How many sections (equivalent to platoon) would have been in a company of Napoleon's Grand Armee? description: Ive researched extensively but found no clue, can anyone give the number or at least a n an estimate no matter how general, i.e. between 3 and 5, the main reason I'm asking this is to indirectly figure out the number of section-leading officers (lieutenants and sub lieutenants) in one company, thanks
In the French army of the time, an infantry company and platoon were effectively identical, and would consist of two sections.
Arranged in battle formation, the lieutenant would stand behind the second (left) section and the sub-lieutenant behind the first (right) section. The captain commanding the company/platoon stood at its right flank.
All of this was spelled out in the 1791 règlement, which remained in force throughout the period.
Unfortunately, I don't have English sources available, but here are the relevant passages in translation:
Chaque compagnie, soit de grenadiers ou de fusiliers, formera un peloton...
"Each company, be it of grenadiers or of fusiliers, will form a platoon..."
Chaque peloton sera partagé en deux parties égales, qui seront désignées par le nom de section; celle de droite sera appelée première section, celle de gauche seconde section. (p.3)
"Each platoon will be split into two equal parts, which will be designated by the name of section; that of the right will be called the first section, that of the left the second section."
Le capitaine à la droite de sa compagnie ou peloton, au premier rang.
Le lieutenant en serre-file, à deux pas derrière le centre de la seconde section.
Le sous-lieutenant en serre-file à deux pas derrière le centre de la première section. (p.4)
"The captain at the right of his company or platoon, in the first rank."
"The lieutenant file-closer two paces behind the center of the second section."
"The sub-lieutenant file-closer two paces behind the center of the first section."