Today is Russian Guard Day. This holiday appeared only in 2000, but the history of the Russian guards has already exceeded the fourth hundred years. What are they?
The Russian Guard grew out of the “military amusements” of Peter I. In 1683, he organized the “amusing troops” of the foreign system. The first soldier to enlist in this new army is Sergei Bukhvostov. His distant descendant, Captain 1st Rank Nikolai Bukhvostov, died in the Battle of Tsushima in 1905, commanding the guards crew of the battleship Emperor Alexander III.
“War games of the amusing troops of Peter I near the village of Kozhukhovo”, A. Kivshenko
In 1691, two regiments were created in the “amusing troops” - Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky.
The “amusement” quickly disappeared from these real military formations, the officer corps of which became a reliable support for the reformer tsar.
On September 2, 1700, both of these regiments received the honorary name “Life Guards”. This day is considered the birthday of the Russian Guard.
In the same 1700, the guards underwent a baptism of fire near Narva, against the Swedes. The battle was unsuccessful for the Russian troops, but both regiments did not flinch and stood firm against the Swedish army.
Narva became a legend of the Russian guard, born “knee-deep in blood.”
“Battle of Narva”, A. Kotzebue, 19th century
At first, the guard did not have any advantages over army units. But since 1722, in the Table of Ranks, guards officers received two ranks of seniority ahead of army officers. For example, a junior guard officer (ensign) was considered equal in seniority to an army lieutenant (third officer rank).
In Peter’s times, it was mainly noblemen who were even enrolled in the guard as privates, but later transfers from the army and direct recruitment of recruits of non-noble origin began to be allowed.
“Russian Guard in Tsarskoe Selo in 1832”, F. Kruger, 1841
Very tall people were selected for the guard.
So, under Catherine I. I. the lower height threshold was 182.5 cm. Now these figures don’t look very good, but remember that food in those years was much worse than now, and the average (!) height of an ordinary infantry recruit in the 18th century was about 160 −162 cm! It is no wonder that the guards were constantly called “giants” or “heroes”.
They were also selected “by suit”. The Preobrazhentsy and the Guards Fleet crew were the first to take the healthiest “buhai” for themselves.
Semenovtsy took blue-eyed blonds. Izmailovtsy are dark-haired.
Guards huntsmen selected people of “elegant build” for themselves. The Moscow regiment collected redheads.
“Group of officers and soldiers of the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment”, A. I. Gebens, 1853
The Guard was distinguished not only by its appearance, but also by its excellent training and courage in battle. Almost not a single major general battle of the Russian army in Europe was completed without the participation of the guards.
Such battles as Kunersdorf, Austerlitz, Borodino were included in the service record of the Russian Guard.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the Russian guard was noted not only for its exploits on the battlefield, but also became famous in palace coups.
With the direct participation of guards officers, Catherine I, Anna Ioannovna, Anna Leopoldovna, Elizaveta Petrovna, Catherine I. I. came to power.
The guards also took part in the assassination of Emperor Paul I. Among the Decembrists there were many guard officers.
In this sense, the Russian Guard was a stronghold of the nobility: the overwhelming majority of the officers came from this stratum, while among army officers by the end of the 19th century no more than 40% were nobles.
The term “Young Guard” did not appear in the 20th century, but in 1813, when, as a result of the Patriotic War, the composition of the guard expanded: it additionally included two grenadier and one cuirassier regiments.
The new regiments began to be called the “Young Guard”, distinguishing it from the “Old”, which was more privileged (it had an advantage in seniority over the army by two ranks, and the young ones only by one). Subsequently, some of the “young” regiments received transfer to the “old” ones for military distinction.
Semyonovtsy on the Kulm field. Photo: Elena Klimenko, club of military-historical reconstruction “Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment”
In 1918, the Soviet government disbanded the Imperial Guard, among other “relics.” The notorious “Red Guard” did not stay long either: the nascent Red Army was distinguished by its democratic spirit, and was disgusted by the very idea of “special” troops.
The Soviet Guard was born again in the autumn of the first year of the Great Patriotic War.
On September 18, 1941, four rifle divisions that demonstrated outstanding steadfastness and courage in the Battle of Smolensk received the honorary name “Guards.” The war was already ended by 17 guards armies and 215 guards divisions, as well as 18 naval ships.
Initially, the “guards” included mortar units equipped with rocket artillery - “Katyushas”.
The Russian ground forces have several guards units. The most famous are the Kantemirovskaya Tank and Tamanskaya Motorized Rifle Divisions, whose deployment near Moscow back in Soviet times gave them the unofficial nickname of “courtiers.” But the guard serves everywhere, and in the Far East too.
