During the Franco-German war of 1870, Prince Louis Napoleon was first exposed, by direction of his father, Napoleon III, to the fire of the enemy at Saarbruck, the event was called a ‘baptism of fire’
Later, people changed it to Baptism by fire.
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Baptism by Fire
One’s first taste of battle; first introduction to a tough situation.
‘This is going to be his baptism of fire.’
Cassell (1902)