Napoleon's Imperial Guard Uniforms and Equipment. Volume 1

Napoleon's Imperial Guard Uniforms and Equipment. Volume 1
Author: Paul L. Dawson
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Total Pages: 653
Release: 2019-08-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 1526701936

The author of Battle for Paris 1815 examines the uniforms and equipment of the infantry of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard. From its origins as the Consular Guard of the French Republic, and as Napoleon’s personal bodyguard, the Imperial Guard developed into a force of all arms numbering almost 100,000 men. Used by Napoleon as his principal tactical reserve, the Guard was engaged only sparingly, being deployed at the crucial moment of battle to turn the tide of victory in favor of the Emperor of the French. Naturally, the Imperial Guard has been the subject of numerous books over many decades, yet there has never been a publication that has investigated the uniforms and equipment of the infantry of the Imperial Guard with such detail and precision. The author has collected copies of almost all the surviving documents relating to the Guard, which includes a vast amount of material regarding the issuing of dress items, in some instances down to company level. This information is supported by an unrivaled collection of illustrations, many of which have never been published before, as well as images of original items of equipment held in museums and private collections across the globe. In addition, the renowned military artist, Keith Rocco, has produced a series of unique paintings commissioned exclusively for this book. This glorious book is, and will remain, unsurpassed as the standard work on the clothing and equipment of the Imperial Guard, and will not only be invaluable to historians, but also reenactors, wargamers and modelers. It is one of the most important publications ever produced on this most famous of military formations.

Napoleon's Imperial Guard

Napoleon's Imperial Guard
Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2021-08-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 1526786729

A detailed analysis of the organization, uniforms and weapons of the French Imperial Guard created by Napoleon I. The author describes how this large military body evolved from the Consular Guard created by Bonaparte as early as 1799 and how this came to include dozens of different military units belonging to each branch of service (infantry, cavalry, artillery, specialist corps). The Imperial Guard was a 'miniature army' made up of veteran soldiers, who were dressed with the most spectacular and elegant uniforms ever seen on the battlefields of Europe. The Guard also included several 'exotic' non-French units that are also covered in the text: Egyptian Mamelukes, Polish and Lithuanian lancers, Tatar scouts, Dutch grenadiers and lancers. The way in which Napoleon employed the Guard in battle is discussed and also how it differed from the rest of the French Army in terms of military dress and weaponry.

Napoleon’s Dragoons of the Imperial Guard

Napoleon’s Dragoons of the Imperial Guard
Author: Ronald Pawly
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 121
Release: 2012-04-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1780964048

Dressed in distinctive green uniforms and classically inspired copper helmets, the Dragoons of the Imperial Guard were raised in 1806 by the same criteria as other Guard units – by selection of picked, literate veterans from Line regiments who had six to ten years of service, and citations for bravery in at least two campaigns. The following year they were named Dragons de l'Impératrice in a unique compliment to the Empress Josephine. As a ceremonial regiment it enjoyed many privileges, but it also saw combat on a number of occasions, including the battles of Essling and Wagram (1809), the Russian campaign (1812, when it suffered severe losses), at Bautzen, Wachau and Leipzig (1813), in the 1814 Campaign of France, and at Ligny and Waterloo (1815).

Napoleon's Imperial Guard Uniforms and Equipment. Volume 2

Napoleon's Imperial Guard Uniforms and Equipment. Volume 2
Author: Paul L. Dawson
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Total Pages: 630
Release: 2019-05-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 1526708981

The author of Battle for Paris 1815 examines the uniforms and equipment of the cavalry of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard. Few military formations have attracted more attention than Napoleon’s Imperial Guard, and fewer still have been so extravagantly clothed and accoutered with the finest materials and the brightest colors. On both campaign and parade, the Guard, and especially the cavalry regiments, provided a dazzling display of military grandeur. From the green and gold trappings of the Chasseurs à Cheval, to the multicolored Mamelukes, the Guard cavalry was among the most brilliantly dressed formations ever to grace the field of battle. In compiling this magnificent volume, the author has collected copies of almost all the surviving documents relating to the Guard, which includes a vast amount of material regarding the issuing of dress items, even in some instances down to company level. This information is supported by around 100 contemporary prints, many of which have never been published before, as well as images of original items of equipment held in museums and private collections across the globe. In addition, the renown military artist, Keith Rocco has produced a series of unique paintings commissioned exclusively for this book. This glorious book is, and will remain, unsurpassed as the standard work on the clothing and equipment of the cavalry of the Imperial Guard. It is sure to be treasured by reenactors, wargamers, and modelers, as well as historians and enthusiasts as one of the most important publications ever produced on this most famous of military formations.

