~=RUSSIA=~ |Approxi- || | | | | non-combatants. || |mately || 4 |22| ... | 200 | ... | 20 |... || | || | | | | | | || -----------+---------++-----+--+------+-------+-----+-----+-----++ ===========+=========++=============== | ||Difference | ||between | ||minimum peace | ||strength and | ||war strength. |Company. ++-----+--+------ | || | | | || |N.| | ||Offi-|C.|Pri- | ||cers.|O.|vates. -----------+---------++-----+--+------ ~=GERMANY=~|Minimum || 1 | 5| 103 |Maximum || ... | | ... -----------+---------++-----+--+------ ~=AUSTRIA=~|Minimum || ... | 5| 132 |Maximum || 4 Officers’ | || servants. -----------+---------++-----+--+------ ~=ITALY=~ |Infantry,|| | | |Bersa- || | | |glieri || 2 | 3| 93 | ||Musicians (trum- | ||peters only) and | ||sappers armed | ||with rifle. |Alpini || ... |..| ... -----------+---------++-----+--+------ ~=FRANCE=~ |Ordinary || 1 |18| 110 |Maximum || ... | | ... |Chasseurs|| ... | | ... | || | | | || ... | | ... -----------+---------++-----+--+------ ~=RUSSIA=~ |Approxi- || | | |mately || 1 |15| 104 | || | | -----------+---------++-----+--+------ [44] In addition, five non-combatants. After the heavy losses at =St. Privat=, two companies were combined into one for tactical purposes in some regiments of the Guard Corps. The administration of the consolidated companies had to remain distinct on account of the preparation of casualty lists, recommendations for promotion and decorations. On the day of the battle of =Orleans=, the strength of the German battalions varied from 459 men in the 1st Bavarian Army Corps to 747 men in the 40th Infantry Brigade. During the pursuit after the battle of =Le Mans=, the strength of the 56th Füsilier-Battalion was even reduced to 280 men. The actual training of troops must be completed in the company. Combat by an independent company is the exception; combat by battalion the rule. By the consolidation of four companies into one unit, the battalion, consisting of 800-1,000 rifles, is formed. The French Chasseur battalions are the only ones that consist of six companies, because their proposed independent employment, for instance, in mountain warfare, makes it more often necessary to detach small units than is the case in operations on more favorable terrain.