The deadliest order on a battlefield was "into the breach." When a siege had battered a gap in a fortress wall, someone had to storm it — charging into a narrow gap of rubble swept by every gun and musket the defenders could bring, climbing over the bodies of the men who went first. It was the grenadiers and sapeurs, the strongest and steadiest, who led these assaults, axes and ladders in hand. The British called their leading party the "Forlorn Hope," and a man who survived leading it could expect promotion, because so few did. The great Peninsular sieges — Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, San Sebastián — were won in those breaches, and the cost was horrific.

The eight-figure set is the head of the column — an officer, a standard bearer, two bearded sapeurs with their axes, two sergeants, and two drummers, all in bearskins and full dress, the leading face of the regiment on the march. It anchors the front of a Guard diorama. Fall the marching ranks of the French Grenadiers of the Guard in behind it, double the sapeurs and drummers with the French Grenadiers of the Guard command group, and ride the mounted officer and eagle at its head.

Tradition of London model 768. 54mm, white metal, hand-painted in gloss enamel. Eight-figure set — an officer, a standard bearer, two sapeurs, two sergeants, and two drummers. Also available as unpainted castings or a kit. Supplied in the Tradition Classic Red Box. Allow 2–3 weeks delivery.