Europe's Dirty Little Secret…
His imperial highness, Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, ruler of Algeria and Tonkin, surveyed the dry, red landscape of his new home. Still, it was better than the ignominious exile and lonely death of his uncle… or worse. Aided by a fearful French Republic and British Prime Minister Gladstone, Louise-Napoleon had been secreted out of London, and was joined by thousands of the most diehard Bonapartists in 1873, while news of his death was reported around the world. It was a good plan. It had worked before with Maximillian in Mexico who now lorded over a small collection of cities, and the deposed Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz who was having great success with a new Martian Janissary corps.
Within a few years, Napoleon III was so successful, he had forged a small empire, and proclaimed himself Emperor Napoleon I of Mars in his own right. The Prince Imperial, faking his death as well with the aid of British agents in Zululand, arrived a few years later with fresh French troops as a buffer to German land-grabs.
The Scramble for Mars Was On…
Beginning with a small ten-plus-year-old range of French and Germans for Mars from Regiment Games, Pontoonier Miniatures has begun a truly unbelievable range of French forces on Mars. These will have many other uses, including steampunk, and perhaps even early WWI French in gas masks. Much, much more to follow, with cavalry, artillery and personalities hot on the heels of this release.
