Italian Guardia d'Honore (1811–14)
The Italian Royal Guard cavalry represents one of the more distinctive units that served in Napoleon's Grande Armée during the Russian campaign. Formed in 1805, these horsemen wore a uniform that caught the eye on parade grounds from Milan to Moscow.
In 1812, the regiment served under Eugène de Beauharnais with IV Corps, taking part in the major engagements at Smolensk and Borodino. By 1812, the Italian kingdom had been contributing troops to Napoleon's campaigns for several years, and these Guard cavalry represented the cream of Italian military society.
The Italian Guardia d'Honore set comes with one officer, on trumpeter and 10 troopers in three variants. Each sits resplendently upon a heavy horse.
- Nick
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