Dutch Flanquers are a type of light infantry in Napoleon: Total War.
Description[]
Light infantry are skirmishers who harass the enemy while screening the main body of an army.
These men are versatile soldiers: whether firing in a disciplined line or skirmishing in loose formation, they bring a good self-discipline and accuracy to the battle. They carry smoothbore, muzzle-loading muskets, but do not rely on massed fire. Instead they aim at individuals within the enemy ranks, killing officers, sergeants and anyone else who takes charge. They also fight their own specialised battle, driving off enemy skirmishers. However, they may prove weak when pitted against line infantry or highly expert skirmishers such as riflemen.
By the early 1800s, light infantry had a much greater role on the battlefield, at least in Napoleon’s forces. Many armies still saw light infantry as little more than auxiliary troops, choosing to favour the old, tried and tested tactics of massed volley fire and close formations. Napoleon, on the other hand, recognised the advantage flexibility conferred, and used light infantry extensively, to harass enemy lines to pieces, then closing up for a final rush.
General Information[]
Dutch Flanquers are light infantry unique to the United Netherlands and Belgium. Despite their unusual name and appearance, Dutch Flanquers are statistically identical to generic light infantry. Like other light infantry, Dutch Flanquers have good range, accuracy and reloading skills, allowing them to score a good number of kills at a distance. They can fight in close formation or spread out and crouched--the former of which is better for holding the line against charges while the latter is better for minimizing casualties from artillery or musket fire. They are also competent at melee fighting though they are no match for dedicated line infantry, grenadiers or guards. However, they cannot form Square Formation, making them vulnerable to cavalry when unsupported, and they do not have the range and accuracy of dedicated skirmishers (though their numbers per regiment and reloading speed is superior).
When stationary on the world map for more than one turn and attacked, Dutch Flanquers have the options of deploying Chevaux de Frise (anti-cavalry barricades), Earthworks (protective barriers against missile fire), and Fougasse (land mines).
Great Britain normally does not have the opportunity to use Dutch Flanquers in the campaigns, but controls one regiment of these troops at the Battle of Waterloo.