Napoleon's Guard Infantry (1)

Napoleon's Guard Infantry (1)
Author: Philip Haythornthwaite
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 137
Release: 2012-08-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782001492

The concept of the bodyguard is as ancient as the practice of an individual assuming the leadership of a group or tribe. From the Companions of Alexander to the Varangians of Byzantium, bodies of élite warriors, owing personal allegiance to their sovereign and obeying no others, have illuminated or stained the annals of military history. Napoleon's Imperial Guards probably represent the last true link in a chain spanning the ages. Philip Haythornthwaite describes the history, organisation and equipment of Napoleon's Guard Infantry in an engaging work which includes numerous illustrations and eight full page colour plates superbly drawn by Bryan Fosten.

The Anatomy Of Glory; Napoleon And His Guard, A Study In Leadership

The Anatomy Of Glory; Napoleon And His Guard, A Study In Leadership
Author: Commandant Henri Lachouque
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Total Pages: 1692
Release: 2015-11-06
Genre: History
ISBN: 1786255820

The glory of the Imperial Guard resounds above all others in the annals of war. Created, built and nurtured as a bodyguard for Napoleon, it grew from a brigade of less than two thousand men into a virtual army, and became ‘a human fortress which no one but he could dominate and no enemy could penetrate’. And, on such battlefields as Austerlitz, Jena, Friedland, Wagram and Waterloo, it won the laurels of undying fame. Written by France’s foremost historian of the Napoleonic Wars, Commandant Henry Lachouque, and translated and adapted by Anne S. K. Brown, this sumptuous work is enhanced by over 180 illustrations, including 86 plates in full colour. With its vivid narrative and lavish illustrations, The Anatomy of Glory can lay justifiable claim to be one of the most magnificent books on military history ever published. The critical acclaim that greeted it upon its first publication provides ample testimony to its reputation: ‘This dramatic account of the birth, life and death of the fabulous Imperial Guard tells a stirring story in English for the first time.’-The Saturday Review of Literature. ‘No one but the most presumptuous who wishes to know about the Imperial Guard can afford to ignore this astonishing compilation. The illustrations alone...are reproduced with a clarity, a beauty, and technical perfection which no one can fail to admire.’ Journal of the RUSI. ‘This sumptuous book ... can yield rich rewards to any reader interested in the fabric of leadership. It is a delight to look at and a pleasure to read.’ -The New York Times. `... Not the well-worn history of conquest and defeat, but of the grognards themselves, marching through readable pages.’ -History Today. ‘Anne S. K. Brown has used her knowledge of French history and uniforms to render Lachouque freely and vigorously. Napoleon just happened to be fallible. But the superb apparatus of his fallibility is gorgeously recalled in this volume.’ The Scotsman.

Napoleon's Guard

Napoleon's Guard
Author: Philip Haythornthwaite
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2000-04-25
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781841761312

Napoleon's Imperial Guard was the elite corps of the French Army. The Guard differed from the guard corps of other European sovereigns of the period, in that its function was rather functional than ceremonial, and its expansion was such that it came to represent a considerable portion of France's military establishment. By supplying personnel to other units, it functioned as a training school for the remainder of the army, yet the elite status of the guard did little to protect its soldiers from the rigours of combat in the brutal Napoleonic Wars.

Napoleon's Guard Infantry (2)

Napoleon's Guard Infantry (2)
Author: Philip Haythornthwaite
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 50
Release: 2012-06-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782000275

This title looks at Napoleon's Middle and Young Guard infantry. The seniority of Guard infantry was only established definitely in 1812 by the Guard's chief of personnel, Courtois. The title 'Young Guard' was assigned to the newly-raised regiments in 1809, but the term 'Middle Guard' came into use about 1811. From the beginning the newer guard regiments were committed to action first, the Old Guard, as Napoleon wrote, 'being so precious, one fears to expose them'; thus the Fusiliers-Chasseurs distinguished themselves at Hilsberg whilst the rest of the Guard was kept in reserve. In 1808 the Fusiliers went to Spain, serving at the Madrid rising, Medina and Guadalajara. Philip Haythornwaite examines these troops in a detailed text backed by numerous illustrations including eight full page colour plates by Bryan Fosten.