Jump to content

Russian Imperial Guard: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Basis of selection by regiment
Monkbot (talk | contribs)
Bots
3,695,952 edits
m Task 20: replace {lang-??} templates with {langx|??} ‹See Tfd› (Replaced 1);
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
|march=
|march=
|type= [[Artillery]]<br>[[Cavalry]]<br>[[Horse artillery]]<br>[[Imperial guard]]<br>[[Infantry]]
|type= [[Artillery]]<br>[[Cavalry]]<br>[[Horse artillery]]<br>[[Imperial guard]]<br>[[Infantry]]
⚫
|branch={{army|Russian Empire}}
|branch=[[Image:Emblem of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Empire.svg|22px]] [[Imperial Russian Army]]
|dates=1683–1917
|dates=1683–1917
|country={{flag|Russian Empire|1914}}
|country={{flag|Russian Empire|1914}}
|allegiance=[[Emperor of all the Russias|Emperor of Russia]] and
|allegiance={{flagicon image|Imperial Standard of the Emperor of Russia (1858–1917).svg}} [[Emperor of all the Russias|Emperor of Russia]]<br>{{flag|Russian Empire|1914}}
⚫
{{flag|Russian Empire|1914}}
|size= [[Division (military)|Division]]
|size= [[Division (military)|Division]]
|garrison=
|garrison=
Line 19: Line 18:
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
}}
}}
⚫
{{Armies of Russia}}
{{Russian military}}
{{Russian military}}
The Russian '''Imperial Guard''', officially known as the '''Leib Guard''' ({{lang-ru|Лейб-гвардия}} ''Leyb-gvardiya'', from [[German language|German]] ''Leib'' "body"; cf. Life Guards / Bodyguard) were military units serving as personal [[Russian Guards|guards]] of the [[Emperor of Russia]]. [[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]] founded the first such units following the [[Prussia]]n practice in 1683, to replace the politically motivated [[Streltsy]]. The Imperial Guard subsequently increased in size and diversity to become an [[elite corps]] of all branches within the Imperial Army rather than Household troops in direct attendance on the Tsar. Numerous links were however maintained with the Imperial family and the bulk of the regiments of the Imperial Guard were stationed in and around Saint Petersburg in peacetime. The Imperial Guard was disbanded in 1917 following the [[Russian Revolution]].
The Russian '''Imperial Guard''', officially known as the '''Leib Guard''' ({{langx|ru|Лейб-гвардия}} ''Leyb-gvardiya'', from [[German language|German]] ''Leib'' "body"; cf. [[Lifeguard (military)|Life Guards]] / Bodyguard) were military units serving as personal [[Russian Guards|guards]] of the [[Emperor of all the Russias|Emperor of Russia]]. [[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]] founded the first such units in 1683, to replace the politically motivated [[Streltsy]]. The Imperial Guard subsequently increased in size and diversity to become an [[elite corps]] of all branches within the Imperial Army rather than Household troops in direct attendance on the Tsar. Numerous links were however maintained with the Imperial family and the bulk of the regiments of the Imperial Guard were stationed in and around Saint Petersburg in peacetime. The Imperial Guard was disbanded in 1917 following the [[Russian Revolution]].


