Old guard

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In some armies, the old guard was the name for selected units of the guard troops . With the title "old" it was also underlined that it was a "long-standing, reliable and experienced" force that had distinguished itself particularly in war missions. They were also granted additional privileges, both financial and material. The Old Guards include the French Vieille Guard , the Prussian five Guard Infantry Regiments in the Guard Corps , the four Life Guard regiments of the Russian Imperial Guard and the three battalions of the American Old Guard . The phrase "old guard" expresses a special sense of belonging and thus marks a close personal and long-lasting relationship.

French Empire

Grenadier of the Imperial Guard

The most prestigious section of Napoleon's Imperial Guard , formed from the Consular Guard , was called the Vieille Garde (Old Guard). They consisted of long-serving veterans who claimed to be the most deserving soldiers in French military history. The 1st regiment was set up in 1799, another regiment followed in 1800. After that, further regiments were set up, a specialty being the 1st regiment de chevau-légers lanciers polonais, a Polish regiment of light cavalry . It was erected in 1807 by Emperor Napoleon I and served until the end of the Empire in 1815. It was considered almost invincible until Waterloo. Napoleon often used the guard as a last reserve in his battles and preferred to deploy them in decisive battle situations.

Prussia

"Long guy" of the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 6th

In the Prussian army were as Old Guard Guard - Infantry mentioned that the prior to the reorganization of the army in 1860 Guard Corps belonged. In particular, these were the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 6 (1806) and the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 15 (1806) . For those in the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment No. The popular name Lange Kerls was known to serving soldiers . Other well-known names for the regiment are Potsdamer Riesengarde and Grenadiergarde. The numbering (No. 6) was only introduced shortly before the dissolution in 1806. In addition, the 1st Guards Regiment on Foot and the Regiment of the Gardes du Corps held a prominent position.

Russian Empire

In the Imperial Russian Army , the Imperial Guard included the "Old Guards" of the Guard Infantry Regiments Preobrazhensky , Semjonowski , Ismailowski and the Life Guard Jägerregiment . The first three regiments came into being during the reign of Tsar Peter I , the Jägerregiment was founded in 1792. The officers of the guard regiments were largely recruited from the aristocratic classes of the Baltic knighthoods , which strengthened relations with the imperial court.

US Army

The 3rd United States Infantry Regiment (German: 3rd US Infantry Regiment ) is a military association of the US Army . It currently has three active battalions , and is especially known as The Old Guard ( the old guard ) or Escort to the President ( escort of the President ), as it is the guard regiment of US forces represents and also the oldest infantry unit of the Army is. Its formation goes back to the "First American Regiment" in 1784, today the regiment is used as an honor guard and guard regiment. The traditional core is formed by the Commander-in-Chief's Guard (CINC Guard), which consists of 70 soldiers. They wear uniforms based on those of the Continental Army during the American Revolution .

National Socialism

At the time of National Socialism in Germany, the term old fighters or old guard was coined. These were long-term party members who were already members from 1919 to 1923 or who had participated in the 1923 Hitler coup in Munich. They had been awarded the Golden Party Badge or the Order of Blood .

Phrase

The saying "old guard" is intended to express a special feeling of togetherness, at the same time it shows a form of reliability. This can be found in the statement: "We of the Old Guard". The French general Pierre Cambronne is said to have said in the battle of Waterloo : "La garde meurt et ne se rend pas." - "The old guard dies and does not surrender." To be of the old guard also means being one of the first or to be men of the first hour. Be his from the old school or even of the old guard is coming or the good old days of real meal and grain be

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ " To be of the old guard". Entry on: Sayings - Index [1] , accessed on July 12, 2019
  2. ↑ Old Guard, entry on: OpenThesaurus.de [2]
  3. ^ Hans Schemann, Renate Birkenhauer, dictionary of synonyms of German phrases, edition 2, Verlag Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG, 2012, ISBN 3-11-021791-0 [3]