 | About Us:
The Marins de la Garde was one of the most unique units in history. We strive to portray them as accurately as possible on the field, within the parameters of the game. I created my own regiment in early September 2011 with the intent on providing myself, my friends, and anyone who wishes to be a part of it, a skilled, laid back and fun group for Mount & Blade but moreover, video games in general. We are constantly searching for new players and veterans alike to join our ranks. Our own veterans have several years of melee gaming experience, and have a lot to offer in terms of tutoring and general game mechanics expertise pertaining to Mount & Blade. If you're looking for a skilled Artillery and Guard Infantry unit, the Marins Garde may be for you! See our application section below for more information.
Regards,
Capitaine de Vaisseau,
Smithy
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Brief History:
Among all the military units belonging to the Imperial Guard of the First Empire led by Napoléon Bonaparte, a single marine battalion was created from a small staff of specifically adept soldiers within the Armée Français on September 17th, 1803, and was comprised of a multitude of infantry and artillery detachments. The Batallion des Marins de la Garde Impériale. The Battalion was formed into five equipages (a ship’s company), each with five squads, bringing the total strength of the battalion to 737 men, all of whom accompanied Napoléon throughout every one of his campaigns. Through both victory and defeat, the Bataillon des Marins de la Garde Impériale was seen, participating in the construction of bridges, transportation vessels, and various engineering necessities; whichever pertained to Napoléon's needs. The battalion not only did engineering work, but would also act (and excel in) any position required of them by Napoléon during battle, as well as other essential and supportive roles needed to supply the unstoppable force that was Napoléon’s Grande Armée. The Marins would act as supply transportation (including ammunition, arms, artillery, and living assets) for the army, and on occasion would aid the supply convoys with limited movement due to water. Only when their intervention was an absolute necessity (either due to setbacks or tactical advantage) the Marins de la Garde Impériale would arrive on the battlefield to show their bravery in the face of the enemy. Their performance during these times (most specifically during the Spanish Civil War of 1808, but seen through all campaigns as well) was so exceptional, they gained admiration by not only their fellow soldiers, but their enemies as well. When ordered, the Marins would abandon the tools needed to build the bridges and raise arms against the enemy, always in cooperation with sappers, and would readily operate as foot artillery if the need arose. These individuals, who were mostly comprised of Grenadiers and Chasseurs Guard, were nothing less of their title, Sailors. This is why the Marins, in order to have a brilliant military career on the sea, their natural element, became one of the most elite marine infantry battalions during this era. This is the battalion in which Napoléon boasted “Whether as, sailors, soldiers, artillerymen or engineers, there was no task they could not undertake.” During the Spanish Campaign of 1808, the battalion was almost completely destroyed in the Battle of Baylen. Even with this inevitable fate, the Marins fought with honor and devoted passion for the Grande Armée, and had unbreakable morale in even the worst of battles. While the Marins almost fell during this campaign, their reputation and renown throughout the French army was almost equal to Napoléon’s. The battalion was (after their fall) rebuilt, adding three more equipages to the battalion, totaling in 1,136 men.
(More coming soon)
-Written by Munro- |
Battle Honors:
1805, September, 120 sailors left the Camp of Boulogne with the Grand Army to counter the Austro-Russian coalition.
1805, December, Battle of Austerlitz.
1806, they erected bridges over the Vistula and Marienweder rivers. Subsequently, they also served in intelligence positions.
1808, 579 sailors left for the Spanish campaign with the 2nd Corps Observation of the Gironde.
1808, July 19, Battle of Bailen, after the surrender, many of the captured were slaughtered or deported to Cabrera in atrocious conditions.
1809, July 4-5, they organized a system of navigation and commucation on the river Danube and participated in the battle of Wagram.
1811, returning to Spain they participated in engineering roles as well as assuring the retreat of Marshal Massena's rear guard.
1812, two companies left for the Russian campaign as engineers.
1813, two companies deployed to the countryside of Germany.
1814, one company was deployed in the countryside of France.
1814, after the first abdication of Napoleon, the sailors of the Guard represented 14 officers and 336 sailors. One officer and 21 sailors followed Napoleon's exile in Elba.
1815, Spring, for the return of the Emperor, the Guard Sailors fought for the last time for the Empire at the Battle of Waterloo. The unit is permanently dissolved August 15, 1815. |  |
Historical Recruitment Conditions:
In order to be eligible to join the Marins, an individual must have had the following qualities:
A Marin should be at least 25 years of age, have a height of between 1m 78cm (5’ 10”) to 1m 84cm (6’), they must be healthy and hold excellent moral conduct and standing. A soldier also needed to be able to read and write, and would need to have completed at least 3 campaigns of the Wars of Liberty.
The wages a Marin would make was around 12 francs a year, and officers were issued a housing allowance while on duty.
During this time period, the average height of a Frenchman was approximately 5’ 5”. The accepted height for a Marin was the second most selective recruitment condition, just following the Grenadiers de la Garde Impériale.
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The conditions required were enacted under Napoleon’s specifications, and showed that the Marins were of only the highest quality soldiers in Napoleon’s Grand Army. The recruitment conditions, as well as the uniform of the Marins, were designed by Napoleon himself, and these factors as well as their performance are what gave the Marins their impeccable reputation among friend or foe. It was often thought that the Marins were held in as high a regard as Napoleon himself, they were Napoleon’s Chosen.
Interested in Joining?
If you're interested in artillery or guard infantry roles, or you think you may have fun with the Marins, visit our corps' site at www.IXeCorps.com, in the middle of your screen you will see "Join the Corps", select this, click on Artillery, fill out an application and we will get back to you as soon as possible! For further information add myself, Smithy or Munro on Steam. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Valeur et Discipline.
Regards,
Capitaine de Vaisseau, Smithy and Premier-Maître, Munro
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