==History==
==History==
{{main article|Military history of the Russian Empire}}
{{main article|Military history of the Russian Empire}}
[[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]] first established the two senior units of the eventual Imperial Guard, the [[Preobrazhensky Regiment|Preobrazhensky]] and [[Semyonovsky Regiment|Semyonovsky]] infantry regiments. Peter formed these two regiments as part of his professionalization of the Russian army after its disastrous defeat by the [[Swedish Empire|Swedes]] at the [[Battle of Narva (1700)|Battle of Narva]], during the early phases of [[Great Northern War]]. He was influenced, too, by his distrust of the [[Streltsy]], who had risen against him repeatedly, both [[Moscow uprising of 1682|during his childhood]] (which traumatised him) and [[Streltsy uprising|during his reign]].
[[Peter I of Russia| Tsar Peter I]] (later to become known as "Peter the Great") first established the two senior units of the eventual Imperial Guard, the [[Preobrazhensky Life Guards Regiment| Preobrazhensky]] and [[Semyonovsky Life Guards Regiment| Semyonovsky]] infantry regiments<ref>
{{cite book
|author1 = Russia. Komitet ministrov. Kantseliariya
|year = 1896
|chapter = State defence
|title = Statesman's Handbook for Russia
|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Th5BAAAAIAAJ
|volume = 1
|publication-place = Saint Petersburg
|publisher = E. Thiele
|page = 122
|access-date = 28 January 2024
|quote = The Russian Guard was first formed in the time of Peter the Great from the Preobrajensky and Semenoffsky regiments [...].
}}
</ref>
as part of his so-called [[Toy army of Peter the Great | "toy army"]] in the 1680s. Peter later built on these two regiments as part of his professionalization of the Russian army after its disastrous defeat in 1700 by the [[Swedish Empire| Swedes]] at the [[Battle of Narva (1700)| Battle of Narva]], during the early phases of [[Great Northern War]] of 1700-1721.<ref>
{{cite book
|last1 = Christian
|first1 = David
|author-link1 = David Christian (historian)
|year = 2018
|chapter = 1600-1750: A Tipping Point: Building a Russian Empire
|title = A History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia
|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EKdFDwAAQBAJ
|series = The Blackwell History of the World
|volume = 2: Inner Eurasia from the Mongol Empire to Today, 1260 - 2000
|publisher = John Wiley & Sons
|page = 164 - 165
|isbn = 9780631210382
|access-date = 28 January 2024
|quote = As a prince, [Peter] played war games with real regiments, the Semenovskoe and Preoobrazhenskoe. Created by Peter in the 1680s, they would become the elite Guards units in the Russian army. But at first they formed a sort of personal following and bodyguard. [...] [After the ''strel'tsy'' rebellion of 1698, t]here began a period of frenetic military reform, during which he gathered around himself a loyal and hard-working group of friends and dependents, some from the boyar class, but many from lower levels of society. Some came from the Guards regiments, some from the foreign quarter. All were capable, energetic and practical, and shared Peter's appetite for military reform. After Sweden defeated his armies at Narva, in 1700, Peter committed himself wholeheartedly to reform. That defeat increased Peter's confidence in his own reform ideas, because his Guards regiments were the only units to perform creditably at Narva.
}}
</ref>
He was influenced, too, by his distrust of the [[Streltsy]], who had risen against him repeatedly, both [[Moscow uprising of 1682|during his childhood]] (which traumatised him) and [[Streltsy uprising|during his reign]].


Later, [[Anna of Russia]] formed the [[Izmaylovsky Regiment]], recruited from her native [[Duchy of Courland and Semigallia]], out of distrust of the other guard regiments (especially the Preobrazhensky) as a result of her paranoia of losing power. The Izmaylovsky Regiment became the official palace guards during Anna's reign.
In 1730 Empress [[Anna of Russia |Anna]] ({{reign | 1730 | 1740}}) formed the [[Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment|Izmailovsky Regiment]] (recruited from her former domain, the [[Duchy of Courland and Semigallia]]), out of distrust of the other guard regiments (especially the Preobrazhensky) as a result of her paranoia of losing power. The Izmaylovsky Regiment became the official palace guards during Anna's reign.


But the term "leib" was not used until the reign of [[Elizabeth of Russia]] during her formation of the Leib Company made up of the grenadiers (especially the Preobrazhensky) who helped put her on the throne.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kB4CAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA166|title=Philosophical, Political, and Literary Travels in Russia, During the Years 1788 & 1789|author1=Chantreau|year=1794}}</ref>
The term "leib" was not used until the reign of Empress [[Elizabeth of Russia|Elizabeth]] (1741-1762) during her formation of the Leib Company made up of the grenadiers (especially the Preobrazhensky) who helped put her on the throne.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=kB4CAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA166|title= Philosophical, Political, and Literary Travels in Russia, During the Years 1788 & 1789|author1= Chantreau|year=1794}}</ref>


===Revolution of 1905===
===Revolution of 1905===
The Imperial Guard played a key role in suppressing the 1905 Revolution, most particularly at Saint Petersburg on Sunday, 22 (O.S. 9) January 1905 ([[Bloody Sunday (1905)|Bloody Sunday]]). The [[Semyonovsky Regiment]] subsequently repressed [[Moscow uprising of 1905|widespread disturbances in Moscow]]. However, a full battalion of the Preobrazhensky Regiment mutinied in June 1906.<ref>{{cite book|first=Patrick|last=de Gmeline |pages=334–336|title=La Garden Imperiale Russe|year=1986 |isbn=9-782702-501412}}</ref>
The Imperial Guard played a key role in suppressing the [[Russian Revolution of 1905| 1905 Revolution]], most particularly at [[Saint Petersburg]] on Sunday, {{OldStyleDate| 22 January|1905| 9 January}} ([[Bloody Sunday (1905)|Bloody Sunday]]). The Semyonovsky Regiment subsequently repressed [[Moscow uprising of 1905|widespread disturbances in Moscow]]. However, a full battalion of the Preobrazhensky Regiment mutinied in June 1906.<ref>{{cite book|first=Patrick|last=de Gmeline |pages=334–336|title=La Garden Imperiale Russe|year=1986 |isbn=9-782702-501412}}</ref>


