In the summer of 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte stood at the pinnacle of his power, dissolving the thousand-year-old Holy Roman Empire with the stroke of a pen and forging something entirely new in its place: the Confederation of the Rhine. What emerged was far more than a political alliance—it was a military powerhouse that would transform German states from Habsburg vassals into French allies, their colorful uniforms soon gracing battlefields from Austria to the frozen steppes of Russia.
For the tabletop wargamer, the Confederation represents one of the most visually striking and tactically fascinating forces of the Napoleonic Wars. These weren't reluctant conscripts, Bavarian, Saxon, and Württemberg soldiers fought with remarkable skill and determination, following Napoleon's eagles through triumph and tragedy alike. Their story encompasses the full dramatic arc of the era: from glorious victories at Jena and Wagram to the grueling retreat from Moscow, culminating in the complex loyalties tested at Leipzig where some would dramatically switch sides.
The question isn't just how these diverse German states were welded into Napoleon's war machine—it's how their unique tactical roles and stunning uniforms can bring that epic history to life on your gaming table.
Napoleon's German Gambit
Napoleon's strategic vision for Germany was breathtakingly ambitious in scope. Rather than simply annexing German territories to France, a move that would have created endless administrative headaches and potential resistance, the Emperor conceived a more elegant solution. He would maintain the fiction of German independence while binding these states to France through military alliance, economic cooperation, and dynastic ties. This approach promised to deliver the benefits of expansion without the costs of direct occupation.
The catalyst for formal action came in the spring of 1806, when Napoleon decided to dissolve the Holy Roman Empire entirely and replace it with a new confederation under French protection. The timing was crucial: Austria remained weakened from Austerlitz, Prussia had not yet committed to war, and Russia was still licking its wounds. It was a window of opportunity that would not remain open indefinitely.
Birth of the Confederation
On July 12, 1806, representatives of sixteen German states gathered in Paris to sign the founding treaty of the Rheinbund, the Confederation of the Rhine. The original members included the kingdoms of Bavaria and Württemberg, the Grand Duchies of Baden, Berg, Hesse-Darmstadt, and Würzburg, along with ten smaller principalities. Notably absent were Prussia, Austria, Holstein, and the Hanseatic cities, whose allegiances lay elsewhere or whose strategic value Napoleon calculated differently.
The political structure was deliberately streamlined. Unlike the Byzantine complexities of the Holy Roman Empire, with its competing authorities and archaic procedures, the Confederation operated under clear French guidance. Napoleon assumed the title of "Protector," a role that granted him ultimate authority over foreign policy and military affairs while allowing member states to maintain internal autonomy. This arrangement proved attractive to German rulers who gained enhanced status and protection in exchange for military cooperation.
Each member state committed to providing troops in proportion to its population, a total obligation of 63,000 men that would grow substantially as the Confederation expanded. Bavaria, the largest member, was required to furnish 30,000 troops, while smaller states like Nassau contributed more modest contingents. These forces would serve not as auxiliaries, but as integral components of Napoleon's multinational army.
Expansion and geographic reach
The Confederation's geographic footprint expanded dramatically over subsequent years. The dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, formalized when Emperor Francis II renounced his title, opened the floodgates for further recruitment. Saxony joined after Prussia's defeat at Jena, bringing 20,000 additional troops and elevating the Elector to royal status. The creation of the Kingdom of Westphalia in 1807, carved from Prussian territories and placed under Napoleon's brother Jérôme, added another significant military contingent.
By 1808, the Confederation encompassed much of central and western Germany, stretching from the Rhine to the borders of Austria and Prussia. The Grand Duchy of Warsaw, while technically separate, operated in close coordination with Confederation forces. At its peak, thirty-six states belonged to this French-sponsored alliance, controlling territories that housed nearly fifteen million inhabitants.
Timeline of transformation
The Confederation's evolution followed Napoleon's broader European strategy. The initial formation in 1806 coincided with the campaign against Prussia. Expansion in 1807-1808 reflected French victories and the need for additional manpower. The period from 1809-1811 marked the Confederation's military zenith, with German troops playing crucial roles in the Austrian campaign and the early stages of the Russian expedition.
The beginning of the end came in 1813, as military disasters in Russia weakened French prestige and emboldened resistance. The defection of Bavaria in October 1813, followed by other members switching sides before and during the Battle of Leipzig, marked the Confederation's practical dissolution. By 1814, Napoleon's German experiment had run its course, leaving behind a transformed political landscape that would influence German unification efforts throughout the nineteenth century.
