I have no idea why the Exploits of Brigadier Gerard has a swastika on it.
I presume it is for the same reason as many of Kiplings books do.
One of the simple pleasures of working nights is that hour of solitude when you return home. The dawn is breaking; the house is quiet except for the cats, who are awake and demanding food. My mind is too active from the shift just past to sleep, so I usually settle down and do a little reading. I often leave tasks in the war room so that I can potter for an hour or so before going to get to bed. Mrs Kinch once compared it to rest periods divers take when returning from deep dives.
This morning I applied myself to my Brigadier Gerards, so that I could solve the problem of the regimental number. The Brigadier led the Hussars of Conflans and were they the 3rd Hussars?
Well it turns out that Kristian was right in a way. My hussar is not wearing the uniform of the Hussars of Conflans, however, the gallant Brigadier was not always a Brigadier, nor was he always in the Hussars of Conflans. At one point he was Lieutenant Etienne Gerard of the Tenth Hussars.
Now as it happens blue as the gallant Brigadier explains is the colour of the tenth. And referring further to the text, it turns out that Kristian...
...got the uniform details exactly right. So gentlemen, I give you Lieutenant Etienne Gerard of the Tenth Hussars. A bold and saucy fellow just at the beginning of his career.
Hopefully, I will get another quiet time tomorrow morning and I shall be able to confirm whether the Hussars of Conflans are the 3rd Hussars.
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