Vive L'Empereur

Some men of a line infantry regiment of Napoleon's Grand Army stand ready to obey the Empereur's commands.

To the left is a Voltigeur of the Light Infantry Company. Next are two Fusiliers. While a member of the Grenadier Company brings up the rear.

In full marching kit, the men will soon rejoin their regiment and march off on the Empereur's next campaign. Vive L'Empereur!

These are 28mm plastic pieces that I painted last week.

Colonial Forces On Display

This is an overhead shot of many of my first 19th Century African Colonial Wars figures. They are mostly in 4 stand company's and include Colonial Infantry units of the Boers, Italian Askaris, Royal Nigerian Rifles, 3rd Sikhs, 24th Foot, German Southwest African Corps, 42nd Highlanders, 2 companies of French Foreign Legionnaire's, & 2 companies of the 3rd London Volunteers.  The Colonial Cavalry units include Skinners Horse, Sapahi's, Colonial Mounted Rifles & 2 squadrons of the Sudan Camel Detachment. All supported by 3 batteries of Gatling guns and 2 batteries of field artillery. African units include Zulus (Induyenge and Ingiondto Regiments), 3 companies of Arab Rifles, Arab Spearmen, Arab Cavalry and Sudanese Camel Riders.

 There are over 200 figures here, several units are still AWOL in storage boxes which is why there are so many more Colonial than "Native" units.

My first African Colonial Wars forces were metal N Gauge Scrubby figures that I painted with Testors Oil paints in the Spring of 1976.

Pour la Gloire de la France

The 19th century was full of small and large wars fought by the French Kingdom, Republic and Empire.

This Zouave commander and standard bearer stand fast in one of these many conflicts "Pour la Glorie de la France" (For the Glory of France).

Through shot and shell, vs European enemies or in colonial conflicts, the Tricolor was the symbol of the empire of the nation of France during the Victorian Age. Vive la France!

The Zouaves are 25mm metal pieces from Heritage that I painted in the 1980's for my colonial wars French Army. They were actually designed by Heritage as American War Between the States, Union or Confederate Zouave troops.
 

For France

"This way to glory and for France," shouts Captain d'Foule of the 3rd Zouave Regiment.

The command section of a French Zouave regiment stands ready to expand the frontiers of the Empire.

From Mexico to French Indo-China, the Zouave regiments helped project the power of the French Empire.

These are 25mm metal pieces from Hinchcliffe Miniatures that I painted in the 1980's, for my colonial battles.

Big Bang-Light Support

 A battery of French heavy foot artillery is supported by a unit of dismounted dragoons while supporting the troops of the Emperor.

 Foot artillery was the backbone of the force Napoleon called the "Queen of Battle."

The artillery are 15mm metal pieces from Heritage that I painted in the late 1970's.

French Colonial Power

On the frontiers of their Colonial Empire the French Army ruled with an iron fist. This column of French Regulars, Foreign Legion, and Artillery held enough firepower to deal with any colonial threat.

The infantry is well supported by a 75mm field piece and a rare Gatling gun.

These Jack Scrubby "N" gauge metal pieces were painted in 1976 as part of my first Colonial forces.

Column en Masse

As darkness falls the 1st and 2nd Wurttemburg Regiments advance to the attack in column in masse. An ally of France in 1812, these troops were part of the 3rd Army Corps of Napoleon's Grand Army. These are 15mm metal Heritage figures that I painted in the late 1970's.

Foreign Legion on Patrol

In the mountains of a far off French Colony the men of the Foreign Legion fight and die for the glory of France.

These brave men faced what ever hardships nature and man could throw at them while protecting the Empire of France.

These are 28mm metal miniatures from Renegade.

Grand Army Third Corps Cavalry

Here we see the Cavalry Corp Commander General Wollwarth and Third Corps Commander Marshal Ney leading the cavalry as they head into Russia in 1812. This unit included the French 11th Hussars, 4th & 8th Chasseurs a Cheval and 6th Chevau-Legers-Lancers. Most of the rest of the corps cavalry was from Wurttemberg-3rd & 4th Mounted Jagers, 1st Chevaulegers and the Lieb-Chevaulegers. In support are two infantry units, the 24th Light Infantry Regiment, the 1st Wurttemberg Jagers and Horse Artillery. These are 15mm figures, mostly from the old Heritage line that I painted in 1978.

Lebel Fusil Modele 1886

In the Great War the standard arm for the French in the early years was the 8mm Lebel rifle. When it was introduced in the late 19th Century the Lebel was the most advanced military shoulder arm in general use. It was the first small bore, high velocity, smokeless powder, repeater to be accepted by a major power. But for combat use it had a major flaw, it was tube loaded. This was a slow process as the loader had to be careful loading the center fire cartridges to avoid an unfortunate explosive incident. A further complaint was made about the sight being both too short and too small for combat use. By 1914, the Lebel was out classed by most of the standard rifles of the major powers. The French Poilus took this in stride as they rose to the need to defend France from the invaders. Poor equipment would be a hinderance but would be overcome by the soldier's bravery and tenacity.