French Infantry during the Seven Years War 1756--1763, Volume 3 studies the elementary tactics of the French infantry during the Seven Years War - the disposition of the infantry in order of battle. It covers the organisation of all levels of an infantry regiment. Starting with the division, then the brigade, the platoon and the different types of companies found according to the different military situations. The hierarchical organisation of companies and regiments is explained. The organisation of a company is explained, with the position of soldiers, officers, non-commissioned officers, drummers and flag bearers in each company. The little-known subject of the transmission of orders on the battlefield during battles is also considered. The tactical dispositions adopted by the French infantry during the Seven Years War are described in detail, including the thin order, the deep order and the oblique order, as well as the different column formations. The different methods of fire of the infantry are fully detailed, as is the emergence of regimental artillery at the start of the war. Finally, the effectiveness of the French infantry and the technical and practical difficulties it faced are discussed. This particular aspect of the organisation of the French infantry on the battlefields of the Seven Years War has never been covered so comprehensively. AUTHOR: Jean-Louis Vial lives near Grenoble in France. Passionate about history, he became interested in eighteenth century history after reading Waddington's book on the Seven Years War. Noting the absence of exhaustive documentation on the French army during this war, he endeavoured to put together the pieces of this puzzle. He is also passionate about 3D modelling and printing historical models and figurines. He participates in the collaborative project on the Seven Years War initiated by Richard Couture: www.kronoskaf.com
