My series of ‘On Parade‘ postings continues, as I inspect all the wargames figures I’ve painted over the last 20 years.
Just like a real army, a wargaming army needs generals and staff. Most wargames rules incorporate rules for commanding officers to lead and rally their men. Though that’s a moot point for me, because my French army has only actually played a couple or so times since I painted these figures in the early 2000s – I’m more of a painter than an actual gamer!
Here’s Marshal Berthier, along with his ADC, Baron Lejeune. These are both Front Rank figures. Berthier (left) is a standard personality figure from their range. But his ADC started life as a model of a Chasseur à Cheval of the Imperial Guard, which I painted in the highly individualistic uniform of Berthier’s aides. It is said that Berthier would allow only his aides to wear red trousers, and got very angry if he saw anyone else wearing this colour.
Berthier must’ve sometimes got angry with Marshal Grouchy though, as he clearly wore red trousers, as seen here! Grouchy is accompanied by a general in chasseur uniform. I particularly like these figures, as their colourful uniforms make a change from the more usual blue uniforms of the French staff. These are lovely 28mm Front Rank castings from their range of personality figures.
Behind them is a Perry Miniatures figure of an ADC in the act of mounting his horse – a rather unusual pose.
Here are some more of Front Rank’s range of wonderful personality figures. On the left is Marshal Soult, wearing a cloak slung over his left shoulder. On the right is a general wearing his greatcoat, along with his ADC.
The group on the left in the above picture contains two figures by Essex Miniatures (one at the far left, the other obscured in the centre) and two by Wargames Foundry. The difference in style between these two manufacturers is obvious from close up, but is fine from the arms-distance at which you normally view wargaming figures.
On the right is a group of Perry Miniatures’ command figures. Marshal Ney is leaning on the map-covered table, with Soult and Drouot on either side.
This mounted general wearing a cuirass is produced by Wargames Foundry. I like the pose of this figure, and also of his horse – they go well together. The small road-sign at the back of the base is an out-of-production scenic item that used to be produced by New Zealander, Mark Strachan.
This is one of my favourite command stands. At the right is General de Brigade Chouard of the 2nd Brigade of Carabiniers. He is accompanied by an aide on the rearing horse. These are both Front Rank figures.
Generals of this period always need ADCs to gallop their orders round the field of battle. This nice mounted ADC came as part of Wargames Foundry’s French campsite set. His light blue arm-band indicates that he is the ADC to a General of Brigade. I based him as if he was asking directions from a couple of infantrymen.
The above-mentioned ADC also features in this picture of a busy French campsite. There’s also another ADC galloping over the bridge on his important mission, and yet one more introducing himself to a pair of light infantry musicians.
Here’s the top man himself – the Emperor! OK, yes, I know, my army is far too small to be commanded by Napoleon himself. But there are just so many tempting models of him available, they’re impossible to resist!
For instance, this Foundry special set depicts Napoleon and his staff (many of the figures based on the famous painting by Vasily Vereshchagin of Napoleon at Borodino). You can see the Emperor sitting on a chair with his foot up on a drum. Behind him are clustered some of his marshals, including Berthier and his ADC in hussar uniform, Mortier, Grouchy, Victor and Ney (with his red hair).
Also depicted on this large command stand are Napoleon’s personal Mameluke aide Roustam Raza, various ADCs, and (obscured) a Chasseur a Cheval standing guard.
Here’s another of my Foundry Napoleons, this time based on the famous painting by David, Napoleon Crossing the Alps. As the setting is in the mountains, I have made a snowy base instead of my more usual grass and sand texturing. I used baking powder for the snow. I was worried this might cause cause unforeseen chemical reactions with my lead figure in years to come – but a couple of decades later it is holding out well!
The David painting is actually a strongly idealised view of the real crossing that Napoleon and his army made across the Alps. Napoleon actually made the crossing a few days after his troops, led by a local guide and mounted on a mule. However, as this painting was first and foremost propaganda, Bonaparte asked David to portray him mounted calmly on a fiery steed. Sort of a Tinder profile vs reality!
DRESSING THE LINES 
A wonderful collection of vignettes , beautifully presented , thank you
Very nice.
Good command stands really make an army pop.
More outstanding work here Roly – although I must admit I am surprised there is no cantiniere/vivandiere in amongst this collection – although maybe they are listed under a different category we have not seen yet! Is the last figure by Eureka – its really fantastic!
Thanks for that. Camp followers will be the subject of the final French ‘On Parade’ posting. No, the last figure is by Wargames Foundry, not Eureka.
Vive l’Empereur!
I am really enjoying your posts. My miniatures are in different scales but your posts are extremely interesting and your photos excellent. Thank you for this series.