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''Chasseur'' ( , ), a French term for "hunter", is the designation given to certain regiments of French and
Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...
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 ...
() or
light cavalry Light cavalry comprised lightly armed and armored cavalry troops mounted on fast horses, as opposed to heavy cavalry, where the mounted riders (and sometimes the warhorses) were heavily armored. The purpose of light cavalry was primarily rai ...
() to denote troops trained for rapid action.


History

This branch of the
French Army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (french: Armée de Terre, ), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. It is responsible to the Government of France, along with the other components of the Armed For ...
originated during the
War of the Austrian Succession The War of the Austrian Succession () was a European conflict that took place between 1740 and 1748. Fought primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic and Mediterranean, related conflicts included King George's W ...
when, in 1743,
Jean Chrétien Fischer Jean Chrétien Fischer (German: Johann Christian Fischer; 17 January 1713 in Stuttgart – 1 July 1762 near Kassel) was a German-born soldier in the French service. Biography He was a leader of the partisans in the French Army during the War of th ...
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 The Légion de Conflans later the Régiment de Saxe Hussards ( and ) was a German-French Legion (formation), French legion formed during the War of the Austrian Succession. The legion would later serve in the Seven Years' War, but like the other ...
.'' 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 ''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 ori ...
'' * (2nd) ''
Chasseurs Royaux de Dauphiné ''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 ori ...
'' * (3rd) ''
Chasseurs Royaux Corses ''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 ori ...
'' (
Corsica Corsica ( , Upper , Southern ; it, Corsica; ; french: Corse ; lij, Còrsega; sc, Còssiga) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 18 regions of France. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of ...
n) * (4th) ''
Chasseurs Corses ''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 ori ...
'' (
Corsica Corsica ( , Upper , Southern ; it, Corsica; ; french: Corse ; lij, Còrsega; sc, Còssiga) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 18 regions of France. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of ...
n) * (5th) ''
Chasseurs Cantabres ''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 ori ...
'' ( Cantabrian) * (6th) '' Chasseurs Bretons'' * (7th) ''
Chasseurs d'Auvergne ''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 or ...
'' * (8th) ''
Chasseurs des Vosges ''Chasseur'' ( , ), a French language, French term for "hunter", is the designation given to certain regiments of France, French and Belgium, Belgian light infantry () or light cavalry () to denote troops trained for rapid action. History Th ...
'' * (9th) ''
Chasseurs des Cévennes ''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 ori ...
'' * (10th) ''
Chasseurs du Gèvaudan ''Chasseur'' ( , ), a French language, French term for "hunter", is the designation given to certain regiments of France, French and Belgium, Belgian light infantry () or light cavalry () to denote troops trained for rapid action. History Th ...
'' * (11th) ''
Chasseurs des Ardennes ''Chasseur'' ( , ), a French language, French term for "hunter", is the designation given to certain regiments of France, French and Belgium, Belgian light infantry () or light cavalry () to denote troops trained for rapid action. History Th ...
'' * (12th) ''
Chasseurs du Roussillon ''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 ori ...
''


The were the light infantrymen of the French Imperial army. They were armed the same as their counterparts in the regular line infantry (
fusilier Fusilier is a name given to various kinds of soldiers; its meaning depends on the historical context. While fusilier is derived from the 17th-century French language, French word ''fusil'' – meaning a type of flintlock musket – the term has ...
) battalions, but were trained to excel in marksmanship and in executing manoeuvres at high speed. From 1840, they wore a long-skirted
frock coat A frock coat is a formal men's coat characterised by a knee-length skirt cut all around the base just above the knee, popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods (1830s–1910s). It is a fitted, long-sleeved coat with a centre vent at th ...
. After 1850, however the chasseurs adopted a
uniform A uniform is a variety of clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are most often worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, se ...
consisting of a short frock coat with slits in the sides on the bottom edge to allow for better freedom of movement than the previous design. They also wore light blue baggy trousers (in contrast to the red of the line infantry) tucked into jambières (leather gaiters). The other light infantry unit type, the
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. Etymology ''Voltigeurs'' ( ɔltiʒœʀ English: "acrobats") were named ...
s, specialised as
skirmisher Skirmishers are light infantry or light cavalry soldiers deployed as a vanguard, flank guard or rearguard to screen a tactical position or a larger body of friendly troops from enemy advances. They are usually deployed in a skirmish line, an i ...
s and for advance screening of the main force. The chasseurs could also be called upon to form advance guards and scouting parties alongside the voltigeurs. Following the Napoleonic Wars the continued to exist as a separate corps within the infantry. Initially a specially trained elite, their tactical role eventually came to match that of the ordinary (line infantry). By the late 19th century the differences between the two branches were confined to uniform and insignia, although the chasseurs retained a strong esprit de corps. Immediately after the Franco-Prussian War it was argued that the continued existence of an elite class of infantry that was armed and trained to the same standards as the ordinary soldier, was contrary to both military utility and the egalitarian principles of the new republic. However public opinion, influenced by the occasions on which the chasseurs had distinguished themselves during the war was opposed to the disbanding of this distinctive corps. Under the Third Republic the were increased from 20 to 30 battalions. Of these, 4 saw active service in Tunisia, one in Indochina and one in Madagascar during the period 1880-1896. Twelve of the chasseur battalions were re-designated as mountain infantry (). The remaining chasseur battalions were deployed near the frontier with Germany as part of the , charged with covering the bulk of the army during mobilization. During World War I the French Army maintained 31 battalions of infantry chasseurs plus a varying number of reserve and territorial units. Each infantry division was expected to include at least one battalion of either or Each battalion had an establishment of 1,300 to 1,500 men. They were reportedly nicknamed (black devils) by their German opponents, in reference to their dark colored uniforms. The chasseurs served mainly on the Western Front but detachments were sent to reinforce the Italian front in 1917.


