Soldiers of Frederick the Great from left to right hussar, dragoon, kuerassier, grenadier and musketier.

A Grenadier (French for "Grenademan") was originally a specialized assault soldier for siege operations, first established as a distinct role in the mid to late 17th century. Grenadiers were soldiers who would throw grenades and storm breaches, leading the forefront of such a breakthrough. Grenadier may refer to: A grenadier, originally a specialized assault soldier for siege operations, later an honorific applied to many infantry military units. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 700 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (743 × 636 pixels, file size: 166 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Soldiers of frederick the great From left to right you can see: hussar,dragoon,kuerassier,grenadier and musketier. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 700 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (743 × 636 pixels, file size: 166 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Soldiers of frederick the great From left to right you can see: hussar,dragoon,kuerassier,grenadier and musketier. ... Frederick II (German: ; January 24, 1712 – August 17, 1786) was a King of Prussia (1740–1786) from the Hohenzollern dynasty. ... A British Hussar from the Crimean War Hussar (original Hungarian spelling: huszár, plural huszárok, Polish: Husaria) refers to a number of types of cavalry used throughout Europe since the 15th century. ... For other uses, see Dragoon (disambiguation). ... French cuirassier armour, 1854 Cuirassiers were mounted cavalry soldiers equipped with armour and firearms, first appearing in late 15th-century Europe. ... Muskets and bayonets aboard the frigate Grand Turk. ... A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition, often accompanied by an assault. ... Grenade may refer to: The well-known hand grenade commonly used by soldiers. ...

Origins

The concept of throwing grenades may go back to the Ming Dynasty, when Chinese warriors on the Great Wall were reported using this weapon. The earliest references to these grenade-throwing soldiers in Western armies come from Austria and Spain. References also appear in England during the English Civil War. However, it was King Louis XIV of France who made the grenadier an official type of soldier and company during his army reforms late in the 17th century. According to Rene Chartrand, Lt. Col. Jean Martinet introduced the idea of having men detailed to throw grenades in the Régiment du Roi in 1667. For other uses, see Ming. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see English Civil War (disambiguation). ... Louis XIV redirects here. ... Jean Martinet (d. ... // Events January 20 - Poland cedes Kyiv, Smolensk, and eastern Ukraine to Russia in the Treaty of Andrusovo that put a final end to the Deluge, and Poland lost its status as a Central European power. ...

Grenades

The first grenades were small iron spheres filled with gunpowder fused with a length of slow-match, roughly the size of a cricket ball or a baseball. The grenadiers had to be tall and strong enough to hurl these heavy objects far enough so as not to harm themselves or their comrades, and disciplined enough to stand at the forefront of the fight, light the fuse, wait, and throw at the appropriate moment to minimize the ability of an enemy to throw the grenade back. Understandably, such requirements led to grenadiers being regarded as elite. Smokeless powder Gunpowder is a pyrotechnic composition, an explosive mixture of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate that burns rapidly, producing volumes of hot gas which can be used as a propellant in firearms and fireworks. ... Cricket ball A cricket ball is a hard, solid ball used to play cricket. ... This article is about the sport. ...

Early distinctions of dress and equipment

The wide hats with broad brims characteristic of infantry during the late 17th century were discarded and replaced with caps. This was originally to allow the grenadier to sling his musket over his back with greater ease while throwing grenades (initially, only these troops were provided with slings). Additionally, a brimless hat permitted the grenadier greater ease in throwing the grenade overhand. By 1700, grenadiers in the English and other armies had adopted a cap in the shape of a bishop's mitre, usually decorated with the regimental insignia in embroidered cloth. In addition to grenades, they were equipped with contemporary longarms. The uniform included a belt tube that held the match for lighting the fuse; this feature was retained in later grenadier uniforms. Events January 1 - Russia accepts Julian calendar. ... This article is about the ceremonial head-dress; see also mitre (disambiguation). ... ... A long gun is a firearm with an extended barrel, usually designed to be fired braced against the shoulder. ...

