Part 4

“Grenadiers” first sprang into existence in the seventeenth century; as their name indicates, they were originally intended to throw hand-grenades amongst the enemy ranks. For this object, particularly powerful men were selected, and in France, under Louis XIV., four Grenadiers were at first attached to each company; subsequently, each battalion received a Grenadier company. Grenadiers were now introduced into every civilised army, but as there was seldom an opportunity for the employment of their special weapon, they were given muskets, and remained Grenadiers only in name, and thus the name came to be applied to particularly fine bodies of troops only. The Prussian Grenadier battalions of Frederick the Great were the flower of his Army, and in memory of these troops the 1st Prussian Foot-Guard Regiment still wears the old sugar-loaf brass helmet on big review days and other special occasions. The title of “Grenadier Regiments,” which the first twelve Prussian Infantry regiments received in 1861, was only bestowed in order to keep green the memory of the old Grenadiers.

The names of “Musketeers” and “Fusiliers” come from the different firearms their predecessors bore, _i.e._, the musket and the rifle (fusil), first introduced into France in the seventeenth century. The Musketeers were at first the Heavy Infantry, in contradistinction to the Fusiliers, who represented the Light Infantry. Later, however, on each branch receiving the same firearm, the distinction ceased, and it is now only remembered through the old Fusilier songs, of which there exist several, and whose burden is the chaffing of the heavy Musketeer.

The peculiar qualities necessary for good Light Infantry have been developed _par excellence_ in the Prussian Rifle battalions. These draw a very large proportion of their recruits from the gamekeepers and forester class of the country. Such men have of necessity been already trained in the attainments required for that branch of the Infantry. They are well acquainted with firearms and can shoot; they can put up with considerable hardships, they can find their way about a strange country, and they have studied in the school of nature—in short, they are the very men to make into skirmishers and marksmen, and are in their element on outpost or patrol duty. Frederick the Great was the first to train the Jäger as Light Infantry, and his influence is seen to this day. “Vive le roi et ses chasseurs” was the motto engraved on their “hirschfänger” (lit. “stag-sticker,” a large knife still worn by keepers for the purpose of giving the stag his _coup de grâce_) in his day, and it is still the watchword of the Prussian Riflemen of to-day. Frederick recognised that the true method of employing Riflemen was to extend them as skirmishers, and there is a story which tells how, when one day, in Potsdam, the Rifles were marching past him in close order, the old king shook his crutch-stick at them and shouted: “Get out of that, get out of that, you scoundrels!” and made them march past in extended order.

On the 1st of April, 1890, the German Infantry numbered 171 regiments of 3 battalions each, and 21 Rifle battalions—total 534 battalions.

The Guard and Grenadier Regiments are:—

4 Regiments of Foot-Guards, 4 Regiments of Guard Grenadiers, 12 Prussian Grenadier regiments (Nos. 1–12), 1 Mecklenburg Grenadier regiment (No. 89), 2 Baden Grenadier regiments (Nos. 109 and 110), 2 Saxon Grenadier regiments (Nos. 100 and 101), 2 Württemberg Grenadier regiments (Nos. 119 and 123), 1 Bavarian Body-Guard regiment, 1 Hessian Body-Guard regiment (No. 115).

The Fusilier and Rifle (Schützen) Regiments are:—

12 Prussian Fusilier regiments (composed of 1 Guard Fusilier regiment, and Nos. 33–40, 73, 80, and 86 of the Line). 1 Mecklenburg Fusilier regiment (No. 90), and 1 Saxon Rifle (Schützen) regiment (No. 108).

Of the remaining Line regiments, 81 are Prussian, _i.e._, Nos. 13–32, 41–72, 74–79, 81–85, 87–88, 97–99, 128–132, 135–138, and 140–143;

No. 91 is Oldenburg, No. 92 ” Brunswick, No. 93 ” Anhalt, No. 94 ” Saxe-Weimar, No. 95 ” Saxe-Meiningen and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, No. 96 is Saxe-Altenburg, Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, and the two principalities of Reuss, Nos. 111–114, and 144, are Baden, and Nos. 116–118 are Hessian. Total, 95 regiments of the first group.

Nine belong to the 2nd group, Saxony, _i.e._, Nos. 102–107, 133, 134, and 139.

Six belong to the 3rd group, Württemberg, _i.e._, Nos. 120–122 and 124–126.

