Between Inspections and Corps: The Russian Divisional Structure, 1806
- 1810
Conclusion
By Robert Goetz
The reorganization of the Russian divisions in 1806 constitutes an
important step in the organizational evolution of the Russian army.
From 1806 through 1810, the structure was adapted to meet the changing
needs of the army. This structure could be used as an operational framework
for the army during wartime, but the commander often adapted the structure
to meet operational necessities or possibly personal preferences. The
further the commander was from St. Petersburg, it would appear, the
more freely he exercised this discretion. With each successive adjustment
to the divisional structure, the concept of the division as an administrative
unit associated with a specific geographical region shifted, until by
1809 the division had become primarily an operational entity used both
for mobilization and as an operational command structure. Taken as
a whole, the series of changes in the organization of the Russian army
during this period brought the Russian army to the point where the implementation
of a French-inspired corps d’armée structure represented the
logical next step rather than a radical departure from traditional practice.
Because of this, the divisional structure of 1806-1810 formed an important
transitional stage for Russian army organization, enabling more rapid
adoption of the organizational changes implemented between October 1810
and the French invasion of June 1812.
The similarities of the Russian divisional structure of 1806-1810 with
the contemporary French Corps structure invite comparisons between the
two. Both were established as forces of all arms (infantry, cavalry
and artillery), were uniform in composition, and had a permanent structure.
While it is tempting to draw parallels between the Russian divisions
and the French corps based on the similarities of composition and usage,
there is no evidence to suggest that the Russians were significantly
influenced by organizational developments in the French army. To the
contrary, the Russian divisions of 1806 seem clearly to be a logical
revision of the long-established Russian inspections/divisions that
had originally been established under Catherine II in 1763. The 1806
reorganization addressed the immediate needs of speeding mobilization
and improving the operational organization of the army, particularly
in the west. The additional benefits of the reorganization seem to
have emerged as an unexpected result of the reforms.
The appointment of Barclay de Tolly as Minister of War and the deteriorating
relations with France that made a new campaign against Napoleon seem
imminent both helped to accelerate the organizational reforms of the
Russian army. From October 1810 to the eve of the French invasion of
Russia, an extensive series of reforms reshaped the structure of the
Russian army. These reforms, implemented in just over 18 months, substantially
restructured the Russian army and produced a more formidable enemy for
the French. The reorganization of 1806 and subsequent adjustments provided
the framework that made possible these rapid, extensive changes that
formed the Russian army of 1812 that would oppose the French invasion
of Russia.
Placed on the Napoleon Series: December 2002
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