Elite status of grenadiers in 18th century

British Grenadiers, distinguished by their mitre caps, acting as assault troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Grenade usage declined significantly in the early 18th century, a fact that can be attributed to the improved effectiveness of massive infantry line tactics and flintlock technology. However, the need for elite assault troops remained, and the existing grenadier companies were used for this purpose. As noted above physical size had been considered important for the original grenadiers and, in principle, height and strength remained the basis of selection for these elite companies. In the British regiments of foot during the 18th century the preference was however to draw on steady veterans for appointment to individual vacancies in a grenadier company (one of the eight companies comprising each regiment). The traditional criterion of size was only resorted to when newly raised regiments required a quick sorting of a mass of new recruits. Whether for reasons of appearance or reputation grenadiers tended to be the show piece troops of their respective armies. In the Spanish Army of the early 1800s for example grenadier companies were excused routine duties such as town patrols but were expected to provide guards at the headquarters and residences of senior officers. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1144x946, 232 KB) Battle of Bunker Hill by E. Percy Moran. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1144x946, 232 KB) Battle of Bunker Hill by E. Percy Moran. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Stormtrooper. ... For a list of numerous places and things that are named after this battle, see Bunker Hill. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I Infantry or footmen are very highly disciplined and trained soldiers who fight primarily with small arms(rifles), but are trained to use everything from their bare hands to missle systems in order to neutralize... For other uses, see Elite (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Stormtrooper. ...

Mitre cap

The mitre cap, whether in stiffened cloth or metal became the distinguishing feature of the grenadier in the armies of Britain, Russia, Prussia and most German states during the 18th century. French grenadiers had other distinctions such as fringed epaulettes and dyed feathers in their tricorn hats. Austrian and Spanish grenadiers favoured high fur hats with long coloured cloth backs to them. The mitre was gradually replaced by bearskin hats in other armies and by 1914 it only survived in three regiments of the Prussian and Russian Imperial Guards. Russian grenadiers had worn their brass fronted mitre hats on active service until 1809 and some of these preserved for parade wear by the Pavlovski Guards until 1914 still had dents or holes from musket balls. Some have survived for display in modern museums and collections.

In addition to the mitre (later bearskin) headdress, grenadiers of the British Army were distinguished by flaming grenade insignia on belt-plates, pouches, coat-tails and collars plus shoulder wings. These distinctions disappeared when the "flank companies" (grenadiers and light infantry) of each regiment of line infantry were discontinued shortly after the Crimean War. Irish Guards, wearing bearskins, march to the Cenotaph, London, on June 12th 2005 for a service of remembrance for Irish troops For the fairy tale of this title, see Bearskin (fairy tale). ... The Light Infantry is an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Light Division. ...

Grenadier regiments

The term grenadier was retained or adopted by various elite infantry units, including Potsdam Grenadiers, Napoleon's Imperial Guard, the Imperial Russian Grenadier Leib Guards Regiment, Grenadier Guards and the 101st Grenadiers. The latter was part of the British Indian Army and claimed to be the first and oldest grenadier regiment (as opposed to grenadier companies) in the British Empire. During the American Revolution of 1775-1783, the Connecticut 1st Company Governor's Foot Guards [1] and the 11th Regiment of Connecticut Militia had grenadier companies. [2] [3]. New York City also had a Grenadier unit [4]. The Potsdam Giants was a Prussian infantry regiment composed of taller-than-average soldiers. ... For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... Grognard of the Old Guard in 1813 The Imperial Guard (French:Garde impériale) was originally a small group of elite soldiers of the French Army under the direct command of Napoleon I, but grew considerably over time. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... The term Leib Guard (Russian: ) collectively distinguished military units serving as personal guards of the Emperor of Russia. ... The Grenadier Guards is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. ... The 101st Grenadiers was a regiment of the British Indian Army. ... A group of native Indian Muslim soldiers posing for volley firing orders. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence, showing the five-man committee in charge of drafting the Declaration in 1776 as it presents its work to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia The American Revolution refers to the period during the last half of the 18th century in which the Thirteen...