The 4th group, Bavaria, has 18 regiments of the Line, which are numbered apart from the rest of the Army.

The Rifle (Jäger) battalions are thus divided:—

Prussia: 1 battalion Rifles of the Guard; 1 battalion Schützen of the Guard; 11 battalions Rifles of the Line (Nos. 1–11); 1 battalion Mecklenburg Rifles. Total, 14 battalions. Saxony: 3 battalions Rifles of the Line (Nos. 12, 13, and 15). Bavaria: 4 battalions Rifles (numbered apart).

[Sidenote: +Cavalry.+]

The Cavalry is intended for fighting chiefly at close quarters and on open ground. Their use on the battle-field is generally confined to the attack in close order.

Although both branches of the Cavalry, the Heavy and the Light, receive an identical training, yet the distinction between them has not yet entirely lost its old significance. The Cavalry of the German Army is divided into four groups, distinguished by different equipment and arms; they are the Cuirassiers, the Dragoons, the Lancers, and the Hussars. The chief weapon throughout is the sword, though the Cuirassiers differ from the others in being armed with a long straight sword, whilst that of the latter is slightly curved. Besides this weapon, the whole of the Cavalry is being armed with lances. As it may happen that the men may have to dismount and use firearms on foot, at present they are all armed with a useful carbine (Mauser, 1871 pattern); the non-commissioned officers and trumpeters wear a revolver instead.

The main point in a Cavalry fight is the shock, _i.e._, the moment when they come into contact with the enemy. This must be the result of gradually quickening the pace till at the supreme moment an irresistible mass is hurled with crushing force on the ranks of the enemy. The best powers of man and horse must therefore be reserved for this moment, and it is a fact that the turning-point of an action has often been decided by the mere impetus of the charge, and without any use whatever of cold steel.

Of the whole German Cavalry the Prussian arm has the best record. This dates from the time of Frederick the Great and his celebrated Cavalry leaders Zieten, Seydlitz, and others, who made use of bold and clever offensive tactics which led to grand results at Rossbach, Leuthen, Zorndorf, and other actions. Prussian horses are powerful, fast, and capable of considerable endurance, so that they are particularly suited to military service. In addition, the Prussian soldier is a capital groom. These qualities, in conjunction with thorough discipline and tactical training, have brought the German Cavalry to a height of excellence that is surpassed by few.

The Cuirassiers are the troops who from their outward appearance most resemble the knights of the Middle Ages. Although the cuirass, from which they take their name, has lately been abolished for field service in consequence of its weight and inability to keep off the enemy bullets, yet with the lance, just introduced, a genuine knightly weapon has been brought in to take its place.

The Prussian Regiment of Gardes-du-Corps, whose chief is _ex-officio_ the King of Prussia, is equipped and armed in the same way as the Cuirassiers. Although it forms a Royal body-guard, still the regiment has seen a considerable amount of service. History tells of a memorable saying of the Commander of the regiment, Colonel von Wacknitz, at the battle of Zorndorf (25th August, 1758), where the enemy, the Russians, were getting the best of the day; Frederick the Great was with his regiment, the Gardes-du-Corps, and said anxiously to Colonel von Wacknitz: “What do you think of it? My idea is that we shall get the worst of the action.” Von Wacknitz lowered his sword and said: “Your Majesty, no battle is lost, in my opinion, where the Gardes-du-Corps have not charged.” “Very good,” said the king, “then charge.” And the fortune of the day was decided by the brilliant and successful attack made by this regiment. The battle was won, and the country saved.

In Bavaria the two regiments of Heavy Cavalry, and in Saxony the regiments of Horse Guards and Carbineers, correspond to the Prussian Cuirassiers.

The Dragoons were originally intended to combine the fire-action of Infantry with the rapidity of movement of Cavalry, and were therefore armed, on horseback, with a light musket and bayonet. The Brandenburg Dragoons of the great Elector Frederick William came greatly to the fore in this double capacity at the battles of Warsaw and Fehrbellin. The uncertainty, however, of the results of shooting when mounted, and the inconvenience of dismounting or mounting according as to whether the fight raged on foot or on horseback, showed plainly as time went on that the idea of an intermediate arm, a sort of mounted infantry, could not yet be brought to perfection. The Dragoons were therefore, during the eighteenth century, gradually formed into Cavalry pure and simple, and at the present time they are horse-soldiers, and horse-soldiers only. One of the most celebrated Cavalry attacks was that of the regiment of Anspach-Bayreuth Dragoons in the battle of Hohenfriedberg (4th June, 1745). In this action, the regiment rode down no fewer than 20 battalions of Infantry, took 2,500 prisoners and 66 standards, besides a large number of guns: as Frederick the Great said, “It is a feat unparalleled in history.” This regiment was, at a later period, turned into a Cuirassier regiment, and is now known as the Queen’s 2nd Cuirassiers (Pomeranians).

