Napoleon in Egypt

Available Wargaming Figures

by Jim Birdseye

There are a number of manufacturers producing figures suitable for the period. Dixon, Peter Laing and Minifig produce figures specifically for the period. There are also a large number of figures produced for other periods that will work well as Ottoman and Egyptian figures. Let's examine the figures to see exactly what types will suit each side.

The French were using uniforms of the Revolutionary period. The Dixon figures and Minifigs produce specific figures forthe Revolutionary French in 15mm, Dixon has troops in Kleber style uniforms and helmets to match. These are excellent figures for the period. Dixon has some nice 25mm figures as well. Willies are also nice large figures. For those who are not particular I recommend that you use whatever French figures that you have on hand. French cavalry were primarily Dragoons with helmets and bicornes. You can scratch build French camel units using dragoon figures.

The British figures are also easy to locate. Minifig produces a nice British Marine in 15mm. The British Infantry wore stove pipe shakos and equipment similar to that issued for Spain. Artillery uniforms and cavalry uniforms were also similar to those worn in Spain. The quality of the British troops should be inferior to those of the French in all areas. Battle Honors produces an excellent line of British figures that are well suited to Egypt.

The Mamelukes otter a real challenge. The first source for figures should be those figures produced as Mamelukes for the French Army. These can be supplemented by a variety of ancients and renaissance figures. Just about any Arab or Turkish figures will work to some degree. The Mamelukes were anything but regular in uniform. They wore body-armor, helmets, and carded a variety of weapons. Table Top, Dixon and Minifigs all produce figures in the fifteen millimeter range that will work. In 25mm, Minifig, Garrison, Irregular Miniatures and Hinchliffe all have figures that will work for mounted Mamelukes. Do not overlook using suitable ancients figures. For example, TTG/Alliance Arabs will make excellent Mamelukes and Egyptians. Also, don't overlook the Colonial figures for the Egyptian period. In 15mm, Stone Mountain makes Arabs that make excellent mounted Mamelukes. In 25mm, the number of lines that carry suitable figures for the period in their colonial lines includes Frontier, Hinchliffe, Minifigs, and Irregular Miniatures.

Egyptian Infantry can come from a number of sources. This includes all the lines above. The best figures, however, are the Minifig "Limeys and Slimeys" line of Barbary Coast pirates. These figures include infantry armed with rifles, swords and spears. There are also artillery figures and guns as well as figures that will serve well as dismounted Mamelukes.

Ottoman figures and Janissaries can be had from TTG/Alliance 15mm Renaissance line - these include command figures. Minifigs also has figures that will work. 25mm scale is a bit harder to find. Dixon again, is a good source, but Minifig produces a good figure as does Hinchliffe and Garrison in their Renaissance periods.

I'll describe the Janissary uniform. The Janissary dolman was a long coat with short sleeves. The dolman was pulled tightly at the waist with a braided cord, called the kursh. Over the top of the dolman was a blue overcoat called asaphi. TheJanissary wore a distinctive head gear called a zarcola which was made of white felt and had a long back draped down the back. It was decorated with a white feathered plume for special occasions.

Whatever you do, do not overlook Dervishes, Pathans, and Arab figures of the colonial lines. Remember that the areas that the Ottomans levied included Armenians, Kurds, Arabs, Ayrians, Egyptians, and Lybians. They should be mounted in irregular formations. The only regular units were the Janissaries.

The French adventures in Egypt and Palestine are an interesting footnote to the Napoleonic period. It has the elements of both Colonial and Napoleonic wargaming to say nothing of naval actions. It requires very few units and is an effective environment for skirmish, tactical, and strategic actions.

Napoleon in Egypt

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