first.
** There can only be 1 robber of each type on the battlefield. This means that the Cannon cannot summon two Arsonists or Thugs.
*** Bandit Cannon will use BOOOOOOOM! and MISFIRE! only after the Pyro skill “The fuse is burning!” (Fire In The Hole) regardless of the effects on it.
*** BOOOOOOOM! and MISFIRE! are mutually exclusive. Only one of these skills can be used after Brigand Matchman uses Fuse Burns! (Fire In The Hole).
NOTE: As the dungeon's difficulty increases, the chance of using BOOOOOOOM! increases significantly, and the probability of MISFIRE! decreases. An approximate table of relationships as difficulty levels increase:
| Apprentice | Veteran | Champion | |
| BOOOOOOOM! | 65% | 70% | 75% |
| MISFIRE! | 35% | 30% | 25% |
Strategy
First and most importantly, kill the Arsonist first! Do not allow him to live until the end of the turn, as his actions have disastrous consequences for the entire squad. It is recommended to take with you heroes that can attack in all positions, as the Pyro can be moved or summoned again to the third or fourth position, where it will be inaccessible to melee attacks. Luckily, the Pyro has very low speed and low health, making him an easy target to kill. Bleeding and Poison can kill the Pyro before he even lights the fuse, and stuns will cause him to miss his turn.
As for the Cannon itself, it has a LOT of defense points and is practically immune to all possible effects. In this battle, it is recommended to take heroes with AOE attacks with you so that you can deal with robbers and Cannon at the same time.
One strategy is to kill all the robbers, after which you can attack the Cannon without support. This is a rather long, but safe battle, since the Cannon will be busy summoning more and more robbers. However, any hero with Stun can reduce incoming damage, leaving the rogue stunned instead of having a new one summoned. Hit the rogue with one attack per turn, then stun him and finish him off when he is under the stun resistance increase buff. This will reduce incoming damage to the squad, without leading to constant calls for new robbers, and will allow you to finish off the Cannon more quickly, freeing up additional attacks for this. The Thug is the most obvious target for this strategy, as he spawns in the first position and his attacks deal more concentrated damage than the Marksman's, making it difficult to control incoming damage with healing.
Another strategy is to ignore the two rogues and focus on the Pyro and Cannon. This is a more dangerous and risky strategy, but it will help reduce the number of Reinforcements. High Damage and Evasion stats are recommended for this strategy.
Actually high level Combat with the Cannon can cause a lot of problems, since the Firestarter's health and evasion increases significantly, the Cannon's health doubles, and it begins to summon the Brigand Bloodletter robber. Due to the increased health and damage of robbers, conventional strategies become less effective. For the last level of difficulty, it is recommended to assemble a squad without a healer in order to quickly destroy the robbers and beat the Cannon in those turns when it only summoned the Arsonist. A good option there will be a squad structure built on interaction with the Mark - Savage-Mercenary-Crossbowman-Tamer. However, it is risky to send such a squad into the Thicket without a healer due to the Unclean Giant monster found there.
- When entering the boss room, you can surprise two robbers, but not the Cannon or the Pyro.
Shotgun AN-IX
French 6-pounder gun and 6-inch howitzers
However, even such a magnificent gun had drawbacks, such as insufficient reliability and a tendency to corrosion of some components. But the main thing was some difference in caliber of the guns produced and the need for individual fitting of parts. This created certain difficulties in creating and arming a mass army. Therefore, in 1801 the French adopted the AN-IX gun, which became the main one by the time of the invasion of Russia. This gun was almost identical to the gun of the 1777 model and differed from the old one by greater unification of parts and the replacement of corroded, but not load-bearing, iron parts with copper ones. In addition, it was possible to slightly reduce the weight of the gun.
Perhaps the excellent capabilities of the 1777 model gun had an effect, but less attention was paid to rifled weapons in France. The main type of rifled weapon was the "Carbine de Versailles" model 1793 in infantry and cavalry versions. It was only in 1804 that a slightly improved AN-XII carbine was developed, which differed only slightly from the Carbine de Versailles. The saturation of the French army with rifled weapons was somewhat lower than the Russian one. Non-commissioned officers, sergeants and sappers from light infantry and 6 riflemen in a voltigeur company were mainly armed with rifled carbines.
The characteristics of the main guns in service with the French army were as follows.
Shotgun AN-IX. Its weight (without bayonet) is 4.375 kg, length 151.5 cm (bayonet length 46.5 cm). Caliber – 17.5 mm, bullet weight – 27.2 g, gunpowder weight – 12.24 g. Maximum firing range is 300–400 steps, effective aimed shooting range (probability of hitting a standard target is more than 1/2) – more than 100 steps.
