Extracts from ‘Notes about light troops’

(‘Gedanken über leichte Truppen’)

Translated and remarks by Geert van Uythoven

Note: This article is a point by point thesis about light troops. Part I is a general description of the light infantry, aiming at the Napoleonic period, but based on antique examples. Part II gives the author’s ideas about the Jäger and Schützen. I have translated some of the most interesting parts of Part I, planning to translate more of it later. As the contents are connected to other pieces on my website under ‘Revolutionary Wars’, I have decided to insert this piece here.

Source: ‘Von einem Königl. preuß. Schützenofficier’, “Gedanken über leichte Truppen“, in ‘Militairische Blätter’ 1. Jahrgang, 2. Band (Essen/Duisburg, 1820), pp. 218-236 & 239-261:

I. Light troops in general:

6) Despite the great usefulness of light troops, their contribution to the victory is only average. This is the experience of the ancient an latest history of war. From the twofold, different destination of the infantry in combat, the difference between heavy and light troops derives. The main destination of both.

7) The latest art of war is characterized by the use of the light troops, as these are destined for ORDERED DISPERSED combat.

8) Former use of light troops in the little war, in parties. The results of these in relation to the whole are only minor, especially in the present-day art of war.

10) The light troops, although somewhat withdrawn from their activities in the ‘little war’, have gained importance by their use in orderly, dispersed combat. The goal of this.

11) Composition of heavy and light troops. Increase of the latter.

12) Disadvantages of dispersed combat.

"6) Despite the versatile and recognized importance of light troops, history of the wars of all times learns us, that their use in relation to the whole battle is always minor - except possible in wars against mountainous tribes. This is especially the case when huge armies, whole nations, were at war with each other. The same experience has been done in the latest period, although the tirailleur system that is generally applied sets great value on these troops, keeps them busy all the time and gives them the opportunity to show their talents. But even present-day, the light troops only prepare the combats, they start them and are again very busy at the end of the combats. In between, the decision is fought by other troops. This use in battle has also brought forward the difference between heavy and light troops - in general; and this opposite destination is the biggest between both arms. In lightness, greater part of the light troops does not outmatch the heavies; it is only the different parts both have to play in battle. The Prussian drill regulations make a perfectly clear statement about the fighting of the infantry; it is a mutual support of dispersed and formed combatants.

Big decisive battles, the sudden annihilation of the enemy, gaining end results, are all the work of the heavy troops; for alarming and fatiguing the enemy, preparing, starting, and avoiding decisive battles, the light troops are indispensable. They will give way to a numerically superior enemy, without losing their honour; however, they will never let the enemy out of their sights, and immediately follow when the enemy retreats again. They [i.e. the light infantry] perform outpost duty, and provide protection of the main army, on the march as well as in position.

7) Every former army had, as has been shown, its light troops. The way they are used now is however new, because of the wide experience made during the latest decennia of war, as well as their armament with a fire-arm, and generally accepted. The use of a great amount of light troops for ordered dispersed combat, in tirailleur-combat, characterizes the present-day art of war. At all times, there was fought in dispersed combat, but always disordered. Present-day dispersed combat is an ordered formation, during which command from above is never released.

8) Before this system came into use, maybe somewhere around the start of the Rhine campaign in 1792 - with a very slow way of waging war- the light troops received a hug importance in certain ways, which however present-day, by their use now, is much restricted and partially lost.

Formerly, the main undertakings of the light troops were limited to separate parts of the so-called little war, the undertakings of the parties. Material of the enemy – ammunition, provisions in magazines or in convoys, etc. – were the main target. Regarded on their own such undertakings do have importance, but in relation to the whole they are mostly, if not nearly always, without result. They are strategically, regarding the goals and targets, very subordinate. Without delay and by force of its whole power, now a part tries to reach its first operational target, to which the main masses move quickly, and along the shortest lines; therefore, in such a big undertaking and battle, the little war is of no importance.

10) As much as the importance of the light troops -as we have previously tried to show- in the performance of part of the little war, or the former Streifkorps have diminished, equally their use in orderly, dispersed combat has become general. The importance of light troops has not been diminished by this, but has become higher, although their use is different now. Through the dispersed combat the following goals are reached, as is stated very satisfyingly by the Prussian General von York in one of his former instructions:

1. Occupying extensive terrain with few men;

2. A diminished effect of enemy fire, because of the greater spaces in our line of tirailleurs;

3. Protecting closed lines against enemy skirmishers and tirailleurs, as well as improving manoeuvring of these, and

4. Greater mobility in broken terrain.

In and for the dispersed combat, our light troops are educated and trained. Besides, they start the battle while the masses search for the most favourable point to attack. Their protection makes it possible to confront the enemy with a force of superior numbers at an unexpected point, at a decisive moment of the battle. They serve in outpost duty like before, hampering reconnaissance and planned raids. Covered by them it is possible to break off combat, they prevent a total defeat, and mask our forces for the enemy. Their use is therefore frequent and extensive.

11) Proof for the recognized importance, yes the necessity of light troops present-day, is the great increase of these. Over 1/3 of the whole infantry is being trained for dispersed combat; in addition, the troops destined for combat in mass are also trained for this service, in order that they can act as such if necessary. On the other hand, it is not neglected to prepare the light troops for combat in close formation, giving them the best usefulness possible.

The composition of the heavy and light infantry is twofold in the various European armies. The English, Spanish, and French armies have special companies in every regiment and battalion; in the Prussian and Austrian army, the 3rd rank is used for the dispersed tirailleur-combat. The fusilier or 3rd battalions of the Prussian infantry regiments are immediately after them intended for this combat. As a rule, every army has in addition some battalions of light troops, armed with rifled muskets, excellent trained in marksmanship and in addition having received a careful general military education. In the English army these are called ‘riflemen’; in the Austrian army ‘Jäger’ or ‘Scharfschützen’; in the Prussian army these are the ‘Jäger’ and ‘Schützen’-battalions – In 1801 each light battalion, and in 1802 each infantry battalion in the French army received a voltigeur-company. In 1808 in Königsberg in Prussia, regulations about the use of the 3rd rank in the Prussian army appeared.

Both ways of allotting light troops have their advantages and disadvantages. When there are separate voltigeur-companies, the arrangement of the battalion will not be disturbed by their use. When the 3rd rank is ordered forward for tirailleur-combat, not only every battalion has its own tirailleurs, but in addition every company has light troops at its disposal when detached, etc. Therefore, the latter way seems to be preferable.

12) After having pointed out the great advantages of light troops in dispersed combat, it is necessary to point out the disadvantages with a few words too. With dispersed combat, indeed harm is done to the enemy. After a given time, it is even possible to reach a certain goal with tirailleurs - especially when fighting in the mountains, But one will never be able to fight a decisive battle in a short period of time. Beside some exceptions, this will never be possible. Serious enemy attacks by formed masses in the end can never be resisted by dispersed lines. The necessity of formed units, following the tirailleurs, is evident. – In open terrain, dispersed troops [‘debandirte Truppen’] rightly fear enemy cavalry. Extended tirailleur lines are difficult manoeuvrable when following higher level orders; partially, command and control will be lost; for the greater part, each pair of combatants is left to themselves."

© Geert van Uythoven