TEXT IN FRENCH
In keeping with their way of presenting History's most beautiful
uniforms, the authors in their new book present us with the French Army
during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Even though the formidable war
machine which Napoleon III's army had become had already been through
several campaigns in Europe, Asia, Africa and also in America, and made
a good impression on European general staffs, was it really ready to
face a modern army on its own soil ? Against perhaps a Prussian army,
which had recently become German, and which had also forged itself by
winning battles ? The uniforms, equipment and weapons of all the
Imperial Army corps are presented here with extraordinary uniform plates
by André Jouineau, the famous illustrator-researcher. The texts are by
Jean-Marie Mongin and go well beyond the customary details, delving into
the organisation and the strength of this formidable force, which quite
unpredictably suffered what some people in many ways still consider a
humiliating defeat, even today. Discover the campaign clothes - and the
great parade uniforms - of the Cent-Gardes squadron, the Guides, the
Cuirassiers at Reichshoffen, the Marsouins at Bazeilles, the Hussars,
the Turks, the Zouaves, but also that terrible year's "Moblots"
(conscripts), the heroes of Bourbaki's army and the volunteers of the
last months of this war which was, when all is said and done, a
foundational conflict. This volume is for the uniform and figurine
buffs; it's a small, practical tool, precise, clear, logical and visual.
Almost 140 uniform plates and maps. More than 1000 infantry, artillery
and cavalry drawings.