===Russian Revolution of 1917===
===Russian Revolution of 1917===
During the [[February Revolution]] of 1917, the garrison of Saint Petersburg included 99,000 soldiers of the Imperial Guard. These were reserve battalions, made up of a mixture of new recruits and veterans from the regiments of the Imperial Guard serving at the front. While generally still recruited from rural districts, the rank and file of the Guards were no longer the reliable instruments of Tsarist autocracy that their predecessors had been during the [[1905 Russian Revolution|abortive revolution of 1905]]. About 90 percent of the officers of these reserve units were wartime commissioned, often militarily inexperienced and sometimes sympathetic towards the need for political reform.<ref>{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mansel|page=136|title=Pillars of Monarchy|year=1984|isbn=0-7043-2424-5}}</ref> The overall morale and leadership of the Saint Petersburg troops was poor, although they still enjoyed the status of the historic regiments they represented.
During the [[February Revolution]] of 1917, the garrison of Saint Petersburg included 99,000 soldiers of the Imperial Guard. These were reserve battalions, made up of a mixture of new recruits and of veterans from the regiments of the Imperial Guard serving at the [[Eastern Front (World War I) | front]]. While generally still recruited from rural districts, the rank and file of the Guards were no longer the reliable instruments of [[Tsarist autocracy]] that their predecessors had been during the abortive revolution of 1905. About 90 percent of the officers of these reserve units were wartime-commissioned, often militarily inexperienced and sometimes sympathetic towards the need for political reform.<ref>{{cite book|first= Philip|last= Mansel|page= 136|title= Pillars of Monarchy|year=1984|isbn=0-7043-2424-5}}</ref> The overall morale and [[leadership]] of the Saint Petersburg troops was poor, although they still enjoyed the status of the historic regiments they represented.

During the early days of rioting in Saint Petersburg, the Semenovsky, Pavlovsky, and Volhynsky Regiments obeyed their officers and fired on the crowds of demonstrators. But on 27 February, first the Volhynsky, then the Semenovsky, Moskovsky, and Ismailovsky Regiments defected in large numbers to what had now become a revolution. Some officers were killed. An estimated 66,700 guardsmen in the capital had deserted or defected within about two days.<ref>{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mansel|pages=136–137|title=Pillars of Monarchy|year=1984|isbn=0-7043-2424-5}}</ref> This mass defection from units of the Imperial Guard marked the end of the Tsarist regime.


During the [[October Revolution]], the [[Pavlovsky Regiment]], though celebrated for its actions during the [[Napoleonic Wars]], was one of the first regiments to mutiny and join the [[Bolsheviks]]; it then participated in [[The Storming of the Winter Palace|the storming of the Winter Palace]].<ref>[http://www.saint-petersburg.com/buildings/barracks-of-the-pavlovsky-guards-regiment/ Barrack of the Pavlovsky Regiment]</ref> Much of the former Imperial Guard was still extant in October 1917, retaining their historic titles, though now their role was that of politicised republican soldiers. In addition to the Pavlovsky, the Semenovsky and Ismailovsky Regiments rallied to the Bolsheviks at a crucial stage in the revolution.<ref>{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mansel|page=137|title=Pillars of Monarchy|year=1984|isbn=0-7043-2424-5}}</ref>
During the early days of rioting in Saint Petersburg, the Semyonovsky, [[Pavlovsky Life Guards Regiment|Pavlovsky]], and [[Volhynian Life Guards Regiment|Volinsky]] Regiments obeyed their officers and fired on the crowds of demonstrators. But on 27 February, first the Volinsky, then the Semyonovsky, [[Moscow Life Guards Regiment | Moskovsky]], and Izmailovsky Regiments defected in large numbers to what had now become a revolution. Some officers were killed. An estimated 66,700 guardsmen in the capital had deserted or defected within about two days.<ref>{{cite book|first= Philip|last= Mansel|pages= 136–137|title= Pillars of Monarchy|year= 1984|isbn= 0-7043-2424-5}}</ref> This mass defection from units of the Imperial Guard marked the end of the Tsarist régime.


During the [[October Revolution]] of 1917, the Pavlovsky Regiment, though celebrated for its actions during the [[Napoleonic Wars]], was one of the first regiments to mutiny and join the [[Bolsheviks]]; it then participated in [[October Revolution#Assault on the Winter Palace |the storming]] of the [[Winter Palace]].<ref>[http://www.saint-petersburg.com/buildings/barracks-of-the-pavlovsky-guards-regiment/ Barrack of the Pavlovsky Regiment]</ref> Much of the former Imperial Guard was still extant in October 1917, retaining their historic titles, though now their role was that of politicised republican soldiers. In addition to the Pavlovsky, the Semenovsky and Ismailovsky Regiments rallied to the Bolsheviks at a crucial stage in the revolution.<ref>{{cite book|first= Philip|last= Mansel|page=137|title=Pillars of Monarchy|year=1984|isbn=0-7043-2424-5}}
In December 1917, as the Bolsheviks consolidated their power, the remnants of the Imperial Guard were disbanded and integrated into the [[Red Army]]. As such they saw combat in the [[Polish-Soviet War]] in 1920.
</ref>


