Every man in this box is dressed in something that stopped existing in August 1914. The German army had field grey from 1907, and by 1910 it had been issued across Prussia and most of the other German states — but it was manoeuvre kit, worn for exercises and field training. The uniform you wore to be seen in was still this: the plumes, the eagle helmet, the white breeches, the black and the braid. Then the war came, and field grey became the normal dress of every German soldier, at once. The Bavarians did not finish converting until April 1916. Nobody ever put the plumes back on.

Eight men, and the Kaiser is the one in white breeches under the eagle. Around him: the Prussian infantry, the 3rd Garde Uhlans, the 1st Kürassiers, the Life Hussars, the Prussian Hussars, and the Duke of Mecklenburg in the green of the 14th Jäger Battalion. Every one a general officer, every one in a different uniform, no two the same colour. In a diorama it is a court rather than a battle: stand it with Part II, and with the German infantry of 1914 in the field grey these men had issued and not worn. Kaiser Wilhelm II has a figure of his own.

Tradition of London model 97. 54mm, white metal, hand-painted in gloss enamel. Eight-figure set — Kaiser Wilhelm II with seven general officers of the Imperial German Army in full dress. Supplied in the Tradition Classic Red Box. Allow 2–3 weeks delivery.