Chasseurs à cheval

The , a type of French
light cavalry Light cavalry comprised lightly armed and armored cavalry troops mounted on fast horses, as opposed to heavy cavalry, where the mounted riders (and sometimes the warhorses) were heavily armored. The purpose of light cavalry was primarily rai ...
, date from 1743 when an independent unit (Fischer's Volunteer Company of Chasseurs) was raised during the
War of the Austrian Succession The War of the Austrian Succession () was a European conflict that took place between 1740 and 1748. Fought primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic and Mediterranean, related conflicts included King George's W ...
to counter
Trenck's Pandurs Trenck's Pandurs ( hr, Panduri, german: Panduren, Hungarian language, Hungarian: Pandúr) were a light infantry unit of the Habsburg monarchy, raised by Baron Franz von der Trenck under a charter issued by Maria Theresa of Austria in 1741. The u ...
and
Croats The Croats (; hr, Hrvati ) are a South Slavic ethnic group who share a common Croatian ancestry, culture, history and language. They are also a recognized minority in a number of neighboring countries, namely Austria, the Czech Republic, G ...
employed as irregulars by the Austrian army. Originally a mixed corps of light infantry and horsemen, this force proved sufficiently effective to warrant the creation of a single corps: In 1776 this and other volunteer "legions" had their mounted elements converted into 24 squadrons of each of which was attached to one of the existing dragoon regiments of the royal cavalry. In 1779 these squadrons were amalgamated into six regiments, each of which was given a regional title (1st 2nd etc.). In 1788, 6 dragoon regiments were converted to and during the period of the Revolutionary Wars the number was again increased, to 25. During their earlier history these regiments lacked the higher profile of the identically-armed (but much more lavishly uniformed)
hussar A hussar ( , ; hu, huszár, pl, husarz, sh, husar / ) was a member of a class of light cavalry, originating in Central Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. The title and distinctive dress of these horsemen were subsequently widely ...
s. Distinguished by dark green uniforms and a bugle-horn badge, they were frequently used as advance scouting units providing valuable information on enemy movements. Both Napoleon's
Imperial Guard An imperial guard or palace guard is a special group of troops (or a member thereof) of an empire, typically closely associated directly with the Emperor or Empress. Usually these troops embody a more elite status than other imperial forces, in ...
and the Royal Guard of the
Restoration Restoration is the act of restoring something to its original state and may refer to: * Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage ** Audio restoration ** Film restoration ** Image restoration ** Textile restoration * Restoration ecology ...
each included a regiment of . In addition Napoleon added a further 5 line regiments to those inherited from the Revolutionary period. At the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the French Army had 12 regiments of , grouped with 8 hussar regiments to form the light branch of the cavalry and tasked with primarily reconnaissance duties. This intended role continued through World War I and the remained entirely horse mounted until the was motorised in June 1940. Disbanded after the
Battle of France The Battle of France (french: bataille de France) (10 May – 25 June 1940), also known as the Western Campaign ('), the French Campaign (german: Frankreichfeldzug, ) and the Fall of France, was the Nazi Germany, German invasion of French Third Rep ...
, these units were reconstituted in 1944–45 as light armor. During the French occupation of Algeria, regiments of were raised. These were light cavalry recruited originally from French volunteers and subsequently from the French settlers in North Africa doing their military service. As such they were the mounted equivalent of the
zouave The Zouaves were a class of light infantry regiments of the French Army serving between 1830 and 1962 and linked to French North Africa; as well as some units of other countries modelled upon them. The zouaves were among the most decorated unit ...
s.