The Bavarian Chevau-légers correspond to the Prussian Dragoons, and many a record testifies to their gallantry in action.

The spirit of Zieten, the “Hussar-father,” and of old Blücher, “Field Marshal Forwards,” still lives in the Hussars of the German Empire. Activity, boldness, and cheeriness are the attributes which make a good Hussar, and many are the songs which record their successes in camp and field.

The Uhlans (Lancers) who spread such terror amongst the enemy in the war of 1870–71, hail, as far as their name goes, from Tartary.[15] For this reason, the French took them for a wild tribe, such as the Kirghiz of the Steppes, or the African Turcos. The name is, however, the only foreign element about them, for their mode of fighting is essentially German.

The chief weapon of the Uhlan, the lance, with which they caused such consternation among the French, although it had been the most popular weapon of the Middle Ages, disappeared almost entirely from European armies on the introduction of firearms; the Russian and Polish Cavalry alone retaining it. After the second Silesian war in 1745, Frederick the Great armed a body of Light Horse with lances, and gave them the name of “Bosniaks.” Consisting at first of only 1 “company,” their strength was increased afterwards to 10 companies, and in the year 1800 they were founded into a regiment under the name of “Towarczys,” _i.e._, experienced in war. In 1808, the name was changed to “Uhlans,” and the corps was divided into several regiments, whose number was increased at a later period. In 1870 the French peasantry called the whole of the German Cavalry “ulans,” and the sudden appearance of a few of their horsemen in a district at a time when the Frenchmen flattered themselves that the enemy was still far distant, caused shouts of “les ulans! les ulans!” universal consternation, and immediate flight. The German Uhlans were everywhere at once. More than one populous town, _e.g._, Nancy on the 11th August, 1870, opened their gates at their approach, and the small fortress of Vitry le françois surrendered to a mere handful of Uhlans.

The Cavalry of the German Empire consists altogether of 93 regiments of 5 squadrons each—total, 465 squadrons. On the regiment being ordered on active service, one of the squadrons remains behind as supply-squadron for the rest. Its duty is to replace the partially-trained or unserviceable horses by good ones, and also to fill up the ranks of the other squadrons with good men when required. By this means, the active part of the regiment is brought to a high state of readiness for action, and gains greatly in efficiency. There are:—

14 regiments of Cuirassiers, including:

The Garde-du-Corps regiment, The Guard Cuirassier regiment, 8 Prussian Cuirassier regiments, 2 Bavarian Heavy Cavalry regiments, 1 Saxon Horse Guards regiment, and 1 Saxon regiment of Carbineers.

34 Regiments of Dragoons, namely:

2 Regiments of Dragoon Guards, 16 Prussian Dragoon regiments (Nos. 1–16), 2 Mecklenberg Dragoon regiments (Nos. 17 and 18), 1 Oldenburg Dragoon regiment (No. 19). 3 Baden Dragoon regiments (Nos. 20–22), 2 Hessian Dragoon regiments (Nos. 23 and 24), 2 Württemberg Dragoon regiments (Nos. 25 and 26), and 6 Bavarian Chevau-léger Regiments.

20 Regiments of Hussars, namely:

1 Body-Guard Hussar regiment, 16 Prussian ” regiments, 1 Brunswick ” regiment, and 2 Saxon ” regiments (Nos. 18 and 19).

25 Regiments of Uhlans, namely:

3 Guard-Uhlan regiments, 16 Prussian Uhlan regiments (Nos. 1–16), 2 Saxon Uhlan regiments (Nos. 17 and 18), 2 Württemberg Uhlan regiments (Nos. 19 and 20), and 2 Bavarian Uhlan regiments.