==Organization==
==Organization==
Line 49: Line 79:
Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Millionaya. (Guards units not part of the Guards Corps were the Guards Replacement Cavalry Regiment and Guards Field Gendarme Squadron.)
Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Millionaya. (Guards units not part of the Guards Corps were the Guards Replacement Cavalry Regiment and Guards Field Gendarme Squadron.)
* '''[[1st Guards Infantry Division (Russian Empire)|1st Guards Infantry Division]]'''. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, [[Fontanka]]
* '''[[1st Guards Infantry Division (Russian Empire)|1st Guards Infantry Division]]'''. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, [[Fontanka]]
** 1st Brigade: [[Preobrazhensky Regiment|Life-Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment]], [[Semyonovsky Regiment|Life-Guards Semyonovsky Regiment]]
** 1st Brigade: [[Preobrazhensky Life Guards Regiment]], [[Semyonovsky Life Guards Regiment]]
** 2nd Brigade: [[Izmaylovsky Regiment|Life-Guards Izmailovsky Regiment]], [[Egersky Guards Regiment|Life-Guards Egersky Regiment]]
** 2nd Brigade: [[Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment]], [[Life Guards Jager Regiment (Russia)|Egersky Life Guards Regiment]]
** 1st Life-Guards Artillery Brigade
** 1st Life-Guards Artillery Brigade
* '''[[2nd Guards Infantry Division (Russian Empire)|2nd Guards Infantry Division]]'''. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Fontanka
* '''[[2nd Guards Infantry Division (Russian Empire)|2nd Guards Infantry Division]]'''. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Fontanka
** 1st Brigade: [[Moscow Guard Regiment|Life-Guards Moscow Regiment]], Life-Guards Grenadier Regiment
** 1st Brigade: [[Moscow Life Guards Regiment]], Grenadier Life Guards Regiment
** 2nd Brigade: [[Pavlovsky Regiment|Life-Guards Pavlovsky Regiment]], [[Finland Guard Regiment|Life-Guards Finliandsky Regiment]]
** 2nd Brigade: [[Pavlovsky Life Guards Regiment]], [[Finnish Life Guards Regiment|Finliandsky Life Guards Regiment]]
** 2nd Life-Guards Artillery Brigade
** 2nd Life-Guards Artillery Brigade
* '''[[3rd Guards Infantry Division (Russian Empire)|3rd Guards Infantry Division]]'''. Headquarters, Warsaw.
* '''[[3rd Guards Infantry Division (Russian Empire)|3rd Guards Infantry Division]]'''. Headquarters, Warsaw.
** 1st Brigade: Life-Guards Lithuanian Regiment, Emperor of Austria's Life-Guards Kexgolmsky Regiment
** 1st Brigade: {{illm|Life-Guards Lithuanian Regiment|ru|Литовский лейб-гвардии полк}}, Emperor of Austria's Life-Guards Kexgolmsky Regiment
** 2nd Brigade: King Frederick-William III's Life-Guards St.-Petersburg/Petrograd Regiment, [[Volinsky Regiment|Life-Guards Volinsky Regiment]]
** 2nd Brigade: King Frederick-William III's Life-Guards St.-Petersburg/Petrograd Regiment, [[Volhynian Life Guards Regiment|Volinsky Life Guards Regiment]]
** 3rd Life-Guards Artillery Brigade
** 3rd Life-Guards Artillery Brigade
* 2nd Infantry Division
* 2nd Infantry Division
Line 64: Line 94:
* 3rd Battery of Life-Guards Horse Artillery
* 3rd Battery of Life-Guards Horse Artillery
* 23rd Howitzer Artillery Battalion
* 23rd Howitzer Artillery Battalion
* 9th Sapper Battalion[[File:Jebens151 lgv volynskij polk.jpg|thumb|Officers and soldiers of the [[Volinsky Regiment|Volhynian Life-Guards Regiment]] in [[Warsaw]], 1864]]
* 9th Sapper Battalion
[[File:Jebens151 lgv volynskij polk.jpg|thumb|Officers and soldiers of the Volinsky Life Guards Regiment in [[Warsaw]], 1864]]
* '''[[1st Guards Cavalry Division (Russian Empire)|1st Guards Cavalry Division]]'''. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Fontanka
* '''[[1st Guards Cavalry Division (Russian Empire)|1st Guards Cavalry Division]]'''. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Fontanka
** 1st Brigade: [[Chevalier Guard Regiment|Her Sovereign Majesty Empress Maria Theodorovna's Chevalier Guard Regiment]], [[Life Guard Horse Regiment]]
** 1st Brigade: [[Chevalier Guard Regiment|Her Sovereign Majesty Empress Maria Theodorovna's Chevalier Guard Regiment]], [[Life Guard Horse Regiment]]
Line 85: Line 116:
* Guards Aviation Company
* Guards Aviation Company