Flanqueurs Chasseurs

In preparation for the invasion of Russia, Napoleon ordered the creation of additional units for the Guard that included the ''Régiment de Flanqueurs-Chasseurs de la Garde''. Along with the regiment of ''Flanqueues-Grenadiers'', this was mainly recruited from the sons and nephews of forest service civil servants or made up of young men who wanted to obtain a position within the Waters and Forests Administration after concluding their military service. The role of these light infantry soldiers was to flank the main army while on the march, in order to guard against any sudden attack.


Chasseurs Forestiers

The (forest huntsmen) were militarized units of the ''Eaux et Forêts administration'' (Waters and Forests Administration). They were organized in 18 companies and many sections. The existed between 1875 and 1924. The ''chasseurs forestiers'' were classed as elite light infantry troops and could form advance guards and scouting parties due to their knowledge of natural fields and their ability to make or read maps. Established by a decree of the newly established Third Republic dated 2 April 1875, the ''Chasseurs Forestiers'' incorporated some personnel of the existing Water and Forest Administration into the French Army on a part-time basis. The purpose was to make use of trained and specialist manpower as part of the armed forces in time of war. The specific roles envisaged for the ''Chasseurs Forestiers'' were to provide guides for the regular army and to work with the Engineers in obtaining stocks of timber for military use. While provided with distinctive green and grey uniforms plus stocks of standard infantry weapons and equipment, the ''Chasseurs Forestiers'' performed their normal forestry service functions in peacetime with only limited involvement in army training and manoeuvers. Upon mobilisation in August 1914 personnel aged between 25 and 48 years saw front line service in the
Vosges The Vosges ( , ; german: Vogesen ; Franconian and gsw, Vogese) are a range of low mountains in Eastern France, near its border with Germany. Together with the Palatine Forest to the north on the German side of the border, they form a single ...
in northern France. Post-war policy changes led to the disestablishment of the ''Chasseurs Forestiers'' as a military body in 1924.


Modern French Army

The modern French Army still maintains (mechanized infantry: 16e BC), (mountain troops: 7e, 13e, 27e BCA) and regiments of (1er-2e RCh and 4e RCh: light armored regiments). In addition one regiment of (training unit: 1er RCA) has been re-raised to commemorate this branch of the French cavalry. Since May 1943 there has been a "Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes" (1er RCP). All of these units have different traditions: * are light infantry units created after 1838. Some of these battalions were converted to specialized mountain units as in 1888, as an answer to the Italian Alpine () regiments stationed along the Alpine frontier. * are units of the "Arme Blindée Cavalerie": armoured units. The basic organic unit is called regiment and not bataillon to avoid confusing cavalry and infantry chasseurs. * The airborne infantry units called ''Régiments de chasseurs parachutistes'' were created in 1943 with airborne troops from the French Airforce (GIA or ), who were transferred into the Army. * are the elite mountain infantry of the modern French Army. They are trained to operate in mountainous terrain and to undertake urban warfare. Although the traditions of these different branches of the French Army are very different, there is still a tendency to confuse one with the other. For example, when World War I veteran Léon Weil died, the AFP press agency stated that he was a member of the 5th "Régiment de Chasseurs Alpins". It was in fact the 5th Bataillon.


Belgian army

From its creation as a permanent force in 1832 the Belgian army included regiments of both chasseurs à pied and chasseurs à cheval, performing the same roles as their French counterparts. Their lineage is a continuation of regiments of hussars and light-dragoons of the army of the Kingdom of the United Netherlands from which they were originated. At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914 there were 3 regiments of Chasseurs à pied, each of 3 battalions, and 3 regiments of mounted Chasseurs. In 1933 a new regiment of light infantry: the
Chasseurs Ardennais The ''Bataillon de Chasseurs Ardennais'' (, or more figuratively, 'Ardennes Light Infantry') is an infantry formation in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally formed in 1933 to ensure the defense of Belgium's Luxembourg Prov ...
, was created to garrison the mountainous region of that name. In 2011, the 1st Regiment of Chasseurs à cheval/Guides (result of the fusion of the 1st Chasseurs à Cheval and the
Regiment of Guides The 1st Guides Regiment (french: 1e Régiment des Guides, nl, 1e Regiment Gidsen) was an armoured regiment of the Belgian Army. Previously amalgamated with the 1st Regiment Chasseurs à cheval (2004), in 2011 the regiment was amalgamated with 2/ ...
in 2004) was amalgamated with the 2nd/4th Regiment of Chasseurs à cheval, in order to form the Battalion Chasseurs à Cheval (Bataljon Jagers te Paard). The battalion is dedicated to the ISTAR missions and carries the standard of the 1st Chasseurs à Cheval.


