Lieutenant - 1st Zouave Regiment

The Franco-Prussian War was the most important military conflict that happened in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars and until the First World War. The main cause for it were the tensions between Prussia, which wanted to culminate the unification of Germany, and France, which feared the shift in the balance of powers that such a thing would cause.

A series of decisive victories by the Germans, like the Siege of Metz or the Battle of Sedan, resulted in a total defeat of the French Army and even the capture of emperor Napoleon III. French Government declared the Third Republic and the war continued a few months more but it just delayed the inevitable victory of Prussia. After the war, a new power that would hold enormous influence on international affairs for decades emerged in Europe: the German Empire. The new situation planted the seeds for the next European conflict.

The zouaves have traditionally been a light infantry unit in the French Army, where they originated. The first unit was raised in Algeria in 1831, including local Berber troops and also French volunteers, and in 1852 they were organised in regiments. Their particular attire and attitude made them well known outside France, starting a trend on several other countries that started to raise zouaves regiments themselves.

The 1st zouaves was part of the 1st Army Corp under command of Marshall MacMahon and participated in many of the major engagements of the war, including the final defeat at the Battle of Sedan. Our miniature portrays a wounded officer of the regiment, returning proud after the final defeat with the remnants of the regiment standard.