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- Newsgroups: sci.military
- Path: sparky!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!swrinde!gatech!hubcap!ncrcae!ncrhub2!ciss!law7!military
- From: Mike Schmitt <shuksan.boeing.com!major@bcstec.ca.boeing.com>
- Subject: Re: Napoleon's Guard
- Message-ID: <C19nMq.2xL@law7.DaytonOH.NCR.COM>
- Sender: military@law7.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Sci.Military Login)
- Organization: Man Machine Systems Technology
- References: <C143Jp.332@law7.DaytonOH.NCR.COM>
- Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 17:37:38 GMT
- Approved: military@law7.daytonoh.ncr.com
- Lines: 39
-
-
- From Mike Schmitt <shuksan.boeing.com!major@bcstec.ca.boeing.com>
-
-
- Voltigeurs were almost the exact equivalent to the British Light Infantry
- companies of the British Line battalions - in selection, training, and
- deployment. Specifically the best marksmen - and usually deployed in
- skirmish order.
-
- Of the French line infantry, 'center' (or Fusilier) companies wore the
- crowned letter 'N' on their surtout turnbacks - grenades for the Grenadier
- company and horns for the Voltigeur company. Center company officers carried
- a straight sword. Grenadiers and Voltigeurs carried curved sabres.
-
- Usually, one company of light infantry per battalion was deployed forward
- as a skirmishing screen and engaged in sniping fire.
-
- In 1808 the French Line Battalion consisted of six center companies, one
- grenadier company and one voltigeur company.
-
- Numerous regiments of light infantry were formed called Tirailleurs. In
- a Tirailleur regiment, the Line companies were replaced by Chasseur
- companies and the Grenadier company was replaced by a Carabinier company.
-
-
- It was the Voltigeurs and Tirailleurs of the 'Young Guard' commanded by
- General Duhesme that defended Plancenoit against the initial approach of
- the Prussian 16th Brigade of Bulow's IV Corps. The Young Guard suffered
- heavy casualties but could not hold Plancenoit. The Chasseurs of the
- Middle Guard were sent to assist and retook the town. The reformed Young
- Guard rallied behind the Middle Guard and held on to Plancenoit until
- nightfall.
-
- --
- Mike Schmitt - Disclaimer: These opinions are not my employer's. My opinions
- are protected by the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of
- America. No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great. Duty first.
-
-
-