by Irunberry Salaberry

Formed in July 1792, the “Hussards de la mort” mustered two companies for a total of 180 troopers and was put under the command of François Étienne Kellermann

The hussars departed Paris on September 2nd under the cheers of the Parisian crowds. Three weeks later (September 21st) they took part in the battle of Valmy and fought valiantly to help the French win the day.

Several battles later, casualties and attrition will force the left troopers left to ask to be amalgamated with the 13th chasseurs à cheval. The “hussards de la mort” will not be resurrected in the Napoleonic armies.

THE DIORAMA:

I basically came up with the idea for this scene because I wanted to build/display a French farmyard. At first, I thought of a pillage scene, and then went 180 degrees and settled for a bucolic representation instead. Troopers under the command of a political officer are on their way to the front and meet local populace, in this case some female peasants who offer them wine and eggs. I imagined the women to be wife and mother of soldiers who are now gone into service, left to handle the farm in their absence.

And then I thought of a pigeon coop, and the rest just fell into place.

The hussars are all Franznap production, with head swaps using the typical mirliton (cone hat) worn by such units at the time or bonnet de police (also Franznap spares). The Political officer is my own “Frankenstein”, and the female farmers come from the old Imex collection (a joy to paint).

Animals are either from Imex, or Pegasus, I forget.

The wind cock was scratch built.

A “COVID-19” diorama (May/June 2020)