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Voltigeur
The Voltigeurs were French military skirmish units created in 1804 by Emperor Napoleon I. They replaced the second company of fusiliers in each existing infantry battalion. The voltigeurs moniker later saw use with other militaries. Etymology ''Voltigeurs'' (English: "vaulters") were named after their originally conceived mode of operation: although they were foot soldiers, on the battlefield they were intended to jump onto the croup of cavalry horses to advance more quickly. This proved unworkable and they were trained to be elite skirmishers, but they retained their original name. ''Voltigeurs'' formed an integral part of the Grande Armée's basic building blocks, the line and light infantry battalions. Line and light infantry voltigeurs In 1804, each French Line (Ligne) and Light (Légère) infantry battalion was ordered to create one company of ninety of the best shots who would serve as elite skirmishers. The voltigeurs were skilled at sharpshooting and received sp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Voltigeurs Of A French Line Regiment Crossing The Danube Before The Battle Of Wagram
The Voltigeurs were French military skirmish units created in 1804 by Emperor of the French, Emperor Napoleon I of France, Napoleon I. They replaced the second company of fusiliers in each existing infantry battalion. The voltigeurs moniker later saw use with other militaries. Etymology ''Voltigeurs'' (English: "vaulters") were named after their originally conceived mode of operation: although they were foot soldiers, on the battlefield they were intended to jump onto the Rump (animal), croup of cavalry horses to advance more quickly. This proved unworkable and they were trained to be elite skirmishers, but they retained their original name. ''Voltigeurs'' formed an integral part of the Grande Armée's basic building blocks, the line and light infantry battalions. Line and light infantry voltigeurs In 1804, each French Line infantry, Line (Ligne) and light infantry, Light (Légère) infantry battalion was ordered to create one company of ninety of the best shots who would serve ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Imperial Guard (Napoleon I)
The Imperial Guard ( French: ''Garde Impériale'') was the imperial guard formation of the French Imperial Army. Under the direct command of Napoleon, the formation expanded considerably over time and acted as his personal bodyguard and tactical reserve. The Imperial Guard was divided into a general staff and infantry, cavalry and artillery regiments along with battalions of sappers and marines. It distinguished between experienced veterans and less experienced members by being separated into three formations: the Old Guard, Middle Guard and Young Guard. The Young Guard was virtually annihilated in the Battle of Krasnoi during the French invasion of Russia. History The Guard had its origin in the Consular Guard (''Garde des consuls''), created on 28 November 1799 by the union of the Guard of the Directory (''Garde du Directoire exécutif'') and the Grenadiers of the Legislature (''Grenadiers près de la Représentation nationale''). These formations had for principal p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Grande Armée
The (; ) was the primary field army of the French Imperial Army (1804–1815), French Imperial Army during the Napoleonic Wars. Commanded by Napoleon, from 1804 to 1808 it won a series of military victories that allowed the First French Empire to exercise unprecedented control over most of Europe. Widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest fighting forces ever assembled, it suffered catastrophic losses during the disastrous French invasion of Russia, after which it never recovered its strategic superiority and ended its military career with a total defeat during the Hundred Days in 1815. The ''Grande Armée'' was formed in 1804 from the Army of the Coasts of the Ocean (1804), Army of the Coasts of the Ocean, a field army of over 100,000 men assembled for Napoleon's planned invasion of the United Kingdom. He subsequently led the field army to Central Europe and defeated Austrian Empire, Austrian and Russian Empire, Russian forces as part of the War of the Third Coalition. T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tirailleurs
A tirailleur (), in the Napoleonic era, was a type of light infantry trained to skirmish ahead of the main columns. Later, the term "''tirailleur''" was used by the French Army as a designation for indigenous infantry recruited in the French colonial territories during the 19th and 20th centuries, or for metropolitan units serving in a light infantry role. The French army currently maintains one tirailleur regiment, the 1st Tirailleur Regiment. This regiment was known as the ''170th Infantry Regiment'' between 1964 and 1994. Prior to 1964, it was known as the ''7th Algerian Tirailleur Regiment'', but changed its name after it moved to France as a result of Algerian independence. History Napoleonic period In the wars of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods, the designation "tirailleur" was a French military term used at first to refer generically to light infantry skirmishers. The first regiments of Tirailleurs so called were part of the Imperial Guard of N ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Light Infantry
Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought as Reconnaissance, scouts, Raid (military), raiders, and skirmishers. These are loose formations that fight ahead of the main army to harass, delay, disrupt supply lines, engage the enemy's own skirmishing forces, and generally "soften up" an enemy before the main battle. Light infantrymen were also often responsible for Screening (tactical), screening the main body of a military formation. Following World War II, the term "light infantry" has evolved to include rapid-deployment units (including commando and Airborne forces, airborne units) that emphasize speed and mobility over armor and firepower. Some units or battalions that historically held a skirmishing role retain their designation "light infantry" for the sake of tradition. His ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shako
A shako (, , or ) is a tall, cylindrical military cap, usually with a visor, and sometimes tapered at the top. It is usually adorned with an ornamental plate or Cap badge, badge on the front, metallic or otherwise; and often has a feather, hackle, or pompom attached at the top. Extensively used as an item of military headgear during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the shako now survives as part of some ceremonial uniforms. Origins The word ''shako'' originated from the Hungarian language, Hungarian name for the ''peak'', which Hungarian border soldiers () added around 1790 to their previously visorless stovepipe-style hats. Originally these hats were part of the clothing commonly worn by shepherds, before being added to the uniform of the Hungary, Hungarian hussar in the early 18th century. Other spellings include ''chako'', ''czako'', ''sjako'', ''schako'', ''schakot'', and ''tschako''. From 1800 on, the shako became a common military Headgear, headdress worn by ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Battle Of Corunna