'''Guard units of direct subordination as of 1917'':
'''Guard units of direct subordination as of 1917''':
* Palace Grenadiers Company
* Palace Grenadiers Company
* Guards Replacement Cavalry Regiment
* Guards Replacement Cavalry Regiment
Line 97: Line 128:
** Division HQ
** Division HQ
** 1st Brigade: Life-Guards Lithuania Regiment, Emperor of Austria's Life-Guards Kexholm Regiment
** 1st Brigade: Life-Guards Lithuania Regiment, Emperor of Austria's Life-Guards Kexholm Regiment
** 2nd Brigade: King Frederick-William III's Life-Guards St.-Petersburg Regiment, [[Volinsky Guard Regiment|Life-Guards Volynski Regiment]]
** 2nd Brigade: King Frederick-William III's Life-Guards St.-Petersburg Regiment, Volynski Life Guards Regiment
** 3rd Life-Guards Artillery Brigade
** 3rd Life-Guards Artillery Brigade
* Independent Guards Cavalry Brigade
* Independent Guards Cavalry Brigade
Line 106: Line 137:
Every soldier and officer of the Guard had the style ''of the Leib Guard'' (Лейб-гвардии...), for example: ''Colonel of the Leib Guard'' (Лейб-гвардии полковник). It is a misconception that the [[tsar|monarch]] himself functioned as the commander of the Leib Guard regiments, so only he and some members of the [[imperial family]] could hold a title of [[Colonel]] (Polkovnik) of the Guards. In fact, there were many guards officers in the rank of colonel.{{Specify|I'm not sure, but couldn't this be result of some confusion between the actual colonel of the regiment (polkovnik - Полковник) and colonel-in-chief ("chief of the regiment" - Шеф полка)? Even then, was it limited to the Romanov dynasty only in the senior regiments - Preobrazhensky, Semenovsky etc.; and in some others awarded to members of other European dynasties?|date=April 2011}}
Every soldier and officer of the Guard had the style ''of the Leib Guard'' (Лейб-гвардии...), for example: ''Colonel of the Leib Guard'' (Лейб-гвардии полковник). It is a misconception that the [[tsar|monarch]] himself functioned as the commander of the Leib Guard regiments, so only he and some members of the [[imperial family]] could hold a title of [[Colonel]] (Polkovnik) of the Guards. In fact, there were many guards officers in the rank of colonel.{{Specify|I'm not sure, but couldn't this be result of some confusion between the actual colonel of the regiment (polkovnik - Полковник) and colonel-in-chief ("chief of the regiment" - Шеф полка)? Even then, was it limited to the Romanov dynasty only in the senior regiments - Preobrazhensky, Semenovsky etc.; and in some others awarded to members of other European dynasties?|date=April 2011}}


Commissioned officers enjoyed a two-grade elevation in the [[Table of Ranks]] over [[regular army]] officers; this later changed to a one-grade elevation—first for the '''''New Guards''''' then for the rest of the Leib Guard. Following the abolition of the rank of [[Major]] in 1884, most grades below VII shifted one position upwards, effectively returning to those of the '''''Old Guards'''''.
Commissioned officers enjoyed a two-grade elevation in the [[Table of Ranks]] over [[regular army]] officers; this later changed to a one-grade elevation—first for the '''''New Guards''''' then for the rest of the Leib Guard. Following the abolition of the rank of [[Major (rank)|Major]] in 1884, most grades below VII shifted one position upwards, effectively returning to those of the '''''Old Guards'''''.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 128: Line 159:
|VI
|VI
|VII
|VII
|colspan=2| [[Prime major|Premier Major]], [[Second major|Second Major]] (Премьер-майор, секунд-майор) (until 1798)
|colspan=2| [[Prime major|Premier Major]], [[Second major (rank)|Second Major]] (Премьер-майор, секунд-майор) (until 1798)
|
|
|-
|-
Line 179: Line 210:
|
|
|-
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|
|rowspan=4 colspan=2|
|colspan=2| Junior Praporshchik (Подпрапорщик); Senior [[Unteroffizier]] (Старший унтер-офицер) since 1800
|colspan=2| Junior Praporshchik (Подпрапорщик); Senior [[Unteroffizier]] (Старший унтер-офицер) since 1800
| [[Wachtmeister]] (Вахмистр)
| [[Wachtmeister]] (Вахмистр)
Line 190: Line 221:
|[[Prikazny]] (Приказный)
|[[Prikazny]] (Приказный)
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|Privates
|rowspan=1|Privates
|[[Musketeer]], [[Fusilier]], [[Grenadier]] etc. (Мушкетер, фузилер, гренадер и т.д.)
|[[Musketeer]], [[Fusilier]], [[Grenadier]] etc. (Мушкетер, фузилер, гренадер и т.д.)
|[[Dragoon]], [[Hussar]], [[Cuirassier]], [[Cossack]] etc. (Драгун, гусар, кирасир, казак и т.д.)
|[[Dragoon]], [[Hussar]], [[Cuirassier]], [[Cossack]] etc. (Драгун, гусар, кирасир, казак и т.д.)
Line 197: Line 228:


