Grande Armée Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars was a series of wars between Napoleonic France and shifting alliances of other European powers that produced a brief French hegemony over most of Europe. The French Army was commanded by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars.
In total, about 2.8 million Frenchmen fought on land, and about 150,000 at sea, bringing the total for France to almost 3 million combatants. Most of the men in Napoleon’s Grande Armée were conscripts drawn from the poorer classes. Every able-bodied man of age in France was expected to willingly join the ranks to defend the Republic – or risk losing citizenship.
The Napoleonic army was made up of three combat arms: the artillery, the infantry, and the cavalry. The infantry bore the brunt of most of the fighting, and their performance resulted in victory or defeat. The infantry was made up of grenadiers, riflemen, cuirassiers, and skirmishers, who fought on foot and used rifles. The infantry was divided up into two major types, the Infantry of the Line and the Light Infantry.
The second combat arm is the cavalry. The cavalry was made up of dragoons, cuirassiers, carabiniers, lancers, chasseurs, and hussards, who were all mounted on horseback and fought with lances, sabres, or swords as well as pistols. The French artillery soldiers posed an important role in the military victories of Napoleon. When Napoleon became the First Consul he established a large artillery staff under his own control. Officers from this staff supervised the production of ammunition, cannons, and howitzers, the operation of the artillery schools, and the armament of fortresses. Officers from this staff served in the field armies, army corps, and fortresses.
The French artillery soldiers posed an important role in the military victories of Napoleon. When Napoleon became the First Consul he established a large artillery staff under his own control. Officers from this staff supervised the production of ammunition, cannons, and howitzers, the operation of the artillery schools, and the armament of fortresses. Officers from this staff served in the field armies, army corps, and fortresses.
From 1804 to 1808, the Grande Armée won a series of military victories that allowed the French Empire to exercise unprecedented control over most of Europe. They made a great contribution to the victory of Napoleon and the rise in power of France on the continent until the loss at Waterloo in 1815. The armies of Napoleon Bonaparte were dedicated to their cause which is exporting their reforming values to the rest of Europe. Their loyalty to Napoleon led them fight hard for him. Until now, the French Army is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest fighting forces ever assembled in history
At GearHomie, we have been designing historical and historically inspired dresses for years. We want to recreate the image of the loyal, powerful and dedicated Grande Armée in this wars. Many of our designs are inspired by the French Army Uniform in the Napoleonic Wars (1796-1815). Each design is original and was drafted exclusively by GearHomie. We highly believe that what we wear is more than just material sewn together to protect us, our clothes are a signifier of our interest, identity, and culture. If you are a history lover and have a strong desire to spread your interest in the Napoleonic Wars, don't miss out on our casual French Army Tracksuit.
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