Hat 8037 Napoleonic Austrian Artillery

When the wars with revolutionary France broke out (1792-1799), the Austrian army was perceived as one of the largest and strongest in Europe. It is true that she suffered a number of defeats during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), but during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) she was able to keep the field of the great Prussian army, and even (though rarely) deal defeats - as in the Battle of Kolin in 1757. The Austrian army also performed well during the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-1779). However, despite the reforms carried out during the reign of Maria Theresa (1740-1780) and Joseph II (1780-1790), the Austrian army turned out to be inferior in the field to the troops of revolutionary and Napoleonic France, which was clearly demonstrated by the Italian campaign of 1796-1797 and such battles as Austerlitz (1805) or Wagram (1809). Considering the above, it is not surprising that during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815) the Austrian army underwent reforms (similarly to the Prussian army after 1806), and these changes also applied to the Austrian artillery. First of all, it should be emphasized that the Austrian field artillery underwent considerable changes already in the middle of the 18th century due to the reforms of Józef Wenzel, Fr. Liechtenstein. His reforms aimed at reducing the weight of the Austrian guns and increasing their mobility on the battlefield. In 1809, the Austrian field artillery was organized into 4 regiments. Each of them numbered approximately 2,800 people and is divided into 16 companies. There was also a single Artillerie-Handlangers battalion of approximately 1,180 men, intended - simplifying - various types of simple physical work related to artillery service. The Austrian artillery park consisted mainly of 3-, 6-, and 12-pounder guns and howitzers. Austrian artillery during the Napoleonic Wars (and especially since 1809) was considered good, and on some levels - very good. Its soldiers were well trained and characterized by high professionalism, often also - very high morale.