NAPOLEON III'S ARMY in the War of 1870

True to their approach of presenting the finest uniforms in history, the authors reveal, in this original work, the French army of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. While the formidable machine that Napoleon III's army had become had already seen, over nearly twenty years, numerous campaigns — in Europe, Asia, Africa, and even in the Americas — and had impressed European general staffs, was it ready to fight on its own soil against a modern army? A Prussian army, recently become German, which had itself been forged in the course of victorious battles.

The uniforms, equipment, and armament of every branch of the Imperial Army are presented through the extraordinary uniform plates of André Jouineau, the celebrated illustrator and researcher. The texts by Jean-Marie Mongin, beyond the regulatory details, focus on the organization and strength of this formidable army which, against all expectations, would suffer what some still consider today a humiliating defeat in many respects.

Discover the campaign uniforms — and the full-dress uniforms — of the Cent-Gardes, the guides, the cuirassiers of Reichshoffen, the marsouins of Bazeilles, the hussars, the turcos, the zouaves, but also those of the "Moblots" of the Terrible Year, the heroes of the Army of Bourbaki, or the volunteers of the final months of this conflict — all in all, a founding one…

This volume, as a practical tool — compact, precise, clear, logical and visual, a true vade mecum for enthusiasts of this little-known history, is intended for uniform collectors and figure painters alike.
Nearly 140 uniform plates and diagrams.

Over 1,000 drawings of infantrymen, artillerymen, and cavalrymen:

The Cent-Gardes, the Imperial Guard, the General Staff, the infantry, the cavalry, the artillery, the engineers, the Armée d'Afrique, the services, the Garde Mobile, the Garde Nationale, the francs-tireurs, and the corps francs.