Rifled carbine "Carbine de Versailles": Its weight (without bayonet) is 3.45 kg, length is 102.5 cm. Caliber is 13.5 mm, bullet weight is 17.5 g, gunpowder weight is 4 g. Maximum range is approximately 1 thousand steps, effective aimed shooting range (probability of hitting a standard target is more than 1/2) - more than 500 steps.
In the field of artillery, the French army held a leading position for a long time, which was not lost in the quarter century that passed after Gribeauval's reform. But Napoleon, himself an excellent artilleryman, noted the presence of excessive calibers in the Gribeauval system. For example, Napoleon pointed out that in most cases, when firing, commanders do not make a difference between 8-pounder and 4-pounder guns. At the same time, the 8-pounders are too heavy, and the 4-pounders have weak ammunition. As a result, it was decided to settle on a 6-pound gun, which should replace both calibers.
It was also decided to switch to a new howitzer with a longer barrel length and a smaller caliber. This made it possible to increase the flatness of the trajectory and more effectively use these weapons in maneuverable field combat. In addition, this made it possible to unify the ammunition with the 24-pound siege gun.
Finally, Colonel Villentroy created heavy long-range howitzers with an increased powder charge and barrel length. These howitzers had calibers of 8, 9 and 11 inches. At the same time, the most powerful 11-inch howitzer could fire at a distance of up to 5.8 versts. The 8-inch howitzer was also used in field battles. In addition to changes in the calibers used and barrel lengths, the guns of the new models were lightweight and simplified in design.
The reform was supposed to bring French artillery to a new qualitative level. In fact, it was not carried out as decisively and effectively as in Russia. The reason was the slight superiority of French artillery over the artillery of most opponents, which already existed at the time the reform began. The “patchwork” nature of Napoleon’s empire and the lack of clear management of military production also had a negative impact. Many factories of Napoleon's empire, especially in conquered territories such as the Confederation of the Rhine, produced according to old models and in the old caliber system. So, in the end, the reform not only did not reduce, as required, the number of calibers in the army, but, on the contrary, increased it. Of the new guns, only the 6-pounder gun and the 24-pounder howitzer were fired in significant quantities. Into the war" Grand Army"entered with more than two dozen artillery systems.
The characteristics of the main guns in service with the French army were as follows.
12-pounder gun of the Gribeauval system:
Gun weight - 860 kg (54 pounds), system weight - 2160 kg (135 pounds), caliber - 4.76 inches (121 mm), barrel length - 16.5 calibers.
Firing range: cannonball – 2.7–3 km, grenade – about 1.2 km, buckshot – up to 600 meters.
8-pounder Gribeauval gun
Gun weight - 580 kg (36 pounds), system weight - 1760 kg (110 pounds), caliber - 4.1 inches (104 mm), barrel length - 16.5 calibers.
Firing range: cannonball – 2.7 km, grenade – about 1 km, buckshot – up to 500 meters.
4-pounder Gribeauval gun
Gun weight - 280 kg (18 pounds), system weight - 1120 kg (70 pounds), caliber - 4.76 inches (121 mm), barrel length - 16.5 calibers.
Firing range: cannonball – 2.6 km, grenade – about 1.1 km, buckshot – up to 400 meters.
6-pounder gun new system
Gun weight - 400 kg (25 pounds), system weight - 1440 kg (90 pounds), caliber - 3.9 inches (96 mm), barrel length - 16.5 calibers.
Firing range: cannonball – 2.3 km, grenade – about 1 km, buckshot – up to 400 meters.
6-inch extended howitzer
Gun weight - 320 kg (20 pounds), caliber - 6 inches (164 mm), barrel length - 4 1/3 calibers.
Firing range: cannonball – 3 km, grenade – about 3 km, buckshot – up to 400 meters.
24-pound howitzer of the new system
Gun weight – 320 kg (20 pounds), caliber – 6 inches (155 mm), barrel length – 5 calibers.
Firing range: cannonball – 3 km, grenade – about 3 km, buckshot – up to 500 meters.
Although in general French artillery looked inferior to Russian due to the wide variety of calibers and the large number of low-power regimental guns, it had an advantage when fighting fortifications and manpower at long distances due to the presence of large-caliber howitzers and with a steep trajectory that made it possible to hit the enemy behind fortifications .
When comparing the characteristics of Russian and French weapons, several need to be taken into account general points related to its use.
During the Napoleonic Wars, volley rifle and artillery fire dominated. Only rangers and voltigeurs in loose formation could fire differently. This was caused, among other things, by the black powder used. When there was a discrepancy in the salvo, the latecomers fired into the smoky cloud, which after each salvo clouded the battle formations.