Command decisions: Gaming Napoleon's German war machine
The included Peninsular War rules, expertly crafted by veteran game designer Andy Callan, provide the perfect foundation for commanding your Confederation of the Rhine forces in authentic Napoleonic battles.
The Peninsular War rules brilliantly address both newcomers and experienced players through a two-tier system. The basic rules provide everything needed for engaging tactical combat, featuring five distinct phases per turn: Shoot, Move, Fight, Discipline, and Victory. This structure mirrors the actual flow of Napoleonic battlefield command, where generals coordinated artillery bombardments, maneuvered formations, resolved combat, and maintained troop morale under fire.
What makes these rules particularly suitable for Confederation forces is their emphasis on combined-arms warfare. The Confederation of the Rhine Pack's diverse troop types, from Westphalian flank companies to Nassau grenadiers, from Baden line infantry to confederation artillery, each possess distinct tactical roles that the rules capture authentically. Artillery provides long-range fire support, line infantry forms the backbone of defensive positions, while elite units like grenadiers excel in assault roles.
The advanced rules layer introduces the complexity that defined Napoleonic warfare: terrain effects, troop quality differences, command and control challenges, and specialized tactics. This progression allows players to begin with straightforward battles and gradually incorporate the nuanced elements that made this period so tactically rich.
Universal measurement system
A particularly clever design element is the rules' use of "base widths" (BW) for all measurements, making them equally effective for both 18mm and 28mm scales. Whether you're fielding the compact 18mm Confederation of the Rhine Pack for large-scale battles or the imposing 28mm figures for intimate skirmishes, the tactical relationships remain historically accurate. A musket's range of 8BW creates the same tactical decisions regardless of scale, while artillery's 16BW reach dominates the battlefield appropriately.
From Spain to Germany: Tactical adaptability
While the Starter Pack Peninsular War focuses on Anglo-French conflicts in Spain, the rules seamlessly accommodate Confederation forces fighting across Europe. The army organization principles established in the Peninsular pack, with its balanced mix of line infantry, light troops, cavalry, and artillery, directly translate to Confederation armies. A Bavarian infantry regiment operates under the same tactical principles as a British battalion, while Nassau grenadiers employ assault tactics similar to French elite units.
The rules' treatment of different troop qualities proves particularly relevant for Confederation forces. Veteran units like the Saxon Guard or elite Württemberg grenadiers can be rated as "1st Class" troops with enhanced combat capabilities and improved morale, while newer formations might begin as "2nd Class" troops that gain experience through battlefield success.
Combined arms excellence
The Confederation of the Rhine Pack's artillery components integrate seamlessly with the rules' emphasis on combined-arms tactics. Artillery can provide devastating long-range support, but requires infantry protection against enemy cavalry charges. The rules capture the historical reality where unsupported guns were vulnerable, while properly integrated batteries could dominate battlefields.
Similarly, the pack's cavalry elements, from line dragoons to elite heavy cavalry, operate within a tactical framework that emphasizes proper timing and coordination. Cavalry charges against prepared infantry require careful setup and favorable circumstances, just as historical commanders discovered at battles like Eylau and Wagram.
Scenario flexibility
The modular nature of both the rules and miniature collections encourages creative scenario design. Players can recreate specific historical engagements like the Battle of Jena, where Confederation forces first proved their worth, or design hypothetical encounters testing different tactical approaches. The rules' victory conditions, based on army morale and casualties, create natural game narratives that reflect historical battlefield dynamics.
Thunder across Europe: From Jena's triumph to Leipzig's betrayal
The true test of any historical miniature gaming system lies not in its theoretical accuracy, but in its ability to recreate the dramatic moments that shaped history. The Confederation of the Rhine's military journey, from triumph to tragedy, from loyalty to betrayal, encompasses some of the most compelling scenarios in Napoleonic warfare. WoFun's rules system and meticulously researched miniature collection transform these pivotal engagements from academic study into tactile gaming experiences where players face the same tactical challenges that confronted historical commanders.
Each battle presents unique opportunities to explore different aspects of the rules while honoring the historical experiences of Bavarian, Saxon, Baden, Nassau, and other Confederation forces. Whether recreating the fog of war that characterized early Confederation battles or the complex loyalties tested during the campaign's final act, these scenarios demonstrate how thoughtful game design can illuminate historical truth through engaging gameplay.
Jena-Auerstedt, October 14, 1806: The Confederation's Baptism of Fire
The twin battles of Jena and Auerstedt marked the Confederation of the Rhine's battlefield debut, where Bavarian and Württemberg troops first proved their worth alongside the Grande Armée. Using WoFun's game system, this engagement perfectly demonstrates the rules' ability to capture the fog of war that characterized Napoleonic battles.