* * * * *

Of late years there has been a good deal of talk about reorganising the present force into a so-called “General” Cavalry, and this would be distinctly a move in the right direction. The term implies that all branches of the Cavalry arm should be equally and thoroughly equipped, armed, and trained for any service in which Cavalry could be called on to take part. An important step has been made in this direction by the recent arming of the _whole_ of the Cavalry with lances. There is, however, no intention whatever on the part of the authorities to carry out the idea to extremities. Such measures as taking away their particular mode of action from the different branches of the Cavalry, or giving them all exactly the same uniform, would never be entertained for a moment. It is obvious that such measures would be the deathblow of all _esprit de corps_ which, as we know, has led to such brilliant results in the past. The shock of Cuirassiers on their big horses, the charge of Uhlans with their fluttering lance-pennons, the sabre-work of Hussars, and the mobility of Dragoons and Chevau-légers, each has its particular effect on the enemy, and each distinctive attribute must be taken into serious account. There can be no doubt that a total amalgamation of the four branches, and the abolition of their distinctive uniforms, would produce much more harm in the end than good.

Before closing the subject of Cavalry, mention ought to be made of the lately-formed Empress’s Body-Guard, composed of one officer, two sergeants, and 24 men. They were first put on duty in August, 1889, during the visit of the Emperor of Austria. Their uniform is the usual dark-blue tunic, with cerise collar and cuffs, besides a full-dress white Cuirassier tunic. The skirts are lined with cerise cloth and fastened back with hooks. Both collar and cuffs have white braid-lace on them, like the rest of the Guard Corps. The breeches are of white leather, and big knee-boots like those of the Cuirassiers complete the costume.

[Sidenote: +Artillery.+]

Artillery has but one rôle to play on the battle-field, and that is to come into action and do as much harm as possible to the enemy from a long distance off.

The German arm is divided into Field Artillery and Garrison Artillery.

The Field Artillery is intended, as its name implies, for action on the field of battle. One particular branch of it forms the Horse Artillery, in which all the men are mounted. The whole of the Field Artillery is armed with Krupp cast-steel guns (C. 73), the Horse Artillery guns having a bore of 2·95, and the others a bore of 3·43 inches. They carry “double-ring shells” (a form of segment shell which fly into about 180 pieces), Shrapnel shells (each containing 240 bullets), and case-shot. The guns themselves are handy to work, and carry with great accuracy up to about four miles.

A Battery is formed of six guns, though as a rule not more than four in peace-time have teams (4 to 6 horses each) to draw them.

There are altogether 318 batteries of Field-and 46 batteries of Horse Artillery, the whole forming 37 regiments.

To the Prussian group belong 29 regiments, forming 245 Field-and 38 Horse Artillery batteries—total 283 batteries.

Saxony has 2 regiments (Nos. 12 and 28) forming 21 Field-and 2 Horse Artillery batteries.

Württemberg has 2 regiments (Nos. 13 and 29), forming 18 Field batteries.

Bavaria has 4 regiments, forming 34 Field-and 6 Horse Artillery batteries.

Grand Total, 364 batteries.

Of the 29 “Prussian” regiments, 2 are Guard Artillery, 24 (Nos. 1–11, 15–24, 26, 27, and 31) are Prussian, 2 belong to Baden (Nos. 14 and 30), and 1 (No. 25) is Hessian.

In the course of the next few years the Field Artillery will undergo considerable changes in matériel as well as in organisation. It is intended to give each Army Corps 3 F. A. regiments, each of 2 divisions of 3 batteries each. Thus each of the two divisions of the Army Corps would have one F. A. regiment of 6 batteries, and the 3rd regiment would be available as Corps Artillery. It is also proposed to introduce a common calibre of gun for the whole, both Field and Horse Artillery, and also a common projectile which would combine the advantages of common shell and shrapnel. The introduction of this latter would tend greatly to simplify both the action and the supply of the gun.

The men of the Garrison Artillery are employed in the attack and defence of fortresses. They have no guns of their own, but simply work the big guns of the Siege-train or the fortresses, according to circumstances. These gunners go by the name of “cannoniers.” They are armed with the Mauser carbine of the 1871 pattern.

The Garrison Artillery consists of 14 regiments of 2 battalions each, of 4 companies each, besides 3 independent battalions, altogether 31 battalions.

Of this force, Prussia has 11 regiments (1 Guard regiment and Nos. 1 to 8, 10 and 11) and 2 independent battalions (No. 9 and No. 14), the latter belonging to Baden.

