HORSE ARTILERY OF THE GUARD GUNNER 1812-1814

During the revolutionary wars (1792-1799) and - especially - in the Napoleonic period (1799-1815), France probably had the most efficient war machine on the Old Continent, which almost led to its lasting hegemony over Europe. It will be a truism to say that the key element of this machine was the French army. In this army, on the other hand, the Guard played a very important role, along with its artillery. The latter - the Guards artillery - was undoubtedly the elite of the French artillery, especially when it comes to training and combat experience of gunners. In 1809, this artillery consisted of a horse artillery regiment and a foot artillery regiment. Both regiments consisted of mainly 4-, 8- and 12-pounder guns. In 1813, the Gwardia artillery already consisted of a horse artillery regiment belonging to the Old Guard, two foot artillery regiments, one of which belonged to the Old Guard, one to the Young Guard, and two artillery train regiments. The Guard's artillery was used in combat in several great battles and campaigns, including the Battle of Wagram (1809), the Battle of Dresden and Leipzig (1813) and the Battle of Waterloo (1815).