The Battle of Corunna (or ''A Coruña'', ''La Corunna'', ''La Coruña'' or ''La Corogne''), in Spain known as Battle of Elviña, took place on 16 January 1809, when a French corps under Marshal of the Empire Jean de Dieu Soult attacked a British army under Lieutenant-General John Moore (British soldier), Sir John Moore. The battle took place during the Peninsular War, which was part of the wider Napoleonic Wars. Doggedly pursued by the French under Soult, the British retreated across northern Spain while their rearguard fought off repeated French attacks. Both armies suffered from the harsh winter conditions. Much of the British army, excluding the elite Light Division, Light Brigade under Robert Craufurd, suffered from a loss of order and discipline during the retreat. When the British eventually reached the port of A Coruña, Corunna on the northern coast of Galicia (Spain), Galicia, a few days ahead of the French, they found their transport ships had not arrived. The fleet ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chasseur
''Chasseur'' ( , ), a French term for "hunter", is the designation given to certain regiments of French and Belgian light infantry () or light cavalry () to denote troops trained for rapid action. History This branch of the French Army originated during the War of the Austrian Succession when, in 1743, Jean Chrétien Fischer was authorized by the Marshal de Belle-Isle to raise a 600 strong mixed force of infantry and cavalry. It was called '' Chasseurs de Fischer.'' During the remainder of the 18th century various types of light troops () were employed within the French army, either as independent units or as companies within existing regiments. In 1788, there were 8 battalions of chasseurs, and in March 1793 this was expanded to 21 battalions. The first battalions of Chasseurs raised by 1788 included: * (1st) '' Chasseurs Royaux de Provence'' * (2nd) '' Chasseurs Royaux de Dauphiné'' * (3rd) '' Chasseurs Royaux Corses'' (Corsican) * (4th) '' Chasseurs Corses'' (Cors ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Line Infantry
Line infantry was the type of infantry that formed the bulk of most European land armies from the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century. Maurice of Nassau and Gustavus Adolphus are generally regarded as its pioneers, while Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne, Turenne and Raimondo Montecuccoli, Montecuccoli are closely associated with the post-1648 development of linear infantry tactics. For both battle and parade drill, it consisted of two to four ranks of foot soldiers drawn up side by side in rigid alignment, and thereby maximizing the effect of their firepower. By extension, the term came to be applied to the regular regiments "of the line" as opposed to light infantry, skirmishers, militia, Combat service support, support personnel, plus some other special categories of infantry not focused on heavy front line combat. Linear tactics and function Line infantry mainly used three formations in its battles: the line, the square, and the column. With the univer ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lapel
A lapel ( ) is a folded flap of cloth on the front of a jacket or coat below the collar. It is most commonly found on formal clothing and suit jackets. Usually it is formed by folding over the front edge of the jacket or coat and sewing it to the collar, an extra piece of fabric around the back of the neck. There are three basic forms of lapel: notched, peaked, and shawl. The notched lapel, the most common, is usually seen on business suits, and on more casual jackets like blazers and sport coats. The peaked lapel is more formal, and nearly always used on double-breasted jackets, but also frequently appears on single breasted ones.Flusser (2002). p. 85 The shawl lapel is usually carried by tuxedos and mess jackets.Antongiavanni (2006). p. 172 Types Notched The notched lapel (American English), step lapel or step collar (British English) is sewn to the collar at an angle, creating a step effect. This is the standard on single-breasted suits, and is used on nearly all sui ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Treaty Of Fontainebleau (1814)
The Treaty of Fontainebleau was an agreement concluded in Fontainebleau, France, on 11 April 1814 between Napoleon and representatives of Austria, Russia and Prussia. The treaty was signed in Paris on 11 April by the plenipotentiaries of both sides and ratified by Napoleon on 13 April. With this treaty, the allies ended Napoleon's rule as emperor of the French and sent him into exile on Elba. Prelude In the War of the Sixth Coalition (1812–1814), a coalition of Austria, Prussia, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and a number of German states drove Napoleon out of Germany in 1813. In 1814, while the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal invaded France across the Pyrenees; Russia, Austria and their allies invaded France across the Rhine and, after the Battle of Paris, entered into negotiations with members of the French government for the abdication of Napoleon. On 31 March, the Coalition issued a declaration to the French nation: On 1 April, Russian Emperor Alexander ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Middle Guard
The Middle Guard () was a formation of the French Imperial Army's Imperial Guard. It was an intermediate force between the elite Old Guard and the less experienced Young Guard. It played a role in Napoleon's military campaigns, offering a balance of experience and infantry flexibility. History The Middle Guard, established between 1806-1809, composed mainly of veteran soldiers with at least three military campaigns of experience. The Middle Guard served as a seasoned reserve force, bridging the gap between the elite Old Guard and the less experienced Young Guard. Its units were often deployed in combat situations. These units, composed of veteran soldiers, were essential for maintaining the flexibility and effectiveness of Napoleon's army in key campaigns, including the later stages of the Napoleonic Wars. The Middle Guard, although less prestigious than the Old Guard, enjoyed significant privileges such as better pay, rations, and living conditions. Their dual role as a bat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
