25mm Nap. French - 3e Legere

Of course, no French army would ever march to war without that infantryman who was made so famous by the French themselves; the light infantryman.

Now, French light infantry, or legere, could fight in skirmish order, but they often fought in close formation too. These men were often the quickest men, best shots, and most thoughtful soldiers, able to be trusted to fight away from the main formation. They were often used for skirmish fighting, but also for fighting in built-up areas and even ladder assaults.

This particular unit can be ranked up as normal and has a regular movement tray for it, but for the purposes of the photos I have put them in their skirmish trays. The first two trays can be seen to the right. The command tray includes an officer, musician, standard bearer, and sapper, as well as some troopers (including one grizzled veteran NCO who is waving the men on.) The tray behind it features some men advancing past the ruined stump of a tree which obviously strayed too close (if a tree can stray) to a cannon ball.

One note at this time about my French army. With the exception of the Old Guard, all of the infantry is wearing a mix of regular uniforms and overcoats. I felt this mixed bag look would not only make the majority of the army a bit more rugged and messy looking, but would also serve to make the Guard stand out more than normal. You will see this trend of greatcoats continues through all of the light and line infantry in the army.

The next two trays of light infantry can be seen to the left. The tray in the foreground is defending some rocky ground on the edge of a fenceline; part of the fence actually meanders through the tray itself. The tray to the rear actually represents some light infantry who have found a nice safe rock wall to take cover and fire from behind. The men near the low parts are ducking to keep themselves safe. This tray is actually designed to match a tray from another unit of light infantry, in which the troops are actually breeching the wall through a broken down spot.

Finally, here is a shot of a few individual troopers. The rocks are actually bits of bark used in the bottom of lizard tanks which are undercoated black and drybrushed with a few shades of grey; the bark picks up the grey nicely. I enjoy the great coat look for these guys; it really makes it look like they are fighting in some nasty places!

The majority of these figures are Perry Miniatures; the sapper is Front Rank, and the musician, officers, and NCO are Old Glory.