U.S. Army

The
U.S. The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
Federal Army adopted Chasseurs during the Civil War as a scouting and skirmishing force for use against the
Confederate Army The Confederate States Army, also called the Confederate Army or the Southern Army, was the military land force of the Confederate States of America (commonly referred to as the Confederacy) during the American Civil War (1861–1865), fighting ...
. Their uniform was patterned after the French style, with the short, vented coat, though they were issued grey
kepi The kepi ( ) is a cap with a flat circular top and a peak, or visor. In English, the term is a loanword of french: képi, itself a re-spelled version of the gsw, Käppi, a diminutive form of , meaning "cap". In Europe, this headgear is most ...
s. A notable unit of Civil War Chasseurs were the
65th New York Volunteer Infantry The 65th New York Infantry Regiment (or 1st United States Chasseurs) was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment wore distinctive chasseur styled uniforms. Its members were recruited primarily from New Y ...
(also known as the 1st United States Chasseurs). The Chasseurs were involved in the Peninsula campaign, as well as the Appomattox campaign, and lost a total of 146 men. They were distinct for choosing to wear M1858 uniform hats (more popularly known as
Hardee hat The Hardee hat, also known as the Model 1858 Dress Hat and sometimes nicknamed the " Jeff Davis", was the regulation dress hat for enlisted men in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The Hardee hat was also worn by Confederate soldiers ...
s) rather than the kepis. The
14th Brooklyn The 14th Regiment New York State Militia (also called the 14th Brooklyn Chasseurs) was a volunteer militia regiment from the City of Brooklyn, New York (state), New York. It is primarily known for its service in the American Civil War from April ...
, one of the most famous regiments of the Civil War, wore a Chasseur uniform their whole term. In 1862, following the capture of Confederate-held
New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
Merriam-Webster.
; french: La Nouvelle-Orléans , es, Nuev ...
by Federal soldiers, an all-black regiment named the Chasseurs d'Afrique was raised.Jacques Sicard and Francois Vauvillier, ''Les Chasseurs d'Afrique''. . p. 40.


Argentinian Army

In the Argentinian Army, the term (Spanish for hunter, although in a military context it means chasseur or ranger) is used to designate certain special units trained to operate in specific geographical areas, such as mountain or jungle. Currently, there are two independent companies of (mountain rangers) and three of (jungle rangers).


See also

*
Chasseurs à Cheval de la Garde Impériale The Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard () constituted a light cavalry regiment in the Consular, then Imperial Guard during the French Consulate and First French Empire respectively. They were the second senior "Old Guard" cavalry regiment of ...
*
Jäger (military) Jäger, Jager, or Jaeger (), meaning "hunter" in German, may refer to: *Jäger (surname), shared by many people Fictional characters * Frank Jaeger, better known as Gray Fox, in the ''Metal Gear'' series * Eren Jaeger, or Eren Yeager, protagonis ...
*
Voltigeurs 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. Etymology ''Voltigeurs'' ( ɔltiʒœʀ English: "acrobats") were named ...
*
Chasseurs d'Afrique The ''Chasseurs d'Afrique'' were a light cavalry corps of chasseurs in the French Armée d'Afrique (Army of Africa). First raised in 1831 from regular French cavalry posted to Algeria, they numbered five regiments by World War II. For most of ...
*
Zouaves The Zouaves were a class of light infantry regiments of the French Army serving between 1830 and 1962 and linked to French North Africa; as well as some units of other countries modelled upon them. The zouaves were among the most decorated unit ...
*
Chasseurs Ardennais The ''Bataillon de Chasseurs Ardennais'' (, or more figuratively, 'Ardennes Light Infantry') is an infantry formation in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally formed in 1933 to ensure the defense of Belgium's Luxembourg Prov ...
*
Chasseurs Alpins The ''chasseurs alpins'' ( en, Alpine Rangers) are the elite mountain infantry force of the French Army. They are trained to operate in mountainous terrain and in urban warfare. History France created its own mountain corps in the late 19th ...
*
Chasseurs Britanniques The Chasseurs Britanniques was a battalion-sized corps of foreign volunteers, who fought for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland during the Napoleonic Wars. The regiment was formed from the remnants of the Louis Joseph, Prince of Condé ...


Footnotes

{{reflist


References

* Louis Susane, ''Historie de l'Ancienne Infanterie Français, Volume I,'' 1849 Naval and Polytechnical Military Library of Paris, Paris, France.


External links


Chasseurs alpins




* ttps://www.nytimes.com/1861/09/02/news/letter-from-the-first-united-states-chasseurs.html 18th- and 19th-century warrior types Civil War military equipment of the United States Combat occupations Military units and formations of France French Army no:Jeger (soldat)