==Basis of selection==
==Basis of selection==
From the 18th century onwards the rank and file of the Imperial Guard were picked from each annual intake of conscripts. In peacetime most regiments had a selection criteria based on features of physical appearance such as height, hair-colour etc. The purpose of this tradition was to enhance the uniform appearance of each unit when on parade.
From the 18th century onwards the rank and file of the Imperial Guard were picked from each annual intake of conscripts. In peacetime most regiments had a selection criteria based on features of physical appearance such as height, hair-colour etc. The purpose of this tradition was to enhance the uniform appearance of each unit when on parade. As an example, the Semyonovsky Regiment conscripts were picked for their height (tallest of the Guard Infantry), light brown hair and being clean-shaven.<ref>Patrick de Gmeline, pages 36-37 "La Garde Imperiale Russe 1896-1914", publisher Charles-Lavauzelle Paris 1986</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 203: Line 234:
* [[Table of Ranks]]
* [[Table of Ranks]]
* [[History of Russian military ranks]]
* [[History of Russian military ranks]]
* [[Toy army of Peter I]]
* [[Toy army of Peter the Great]]


==References==
==References==
Line 211: Line 242:
* [http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Russian_guard.htm Russian Imperial Guard During the Napoleonic Wars]
* [http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Russian_guard.htm Russian Imperial Guard During the Napoleonic Wars]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110613165416/http://www.journalsovietarmy.org/free/The_Russian_Army_Part_Two.pdf THE RUSSIAN ARMY, 1914 by Mark Conrad, 2001. Divisions.]{{Dead link|date=March 2022}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110613165416/http://www.journalsovietarmy.org/free/The_Russian_Army_Part_Two.pdf THE RUSSIAN ARMY, 1914 by Mark Conrad, 2001. Divisions.]{{Dead link|date=March 2022}}
⚫
{{Armies of Russia}}

[[Category:Russian Imperial Guard| ]]
[[Category:Russian Imperial Guard| ]]
[[Category:17th-century establishments in Russia]]
[[Category:17th-century establishments in Russia]]

Latest revision as of 06:02, 24 October 2024

"Old Guard (Russia)" redirects here. For the Bolshevik faction, see Bolshevik old guard.
Imperial Guard
Лейб-гвардия
Leib Guards reception at the Constantine Palace
Active1683–1917
Country Russian Empire
Allegiance Emperor of Russia
 Russian Empire
Branch Imperial Russian Army
TypeArtillery
Cavalry
Horse artillery
Imperial guard
Infantry
SizeDivision
Russian Armed Forces
Staff
Services (vid)
Independent troops (rod)
Special operations force (sof)
Other troops
Military districts
History of the Russian military

The Russian Imperial Guard, officially known as the Leib Guard (Russian: Лейб-гвардия Leyb-gvardiya, from German Leib "body"; cf. Life Guards / Bodyguard) were military units serving as personal guards of the Emperor of Russia. Peter the Great founded the first such units in 1683, to replace the politically motivated Streltsy. The Imperial Guard subsequently increased in size and diversity to become an elite corps of all branches within the Imperial Army rather than Household troops in direct attendance on the Tsar. Numerous links were however maintained with the Imperial family and the bulk of the regiments of the Imperial Guard were stationed in and around Saint Petersburg in peacetime. The Imperial Guard was disbanded in 1917 following the Russian Revolution.

History

[edit]
Main article: Military history of the Russian Empire

Tsar Peter I (later to become known as "Peter the Great") first established the two senior units of the eventual Imperial Guard, the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky infantry regiments[1] as part of his so-called "toy army" in the 1680s. Peter later built on these two regiments as part of his professionalization of the Russian army after its disastrous defeat in 1700 by the Swedes at the Battle of Narva, during the early phases of Great Northern War of 1700-1721.[2] He was influenced, too, by his distrust of the Streltsy, who had risen against him repeatedly, both during his childhood (which traumatised him) and during his reign.

In 1730 Empress Anna (r. 1730–1740) formed the Izmailovsky Regiment (recruited from her former domain, the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia), out of distrust of the other guard regiments (especially the Preobrazhensky) as a result of her paranoia of losing power. The Izmaylovsky Regiment became the official palace guards during Anna's reign.