Saxony has 1 regiment (No. 12).

Württemberg has 1 battalion (No. 13), and

Bavaria has 2 regiments.

[Sidenote: +Engineers.+]

There remain yet the Engineers and the Train.

The officers of the corps of Engineers are divided into the Engineer Staff Corps (_i.e._, generals and field officers) and 4 “Engineer-Inspections” (captains and lieutenants).

This is in the Prussian group. The Saxon, Württemberg, and Bavarian officers are not so divided. Engineer officers are employed either with the “fortification branch,” _i.e._, that branch which superintends the construction, repair, etc., of fortresses, or with the “Pioneers,” _i.e._, Field Engineers.

There are in the German Army nineteen Pioneer battalions, distributed thus:

1 Guard battalion and 14 others (Nos. 1–11, 14–16), including 1 Baden battalion (No. 13), to Prussia. 1 battalion to Saxony (No. 12), 1 battalion to Württemberg (No. 18), and 2 battalions to Bavaria.

Each battalion numbers 4 companies; of these the 1st is a Pontoon company, the 2nd and 3rd are Sapper companies: _i.e._, for sap-work, construction of siege-batteries, and field-works, etc.; and the 4th is a Mining company, for laying mines and subterranean galleries in siege-work.

Besides these, there is a Railway Regiment of 4 battalions (including 1 Saxon and 1 Württemberg company), and 1 Bavarian Railway battalion of 2 companies, for the construction of military railways and railway-bridges. Included in the Railway Regiment are the Field-Telegraph and Balloon sections.

[Sidenote: +Train.+]

The “Train” (corresponding to our Army Service Corps) is for the transport of supplies, ammunition, and war-material of all sorts. The drivers and men of the corps are trained in peace-time in the Train battalions, and the wagons are stored in Train depôts.

There are 19 Train battalions and 1 company, thus divided:

14 battalions, each of 2 to 3 companies, and a depôt (the Guard battalion, and Nos. 1–11, 15 and 16), in Prussia; one (No. 14), in Baden, and 1 Train company in Hesse; one (No. 12) in Saxony, one in Württemberg (No. 13), and 2 in Bavaria.

To the depôt of each battalion belong: 5 provision sections, 3 medical detachments with field hospitals and bearers, 1 remount-depôt, 1 field bakery section, and 5 sections of transport.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: +Tactical Organisation.+]

The above account gives a general résumé of the fighting force of Germany. It now remains to give the tactical organisation of the different branches of the Army.

In the Infantry, the smallest independent body of troops, or “tactical unit,” is a battalion (except in the case of the independent Rifle battalions, where the unit is represented by the company). In the Cavalry it is a squadron, and in the Artillery a battery. The war strength of a battalion is, at the outside, 1,000 men; that of a squadron is about 150 mounted men; and that of a battery is 6 guns, with 12 wagons and men in proportion. The peace-strength of each unit is dependent, on the one hand, on the numbers required for its full strength in time of war; and, on the other hand, on the amount of training requisite for its efficiency. In a less degree also, it is dependent on the state of the Treasury.

The peace-strength of a Prussian Line battalion (4 companies) is:—

1 major (commanding the battalion), 4 captains, 12 lieutenants and 2nd lieutenants, 1 adjutant (usually a lieutenant), 559 N. C. O.’s and men, and 7 others (paymaster, assistant-paymaster, 4 privates trained as medical assistants, and 1 armourer-sergeant).

N.B.—A Regiment of Infantry consists of three battalions, so that in calculating the strength of a regiment, the regimental staff (colonel, lieutenant-colonel, regimental-adjutant, surgeons, etc.), should be taken into account.

That of a Prussian Cavalry Regiment of five squadrons is:—

25 officers, 2 or 3 surgeons, 686 N. C. O.’s and men, 14 others (paymasters, veterinary surgeons, medical assistants, armourers, etc., etc.), and 667 horses.

The peace-strength of the corresponding troops in Bavaria, Württemberg, and Saxony is much the same. The Guard regiments and those in Alsace-Lorraine are somewhat stronger.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: +Formation of Brigades, Divisions, and Army Corps.+]

As a rule, two regiments of Infantry (6 battalions), or two of Cavalry (8 to 10 squadrons), form a Brigade, under a Major-general as brigadier.