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Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Nappy Chasseurs
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Definition of chasseur in this case is one of a body of light cavalry or infantry trained for rapid maneuvering. It also means hunter or huntsman.
Chasseurs are ordinary soldiers of light infantry battalions (batalion companies).
Their origin dates back to 1740. During the War of Austrian Succession. On the eve of a battle, Croatian pandours stole the horses of officers of the French army. A modest groom (osler) named Johann Christian FISCHER proposed to form a group of volunteers, (soldiers and valets of officers) to take them back. Having succeeded in this feat, he was authorized to raise a unit made up of troops on foot and on horseback to ensure the security of the camps and their surroundings. This unit will take the name of "Fischer hunters".
Until then the French army had no light troops. Thereafter it will raise units of infantry and cavalry which will become the regiments of hunters on foot and hunters on horseback.
They were called hunters because they practiced the "little war" made of ambush and helping hand which requires to be a good shooter. For this reason many of these soldiers were former hunters and game keepers.
They are in a way the ancestors of our commandos.
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