Prototype of the new army
In the fall of 1690, the first maneuvers took place, organized according to all the rules of military art. On one side was a rifle regiment, on the other - amusing battalions and a detachment of noble cavalry. The Sagittarius were defeated. A year later, the forces of the opposing troops increased significantly. The forces of the amusing and soldier regiments were led by F. Yu. Romodanovsky, and at the head of another army, consisting of archers, was I. I. Buturlin. Both “commanders” held the rank of “generalissimo”. The total number of troops reached three thousand people. In general, all maneuvers became a serious school of military science. Practical training of interaction in combat conditions, training in siege techniques, learning weapons skills - everything was aimed at improving the quality of the army. Representatives of many noble families of that time participated in Peter's reform activities.
PREOBRAZHENSKY REGIMENT, Preobrazhensky Life Guards Regiment - one of the two (along with Semenovsky) first Russian guards regiments.
The Preobrazhensky Regiment had a leading position in the Russian army. All Russian emperors or empresses were colonels or colonels of this regiment.
The regiment was created by Tsar Peter I in the spring of 1692 from a “amusing” detachment stationed in the village near Moscow. Preobrazhenskoe. The final formation of the regiment was completed in 1693.
Preobrazhentsy took part in all the main battles and campaigns of Peter the Great's time. After the Azov campaigns, the company composition of the regiment was determined, which significantly outnumbered other parts of the army. It consisted of 16 fuselier (musketeer) companies, 1 grenadier company and 1 bombardier company. On August 22, 1700, when the Preobrazhensky regiment set out on the Narva campaign, it, together with the Semenovsky regiment, was called the Life Guards for the first time. In the 1st half. 18th century From the soldiers of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, mostly nobles, officers were trained for army regiments.
Subsequently, the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment took part in the Russian-Turkish War of 1735–1739, distinguished itself during the siege of Ochakov (1737), Khotin (1739), in the Battle of Stavuchany 1739, in the coalition wars with Napoleonic France, distinguished itself in the battle of Friedland (1807), Borodino (1812), and Kulm (1813). Some of his guards detachments took part in the Russian-Swedish wars of 1788–1790 and 1808–1809, and the Russian-Turkish war of 1828–1829. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878. The Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment fought with the enemy at Etropol, Adrianople, San Stefano and Tashkisen.
During the First World War, Preobrazhensky soldiers took part in battles with German and Austro-Hungarian troops on the North-Western and South-Western fronts and distinguished themselves in the battle on the river. Stokhod (1916). Units of the regiment stationed in Petrograd took an active part in the revolutionary events of 1917.
In March 1918, the Preobrazhensky Regiment was disbanded. V.V.
SEME?NOVSKY REGIMENT, Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment is one of the first (along with Preobrazhensky) Russian Guards regiments.
The Semenovsky regiment was formed by Tsar Peter I in the spring of 1692 from a “amusing” detachment stationed in the village near Moscow. Semenovskoe. The Semyonovites took part in all the main battles and campaigns of Peter the Great’s time. After the Azov campaigns, the composition of the regiment was determined, which was somewhat inferior in number of companies to the Preobrazhensky Regiment. The Semenovsky regiment consisted of 12 fuseliers (musketeers) and 1 grenadier company. In August 1700, when the Semenovsky regiment, together with the Preobrazhensky regiment, set out on the Narva campaign, it was given the name Life Guards. In the 1st half. 18th century From the soldiers of the Semenovsky regiment, mainly nobles, officers were trained.
Subsequently, the Semenovsky regiment participated in the Russian-Turkish and Russian-Swedish wars, coalition wars with Napoleonic France. Its personnel distinguished themselves in the Stavuchany (1739) and Borodino (1812) battles, and the Battle of Kulm (1813). In 1820, soldiers of the Semenovsky regiment rebelled against inhumane treatment and drill. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878. The Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment distinguished itself in the battles of Gorny Dubnyak and Pravets. During the First World War, Semenovites took part in combat operations with German and Austro-Hungarian troops on the North-Western and South-Western fronts and distinguished themselves in the battle on the river. Stokhod (1916). The reserve and rear units of the regiment stationed in Petrograd took an active part in the revolutionary events of 1917.
In January 1918, the Semenovsky regiment was disbanded. V.V.
A?RMYA - the totality of the enemy forces of the state; part of the armed forces, primarily ground forces.
K con. 17 – beginning 18th centuries the old structure of the army no longer met the requirements of state defense and foreign policy objectives. Peter I began military reform and completed it by 1709, the year of the Battle of Poltava. It can be divided into 3 stages.
