Grenadiers – selected infantry units and / or cavalry, originally intended for the assault of enemy fortifications, mainly in siege operations.
Grenadiers were armed with hand grenades and firearms. Hand grenades used to be called “grenades” or “grenadics”; they were a hollow cast-iron ball filled with gunpowder with a wick; they were used for throwing at enemy fortifications. Given the short range of the flight of grenada, the military man needed maximum strength, courage, resourcefulness, fearlessness and skill to get to the right distance. From the grenades went the name of units using this type of weapon. Subsequently, grenadiers began to call the elite units of the line infantry.
Origins
The first mentions of the use of hand grenades for military purposes date back to the Chinese Ming Dynasty, when Chinese soldiers defending the Great Wall of China used something resembling hand grenades. In Europe, the first hand grenades were used in the Spanish and Austrian armies, as well as in England during the civil war.
In 1667 in England it was allocated (selected for physical strength and ability to throw) 4 people in a company for throwing grenades; they were called “grenadiers”. Since the Grenadier needed free hands for setting fire and throwing a grenade, their guns were equipped with straps for comfortable wearing in the “behind” position. This invention was adopted by the French king Louis XIV, and within a few years a new kind of weapon (type of troops ) was introduced in all major European armed forces.
The first hand grenades were a hollow cast – iron ball , equipped with the usual gunpowder. The grenades were equipped with a short wick, manually set on fire by the grenadier. The diameter of the grenades ranged from 7 to 15 cm. Since the grenadier was carrying several grenades (sometimes several dozen), he had to be physically developed enough, moreover, physical strength and dexterity were also required for throwing grenades in battle. The grenadier had to be a very brave and disciplined soldier, because he was required to approach the enemy fortifications, set fire to the wick of the grenade, wait a certain time (not to give the enemy time to throw the grenade back), and far and accurately throw the grenade at the enemy, and all this under enemy fire from close range. The combination of these qualities made the grenadiers elite infantry.
Late XVII – Early XVIII centuries
Grenadiers of this period retained their original functions as grenade throwers. In battle, the grenadiers usually moved ahead of advancing infantry columns. The use of large formations from some grenadiers was inconvenient, so the grenadier units, usually companies, were included in the line infantry regiments.
Each grenadier had several, usually 3 or 4 hand grenades in a special bag (grenadier). In addition, the grenadiers had conventional infantry weapons – a rifle with a bayonet and a sword.
Throwing a grenade was carried out with his right hand upwards through the head of the grenadier. Other infantrymen were not burdened with grenades and could constantly carry a gun in their hands. Grenadiers wore dragoons at that time – their hands were full of horse reins.
The first grenadiers were round, low, sometimes trimmed with fur. Later, hats became taller, acquired a pointed shape, often ending in a bright tassel. In front of the grenadiers they began to decorate with rich sewing, either with a relief brass plate, or a combination of both elements. As a rule, the entire grenadier was spiky, but in some cases the cap remained small and round in shape, but a pointed brass plaque was attached to it in front.
Horse grenadiers
A company of equestrian grenadiers of the Blue Suite, part of the Royal House Guard, was formed in 1676 by order of Louis XIV. Its number at different times ranged from 88 to 150 cavalrymen. This company was designed to move in the vanguard of the cavalry troops of the Royal House, paving the way for them. It was a mixed unit, as needed it could be used in the equestrian ranks during field battles or on foot, leading the units that stormed the fortifications. In the latter case, the grenadiers had to throw hand grenades. This company was the only cavalry unit of the Royal House into which people of non-noble origin could be enrolled. Before the company was disbanded in 1776, its apartments were located in Vitry-le-François, near Versailles.