On 1 August 1759, near Minden in Westphalia, six British infantry regiments did something infantry was not supposed to survive: they advanced in line against massed cavalry. A misunderstanding in passing orders sent them forward alone toward the centre of the French army, where the French horse was drawn up. The battalions halted and broke each charge with close-range volleys, and when the French cavalry finally gave up, it left the field in disorder. Prince Ferdinand ordered his own cavalry under Lord George Sackville to finish the job. Sackville did not move and was later court-martialled. Regiments that trace their history to Minden still wear roses every 1 August.

A sergeant leads the set, his halberd upright in one hand and his other arm thrust out to direct the line, a crimson sash at his waist. Around him seven privates work through the drill with bayonets fixed: firing, priming and loading. They wear black tricornes edged in white, red coats with dark blue lapels and cuffs laced in white, buff crossbelts, dark blue breeches and white gaiters. Build a Minden firing line by adding British Infantry Eight Privates Firing and British Infantry (Seven Years War), with British Grenadiers on the right of the line.

Tradition of London set 654. Sergeant and seven privates, eight foot figures on square gloss bases. 54mm scale (approximately 1/30). All toy soldiers cast in quality white metal and individually hand-painted in gloss enamels. Packed in the Classic Tradition Red Box. Please allow 2–3 weeks for shipping.