The maximum rate of fire largely depended not on the characteristics of the weapon, but on the training of the soldiers. A well-trained soldier, as practical shooting has shown even today, could easily ensure a rate of fire of 3-4 rounds per minute from a smoothbore gun using a cartridge. This pace could not be maintained for long, but it allowed for 10–12 salvoes to be fired at a battalion column attacking at a fast pace, 7–9 at a running attack, and 2–3 at a cavalry attack at a gallop. Given the low accuracy of fire even against close battle formations, rifle fire alone was usually not able to stop the attack of battalion columns or cuirassiers.
Field artillery had a longer firing range than smooth-bore shotguns. At the same time, the field gun had a maximum rate of fire thanks to cap loading of 7–9 rounds per minute. At the same time, the accuracy of artillery fire at equal distances was also higher. Here, too, the high tempo could not be maintained for long, but it made it possible to fire 25–35 volleys of grapeshot at a battalion column attacking at a fast pace, 15–20 against an attacking run and 7–10 against a cavalry attacking at a gallop. This rate of fire was a powerful stopping force against both infantry and cavalry, provided there were a sufficient number of guns along the length of the attacked front. Such superiority of artillery usually made it possible to win a firefight with infantry even at short distances. The power of artillery on the battlefield in relation to other types of troops was, perhaps, greatest precisely at the beginning of the 19th century.
The result of the work of the commission chaired by Inspector General of Artillery d’Aboville was a new proposal proposed on May 2, 1803 artillery system, called "System XI of the Year". (According to the Revolutionary calendar in force at that time in France, the 12th floreal of the XI year of the republic corresponded to May 2, 1803. The Revolutionary calendar was abolished by Napoleon on September 22, 1805).
The new nomenclature of French artillery was reduced to guns with a bore corresponding to the caliber of 6, 12 and 24 pounds. According to Marmont, the new main field artillery guns, the 6-pounder guns, were made with a caliber slightly larger than the corresponding 6-pounder guns of other European countries. This allowed the French to use captured ammunition. At the same time, the French charges could not be used by the enemy. The 11th year system involved some lightening and simplification of the guns while optimizing their firepower, as well as the introduction of improved transport equipment.
The new system of the 11th year had both supporters and opponents in the artillery environment of France. The main argument of the opponents was: significant material costs to replace the existing Gribeauval system, which was still considered quite perfect. There were 2,700 4- and 8-pound Gribeauval guns in service and about 3 million cannonballs cast for them. To replace the old guns and approve the new system of the 11th year, it was necessary to carry out the necessary practical tests and several years of peaceful life, but the continuous wars waged by France from 1803 until the end of the Empire did not allow the reform that had begun to be fully completed. As a result, the French army had to use old and new artillery material simultaneously. Instead of a single caliber, Gribeauval's 4- and 8-pounder guns and limbers were supplemented by 6-pounder guns and a whole range of new carts and limbers. In order to somehow solve the problem, almost all the guns of the Gribeauval system were sent for combat operations in Spain, and mainly new guns of the XI year system were sent to the German and Russian theater of operations - 6-pound guns (as well as 12-pound guns and 24-f howitzers).
The French 6-pounder gun was recognized as the main and most successful weapon of the new system of the 11th year. She was casting enough large quantities from 1803 to 1808. The bronze gun barrel weighing 380 kg had a caliber of 96 mm and was devoid of decorative reinforcing friezes and belts. The monogram “N” was engraved on the breech of the barrel, framed by oak and laurel branches under the imperial crown. On the muzzle there was a ribbon stamped given name guns. The place and date of manufacture were minted on the torel belt. The carriage of the XI model, compared to the Gribeauval carriages, had straighter frames with rounded curved ends of the trunk. The iron wheel axle was built into wooden beam. The vertical aiming screw mechanism, like most of the metal fittings and parts, was from the Gribeauval system. The wooden parts of the carriage were painted olive green, and the metal parts were painted black. The new charging box was not inserted between the carriage frames, but was installed on the front end.
The gun's rate of fire was 2-4 rounds per minute. Maximum range – 1500 m. Effective fire distance when firing a cannonball – 800 m; long-range buckshot – 500 m; close-range grapeshot - 300 m. Number of servants - 9-11 people. The foot artillery company had 6 cannons (and 2 howitzers), transported by teams of 4 horses. The horse artillery company had 4 cannons (and 2 howitzers), transported by teams of 6 horses.
In 1812, upon entering Russia, the French artillery, among other guns, had approximately 260 6-f cannons. In the Battle of Borodino, Napoleon's artillery numbered only about 590 guns. Almost half (275) were 6-pounder guns, of which probably 180 were directly French 6-pounder guns of the Year XI system. In 1817, among the 874 captured guns from various European countries brought to Moscow, there were 195 French 6-pounder guns.
