Warfare in the Age of Steam: 2009-10-04

Friday 9 October 2009

Marche du 1er Zouaves

This link will take you to a fascinating song originating from the Crimean period. It has the lyrics up to read too hence this is why I'm not embedding it. Just ought to add that I'm not nostalgic for imperialism or anything political - it's purely from a historical cultural interest I post this. If I'm nostalgic about any part of France's history it's when they had pinballs in all the bars and Gene Vincent on the jukeboxes.

Another image of landing at the Crimea

Tradition

Here's an image of historian Louis Delperier for Tradition magazine on the French uniform of the 1850s. Tradition is probably the place still to get in depth articles on the equipment and so on. The kepi here looks taller than the ACW example below.

Thursday 8 October 2009

El Vuelo Del Aguila - Flight of the Eagle - Part 1

There's the whole series on Youtube. I don't know this but it looks like a miniseries set partly during the French intervention in Mexico - told from a Mexican angle - rather than a Western - scanning through the episodes there are some pretty good bits - so I would say worth checking out.

If you just want to watch a battle scene from the French intervention one starts here with French Zouaves here and follows on here

The comment on the IMDB says this
This is probably the best accomplished "historic" Soap-Opera produced in Mexico. As close to Roots as possible, it is historic because it goes along some key developments in late 19th- early 20th Century Mexican history, trying to relate those facts in the lives of both historical figures and fictional characters who provide the Soap-Opera approach with the standard romantic plots of this kind of productions.Although the approach and premises of the series were contested in some academic circles in Mexico, the production as well as the script are good enough to provide a fair perspective of how Mexico was in the years considered, but especially of why the country came to be what it is now.

Glory (1989) trailer

Another great Civil War picture - up there in the top 10 we reckon. See the assault on Fort Wagner here (spoiler alert!) and read the wiki on the fim here.

Association UNIF-EUROP 19

Website here. This French group looks like a good resource for those interested in the French army of the mid-19th century to the Great War. They produce a comprehensive journal and also participate in annual reenactments.

Franco-Prussian reenactment

Images here - of a festival held at Woerth-en-Alsace in 2004. Not sure if they still hold this event but the town itself looks like a place to visit for those interested in the period with a museum and much more.

Russo-Turkish War - Romanians Crossing The Danube 1877

I don't know what movie this clip is from but it is pretty spectacular and is quite an impressive sequence that might appeal to you. It looks like it must have cost a fortune to make. I always thought armies broke their step when going over bridges to avoid their rhythm creating a shock wave...it looks like they're doing it alright here.

Mexican-American War series

1 of 6 in a History Channel series. Ideal starting point if the period is new to you. Good reconstructions - the bumph reads
One of the most controversial conflicts in U.S. history, the Mexican-American War erupted as President James K. Polk sought to extend the borders of the nation to the Pacific, taking by force whatever territory stood in the way. This History Channel special, hosted by Oscar de la Hoya, looks at the war from the perspective of both countries, and chronicles the fighting from its inception to its conclusion with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

North and South trailer

My son is a bit of a Patrick Swayze fan and I'm often saying he should watch this mini-series from the 80s (when miniseries were big events) that launched him to fame - or at least to me. It's a loveable piece of hokum with some real boo hiss baddies and some ridiculous stories but I loved it. This first series dealt mainly with the Mexican-American war which was good for me as I like that period and there isn't anywhere near enough movies about it. Last one I can think of is the cannibal horror Ravenous. Anyway watch the trailer and get the flavour. Wiki on the series

Zouaves in the Crimea

The fashion hit of the Crimea, Zouaves soon became a craze around the world. Looking at the trousers of the standing figure they seem relatively modest in their bagginess compared to later styles.

Ride With the Devil trailer (1999)

This is another Civil War movie I like. The dialogue is excellent and humourous and it's a well-made film. I'm sure ACW purists probably hate it but it's up there among my top ten Civil War films.

A7V replica at Bovington Tankfest

This year has seen a huge increase of interest in World War One in the UK thanks in part to Harry Patch and also possibly due to a wave of people researching their ancestors. This is footage from earlier this year.

Wednesday 7 October 2009

Crimean reincarnation

What do I think about reincarnation? Ask me in the next life...is what I say...but seriously this is a subject that has an interest to me, even if I am a little sceptical, and this is a short programme in two parts about someone who under hypnosis believed to be a British soldier in the Crimea. Have a watch and see what you think...there are some battle reconstruction scenes to keep your interest.
Watch part 1 here
Part 2 here

French in the Crimea

Another look at French infantry in the Crimea.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Crimean Wargames

One of the last Crimean projects I did was almost wargaming it. I was going to wargame it in 15mm with Dave Allen being the Russians and myself being the French. The figures we were going to use were Minifigs which I can't vouch for on the Russian and British side but for the French they weren't that impressive - I got as far as line infantry and Spahis - Dave had already bought his large Russian army but couldn't get round to painting it so we stalled. Then I got very enthusiastic about the Emhar 1/72 Crimean figures - they don't do a full range but their French infantry and Zouaves were good with separate backpacks which look good assembled, and I actually painted and based a few of them. The rules we were going to use were the ACW set Fire and Fury Fire and Furia Francese with the Crimean modifications as found on this page.
Now I suppose I want something that doesn't exist 40mm or 54mm figures maybe - I'll be looking around to see if anything's out there that appeals to me - let me know if there's anything good that I might miss.
If you want to see what metal miniatures might work for the Crimean War in 1/72 the Plastic Pelisse has some great comparisons.

Just a quick note

I haven't really put any pictures up of Russian troops - no prejudices against them it's just I don't know the subject much at all. I don't even have the Osprey on the Russian army. So until I run out of stuff I do know a little (and I mean a little) about this will be mainly French and British stuff.

Criméenne

Another image of this non-regulation hooded and caped item worn during the campaign in the Crimea by French troops.
Officiers d'infanterie en "criméenne" dans les tranchées de Sébastopol
Vanson Joseph-Emile (1825-1900) Général de l'Armée française

Bombardment of Sebastopol

Bombardement de Sébastopol. 18 octobre 1854
Le Breton Louis (1816-1866)

Images of Sebastopol 1855

This is an excellent page of watercolours of troops by an anonymous hand of the Malakoff. Tartars, Highlanders, Zouaves they are are all there in glorious colour.

Lots of detail for anyone interested in what the soldiers in the trenches actually looked like. This shows the coat, the Criméenne which is in the photo below.

Zouaves camp at Chalons

The camp at Chalons was a huge show piece for the French army under Napoleon III where mock battles, manouevres and reviews took place. For more photos of the French army at Chalons go to this excellent site here.

Imperial Guard Zouaves

More popular art. Not sure what people did with these images - I am guessing cut them up and put them on blocks or something - anyone know? I do like these type of images though.

Monday 5 October 2009

French chasseur à pied on campaign

c.1859 Bellangé, Hippolyte (artist)
Original ink drawing singed by Bellangé;

Sebastopol capote and kepi

So it seems an extra cape could be added to the French capote for the Crimean elements.

Criméenne et képi ayant appartenu au général de Marolles (1808-1855)
Description :
Général du 2e voltigeurs de la Garde impériale ; vêtement utilisé lors de la prise de Sébastopol (1855) (C) Paris - Musée de l'Armée, Dist. RMN / Pascal Segrette
Period : Second Empire (1852-1870)
Technic/Material : brass, drap, leather (material)