With the standardisation of training and tactics, the need for separate grenadier companies at regimental level had passed by the mid nineteenth century and the British, French and Austrian armies phased out these sub-units between 1850 and 1860. However as late as 1914 the Imperial German and Russian Armies included a number of grenadier regiments. In the Russian Army these comprised the Grenadier Guards Regiment as well as the Grenadier Corps of sixteen regiments. Five regiments of the Prussian Guard were designated as Garde-Grenadiers and there were an additional fourteen regiment of grenadiers amongst the line infantry of the German Empire. In both Russian and German armies the grenadier regiments were considered a historic elite, distinguished by distinctions such as plumed helmets in full dress or special braiding. Their role and training however no longer differed from that of the rest of the infantry.

Modern usage

Italian soldier throwing hand grenade in 1917.

In modern times, regiments using the name grenadiers are effectively indistinguishable from other infantry, especially when hand grenades, RPGs, and other types of explosive arms have become standard-issue weaponry; however, such regiments retain at least the tradition of their elite past. Grenadier can also refer to soldiers utilizing grenade launchers, including those mounted on rifles. During World War I a proposal to designate specialist grenade launching units in the British Army as grenadiers was vetoed by the Grenadier Guards who considered that they now had exclusive rights to the ancient distinction, and the term Bomber was substituted. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Grenade redirects here. ... A rocket propelled grenade (RPG) is a man-portable, shoulder-launched weapon capable of firing an explosive device longer distances than an otherwise unassisted soldier could throw. ... A grenade launcher is weapon that fires or launches a grenade to longer distances than a soldier could throw by hand. ... The Grenadier Guards is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. ...

During World War I, German troops referred to as pioneers, who were early combat engineers or sappers began using two types of hand grenades in trench warfare operations against the French to clear opposing trenches of troops. The more effective of the two was the so called "potato masher" stielhandgranate, which were Stick grenades^[1]. “The Great War ” redirects here. ... An Assault Pioneer is a trained infantry soldier who is responsible for: The construction of tools for infantry soldiers to cross enemy terrain and natural obstacles Supervising the construction of military defence installations Assault Pioneers normally form a Platoon in infantry regiments, and such platoons can be found in a... A sapper, in the sense first used by the French military, was one who sapped (undermined) anothers fortifications. ... Trench warfare is a form of war in which both opposing armies have static lines of defense. ... The Model 24 Stielhandgranate (In English: Stick Hand Grenade) was the standard hand grenade of the German Army from the end of World War I until the end of World War II. The very distinctive appearance led to it being called a stick grenade, or Potato Masher in British Army... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The German motorised and mechanised infantryman of World War II were known as panzergrenadiers serving in both Panzer and Panzergrenadier Divisions. Motorised infantry is infantry which is transported by trucks or other motor vehicles. ... Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs), or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also mechanized force). ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... This article needs cleanup. ... Panzer Division is the German term for armored division. ...

Continuing traditions

The Argentine Army, still maintains a unit known as the Horse Grenadiers Regiment (Regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo)--actually a battalion-strength formation--which serves as the Presidential ceremonial escort and guard unit. The Regiment's founder and first commanding officer was General José de San Martín. Unlike other units which carried the title of "grenadiers", the Argentine Grenadiers are a cavalry unit, and continue to mount horses for ceremonial purposes. The Argentine Army (Ejército Argentino, EA) is the land armed force branch of the Argentine military and the senior military service of the country. ... Current President Néstor Kirchner The President of Argentina (full title: President of the Argentine Nation, Spanish: Presidente de la Nación Argentina) is the head of state of Argentina. ... José Francisco de San Martín Matorras, also known as José de San Martín (25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850), was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South Americas successful struggle for independence from Spain. ...

The United Kingdom still uses traditional Grenadier dress for the Grenadier Guards when they are on sentry duty at Buckingham Palace. The Grenadier Guards is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. ... Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial. ...

The Belgian Army retains two regiments of grenadiers based in Brussels. First raised in 1837 from companies drawn from the line infantry of the newly independent Kingdom, these troops served with distinction in both World Wars. In peacetime they had a ceremonial role which corresponded to that of Royal Guards in other armies. In 1999 the historic blue and red full dress worn prior to World War I was reintroduced for limited wear, although the tall bearskin headdress is now made of synthetic material. Flag of Belgium The Land Component, formerly the Belgian Army, is the land-based armed force of the Belgian Armed Forces. ...

