Maréchal Michel Ney has often been derided by historians of the Napoleonic period as a blood-crazed lunatic who cost Napoleon quite a few unnecessary losses, culminating of course in the stalemate of Quatre-Bras and the defeat at Waterloo.
Others laud his great personal heroism, repeating the accolade of ‘Bravest of the Brave’ which Napoleon unofficially bestowed upon him after the battle of Friedland, or otherwise his miraculous escape from envelopment at the Berezina river in the retreat from Moscow.
Whichever way you choose to judge this fellow, you have to admit: ‘So-and-so Ney’ makes for an interesting commander on the battlefield!
28mm Warlord Games Marshal Ney, from Laurens Vannijvel’s personal collection
Find out more about Ney in this article.
This mixed cavalry formation is led by Marshal Ney himself, complete with a FREE 6 pdr artillery piece from the Divisional support:
Set Contains:
- 1 box set of plastic French Hussars.
- 1 box set of plastic French Line Lancers.
- 2 box sets of plastic Chasseurs a Cheval.
- 1 metal Marshal Ney and French Cavalry Officer.
- 1 FREE Blister of a metal French Artillery 6-pdr Cannon and Crew.
Hussars!
Mounted on small but tough horses, the Hussars were used on campaign in scouting and raiding roles. Their élan and dash made up for their small mounts and lack of armour on the field of battle.
Principally armed with the curved light cavalry sabre they could also carry a carbine, or more commonly a pistol, into the fray.
Box set Contains:
- 12 plastic easy-build French Hussars.
- 1 additional metal officer and metal horse.
- 1 additional metal bugler.
- Optional metal arm for eagle bearer.
The Lancers!
Lancers were unusual as they could take their place in the battleline and fight it out with enemy cavalry or infantry, but they were most often used in scouting, raiding, and – especially in Spain and Russia – in skirmishing, even fighting dismounted where the situation arose.
Armed with a wicked lance, sabre, and at times a carbine and up to two pistols, the French line lancer was a formidable foe!
Box set Contains:
- 12 plastic easy-build French Light Cavalry Lancers.
- 1 additional metal officer and metal horse.
- 1 additional metal bugler.
- Optional metal arm for eagle bearer.
Chasseurs a Cheval
Contains:
A good Chasseur was at home on his light horse, skirmishing with the enemy cavalry or scouting enemy movements and thus providing valuable intelligence for their commanders.
Armed with carbine, curved sabre and bayonet (an item disliked by the cavalrymen who used it to dig up vegetables or ‘lost’ it on campaign) the Chasseurs were most happy in the saddle, although they were also trained to fight on foot should the need arise.
- 12 plastic easy-build French Light Cavalry
- 1 metal officer and horse
- Optional metal parts to make a trumpeter and eagle bearer
- Includes options for shako, oilskin covered shakos and the elite company Colpack fur hat.
Dan Hewitson
Tom Mecredy
