Chasseur
This branch of the French Army originated during the War of the Austrian Succession when, in 1743, Jean Chrétien Fischer was authorized by the Marshal de Belle-Isle to raise a 600 strong mixed force of infantry and cavalry.
[1] During the remainder of the 18th century various types of light troops (troupes légères) were employed within the French army, either as independent units or as companies within existing regiments.
They were armed the same as their counterparts in the regular line infantry (fusilier) battalions, but were trained to excel in marksmanship and in executing manoeuvres at high speed.
After 1850, however the chasseurs adopted a uniform consisting of a short frock coat with slits in the sides on the bottom edge to allow for better freedom of movement than the previous design.
Immediately after the Franco-Prussian War it was argued that the continued existence of a nominally elite class of infantry that was in fact armed and trained to the same standards as the ordinary soldier, was contrary to both military utility and the egalitarian principles of the new republic.
The remaining chasseur battalions were deployed near the frontier with Germany as part of the troupes de couverture, charged with covering the bulk of the army during mobilization.
During World War I the French Army maintained 31 battalions of infantry chasseurs plus a varying number of reserve and territorial units.
In 1776 this and other volunteer "legions" had their mounted elements converted into 24 squadrons of chasseurs à cheval, each of which was attached to one of the existing dragoon regiments of the royal cavalry.
Distinguished by dark green uniforms and a bugle-horn badge, they were frequently used as advance scouting units providing valuable information on enemy movements.
[6] This intended role continued through World War I and the chasseurs à cheval remained entirely horse mounted until the 1er RCh was motorised in June 1940.
The chasseurs forestiers were classed as light infantry troops and could form advance guards and scouting parties due to their knowledge of natural fields and their ability to make or read maps.
The specific roles envisaged for the Chasseurs Forestiers were to provide guides for the regular army and to work with the Engineers in obtaining stocks of timber for military use.
While provided with distinctive green and grey uniforms plus stocks of standard infantry weapons and equipment, the Chasseurs Forestiers performed their normal forestry service functions in peacetime with only limited involvement in army training and manoeuvers.
For example, when World War I veteran Léon Weil died, the AFP press agency stated that he was a member of the 5th "Régiment de Chasseurs Alpins".
[10] In the Argentinian Army, the term Cazador (Spanish for hunter, although in a military context it means chasseur or ranger) is used to designate certain special units trained to operate in specific geographical areas, such as mountain or jungle.
