Corporal Sapper
17th Battalion, Wörth, 1870

The Franco-Prussian War was Europe’s most important military conflict between the Napoleonic Wars and the First World War. The main cause of it was the tensions between Prussia, which wanted to culminate the unification of Germany, and France, which feared the shift in the balance of power that such a thing would cause.

A series of decisive victories by the Germans, like the Siege of Metz or the Battle of Sedan, resulted in a total defeat of the French Army and even the capture of Emperor Napoleon III. French Government declared the Third Republic, and the war continued for a few months more, just delaying the inevitable victory of Prussia. After the war, a new power that would hold enormous influence on international affairs for decades emerged in Europe: the German Empire. The new situation planted the seeds for the next European conflict.

Infantry Regiments were the backbone of the French Army during the XIX century. In those days, their organisation, uniforms and equipment served as inspiration to other nations, which implemented many of these elements in their armies.

Some interesting elements of the French infantry were the Chasseurs a Pied, light infantry units whose particular specialisation was reconnaissance and quick advancing, while harassing the enemy formations.

This classic figure from Elite Miniatures is dressed in the uniform of a French Corporal Sapper from the Chasseurs a Pied, and captures the classic elegance of the typical soldier of those days.

Note: This is a resin miniature kit that requires assembly and painting