60-510: The Childers Reforms of 1881 reorganised the infantry regiments of the British Army . The reforms were done by Secretary of State for War Hugh Childers during 1881, and were a continuation of the earlier Cardwell Reforms . The reorganisation was effected by General Order 41/1881, issued on 1 May 1881, amended by G.O. 70/1881 dated 1 July, which created a network of multi- battalion regiments. In England, Wales and Scotland, each regiment
120-744: A sidearm or ancillary weapons . Infantry with ranged or polearms often carried a sword or dagger for possible hand-to-hand combat. The pilum was a javelin the Roman legionaries threw just before drawing their primary weapon, the gladius (short sword), and closing with the enemy line. Modern infantrymen now treat the bayonet as a backup weapon, but may also have handguns as sidearms . They may also deploy anti-personnel mines, booby traps, incendiary, or explosive devices defensively before combat. Infantry have employed many different methods of protection from enemy attacks, including various kinds of armour and other gear, and tactical procedures. The most basic
180-610: A few exceptions like the Mongol Empire , infantry has been the largest component of most armies in history. In the Western world , from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages ( c. 8th century BC to 15th century AD), infantry are categorised as either heavy infantry or light infantry . Heavy infantry, such as Greek hoplites , Macedonian phalangites , and Roman legionaries , specialised in dense, solid formations driving into
240-512: A full suit of attack-proof armour would be too heavy to wear in combat. As firearms improved, armour for ranged defence had to be made thicker and heavier, which hindered mobility. With the introduction of the heavy arquebus designed to pierce standard steel armour, it was proven easier to make heavier firearms than heavier armour; armour transitioned to be only for close combat purposes. Pikemen armour tended to be just steel helmets and breastplates, and gunners had very little or no armour at all. By
300-417: A hundred meters wide and a dozen rows deep. Maintaining the advantages of heavy infantry meant maintaining formation; this became even more important when two forces with heavy infantry met in battle; the solidity of the formation became the deciding factor. Intense discipline and training became paramount. Empires formed around their military. The organization of military forces into regular military units
360-399: A problem. This can be avoided by having shield-armed soldiers stand close together, side-by-side, each protecting both themselves and their immediate comrades, presenting a solid shield wall to the enemy. The opponents for these first formations, the close-combat infantry of more tribal societies , or any military without regular infantry (so called " barbarians ") used arms that focused on
420-440: A return to body armour for infantry, though the extra weight is a notable burden. In modern times, infantrymen must also often carry protective measures against chemical and biological attack, including military gas masks , counter-agents, and protective suits. All of these protective measures add to the weight an infantryman must carry, and may decrease combat efficiency. Early crew-served weapons were siege weapons , like
480-463: Is personal armour . This includes shields , helmets and many types of armour – padded linen , leather, lamellar , mail , plate , and kevlar . Initially, armour was used to defend both from ranged and close combat; even a fairly light shield could help defend against most slings and javelins, though high-strength bows and crossbows might penetrate common armour at very close range. Infantry armour had to compromise between protection and coverage, as
540-419: Is a specialization of military personnel who engage in warfare combat . Infantry generally consists of light infantry , irregular infantry , heavy infantry , mountain infantry , motorized infantry , mechanized infantry , airborne infantry , air assault infantry , and naval infantry . Other types of infantry, such as line infantry and mounted infantry , were once commonplace but fell out of favor in
600-735: Is first noted in Egyptian records of the Battle of Kadesh ( c. 1274 BC ). Soldiers were grouped into units of 50, which were in turn grouped into larger units of 250, then 1,000, and finally into units of up to 5,000 – the largest independent command. Several of these Egyptian "divisions" made up an army, but operated independently, both on the march and tactically, demonstrating sufficient military command and control organisation for basic battlefield manoeuvres. Similar hierarchical organizations have been noted in other ancient armies, typically with approximately 10 to 100 to 1,000 ratios (even where base 10