The preparatory stage was 1690–1699, when the “amusing” regiments of Peter I turned into the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments, and two “elected” Moscow regiments were formed from the most combat-ready archers - P. Gordon and F. Lefort.
The period of transition to a regular army can be called 1699–1705. In 1699, tsarist decrees were issued on the enrollment of “all free people” and then “dating people” into the soldier and dragoon regiments. As a result, 29 infantry and 2 dragoon regiments were formed (there were 1,200 privates in the regiment). Streltsy regiments and noble cavalry were liquidated after the battle of the Russian and Swedish armies near Narva on November 19, 1700. In November 1700, near Narva, the Swedes destroyed 6,000 Russians and all artillery. Streltsy regiments and noble cavalry could not resist the army of Charles XII.
The final stage occurred in 1705–1709. The place of the noble cavalry militia was taken by dragoon-type cavalry. In 1705, conscription was introduced in Russia. In all provinces of the country, “stations” were set up - recruiting points. As a rule, 1 recruit was recruited from 500, less often from 300 and in exceptional cases from 100 male souls. The peasant boys who were recruits experienced the transition from home life to military life very deeply. This was aggravated by a harsh system of punishments for mistakes in exercises. Corporal punishment and the death penalty in the army of the 18th century. were common. Long marches, poor food, and lack of medicine were disastrous for the recruits. They got sick and died even when there was no military action.
In the 18th century recruits were recruited only from the Russian population. From the end 18th century Ukrainians and Belarusians began to be recruited, and in the 19th century. representatives of other Christian peoples of Russia. The term of service was then “until disability”, in fact lifelong.
The new regular army and navy were created according to Western European models.
The army was divided into divisions and brigades, which, however, did not have a permanent composition. The only permanent unit in the infantry and cavalry was the regiment. Before 1704, the infantry regiment consisted of 12 companies, consolidated into two battalions, after 1704 - of 9 companies: 8 fusiliers and 1 grenadier. Each company had 4 chief officers, 10 non-commissioned officers, and 140 privates. The company was divided into 4 plutongs (platoons). Each of the plutongs had 2 corporals.
The infantrymen were armed with smooth-bore guns with baguettes (cold weapons in the form of a long blade, the handle of which was inserted into the gun barrel during hand-to-hand combat, forcing the soldiers to stop firing). In 1706–1708 these guns were replaced by guns with triangular bayonets. In addition to guns (fuses) and pistols, the infantrymen of Peter the Great's time were armed with swords.
The infantry smoothbore gun (fusee) had a caliber of 19.8 mm, weighed 5.69 kg with a bayonet, and reached 1560 mm in length. The mass of each bullet was 33 g.
The cavalry (dragoon) regiment consisted of 10 companies, including one horse-grenadier company. Every two companies made up a squadron. Each company had 3 chief officers, 8 non-commissioned officers and 92 dragoons.
The dragoons were armed with lightweight guns (fusees), broadswords and pistols in olstras (saddle holsters). The Dragoon fusee had a caliber of 17.3 mm, weighed 4.6 kg with the bayonet, and reached 1210 mm in length. The mass of each bullet was 21.3 g.
In 1708, grenadier regiments were created in the Russian army, which had great firepower. In addition to rifles, the grenadiers were also armed with grenades, and some of them were hand mortars. Each grenadier regiment had 12 cannons, while the infantry regiments had only 2 light cannons and 4 mortars.
Artillery has undergone significant changes. Various calibers and types of artillery pieces have disappeared. In field artillery, the division into cannons, howitzers and mortars has been preserved. Permanent teams appeared to transport guns - furshtat.
In 1701, the first artillery regiment was formed in the Russian army. According to the staff of 1712, it consisted of 6 companies (1 bombardment, 4 gunners, 1 miner), engineering and pontoon teams.
The school for training army officers was the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky Guards regiments. Young nobles served there as privates, and then received officer rank. Military specialists were trained by artillery schools, for example, at the Bombardier School, opened in 1698, at the Moscow Cannon Yard, etc. The School of Mathematical and Navigational Sciences was founded (1701, from 1715 the Naval Academy in St. Petersburg), the Nautical School in Azov, Engineering School in Moscow (1712, later moved to St. Petersburg).
The Russian army almost always lacked officers, since they usually became nobles. It was difficult for people from other classes to get into officer service. However, according to Peter’s Table of Ranks, lower ranks for “unblemished” service were promoted to non-commissioned officers, and those for special successes in military service could be promoted to officers, which automatically brought them nobility.
The total number of Russian armed forces by 1725 (the end of the reign of Peter I) reached 220 thousand people. V.V.
