A French officer led from the front, and it cost them. Doctrine put the officer ahead of his men — out where he could be seen, sword drawn, shouting the men forward into the fire — and the casualty rolls show the price: officers fell at a far higher rate than the rank and file, picked off precisely because they stood exposed and gave the orders. It was also a practical necessity. Once muskets and cannon opened, the noise and smoke swallowed everything, and an officer could be heard by only the nearest few files. So he went forward to be seen, bellowing and gesturing with the blade, trusting drilled-in habit to carry the rest of the line with him.

The figure is caught mid-command — mouth open in a shout, sword thrust forward, the body turned to drive the line on. He wears the full-dress officer's uniform: bearskin with plume, dark blue coat with gold epaulettes and red sash, the Légion d'honneur at his breast, white trousers and tall boots. He is the active counterpart to the contemplative French Imperial Guard Company Officer — pose the two together as the senior and junior of a company. Set him ahead of his men giving the word: a French Imperial Guard Standing Make Ready bringing muskets up at his order, and a French Imperial Guard Standing Firing at Will opening the volley.

W. Britain model 36189. 1/30 scale (approximately 60mm), matte-painted metal. Single foot figure on a sculpted groundwork base. Boxed.