660-633: The Duke of Gloucester , and the Duke and Duchess of Kent . Due to popular demand, the King waved from the same balcony for a few consecutive days later in the same week. The Jubilee day was declared a bank holiday and celebrations were held across the United Kingdom with garden parties, pageants and sports events. At 8 pm, the King's Jubilee speech was broadcast. He gave thanks "from the depths of his heart to his dear people" on behalf of himself and Queen Mary, for
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#1732845619198720-526: The Gordon Highlanders . The 75th went so far as to commission a marble monument to themselves in Malta where they were based at the time. They had spent so long away from Scotland that they were effectively an English unit that had to relearn how to wear kilts . The 92nd, though they lost much less identity in the amalgamation, staged a mock funeral procession to themselves, complete with a full-size coffin with
780-680: The King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions , and Emperor of India . The Jubilee was marked with large-scale and popular events throughout London and the rest of the United Kingdom in May 1935. It was the first ever Silver Jubilee celebration of a British monarch in history. The King died less than a year later. The Silver Jubilee Celebrations in London began with a carriage procession through
840-1133: The Royal Dragoon Guards , Royal Lancers , and King's Royal Hussars . Similarly, motorised infantry have trucks and other unarmed vehicles for non-combat movement, but are still infantry since they leave their vehicles for any combat. Most modern infantry have vehicle transport, to the point where infantry being motorised is generally assumed, and the few exceptions might be identified as modern light infantry . Mechanised infantry go beyond motorised, having transport vehicles with combat abilities, armoured personnel carriers (APCs), providing at least some options for combat without leaving their vehicles. In modern infantry, some APCs have evolved to be infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), which are transport vehicles with more substantial combat abilities, approaching those of light tanks . Some well-equipped mechanised infantry can be designated as armoured infantry . Given that infantry forces typically also have some tanks, and given that most armoured forces have more mechanised infantry units than tank units in their organisation,
900-3860: The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers , who had worn blue facings since 1881, were issued buff regimental colours "by request and gracious permission" . In 1946, three more infantry regiments were designated as "royal" for services during World War II . Of these, only the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment replaced its (white) facings with blue. 2nd Midlothian (Midlothian and Peebles-shire) Rifle Volunteer Corps 1st Berwickshire RVC* 1st Haddington RVC 1st Linlithgowshire RVC 2nd Surrey RVC 4th Surrey RVC 6th Surrey RVC 8th Surrey RVC 2nd Kent (East Kent) RVC 5th Kent (Weald of Kent) RVC 1st Northumberland (Northumberland and Berwick-on-Tweed) RVC 2nd Northumberland RVC 1st Newcastle upon Tyne RVC 1st Warwickshire Militia 2nd Warwickshire Militia 1st Warwickshire (Birmingham) RVC 2nd Warwickshire RVC 3rd or Royal Westminster Middlesex (Light Infantry) Militia 4th or Royal South Middlesex Militia Replaced by: 10th Middlesex RVC, 11th Middlesex RVC and 23rd Middlesex RVC; 1st Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteer Brigade added 1904 1881: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 1921: The King's Regiment (Liverpool) 1st Lancashire RVC Liverpool Rifle Brigade (5th Lancashire RVC) 13th Lancashire RVC 15th Lancashire RVC 18th Lancashire (Liverpool Irish) RVC 19th Lancashire (Liverpool Press Guard) RVC 1st Isle of Man RVC 1st or West Norfolk Militia 2nd or East Norfolk Militia 1st Norfolk (City of Norwich) RVC 2nd Norfolk RVC 3rd Norfolk RVC 4th Norfolk RVC Royal North Lincolnshire Militia Royal South Lincolnshire Militia 1st Lincolnshire RVC 2nd Lincolnshire RVC 1st or East Devon Militia 2nd or South Devon Militia 1st Devonshire (Exeter and South Devon) RVC 2nd Devonshire (Prince of Wales's) RVC 3rd Devonshire RVC 4th Devonshire RVC 5th Devonshire RVC West Suffolk Militia Cambridgeshire Militia 1st Suffolk RVC 6th Suffolk (West Suffolk) RVC 1st Cambridgeshire (Cambridge, Essex and Huntingdonshire) RVC 2nd Cambridgeshire (Cambridge University) RVC 1882: The Prince Albert's (Somersetshire Light Infantry) 1912: Prince Albert's (Somerset Light Infantry) 1921: The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's) 1st