| | The reasons for such a splendid military force in the South Pacifique are unclear, in particular, the presence of so much cavalry is puzzling.
It would seem that the French have territoral plans for more of the mainland New South Wales, or have made a significant beaurocratic blunder.
Whatever the reason, though, the economy of Port Brique certainly benefits from the presence of such a large fighting force.
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Light Infantry
| | The Light Infantry, under the command of Lieutenant Jaune, are the footsoldiers most commonly seen in Port Brique. From time to time they fulfill various police functions.
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In combat, the Light Infantry generally moves fast and in open formation, although they are often drilled to fight as a line as well. The light infantry are recognised by their yellow epaulettes.
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Construction Notes
| | The Light Infantry are simply standard LEGO soldiers, with shakos, yellow epaulettes and without backpacks.
They are armed with muskets. The sergeant and the lieutenant are armed with pistol and cutlass.
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Line Infantry
The line infantry are the favourite of Capitaine Legeaux. He uses them, under the command of Lieutenant Rouge as marines aboard the Eponine and the Mdme Thenardier.
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| | Distinguished from their light infantry brothers by their red epaulettes, their backpacks and their tough attitude, the Line Infantry form the backbone of the Grand Armee of the South Pacifique.
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| | Although it has never yet happened in Port Brique, the town is equipped with the necessary machinery of French justice. Should use of that machinery be required, it is the Line Infantry that will be responsible for its operation.
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Construction Notes
| | The Line Infantry are standard LEGO soldiers - with shakos, red epaulettes and backpacks.
They are armed with muskets. The sergeant and the lieutenant are armed with pistol and cutlass.
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The Band
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| | Although only small, the marching band is popular with the other troops.
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Construction Notes
| | The band wear old fashioned bicorns, with a variety of white plumes.. Their uniforms are custom torsos with white legs.
Instuments are varied. There is a standard LEGO bugle, a flute from a Harry Potter set, and a home made drum and brass section.
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Horse Artillery
After the arrival of the 1st South Pacifique Hussars, the authorities
in Paris were concerned that the outpost in Port Brique was lacking
artillery that could keep up with the moustachioed horsemen.
| | The result was despatching Lieutenant Ballistique, a squad of artillerists, and a single 8 lb field cannon. What they lack in number, they make up for in speed.
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| | The 8 lb field cannon.
| | Lieutenant Ballistique (right) and his squad.
| | The squad load the cannon.
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As with the Hussars, it is not clear why there should be a unit of Horse Artillery in Port Brique. Although, as Capitaine Legeaux says, “At least they’re not as bad as the hussars...”
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Construction Notes
| | The Horse Artillery wear car-tyre busbies (see here for construction details). Torsos are custom designs, hand drawn on liquid paper on blue torsos. Blue legs for the soldiers, light grey for the officer, who also gets a 3 1x1 round plate plume and a black cape.
The Horse Artillery have four horses in harness (two are ridden), a five wide limber (so two soldiers can ride side-by-side) and the cannon noted above (also constructed as five-wide).
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Hussars
| | They’re accomplished horsmen, they’re heavy drinkers, they’re popular with ladies of easy virture and with those involved in the pipe tobacco industry... They’re the Lieutenant Cor de Flash and the 1st South Pacifique Hussars!
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Construction Notes
| | the Hussars wear car-tyre busbies (the same as the Horse Artillery) and were the first of my troops to use this style of headgear. Torsos are either custom designs, hand drawn on liquid paper on blue torsos, or the standard pirate blue jacket with red and white shirt. All the hussars get red legs and a black cape. The sergeant and the officer get epaulettes (yellow and white respectively.
Each hussar is equipped with a sabre (okay, it’s really a cutlass) and a pistol.
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Chasseurs e Cheval
| | Sent to Port Brique for a period of rest and recouperation after hard campaigning in Europe, the Emporor’s own light horse have settled in well in Port Brique.
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More serious than the Hussars - and better swordsmen too, the Chasseurs would be the light horsemen of choice for a diplomatic mission. If need could be found for cavalry on such a mission of course!.
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Construction Notes
| | Like the Hussars, the Chasseurs wear car-tyre busbies. Torsos are the green ones from the Armada Flagship set. I would like some epaulettes for these guys, but they’re in short supply in Port Brique at present.
Each chasseur is equipped with a sabre and a pistol.
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Dragoons
The French dragoons deployed in Port Brique are tough fighters and good horsemen who aren’t afraid to dismount and slog it out on foot when necessary.
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Their green uniforms and plumed helmets give them an impressive appearance, and being armed with muskets as well as pistols have an an edge over other dismounted troops in combat.
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Construction Notes
| | The Dragoons wear dragon-master style helmets (actually, I got most of mine from Fright Knights sets!)and have torsos (either green or white) with custom jacket and sash designs (hand drawn on liquid paper). Legs are white. Again epaulettes would be nice, but out of the question at the moment.
(Update December 2002: Following the purchase of a pair of 6776’s the Dragoons now have red epaulettes!)
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Cuiraissers
| | Sent to Port Brique along with the Chasseurs, the Cuiraissers are the premier heavy cavalry of france.
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The Cuirassers are not afraid to charge hard, relying on their cuiraise and helmet for protection until they can hack and slash at their enemy. It is a very brave footsoldier who can calmly reload his musket while being charged by one of these horsemen.
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Construction Notes
| | The Cuirassers wear dragon-master style helmets (same as the Dragoons)and have traditional euro armour over a blue torso (design unimportant). White legs. Their cloaks are custom made from paper (based on the LEGO design, but cut down significantly).
Each Cuiraisser is equipped with a sword, two pistols and a white horse.
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Current Strength of the Grand Armee of the South Pacifique
Light Infantry
| | 14
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| | Line Infantry
| | 14
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| | Band
| | 6
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| | Horse Artillery
| | 4
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| | Light Cavalry (Hussars/Chasseurs)
| | 12 (8/4)
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| | Heavy Cavalry (Dragoons/Cuiraissers)
| | 8 (4/4)
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| | Engineers Not detailed above
| | 8
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| | Mounted Musicians not detailed
| | 4
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| | Commander and Executive Officer
| | 2
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| | Total
| | 72, plus 30 horses
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(Total pieces used for the Grande Armee: Approximately 600)
Go back to Port Brique
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