Sunday, 18 January 2026

from RayR - Retreat from Moscow - 72e Régiment d’Infanterie de Ligne 40pts

 


I'm quite enjoying trying to paint up 4 projects at once.....he says!!


Its back to last years first love, my and Lee's Retreat from Moscow project with this post, my 5th of Challenge 16.


The 72nd French line was part of Mashal Ney's Third Army Corps, They were in the 10th Division under Ledru, they joined their fellow Frenchmen of the 129th Line in Bruney's Brigade


Prior to the Retreat, the 72nd fought at the Battle of Borodino on the 7th September 1812, where it suffered severe losses but survived as an organized unit.


The regiment was involved in rearguard and defensive actions, helping to shield the retreating columns from Russian regular forces, Cossacks, and partisans as the army struggled toward Smolensk and beyond.


Their recorded battle honours show that they were present during the critical engagements of the retreat, notably Krasnoe in mid-November and the crossing of the Berezina River at the end of November 1812. (Hence the pics on a bridge.) At Krasnoe, French infantry units were repeatedly attacked by Russian forces under Kutuzov, suffering heavy losses and disorganization. At the Berezina, the shattered remnants of the Grande Armée fought desperately to cross the river under intense pressure.


The figures are from Perry Miniatures and I chose a drab earth brown coat this time, quite different from the last regts grey-blue coats.


Points wise, there are 8 figures@5 points each giving me a total of 40pts!

From DaveD. Four projects at once you say - excellent , that great commitment and we all know you are as mad a bid of frogs anyway . Ah yes Frogs , these are most excellent . They exude the chill of winter . How long before you get to a game ?  40pts it is 

38 comments:

  1. Very nice work Ray! They look suitable cold and miserable

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  2. These look lovely Ray! Between you and Lee I think I'm going to get frostbite!

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  3. Excellent work! They fit right into the scenery.

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  4. Excellent work on the infantry, and BZ to the French engineers for such a wide bridge.

    Winter-themed troops and terrain are harder than bog-standard summer chaps, but the visual payoff is worth it. Looking forward to seeing your forces try getting out of Russia!

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    1. Indeed the bridge is a tad wide? It was supposed to be 4 inches at the most. It ended up neraly 6 inches!

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  5. They look dang cold and very good too! Yes a game with these guys would be an idea.

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  6. Smashing work, Ray! Love the bridge and river too (though you 'need' to do a frozen river for your Retreat collection). :)

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    1. Planning on icing the river up.....one day. And another one day for a game.....

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  7. Very fridged looking Ray. Not sure how anybody fighs below zero, I can barely shovel my driveway Looks great.

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  8. Your wintery French are always a treat.

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  9. Great work Ray. What an awesome project.

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  10. I really like those Ray, they look really crisp and the they're setting on the bridge really adds to the atmosphere

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    1. Thanks Kerry. I should have used the bridge before, it does set the scene.

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  11. Nicely done Ray! Hopefully scheduling doesn't get crossed and they find themselves facing Lee's Soviets by mistake!

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  12. Fabulous Ray, really like them

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  13. Beautiful French troops, Ray. Your project is inspiring, I must fight the urge to browse the Perry webstore.

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  14. Just looking at these fellas makes me feel cold, nice work!

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  15. Great job on these. It's not helping me pretend it's not winter though ..bbrrr... gotta feel a little sorry for these guys.

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  16. Nice work Ray, long may your "Just a little 1812 project" continue to grow.

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