Somersetshire Light Infantry Militia 2nd Somersetshire Light Infantry Militia 1st Somersetshire RVC 2nd Somersetshire RVC 3rd Somersetshire RVC 2nd West York Light Infantry Militia 4th West York Militia 1st Yorkshire, West Riding RVC 3rd Yorkshire, West Riding RVC 7th Yorkshire, West Riding RVC 1st Yorkshire, East Riding, RVC 2nd Yorkshire, East Riding, RVC Bedfordshire Light Infantry Militia Hertfordshire Militia 2nd Hertfordshire RVC 1st Bedfordshire RVC 2nd or North Tipperary Light Infantry Militia Kilkenny Fusiliers Militia 1921: The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment) North York Rifles 2nd Yorkshire (North Riding) RVC 8th Lancashire RVC 12th Lancashire RVC Dumfries, Roxburgh, Kirkcudbright and Selkirk (Scottish Borderers) Militia Royal Ayrshire and Wigton Rifles (The Prince Regent's Own) 2nd Ayrshire RVC 2nd Royal Cheshire Militia 1st Cheshire RVC 2nd (Earl of Chester's) Cheshire RVC 3rd Cheshire RVC 4th Cheshire (Cheshire and Derbyshire) RVC 5th Cheshire RVC Royal Denbigh and Merioneth Rifles Royal Carnarvon Rifle Corps 1st Denbighshire RVC 1st Flintshire and Carnarvonshire RVC Royal South Wales Borderers Militia (Royal Radnor and Brecknock Rifles) Royal Montgomery Rifles 1st Brecknockshire RVC 1st Monmouthshire RVC 2nd Monmouthshire RVC 3rd Monmouthshire RVC 1st Montgomeryshire RVC Transferred from
960-695: The State Opening of Parliament . A reception was hosted by the Lord Mayor of London in honour of the King and Queen, which was also attended by the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York. During the Jubilee celebrations, the King received a large number of telegrams from across the empire and around the world, with warm wishes, both from world leaders and his subjects. The public's reaction to George V's appearances over
1020-442: The ballista , trebuchet , and battering ram . Modern versions include machine guns , anti-tank missiles , and infantry mortars . Beginning with the development the first regular military forces, close-combat regular infantry fought less as unorganised groups of individuals and more in coordinated units, maintaining a defined tactical formation during combat, for increased battlefield effectiveness; such infantry formations and
1080-469: The 1800s with the invention of more accurate and powerful weapons. In English, use of the term infantry began about the 1570s, describing soldiers who march and fight on foot. The word derives from Middle French infanterie , from older Italian (also Spanish) infanteria (foot soldiers too inexperienced for cavalry), from Latin īnfāns (without speech, newborn, foolish), from which English also gets infant . The individual-soldier term infantryman
1140-522: The American all-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment (ALICE). Infantrymen are defined by their primary arms – the personal weapons and body armour for their own individual use. The available technology, resources, history, and society can produce quite different weapons for each military and era, but common infantry weapons can be distinguished in a few basic categories. Infantrymen often carry secondary or back-up weapons, sometimes called
1200-663: The City to St Paul's Cathedral for a national service of thanksgiving on 6 May 1935. It was followed by another procession back to Buckingham Palace , where the royal family appeared on the balcony. The King and Queen were joined by members of the Royal Family, including Queen Maud of Norway , the Prince of Wales , the Duke and Duchess of York , the Princess Royal and the Earl of Harewood ,
1260-703: The First Class Army Reserve. For reasons of economy and efficiency, an attempt was made to have the facings of uniforms standardised: Royal regiments would have dark blue facings, English and Welsh regiments would have white facings, Irish regiments would wear green facings (in effect only the Connaught Rangers as all other Irish Regiments were 'Royal Regiments'), and Scottish regiments would have yellow facings. Officers' uniforms had lace in distinctive national patterns: rose pattern for England and Wales, thistle for Scotland and shamrock for Ireland. In
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#17328456191981320-474: The Jubilee commemorations. Throughout the month of May, the King continued taking carriage rides through London. He also took one through north London for the Queen's birthday on 26 May, during which they were accompanied by their two granddaughters: Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret of York . The Jubilee was also marked with a ball for two thousand guests at Buckingham Palace on 14 May, an Empire Exhibition and