The modern Dutch Army maintains a regiment of Garde Grenadiers who retain the bearskin headdress of the early nineteenth century. The Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) is the land forces element of the Military of the Netherlands. ...

The two regiments of Sardinian Grenadiers (Granatieri di Sardegna) remain as an elite brigade in the Italian Army. This unit traces its history back to a Guards regiment raised in 1659 and is made up predominantly of one year volunteers. On ceremonial occasions in Rome the Italian Grenadiers parade in their nineteenth century blue uniforms and fur headdresses. Coat of Arms of the Italian Army Dardo IFV on exercise in Capo Teulada Soldiers of the 33rd Field Artillery Regiment Acqui on parade The Italian Army (Esercito Italiano) is the ground defense force of the Italian Republic. ...

Modern grenadiers

US Marine with M16A2 with M203 grenade launcher mounted.

In the Swiss Army, the Grenadiers form the elite Special Forces. They are used for especially challenging operations and are initially trained in Isone, a secluded, mountainous region in the South of Switzerland. The Swiss Grenadiers specialize in urban warfare, guerrilla warfare, anti-terrorist operations, commando tactics, sniper missions, hand to hand combat, and other special operations. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 369 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,249 × 2,030 pixels, file size: 445 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 369 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,249 × 2,030 pixels, file size: 445 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Military of Switzerland On May 18, 2003, Swiss voters approved the military reform project Army XXI that will drastically reduce the size of the Swiss Army. ... For other uses, see Special forces (disambiguation). ... Isone is a municipality in the district of Bellinzona, in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. ... Urban warfare is a modern warfare conducted in urban areas such as towns and cities. ... “Guerrilla” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Commando (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Sniper (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Close Quarters Combat. ...

In the Norwegian Army, grenadier is used as a rank, the lowest enlisted below sergeant, to distinguish the professional soldiers from the conscripts. Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Norwegian Army (Norwegian: Hæren) is Norways military land force. ...

In the German Army Panzergrenadier is the lowest rank in the Panzergrenadiere branch of service which translates into mechanized infantry. The German Army (German: [1], [IPA: heɐ]  ) is the land component of the Bundeswehr (Federal Defence Forces) of the Federal Republic of Germany. ...

In the Vietnam War U.S squads usually had at least one soldier whose role was that of a grenadier. He was usually armed with an M79 grenade launcher, although towards the end of the war it was replaced with an XM148 grenade launcher underslinging an M16 rifle. In infantry squads the grenadier was dedicated to his weapon, meaning that he usually carried only the M79 and a Colt 1911 side arm. In some cases, grenadiers were not even issued this sidearm. The M79 was designed to bridge the gap between the maximum throwing range of a grenade and the minimum distance of mortar fire. It also allowed the use of various rounds, notably High Explosive, buckshot, Flechette, smoke grenades and Parachute Flares. Modern US squads have continued the concept of the grenadier armed with an M203 grenade launcher attached to an M16. The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break open grenade launcher which fires a 40 x46 mm grenade and first appeared during the Vietnam War. ... The XM148 was an experimental 40 mm grenade launcher developed by Colt Firearms as the CGL-4 (Colt Grenade Launcher). ... M16 (more formally United States Rifle, Caliber 5. ... The M1911 is a single-action, semiautomatic handgun chambered for the . ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... A shotgun shell is a self-contained cartridge loaded with shot or a slug designed to be fired from a shotgun. ... The word flechette is French and means dart (literally, little arrow). It is a projectile having the form of a small metal dart, usually steel, with a sharp-pointed tip and a tail with several vanes to stabilize it during flight. ... Smoke grenade Smoke grenades are canister-type grenades used as ground-to-ground or ground-to-air signaling devices, target or landing zone marking devices, or a screening devices for unit movements. ... M203 generally refers to the United States Army designation for a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher that attaches to the M16 assault rifle or the M4 Carbine. ...

References

External links

• The Grenadiers