 | | About the Grenadier Guard |
The Guard had its origin in the Consular Guard (Garde des consuls), created November 28, 1799, by the union of the Guard of the Directory (Garde du Directoire exécutif) and the Grenadiers of the Legislature (Grenadiers près de la Représentation nationale). These formations had for principal purpose the security of the executive and legislative branches of the French Republic and gathered a small number of soldiers, about a thousand. One may question their utility, as they did not oppose Napoleon's 18 Brumaire coup of 1799. The Consular Guard changed its name to the Imperial Guard on May 18, 1804. Its headquarters were located at the Pentemont Abbey in Paris. Napoleon took great care of his Guard, particularly the Old Guard. The Grenadiers of the Old Guard were known to complain in the presence of the Emperor, giving them the nickname Les Grognards, the Grumblers. The Guard received better pay, rations, quarters, and equipment, and all guardsmen ranked one grade higher than all non-Imperial Guard soldiers. Other French soldiers even referred to Napoleon's Imperial Guard as "the Immortals." The Guard played a major part in the climax of the Battle of Waterloo. It was thrown into the battle at the last minute to salvage a victory for Napoleon. Completely out-numbered, it faced terrible fire from the British lines, and began to retreat. For the first (and only) time in its history the Middle Guard retreated without orders. At the sight of this, Napoleon's army lost all hope of victory. The Middle Guard broke completely but the Old Guard (and some of the Young Guard) battalions held their formation and secured the retreat of the remainder of the French Army before being almost annihilated by British and Prussian artillery fire and cavalry charges. The quote, "La Garde meurt mais ne se rend pas!" (The Guard dies but does not surrender!) is generally attributed to General Pierre Cambronne. It has been suggested that this was in fact said by another general of the Guard, Claude-Etienne Michel, during their last stand at the Battle of Waterloo. |
The Old Guard in Battle
Napoleon's Guard fought in many battles. The Consular Guard fought at Marengo in 1800, and the Imperial Guard (Old, Middle and Young Guard) in almost every major battle of 1805-15. They campaigned from Italy to Netherlands, and from Spain to Russia. Many battles were fought on the German soil (in Prussia, Bavaria, and Saxony). Napoleon's guardsmen won the vast majority of engagements. (There were no perfect troops. The Prussian, British and Russian Guards, and the Austrian grenadiers, also have tasted setbacks. For example the British Guards at Talavera was counterattacked by the French infantry, suffered 33 % casualties and "rapidly" fell back. At Quatre Bras in 1815 the British Guards were attacked by French light cavalry and lost half thousand men. Shattered they fled back to Bossu Wood. At Austerlitz the Russian Guard infantry was defeated by the French in such a manner that they should consider themselves lucky to escape from the battlefield.) The beginnings were modest. In 1813 the Guard entered Naumburg and Sapper Winckel of 2nd Grenadiers, hauled down the Prussian flag from the steeple and raised the French colors. In that year the Guard was in the forefront of Emperor's juggernaut, surging on to the bullet-swept fields of Lutzen. When the Young Guard began its assault the order was given by the giant man Marshal Mortier. His words were greeted by the roar of a thousand voices. They then marched on Gross Gorschen as irresistible as the ocean, sweeping everything before them. While passing the village of Kaja they had seen the teams of peasants, escorted by soldiers, digging huge graves and long ditches in the fields. Finally the Young Guard stormed the vilage without firing a shot and ejected all the enemy with the bayonet." | |
3e Gren v 22y 7-3
WON3e Gren v 23rd 9-1
WON3e Gren v 23rd 9-1
WON3e Gren v 10e 8-0
WON3e Gren v 23rd 8-1
WON3e Gren v DDF 6-4
WON3e Gren v 2nd Scots 10-4
WON3e Gren v 15tes 10-0
WON3e Gren v 3e Gren 8-2
WON3e Gren v 8thRoyal 5-5
DRAW3e Gren v 2nd Scots 6-4
WON3e Gren v 62nd 10-3
WON3e Gren v 5te 6-5
WON3e Gren v 59th 6-4
WON3e Gren v GR_Nr9 5-5
DRAW3e Gren v 2e 10-2
WON3e Gren v 90th 6-5
WON3e Gren v 8e 6-4
WON3e Gren v 23rd 8-2
WON3e Gren v 26th 8-2
WON
3e Gren + 43e v 2nd Line + 2nd Scots 8-2
WON3e Gren + 2e + 73rd Lights V 73rd 7-3
WON3e Gren + 76th V 23rd + 29th 8-2
WON3e Gren + 6teGarde V 79th 3-3
Draw3e Gren + + 8e Ligne v 29th + 2eSuisse + 8th 5-4
WON3e Gren + 5tFKI V 8e 3-3
Draw
3e Linebattle 3-5
LOST3e Linebattle 9-1
WON3e Linebattle 7-1
WON
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Monday: 2v2 Linebattle 3e+43e v -+- 7pm GMT
Tuesday: Trench battle event 7pm GMT
Wednesday: 2nd Siege 7pm GMT
Thursday: TBA
Friday: TBA
Saturday: TBA
Sunday: Training and Promotions 7pm GMT |