1380-599: The Royal Scots in 1887: 1st Roxburgh and Selkirk (The Border) RVC 1st Berwickshire RVC Transferred from the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1877: 1st Dumfriesshire RVC The Galloway RVC 90th (Perthshire Volunteers) (Light Infantry) Regiment of Foot 1st Lanarkshire (or Glasgow 1st Western) RVC 2nd Lanarkshire RVC 3rd Lanarkshire (or Glasgow 1st Southern) RVC 4th Lanarkshire (or Glasgow 1st Northern) RVC 7th Lanarkshire RVC Infantry Infantry
1440-503: The Swiss, English, Aragonese and German, to men-at-arms who went into battle as well-armoured as knights, the latter of which at times also fought on foot. The creation of standing armies —permanently assembled for war or defence—saw increase in training and experience. The increased use of firearms and the need for drill to handle them efficiently. The introduction of national and mass armies saw an establishment of minimum requirements and
1500-443: The arms they used developed together, starting with the spear and the shield. A spear has decent attack abilities with the additional advantage keeping opponents at distance; this advantage can be increased by using longer spears, but this could allow the opponent to side-step the point of the spear and close for hand-to-hand combat where the longer spear is near useless. This can be avoided when each spearman stays side by side with
1560-411: The carrying burden is spread across several infantrymen. In all, this can reach 25–45 kg (60–100 lb) for each soldier on the march. Such heavy infantry burdens have changed little over centuries of warfare; in the late Roman Republic, legionaries were nicknamed " Marius' mules " as their main activity seemed to be carrying the weight of their legion around on their backs, a practice that predates
1620-412: The case of regular battalions, the lace was gold, while that of the militia battalions was silver. There were also attempts to assimilate regimental insignia and remove "tribal" uniform distinctions. This was less successful, as regimental tribalism and tradition caused much criticism. Two regiments that displayed a strong reaction were the 75th and the 92nd that were grudgingly joined together to become
1680-463: The distinction between mechanised infantry and armour forces has blurred. The first military forces in history were infantry. In antiquity , infantry were armed with early melee weapons such as a spear , axe , or sword , or an early ranged weapon like a javelin , sling , or bow , with a few infantrymen being expected to use both a melee and a ranged weapon. With the development of gunpowder , infantry began converting to primarily firearms . By
1740-693: The dominions, including issues in Australia , Canada , India , New Zealand and South Africa . The Bank of Canada issued its first commemorative banknote to commemorate the King's Silver Jubilee. It was a $ 25 banknote in the 1935 Series . The royal purple banknote was issued on 6 May 1935, and is the only $ 25 banknote ever issued by the Bank of Canada. A mountain in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island in British Columbia , Canada
1800-455: The enemy to prepare for the main forces' battlefield attack, protecting them from flanking manoeuvers , and then afterwards either pursuing the fleeing enemy or covering their army's retreat. After the fall of Rome, the quality of heavy infantry declined, and warfare was dominated by heavy cavalry , such as knights , forming small elite units for decisive shock combat , supported by peasant infantry militias and assorted light infantry from
1860-442: The eponymous Gaius Marius . When combat is expected, infantry typically switch to "packing light", meaning reducing their equipment to weapons, ammunition, and other basic essentials, and leaving other items deemed unnecessary with their transport or baggage train , at camp or rally point, in temporary hidden caches, or even (in emergencies) simply discarding the items. Additional specialised equipment may be required, depending on
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1920-400: The existence of any organised military, likely started essentially as loose groups without any organisation or formation. But this changed sometime before recorded history ; the first ancient empires (2500–1500 BC) are shown to have some soldiers with standardised military equipment, and the training and discipline required for battlefield formations and manoeuvres: regular infantry . Though
1980-434: The expected duration of time operating away from their unit's base, plus any special mission-specific equipment. One of the most valuable pieces of gear is the entrenching tool —basically a folding spade —which can be employed not only to dig important defences, but also in a variety of other daily tasks, and even sometimes as a weapon. Infantry typically have shared equipment on top of this, like tents or heavy weapons, where
