Hi to everyone ,
Our man Valiant (Steve Leadley) has been a busy lad with another sculpt being released by Model Cellar in their 120mm range of busts ...this time he has gone over to depict the French Allies in the Crimea .....a most colurful one as well.....the name of the unit:
In addition to the Crimea, the Chasseurs served in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Indo-China, numerous campaigns in North Africa, France's invasion of Mexico and both World Wars.
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The Chasseurs were disbanded in 1962 with the coming of Algerian independence from France. This terminated over a century of service.
Looking at the Crimea .........Marshal St Arnaud when he organised the army of the Orient which he would command was to attach to it, a brigade of Chasseurs d'Afrique. The 1st Regiment (Colonel de Ferrabouc) and the 4th Regiment (Colonel de Coste de Champeron) were assigned to form it. General d'Allonville took command, attaching to it a mounted battery and a platoon of Spahis whose oriental uniform could not fail to produce an excellent effect on the imagination of the followers of Mohammed.
Only this platoon and some Chasseurs d'Afrique were able to follow the general In Chief to the Crimea. From the following extract from his report on the Battle of Alma, it may be seen how much this absence of cavalry proved harmful to the French. "If I had had the cavalry," said the marshal, "I would have secured major results and Menschicoff would no longer have an army... For the rest of my life I will regret having had only my two regiments of Chasseurs d'Afrique." His successor's first concern was to call them up in all haste. They arrived early enough to take part in the Battle of Balaclava (October 25, 1854). Well directed by General's Morris and d'Allonville, two squadrons of the 4th Regiment saved the remnants, who were compromised in an inappropriate charge, of the English cavalry. Commander Abdelal, Captain's Ollier, Burtin, and Dangla - the last one was killed - were named to the order of the Army. The losses of the 4th Regiment on this day were 13 dead of whom two were officers; 7 wounded or whom 2 were amputated; 16 horses killed and 12 wounded. This was the only opportunity which the Chasseurs found in the Crimea to make the Russians feel the points of their sabres. The siege of Sebastopol could not highlight their better qualities. They were only used thereafter for reconnaissance and by squadron ."
View attachment 156094
Wearing the distinctive uniform full of colour and lacework the subject is bound to be inspirational both as a display piece and as a painting project.
Now for some original uniforms ...just look at that lacework .
Continued in next post:
Nap
Our man Valiant (Steve Leadley) has been a busy lad with another sculpt being released by Model Cellar in their 120mm range of busts ...this time he has gone over to depict the French Allies in the Crimea .....a most colurful one as well.....the name of the unit:
The Chasseur d'Afrique
Let us look at this most distinctive of French Units:
The Chasseurs d'Afrique (Hunters of Africa) were a light cavalry raised in 1830s from regular French cavalry. They were recruited from either French volunteers or from French settlers in North Africa. By 1939, there were 12 regiments of Chasseurs. They wore blue uniforms, earning themselves the nickname "Blue Butchers"In addition to the Crimea, the Chasseurs served in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Indo-China, numerous campaigns in North Africa, France's invasion of Mexico and both World Wars.
.
The Chasseurs were disbanded in 1962 with the coming of Algerian independence from France. This terminated over a century of service.
Looking at the Crimea .........Marshal St Arnaud when he organised the army of the Orient which he would command was to attach to it, a brigade of Chasseurs d'Afrique. The 1st Regiment (Colonel de Ferrabouc) and the 4th Regiment (Colonel de Coste de Champeron) were assigned to form it. General d'Allonville took command, attaching to it a mounted battery and a platoon of Spahis whose oriental uniform could not fail to produce an excellent effect on the imagination of the followers of Mohammed.
Only this platoon and some Chasseurs d'Afrique were able to follow the general In Chief to the Crimea. From the following extract from his report on the Battle of Alma, it may be seen how much this absence of cavalry proved harmful to the French. "If I had had the cavalry," said the marshal, "I would have secured major results and Menschicoff would no longer have an army... For the rest of my life I will regret having had only my two regiments of Chasseurs d'Afrique." His successor's first concern was to call them up in all haste. They arrived early enough to take part in the Battle of Balaclava (October 25, 1854). Well directed by General's Morris and d'Allonville, two squadrons of the 4th Regiment saved the remnants, who were compromised in an inappropriate charge, of the English cavalry. Commander Abdelal, Captain's Ollier, Burtin, and Dangla - the last one was killed - were named to the order of the Army. The losses of the 4th Regiment on this day were 13 dead of whom two were officers; 7 wounded or whom 2 were amputated; 16 horses killed and 12 wounded. This was the only opportunity which the Chasseurs found in the Crimea to make the Russians feel the points of their sabres. The siege of Sebastopol could not highlight their better qualities. They were only used thereafter for reconnaissance and by squadron ."
View attachment 156094
Wearing the distinctive uniform full of colour and lacework the subject is bound to be inspirational both as a display piece and as a painting project.
Now for some original uniforms ...just look at that lacework .
Continued in next post:
Nap