For tabletop recreation, deploy Bavarian infantry from your Confederation pack as 2nd Class troops, reliable but not yet battle-tested. The advanced rules' command and control mechanics become crucial here, as historically, communication breakdowns plagued both sides. Bavarian units must roll for orders compliance, representing the uncertainty of newly integrated forces operating under French command. The hilly terrain around Jena requires careful use of the advanced terrain rules, where steep slopes affect movement and cavalry charges lose their effectiveness when attacking uphill.
Victory conditions should reflect historical objectives: French and Confederation forces must break Prussian army morale (achieving 50% casualties in the Dead Pool) while preventing their own forces from panicking. The rules' pursuit mechanics capture the devastating cavalry charges that turned Prussian retreat into rout, with Bavarian and French cavalry rolling for pursuit distance after winning melees.
Wagram, July 5-6, 1809: Artillery Dominance
Wagram showcased both the Confederation's military maturation and Napoleon's evolution toward artillery-dominated tactics. This battle perfectly suits the rules' emphasis on combined-arms coordination, where proper integration of infantry, cavalry, and artillery determines victory.
Baden and Saxon forces should be rated as 1st Class troops by 1809, reflecting their battlefield experience. The flat Marchfeld terrain allows full use of cavalry tactics and artillery ranges, Saxon artillery can dominate with their 16BW range, while Bavarian infantry squares demonstrate the rules' formation mechanics when facing Austrian cavalry charges. The battle's two-day duration can be recreated through multiple linked scenarios, with casualties and unit effectiveness carrying forward between games.
Use the advanced rules' "Fire Control" tests to represent the disciplined volleys that characterized this engagement. Austrian attacks against prepared positions trigger these mechanisms, where infantry must pass tests to deliver controlled first volleys rather than ineffective scattered fire.
The Russian Campaign, 1812: Endurance and Attrition
Rather than recreating massive engagements like Borodino, the Russian campaign's essence emerges through smaller actions that emphasize the rules' morale and attrition systems. Bavarian and Württemberg units begin scenarios as 1st Class troops but face unique challenges as the campaign progresses.
Create linked scenarios representing the advance to Moscow, where units accumulate hits that carry forward between battles. The rules' "Heavy Losses" mechanics become particularly relevant, once units drop below half strength, they become increasingly unreliable. This perfectly captures the historical degradation of Confederation forces during the grueling advance.
Winter retreat scenarios emphasize the Discipline phase, where units constantly test morale in deteriorating conditions. Modify panic test dice rolls with cumulative penalties representing cold, hunger, and demoralization. Victory becomes survival rather than territorial objectives, getting any units off the table edge toward safety constitutes success.
Leipzig, October 16-19, 1813: The Battle of the Nations
Leipzig represents the rules system's ultimate test, combining massive scale with complex political dynamics. The Confederation pack's diverse units tell the story of shifting loyalties through gameplay mechanics.
Begin with Saxon forces as 1st Class French allies, but introduce "switching sides" rules where Saxon units must take morale tests when French forces suffer casualties. Failed tests result in Saxon units changing allegiance mid-battle, remove them from French command and redeploy as Austrian allies. This mechanic captures the historical moment when Saxon troops famously changed sides during the fighting.
Bavarian forces face similar tests but with different triggers, reflecting their later defection. Use the advanced rules' army points system to balance the massive forces involved, while the 18mm scale allows recreation of the battle's epic scope on reasonably sized tables.
Smaller Engagements: Perfect for Tabletop Gaming
The rules shine in recreating smaller actions that defined the Confederation experience. Rearguard actions during the 1813 retreat from Leipzig work perfectly with the basic rules' structure, where Westphalian or Hesse-Darmstadt units must delay pursuing Austrian forces while protecting their withdrawal.
River crossing scenarios test combined-arms coordination as artillery covers infantry crossing bridges under enemy fire. The rules' range mechanics create realistic tactical situations where Nassau grenadiers must assault enemy positions before artillery can limber up and cross.
Foraging expeditions pit small Confederation detachments against Austrian irregulars or Russian Cossacks, emphasizing the skirmisher rules and irregular warfare mechanics. These intimate scenarios, perfect for the 28mm collection, highlight individual unit characteristics while maintaining historical authenticity.
The beauty of WoFun's system lies in its scalability, whether commanding corps-sized forces in 18mm recreation of Wagram or leading a battalion-level action with 28mm figures, the tactical relationships remain historically accurate while delivering engaging gameplay that honors both the complexity and humanity of Napoleonic warfare.