The term "leib" was not used until the reign of Empress Elizabeth (1741-1762) during her formation of the Leib Company made up of the grenadiers (especially the Preobrazhensky) who helped put her on the throne.[3]

Revolution of 1905

[edit]

The Imperial Guard played a key role in suppressing the 1905 Revolution, most particularly at Saint Petersburg on Sunday, 22 January [O.S. 9 January] 1905 (Bloody Sunday). The Semyonovsky Regiment subsequently repressed widespread disturbances in Moscow. However, a full battalion of the Preobrazhensky Regiment mutinied in June 1906.[4]

Russian Revolution of 1917

[edit]

During the February Revolution of 1917, the garrison of Saint Petersburg included 99,000 soldiers of the Imperial Guard. These were reserve battalions, made up of a mixture of new recruits and of veterans from the regiments of the Imperial Guard serving at the front. While generally still recruited from rural districts, the rank and file of the Guards were no longer the reliable instruments of Tsarist autocracy that their predecessors had been during the abortive revolution of 1905. About 90 percent of the officers of these reserve units were wartime-commissioned, often militarily inexperienced and sometimes sympathetic towards the need for political reform.[5] The overall morale and leadership of the Saint Petersburg troops was poor, although they still enjoyed the status of the historic regiments they represented.

During the early days of rioting in Saint Petersburg, the Semyonovsky, Pavlovsky, and Volinsky Regiments obeyed their officers and fired on the crowds of demonstrators. But on 27 February, first the Volinsky, then the Semyonovsky, Moskovsky, and Izmailovsky Regiments defected in large numbers to what had now become a revolution. Some officers were killed. An estimated 66,700 guardsmen in the capital had deserted or defected within about two days.[6] This mass defection from units of the Imperial Guard marked the end of the Tsarist régime.

During the October Revolution of 1917, the Pavlovsky Regiment, though celebrated for its actions during the Napoleonic Wars, was one of the first regiments to mutiny and join the Bolsheviks; it then participated in the storming of the Winter Palace.[7] Much of the former Imperial Guard was still extant in October 1917, retaining their historic titles, though now their role was that of politicised republican soldiers. In addition to the Pavlovsky, the Semenovsky and Ismailovsky Regiments rallied to the Bolsheviks at a crucial stage in the revolution.[8]

Organization

[edit]

The final composition of the Russian Imperial Guard at the beginning of 1914 was:

His Majesty's Life-Guards Hussar Regiment, 1914

Guards Corps St. Petersburg District. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Millionaya. (Guards units not part of the Guards Corps were the Guards Replacement Cavalry Regiment and Guards Field Gendarme Squadron.)

Officers and soldiers of the Volinsky Life Guards Regiment in Warsaw, 1864
  • 1st Guards Cavalry Division. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Fontanka
    • 1st Brigade: Her Sovereign Majesty Empress Maria Theodorovna's Chevalier Guard Regiment, Life Guard Horse Regiment
    • 2nd Brigade: His Majesty's Life-Guards Cuirassier Regiment, Her Majesty Empress Maria Theodorovna's Life-Guards Cuirassier Regiment
    • 3rd Brigade: His Majesty's Life-Guards Cossack Regiment, His Imperial Highness the Sovereign Heir and Tsesarevich's Life-Guards Ataman Regiment, Life-Guards Combined Cossack Regiment, 1st His Majesty's Ural Sotnia, 2nd Orenburg Sotnia, 3rd Combined Sotnia, 4th Amur Sotnia
    • 1st Division of Life-Guards Horse-Artillery Brigade
  • 2nd Guards Cavalry Division. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Fontanka
    • 1st Brigade: Life-Guards Horse-Grenadier Regiment, Her Majesty Empress Alexandra Theodorovna's Life-Guards Lancer Regiment
    • 2nd Brigade: Life-Guards Dragoon Regiment, His Majesty's Life-Guards Hussar Regiment,
    • 2nd Division of Life-Guards Horse-Artillery Brigade
  • Guards Rifle Brigade. Headquarters, St. Petersburg, Fontanka
    • Life-Guards 1st His Majesty's Rifle Regiment
    • Life-Guards 2nd Tsarskoe-Selo Rifle Regiment
    • Life-Guards 3rd His Majesty's Rifle Regiment
    • Life-Guards 4th The Imperial Family's Rifle Regiment
    • Guards Rifle Artillery Battalion
  • Life-Guards Horse Artillery
  • Guards Howitzer Artillery Battalion
  • Life-Guards Sapper Battalion
  • Guards Aviation Company

Guard units of direct subordination as of 1917:

Plus the following were part of the 23rd Army Corps, Warsaw Military District. Headquarters, Warsaw, Poland.

  • 3rd Guards Infantry Division. Headquarters, Warsaw
    • Division HQ
    • 1st Brigade: Life-Guards Lithuania Regiment, Emperor of Austria's Life-Guards Kexholm Regiment
    • 2nd Brigade: King Frederick-William III's Life-Guards St.-Petersburg Regiment, Volynski Life Guards Regiment
    • 3rd Life-Guards Artillery Brigade
  • Independent Guards Cavalry Brigade
  • 3rd Battery of Life-Guards Horse Artillery

Ranks

[edit]

Every soldier and officer of the Guard had the style of the Leib Guard (Лейб-гвардии...), for example: Colonel of the Leib Guard (Лейб-гвардии полковник). It is a misconception that the monarch himself functioned as the commander of the Leib Guard regiments, so only he and some members of the imperial family could hold a title of Colonel (Polkovnik) of the Guards. In fact, there were many guards officers in the rank of colonel.[specify]

Commissioned officers enjoyed a two-grade elevation in the Table of Ranks over regular army officers; this later changed to a one-grade elevation—first for the New Guards then for the rest of the Leib Guard. Following the abolition of the rank of Major in 1884, most grades below VII shifted one position upwards, effectively returning to those of the Old Guards.

