Sunday 25 May 2014

Chasseurs d'Afrique and the Battle of Sedan - 1870

The 4th Chasseurs d'Afrique. 
Figures by Foundry, flag by Adolfo Ramos.

The Chasseurs d’Afrique were part of the light cavalry of the Armée d’Afrique, being the describing term of the colonial contingent of the Second Empire’s armed forced, with its roots in the French military presence in Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria during the 19th century.


With these the 4th Chasseurs d’Afrique, I wanted to create a unit in direct reference to the Battle of Sedan 1st September 1870, and one of the last big heroic old world cavalry charges made in European history.

The Chasseurs d'Afrique also fought with distinction in the Crimean War.
Here seen at Balaclava 1854.

After the bloody battles of Mars-la-Tour and Gravelotte-St-Privat on the 16th and 18th of August 1870, the French Army of the Rhine under Marshal Bazaine had had enough, and took refuge behind the walls of Metz. He was now surrounded and caught by the Prussian army.

In an attempt to free the now besieged army in Metz, Napoleon III ordered Marshal MacMahon with the Army of Châlons to march to Bazaine’s aid, and assist the trapped army in it’s coming break out attempts.

The Germans under the brilliant strategic leadership of Moltke were quick to play tricks on the approaching French under MacMahon. Soon the Army of the Châlon was out manoeuvred into yet a trapped defensive position at the city of Sedan.
Around 200.000 Germans had encircled the French Army of Châlons, some 120.000 and their Emperor Napoleon III.

The Army of Châlons encircled at Sedan - Floing in the upper left corner.
Source: "Champs de Bataille Thématique" no 29.

As the Germans came into position with some 700 Krupp guns pointing at the city, the French general Ducrot would become famous for the words: ”Gentlemen, were are in the night pot and about to be shat upon”. Ducrot was quite right, disaster lured around the corner for the army, the Emperor and the French Empire.

The ensuing battle would see desperate fighting and incredible sacrifice on both sides.
In a last attempt to break the German line at the position around Floing on the French left flank, General Jean Auguste Margueritte was ordered to lead his cavalry division forward in a desperate attack on the Prussian XI Corps.

The charge of Margueritte's division at Floing.

Margueritte’s division consisted of the 1st, 3rd and 4th Chasseurs d’Afrique, 6th Chasseurs a Cheval and a hussar regiment. 138 officers and 1.650 men were upon to charge over open ground right into a fixed position of formed Prussian infantry with Needle guns pointing at them. At 700 meters they would be within range of the very heavy and precise German fire. The fruitlessness and despair of their charge was clear to them as they drew swords and set off.


Jean-Auguste Margueritte, 1823-1870.
He had two sons born during his service in Africa.
Both became recognized writer and playwrights 
publishing a book on their father's life.

The 47 years old General led his men gallantly, but after the first charge and in preparation for the second he was hit and carried of to Sedan. He would die a few days later from his wound. The command passed to General Galliffet, who carried out the subsequent charges. After sustaining 40% losses, and with three successive charges carried out with no apparent result, the remains of the division withdrew.


The wounded Margueritte is escorted away from the front line, 
his troops cheering at their brave commander. 

Watching this display of courageous self-sacrifice made the Prussian King Wilhelm exclaim 
“Oh, such brave men!”

I would argue that the Franco-Prussian War in general, but this episode in particular, constitutes the final concluding point in European history, when it becomes clear that no longer is massed cavalry charges going to be a weapon against formed infantry. The technological development increasing the firepower of the infantry had simply out-dated the gallant dash of cavalry.  


Heading for safety after a dose of Prussian Needle guns.

The Battle of Sedan ended with the surrender of the complete Army of Châlons, the capture of the French Emperor and the collapse of the Second French Empire.

It marks the end of Bonaparte influence on French politics, and the starting point of the Third Republic proclaimed only few days later by General Louis Jules Trochu in Paris. Very notably, the first act of the new republic was officially to re-new the proclamation of war on Prussia. 

Thank you very much for reading!

19 comments:

  1. Excellent work on these guys! Thanks also for the historical background you provided. It certainly made for an interesting read.

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    1. Thanks a lot, they were a pleasure to paint, read and write about. So much history on these guys, real legends within the Second Empire.

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  2. Superb work! I like the conversion to the Foundry Trumpeter to make him the standard bearer. I have for too long had a gap on my Foundry Chasseurs d'Afrrque command base for a flag bearer to go on but no-one seems to produce one. It looks like your method is the one I will adopt. I'm now a follower of your blog and will admire your work with interest.
    Best wishes,
    Jason

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    1. Thank you very much for the kind words Jason, and welcome as a follower. It's always nice to hear from a fellow Franco-Prussian War enthusiast. Hope the blog will be to your taste!

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  3. Exellent work Sören !!!

    Love your historical backgrounds, gives the minis more life !

    Best regards Michael

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    1. Cheers Micke, and thanks for your regular return visits as a reader :0) You've really been a cool support on getting this blog up and running.

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  4. Striking brushwork! I enjoyed the unit history too.

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    1. Thanks Jonathan, happy that you liked the post!

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  5. Stunning figures! Wonderful colors. I can see how the Meiji cavalry totally aped these guys at the time too. Best, Dean

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    1. Thank you very much Dean, the colors of the Second Empire (and the first) is really what attracts me as a painter. Cool that you brought up the Meiji, weren't familiar and thus had a chance to read up on these. I know that the Second Empire French army was widely regarded as the best in the World after the Crimean War, and perhaps most well known, the French Zouaves would be copied in clothing and grooming style by many units during the American Civil War. I'm planning to dive further into the French colonial cavalry with a Spahi unit, if I could only find some good minis in 28mm...

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  6. Glad to have found your blog! I nominated you for a Liebster Award http://palousewargamingjournal.blogspot.com/2014/05/leibster-nomination.html.

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    1. Jonathan - It's very very kind of you to nominate Black Powder Games! I was really happily surprised to read about this on your blog. I will run an announcement and of course answer your well posed questions very soon. Still chewing on that favorite period and producer question :0)

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  7. Very nice brushwork on these!

    Christopher

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    1. Cheers Christopher, glad you enjoyed the finished result. Sometimes with these old Foundry sculpts you don't really know what you're painting on the horses, and you just kind of go with it, and hope the unit as a whole will be a forgiving sight!

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  8. Great work Søren – such rich, wonderful colours. And the historical background is excellent as well!

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    1. Thanks Jonas, what I said to Micke goes for you as well. Your continued support is really appreciated. Now - as a little p.s., I've got some Pro Gloria Landsknechts lined up and coated. How about it, shall we set a date on this Italian wedding?

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  9. Fantastic work - especially using these older though still lovely figures.
    Like the size of your units - any particular rules that they are designed for ?
    Jon M

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    1. Thanks Jon, quite agree - these Foundry minis are in them selves legends. I wonder just how old the casting moulds are by now. I've heard mid-80ies and sculpted by the twins, but that might be wrong. Anyway, appreciate the comment on unit size. I've grown really fond of the Black Powder rules, since they allow a large amount of customization by the game master. I really see them as a tool box, perfect for non-tournament games.

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    2. Thank you - maybe GWM will add some cavalry to their crimea French which might give another source of figures but I am sure the new Franco-Prussian range from Musketeer will eventually have some. All best - inspirational stuff.
      JM

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