By Lee B. Kennett (Original Publication: 1967)
The Bourbon War Machine: Anatomy of a Declining Power
Introduction: Lee Kennett’s The French Armies in the Seven Years War remains one of the few focused English-language studies of the military system of Louis XV. While much of our project focuses on the struggle for Silesia, the French involvement in Westphalia and their battles against Ferdinand of Brunswick were pivotal. Kennett provides a thorough institutional history, examining the recruitment, social composition, and the often chaotic administration of the French forces. He paints a picture of an army caught between its glorious past under Louis XIV and the desperate need for reform that would eventually lead to the Gribeauval system.
The 6mm Connection: For the Baccus 6mm wargamer, this book is essential for capturing the "visual flair" of the French on the tabletop. Kennett’s descriptions of the diverse foreign regiments—Irish, Swiss, and German—provide the historical grounding needed when painting 24-figure battalions in a sea of white, blue, and red coats. The text also sheds light on the French "Grand Tactical" failures; understanding their struggles with command and control helps me justify why my French Brigade Commanders often face stiffer friction in Black Powder games compared to their Prussian counterparts. It adds a layer of historical realism to the deployment of French columns versus the rigid Prussian lines.
Historical Insight: The most significant "lightbulb moment" is Kennett’s analysis of the French officer corps. He details the crippling friction caused by the sale of commissions and the presence of "courtier generals" who were more concerned with Versailles than the battlefield. This insight has directly influenced how I use the overall commander stand (the three-mounted-figure base); when playing the French, I often simulate this by requiring more cautious command checks, reflecting the difficulty a French marshal had in wrangling his socially superior subordinates.
Conclusion: The French Armies in the Seven Years War is a vital volume for rounding out the project beyond the Prussian-Austrian duopoly. It provides the necessary context for the "other" major front of the war and explains why, despite their numerical strength, the French so often faltered. It is a scholarly but readable guide that ensures our French contingent is represented with as much historical depth as the armies of Frederick or Maria Theresa.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Muskets.
What do you think?
Have you read this volume? Let me know in the comments if you’ve used this research to inform your painting or game strategy!
Related project hubs for this period:
[The Seven Years War 1756–1763 Project Hub] | [The French and Indian War 1754–1763 Project Hub]
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I bought and read this many, many years ago. From memory, a lot is quite dry focussing on supply etc.
ReplyDeleteStill probably the definitive source for the French in the Western theatre of thecSYW.
Neil
Spot on, Neil! It certainly gets a bit dry in the logistics and administration sections, but as you say, it still holds up as the definitive English source for the French in the West. Thanks for dropping by!
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