Light infantry

Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a

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skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy

Related Topics:
Skirmish - Infantry

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advance.

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Light infantry is distinct from heavy infantry. Heavy infantry are dedicated primarily to fighting

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in tight formations that were the core of large battles. Light infantry often fought in close

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coordination with heavy infantry, where they could screen the heavy infantry from harassing fire,

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and the heavy infantry could intervene to protect the light infantry from attacks of enemy heavy

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infantry or cavalry. Heavy infantry originally had heavier arms and more armour than light

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infantry, but this distinction was lost as the use of armour declined.

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The concept of a skirmishing screen is a very old one and was already well-established by Greek

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and Roman times.

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Regular armies usually relied on

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irregulars to perform the duties of light infantry skirmishers.

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Later, the dragoons of the 17th century were the light infantry

Related Topics:
Dragoon - 17th century

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skirmishers of their day – lightly-armed and armoured infantrymen who rode into battle but

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dismounted to fight.

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In the 18th and 19th centuries most infantry battalions

Related Topics:
18th - 19th - Infantry - Battalion

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had a light company. Its members were usually smaller, agile men capable of using their

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initiative, since they did not fight in disciplined ranks as did the ordinary infantry but often in

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widely dispersed groups. They were also often chosen for their shooting ability and sometimes

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carried lighter muskets than ordinary infantrymen. Unusually, their officers often carried

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muskets as well and their swords were lighter and curved, as opposed to the heavy, straighter

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swords of other infantry officers. Orders were sent by bugle instead of drum (since the

Related Topics:
Bugle - Drum

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sound of a bugle carries further and it is difficult to move fast when carrying a drum). Some

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armies, including the British and French, converted whole

Related Topics:
British - French

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regiments into light infantry.

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These were sometimes considered elite units, since they required more training and self-discipline to carry

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out the roles of light infantry as well as those of heavy infantry.

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By the late 19th century the concept of fighting in formation was on the

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wane and the distinctions between light and heavy infantry began to disappear.

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Essentially, all infantry became light infantry in practice.

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Some regiments retained the name and customs, but there was in effect no difference between them

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and other infantry regiments.

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The Light Infantry is also the name of a regiment in the British Army formed by the amalgamation of four of the old light infantry regiments.

Related Topics:
The Light Infantry - British Army

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