French Zouaves wore white trousers on many combats and battles during the Crimean War, Franco-Austrian War (Italian Campaign of 1859), French Intervention in Mexico and Franco-Prussian War.
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Rare photo of the flag, what was left of it, and imperial eagle of the 2nd French Zouaves. This photo was taken after the bloody Battle of Solferino, the decisive battle of the Franco-Austrian War (Italian campaign of 1859). The 2nd French Zouaves fought with great courage and tenacity in 1859, especially at Magenta (as did the other three French Zouave regiments).
At the Battle of Magenta, the 2nd Zouaves fought against Austrian troops in Rare photo of the flag, what was left of it, and imperial eagle of the 2nd French Zouaves. This photo was taken after the bloody Battle of Solferino, the decisive battle of the Franco-Austrian War (Italian campaign of 1859). The 2nd French Zouaves fought with great courage and tenacity in 1859, especially at Magenta.
At the Battle of Magenta, the 2nd Zouaves fought against Austrian troops in close and hand-to-hand combat through the streets and houses of Magenta. The Zouaves captured approximately 500 Austrian infantry soldiers and the flag of the 9th Austrian infantry regiment during the engagement and for this feat of arms the regiment was awarded with the cross of the Légion d'honneur. It was the first regiment in the French army to have its imperial eagle decorated with the Légion d'honneur. The 2nd Zouaves lost 14 officers and 285 men at Magenta and lost 4 officers and 62 men at Solferino. The imperial eagle of the regiment was hit during the fight, either by canister or rifle fire, but the projectile didn't penetrate all the way through the eagle. The flag was damaged beyond repair.
Take a look at this French veteran… He's the real deal. Veteran of the Crimean War and Franco-Austrian War, he was also decorated with the Medaille Militaire for bravery.
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Zouaves wearing the campaign dress (with white trousers), painted between 1865 and 1870 by contemporary artist Armand Dumaresq.
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REGIMENT OF ZOUAVES OF THE FRENCH IMPERIAL GUARD (1854-1870)
Zouaves of the Imperial Guard wearing the campaign dress, with white trousers, during maneuvers at the Camp of Châlons in 1866. Click on the images to enlarge it:
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"Le Dernier du Bataillon", painted by Jules Monge (the actual painting is in colors). Click on the image to enlarge it:: link
Larger image: link
Iron Men… Those French Zouaves were iron men. At the Battle of Froeschwiller (6 August, 1870), during the Franco-Prussian War, all three regiments of Zouaves fought like lions. Against superior firepower and great odds, the Zouaves fought with extraordinary skill, tenacity and ferocity. They repulsed many German infantry assaults… They held their ground at great cost… They covered the retreat of other French units and, because of all that, they suffered heavy casualties. The 2nd Zouaves lost 47 officers and 1,088 men at Froeschwiller. The regiment's commander, Colonel Détrie, was seriously wounded and captured by the Prussians that terrible day. He survived and went on to become a General of Division.
Colonel Détrie in 1870 (four weeks before the start of the war):
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The end of the bloody Battle of Froeschwiller (august 6, 1870)… The scene: The 1st French Zouaves was the last French regiment to leave the field, withdrawing under heavy fire as though on parade. Withdrawing with their pride intact. The regiment suffered 500 casualties that day. French Zouaves did "splendid work" that terrible day.
Click on the image to enlarge it: link
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Edouard Detaille also put the Zouaves fighting in white trousers at the Battle of Froeschwiller. Click on the image to enlarge it: link
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French Zouaves and Algerian Tirailleurs fighting at Wörth/Froeschwiller (can't remember the name of the painter). Click on the image to enlarge it: link
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"Essuyant le Feu" by Alphonse de Neuville… Scene from the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). We can see soldiers from many French units fighting together, desperately fighting. Zouave wearing white trousers.
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"Zouave" by Paul Louis Narcisse Grolleron. French Zouave in 1870.
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gets started with WWI British in 15mm.