2040-889: The individual – weapons using personal strength and force, such as larger swinging swords, axes, and clubs. These take more room and individual freedom to swing and wield, necessitating a more loose organisation. While this may allow for a fierce running attack (an initial shock advantage) the tighter formation of the heavy spear and shield infantry gave them a local manpower advantage where several might be able to fight each opponent. Thus tight formations heightened advantages of heavy arms, and gave greater local numbers in melee. To also increase their staying power, multiple rows of heavy infantrymen were added. This also increased their shock combat effect; individual opponents saw themselves literally lined-up against several heavy infantryman each, with seemingly no chance of defeating all of them. Heavy infantry developed into huge solid block formations, up to
2100-422: The introduction of special troops (first of them the engineers going back to medieval times, but also different kinds of infantry adopted to specific terrain, bicycle, motorcycle, motorised and mechanised troops) culminating with the introduction of highly trained special forces during the first and second World War. Naval infantry, commonly known as marines , are primarily a category of infantry that form part of
2160-486: The jubilant celebrations only confirmed the popularity of a Jubilee celebration as well as the esteem in which the King was held. A Silver Jubilee Medal was created to a commemorate the Jubilee. It was awarded to the members of the royal family and selected officers of state, officials and servants of the Royal Household , ministers, government officials, mayors, public servants, local government officials, members of
2220-707: The lower classes. Towards the end of Middle Ages, this began to change, where more professional and better trained light infantry could be effective against knights, such as the English longbowmen in the Hundred Years' War . By the start of the Renaissance , the infantry began to return to a larger role, with Swiss pikemen and German Landsknechts filling the role of heavy infantry again, using dense formations of pikes to drive off any cavalry. Dense formations are vulnerable to ranged weapons. Technological developments allowed
2280-417: The main enemy lines, using weight of numbers to achieve a decisive victory , and were usually equipped with heavier weapons and armour to fit their role. Light infantry, such as Greek peltasts , Balearic slingers , and Roman velites , using open formations and greater manoeuvrability, took on most other combat roles: scouting , screening the army on the march, skirmishing to delay, disrupt, or weaken
2340-447: The main force of the army, these forces were usually kept small due to their cost of training and upkeep, and might be supplemented by local short-term mass-conscript forces using the older irregular infantry weapons and tactics; this remained a common practice almost up to modern times. Before the adoption of the chariot to create the first mobile fighting forces c. 2000 BC , all armies were pure infantry. Even after, with
2400-487: The mid 17th century began replacement of the pike with the infantry square replacing the pike square. To maximise their firepower, musketeer infantry were trained to fight in wide lines facing the enemy, creating line infantry . These fulfilled the central battlefield role of earlier heavy infantry, using ranged weapons instead of melee weapons. To support these lines, smaller infantry formations using dispersed skirmish lines were created, called light infantry, fulfilling
2460-595: The mission or to the particular terrain or environment, including satchel charges , demolition tools, mines , or barbed wire , carried by the infantry or attached specialists. Historically, infantry have suffered high casualty rates from disease , exposure, exhaustion and privation — often in excess of the casualties suffered from enemy attacks. Better infantry equipment to support their health, energy, and protect from environmental factors greatly reduces these rates of loss, and increase their level of effective action. Health, energy, and morale are greatly influenced by how
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2520-694: The naval forces of states and perform roles on land and at sea, including amphibious operations , as well as other, naval roles. They also perform other tasks, including land warfare, separate from naval operations. Air force infantry and base defense forces are used primarily for ground-based defense of air bases and other air force facilities. They also have a number of other, specialist roles. These include, among others, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) defence and training other airmen in basic ground defense tactics. Infentory Silver Jubilee of George V The Silver Jubilee of George V on 6 May 1935 marked 25 years of George V as