Grade, Old Guards Grade, New Guards Category Infantry Cavalry, Cossacks until 1891 Cossacks (since 1891)
IV V Staff Officers Colonel (Полковник)
V VI Lieutenant colonel (Подполковник) (until 1798)
VI VII Premier Major, Second Major (Премьер-майор, секунд-майор) (until 1798)
VII VIII Ober-Officers Captain (Капитан) Rittmeister (Ротмистр) Yesaul (Есаул)
VIII IX Staff Captain(Штабс-капитан) Staff-Rittmeister (Штабс-ротмистр) Junior Yesaul (Подъесаул)
IX X Poruchik/Lieutenant (Поручик) Sotnik (Сотник)
X XI Junior Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (Подпоручик) Khorunzhiy (Хорунжий)
XI XII Praporshchik (Прапорщик) Cornet (Корнет)
XII XIII Under-Officers Feldwebel (Фельдфебель)
XIII XIV Sergeant (Сержант) (1800-1884) Wachtmeister (Вахмистр) Junior Khorunzhiy (Подхорунжий)
XIV
Junior Praporshchik (Подпрапорщик); Senior Unteroffizier (Старший унтер-офицер) since 1800 Wachtmeister (Вахмистр)
Unteroffizier (Унтер-офицер) Uryadnik (Урядник)
Gefreiter (Ефрейтор) Prikazny (Приказный)
Privates Musketeer, Fusilier, Grenadier etc. (Мушкетер, фузилер, гренадер и т.д.) Dragoon, Hussar, Cuirassier, Cossack etc. (Драгун, гусар, кирасир, казак и т.д.) Cossack (Казак)

Basis of selection

[edit]

From the 18th century onwards the rank and file of the Imperial Guard were picked from each annual intake of conscripts. In peacetime most regiments had a selection criteria based on features of physical appearance such as height, hair-colour etc. The purpose of this tradition was to enhance the uniform appearance of each unit when on parade. As an example, the Semyonovsky Regiment conscripts were picked for their height (tallest of the Guard Infantry), light brown hair and being clean-shaven.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Russia. Komitet ministrov. Kantseliariya (1896). "State defence". Statesman's Handbook for Russia. Vol. 1. Saint Petersburg: E. Thiele. p. 122. Retrieved 28 January 2024. The Russian Guard was first formed in the time of Peter the Great from the Preobrajensky and Semenoffsky regiments [...].
  2. ^ Christian, David (2018). "1600-1750: A Tipping Point: Building a Russian Empire". A History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia. The Blackwell History of the World. Vol. 2: Inner Eurasia from the Mongol Empire to Today, 1260–2000. John Wiley & Sons. p. 164 - 165. ISBN 9780631210382. Retrieved 28 January 2024. As a prince, [Peter] played war games with real regiments, the Semenovskoe and Preoobrazhenskoe. Created by Peter in the 1680s, they would become the elite Guards units in the Russian army. But at first they formed a sort of personal following and bodyguard. [...] [After the strel'tsy rebellion of 1698, t]here began a period of frenetic military reform, during which he gathered around himself a loyal and hard-working group of friends and dependents, some from the boyar class, but many from lower levels of society. Some came from the Guards regiments, some from the foreign quarter. All were capable, energetic and practical, and shared Peter's appetite for military reform. After Sweden defeated his armies at Narva, in 1700, Peter committed himself wholeheartedly to reform. That defeat increased Peter's confidence in his own reform ideas, because his Guards regiments were the only units to perform creditably at Narva.
  3. ^ Chantreau (1794). "Philosophical, Political, and Literary Travels in Russia, During the Years 1788 & 1789".
  4. ^ de Gmeline, Patrick (1986). La Garden Imperiale Russe. pp. 334–336. ISBN 9-782702-501412.
  5. ^ Mansel, Philip (1984). Pillars of Monarchy. p. 136. ISBN 0-7043-2424-5.
  6. ^ Mansel, Philip (1984). Pillars of Monarchy. pp. 136–137. ISBN 0-7043-2424-5.
  7. ^ Barrack of the Pavlovsky Regiment
  8. ^ Mansel, Philip (1984). Pillars of Monarchy. p. 137. ISBN 0-7043-2424-5.
  9. ^ Patrick de Gmeline, pages 36-37 "La Garde Imperiale Russe 1896-1914", publisher Charles-Lavauzelle Paris 1986
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Russian_Imperial_Guard&oldid=1253068937"