Wellington put his guns out in front of the infantry at Waterloo, and that created a problem when the French cavalry came. His order to the gunners was strict: fire to the last possible moment, then run — not away, but back into the nearest infantry square, leaving the guns where they stood. The cavalry that swept over the gun line found the pieces silent and useless to them; with no time to spike or drag them off, and unable to break the squares, the horsemen could only eddy around the position. As the wave receded, the gunners dashed back out and fired into its flank. Ney's squadrons charged again and again, and the British battery survived to punish every charge.

The two-figure set pairs command and communication — the officer standing with drawn sword in the dark blue, red-faced coat of the Royal Artillery, red sash and grey trousers, and the NCO caught mid-signal, arm raised, the sergeant's chevrons on his sleeve. Gunners rarely fought alone, so the set anchors a combined-arms diorama: range the guns behind a British 1st Foot Guard Standing Firing line they support, bring up the British Royal Marine Drummer for another of the army's signalmen, and post the British 1st Foot Guards Colour to mark the command. This is a limited edition of only 400 sets.

W. Britain model 36126. 1/30 scale (approximately 60mm), matte-painted metal. Two-figure set — Royal Artillery officer and signaling NCO — each on a sculpted base. Limited edition of 400 sets. Boxed.