2580-556: The navy, army, air force and police in Britain, her colonies and dominions . The Jubilee was marked by loads of different Jubilee souvenirs. Every child born on the Jubilee Day (6 May 1935) was given a special silver commemorative cup. A Silver crown coin was also released by the Royal Mint to mark the Jubilee. Specific sets of stamps were issued for the Jubilee in the United Kingdom and
2640-525: The number '92' on it. During 1890, The Buffs succeeded in being allowed to resume the wearing of buff facings, initially at regimental expense and design. Within a few years, a number of other regiments had replaced white facings with traditional colours. After 1935, the ruling on blue facings for royal regiments effectively lapsed. That year, in celebration of his silver jubilee , King George V designated three regiments as royal. In each case, they were "permitted to retain their present facings" . During 1939,
2700-400: The others in close formation, each covering the ones next to him, presenting a solid wall of spears to the enemy that they cannot get around. Similarly, a shield has decent defence abilities, but is literally hit-or-miss; an attack from an unexpected angle can bypass it completely. Larger shields can cover more, but are also heavier and less manoeuvrable, making unexpected attacks even more of
2760-458: The raising of large numbers of light infantry units armed with ranged weapons, without the years of training expected for traditional high-skilled archers and slingers. This started slowly, first with crossbowmen , then hand cannoneers and arquebusiers , each with increasing effectiveness, marking the beginning of early modern warfare , when firearms rendered the use of heavy infantry obsolete. The introduction of musketeers using bayonets in
2820-535: The regiment and the regimental district name. Unofficially, the regiments were still referred to by their numbers by their officers and men, as tradition, and several regiments, such as " The Buffs " (the Royal East Kent Regiment), the Cameron Highlanders , and the " Black Watch ", lobbied to keep their distinct names as part of their battalion titles. In practice, it was not always possible to apply
2880-1041: The same multiple roles as earlier light infantry. Their arms were no lighter than line infantry; they were distinguished by their skirmish formation and flexible tactics. The modern rifleman infantry became the primary force for taking and holding ground on battlefields as an element of combined arms . As firepower continued to increase, use of infantry lines diminished, until all infantry became light infantry in practice. Modern classifications of infantry have since expanded to reflect modern equipment and tactics, such as motorised infantry , mechanised or armoured infantry , mountain infantry , marine infantry , and airborne infantry . Beyond main arms and armour, an infantryman's "military kit" generally includes combat boots , battledress or combat uniform , camping gear , heavy weather gear, survival gear , secondary weapons and ammunition , weapon service and repair kits, health and hygiene items, mess kit , rations , filled water canteen , and all other consumables each infantryman needs for
2940-688: The scheme strictly: the Cameron Highlanders initially had only one regular battalion, while several regiments had more or fewer militia regiments than specified by the initial scheme. In addition, the King's Royal Rifle Corps and the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) had no local regimental districts, and their affiliated militia and volunteer battalions were selected not on a territorial basis, but due to their "rifle" traditions. This structure lasted until 1948, when every regiment of line infantry had its regular battalions decreased to one, with only
3000-723: The soldier is fed, so militaries issue standardised field rations that provide palatable meals and enough calories to keep a soldier well-fed and combat-ready. Communications gear has become a necessity, as it allows effective command of infantry units over greater distances, and communication with artillery and other support units. Modern infantry can have GPS , encrypted individual communications equipment, surveillance and night vision equipment, advanced intelligence and other high-tech mission-unique aids. Armies have sought to improve and standardise infantry gear to reduce fatigue for extended carrying, increase freedom of movement, accessibility, and compatibility with other carried gear, such as
3060-485: The three original Guards Division regiments retaining two regular battalions. Also in 1881, short service was increased to seven years with the colours, and five with the reserve, of the twelve-year enlistment period that the Cardwell Reforms had introduced. He also introduced the ability for time-served soldiers to extend service in the reserve by four years, albeit classed as the second division, or Section D, of
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#17328456191983120-464: The time of Napoleonic warfare , infantry, cavalry and artillery formed a basic triad of ground forces, though infantry usually remained the most numerous. With armoured warfare , armoured fighting vehicles have replaced the horses of cavalry, and airpower has added a new dimension to ground combat, but infantry remains pivotal to all modern combined arms operations. The first warriors, adopting hunting weapons or improvised melee weapons, before
3180-445: The time of the musket, the dominance of firepower shifted militaries away from any close combat, and use of armour decreased, until infantry typically went without wearing any armour. Helmets were added back during World War I as artillery began to dominate the battlefield, to protect against their fragmentation and other blast effects beyond a direct hit. Modern developments in bullet-proof composite materials like kevlar have started
3240-526: The tribal host assembled from farmers and hunters with only passing acquaintance with warfare and masses of lightly armed and ill-trained militia put up as a last ditch effort. Kushite king Taharqa enjoyed military success in the Near East as a result of his efforts to strengthen the army through daily training in long-distance running. In medieval times the foot soldiers varied from peasant levies to semi-permanent companies of mercenaries, foremost among them
3300-596: The weapon speciality; examples of infantry units that retained such names are the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the Grenadier Guards . Dragoons were created as mounted infantry , with horses for travel between battles; they were still considered infantry since they dismounted before combat. However, if light cavalry was lacking in an army, any available dragoons might be assigned their duties; this practice increased over time, and dragoons eventually received all
3360-452: The weapons and training as both infantry and cavalry, and could be classified as both. Conversely, starting about the mid-19th century, regular cavalry have been forced to spend more of their time dismounted in combat due to the ever-increasing effectiveness of enemy infantry firearms. Thus most cavalry transitioned to mounted infantry. As with grenadiers, the dragoon and cavalry designations can be retained long after their horses, such as in
3420-551: Was named Mount George V after George V, to commemorate his Silver Jubilee in 1935. In Sungai Petani , Malaysia, a 12.1 m clock tower was built on the main street, Jalan Ibrahim, in 1936. The tower, topped by a dome-shaped structure, was a present from Lim Lean Teng to King George V and Queen Mary to commemorate the Silver Jubilee. The Jubilee Pool , an open-air seaside lido , was opened in Penzance , Cornwall to commemorate
3480-510: Was not coined until 1837. In modern usage, foot soldiers of any era are now considered infantry and infantrymen. From the mid-18th century until 1881, the British Army named its infantry as numbered regiments "of Foot" to distinguish them from cavalry and dragoon regiments (see List of Regiments of Foot ). Infantry equipped with special weapons were often named after that weapon, such as grenadiers for their grenades , or fusiliers for their fusils . These names can persist long after
3540-399: Was not common), similar to modern sections (squads) , companies , and regiments . The training of the infantry has differed drastically over time and from place to place. The cost of maintaining an army in fighting order and the seasonal nature of warfare precluded large permanent armies. The antiquity saw everything from the well-trained and motivated citizen armies of Greece and Rome,
3600-620: Was to have two regular or "line" battalions and two militia battalions. In Ireland, there were to be two line and three militia battalions. This was done by renaming the numbered regiments of foot and county militia regiments. In addition, the various corps of county rifle volunteers were to be designated as volunteer battalions. Each of these regiments was associated by headquarters location and territorial name to its local "Regimental District". The reforms became effective on 1 July. From 1881, regimental seniority numbers were officially abolished and battalions came to be known by their number within
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