GVA?RDIA, Life Guards (from Italian Guardia - security) - originally military detachments that guarded royalty; subsequently - selected and privileged military units. In Russia, guards units were formed at the end. 17th century from the “amusing” regiments of Peter I - Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky. On May 30, 1700 (another named date is 1687), on Peter’s birthday, these regiments were given the status of guards.
The Guard was a military school where officers were trained for the Russian army. In accordance with the Table of Ranks, guards officers had an advantage of two ranks over army officers. For example, a guards captain was equivalent to an army lieutenant colonel. From 1884 this advantage was reduced to one rank. Until the end 18th century Mostly nobles, including privates, served in the guard. At this time, the guard had great political influence and actively participated in the palace coups of the 18th century.
In the 18th–19th centuries. the number of guard units was constantly growing. They were in all branches of the military. In 1722, the Horse Guards Regiment was formed, in 1730 - Izmailovsky, in 1796 - Jaeger, Hussar, Cossack, in 1799 - Cavalry Guards, in 1809 - Ulansky, in 1811 - Finnish and Lithuanian , 1813 - Cuirassier, Grenadier, Pavlovsky, in 1814 - Horse-Jaeger. Subsequently, other guards units were formed. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the regiments assigned to the guard, starting in 1813, began to be called the “Young Guard”, and the former guard regiments - the “Old Guard”.
The guards selected men who were tall, handsome, strong, good with weapons, and politically reliable. In the 1830s. There was a tradition of selecting recruits for guards regiments based on the color of their eyes, hair and facial features. Blondes were recruited into the Preobrazhensky Regiment, brown-haired into the Semenovsky, brunettes into the Izmailovsky, red-haired into the Moscow, blue-eyed blondes into the Cavalry Guard, snub-nosed blondes into the Pavlovsky, in memory of its creator, Emperor Paul I. Service in the guard was prestigious, but for officers - very expensive. Uniforms and ammunition were expensive, and even more expensive was a horse worthy of a guards officer. Belonging to a guards corporation imposed certain restrictions on the officer: for example, he could not get married unless the commander approved the bride and the officers’ meeting made a corresponding decision. All the great princes, including the crown princes, served in the guard. Sons from noble noble families began their careers as private guards. To obtain an officer's rank, one had to serve for several years. The chiefs of the guards regiments were members of the imperial family.
Guards regiments took part in all the wars waged by Russia in the 19th century. 20th century In con. In 1917 the guard was abolished. During the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945. Guards status in the Red Army was revived. V. G.
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The Russian Guard is the color and pride of the Russian Armed Forces, the personification of indestructible military power, mass heroism and military valor. Its military traditions serve soldiers as an example of loyalty to military duty and the Fatherland.
History and traditions of the Imperial Guard
“Guard” translated from Italian means security, guards, selected privileged part of the troops. It arose with the emergence of slave states, when special guards (bodyguards) appeared under monarchs and military leaders. For example, in Ancient Greece it was called a “sacred detachment”, in Ancient Persia it was a 10,000-strong corps of “immortals”, in the army of Alexander the Great it was a 6,000-strong corps, which included heavy infantry (gyraspists) and heavy cavalry (hetaerae). In ancient Rome, Gaius Marius had a cohort of praetorians.
In the Middle Ages, special detachments of selected warriors existed in many armies. The commanders of Byzantium, Charlemagne, Genghis Khan and others had them.
The term "guard" first appeared in the 12th century in Lombardy (Italy). Initially, it designated a selected military detachment guarding the state banner. With the creation of standing armies, the guard was divided into palace (to protect the monarch) and military (elite units of the army). It existed in almost all European countries - France, Italy, Prussia, England and others.
The Russian Guard (Russian Imperial Life Guard) existed from 1721 to March 1917. It was created by Peter I in 1696-1700 on the basis of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky “amusing” regiments. The Russian Guard received its baptism of fire in the Battle of Narva in 1700, where it saved the Russian army from complete destruction. For this feat, the officers of the regiments were awarded a badge with the inscription “1700 November 19.” Peter I ordered the guards to wear red stockings instead of green ones as a sign that they fought knee-deep in blood.
In the 18th century, the Russian Guard participated in all wars of the Russian Empire. The Guards regiments trained officers for the entire army and were staffed almost exclusively by nobles, for whom military service was mandatory. From the mid-30s of the 18th century, the rank and file of the guard began to be replenished with recruits from the tax-paying classes, and after the release of the manifesto on freedom for the nobility in 1762, this method became the main one. The social composition of the guard provided it with great political influence. The support of the guard predetermined the success of all palace coups of that time. As an elite part of the Russian army, the guard enjoyed great privileges. For example, according to the Table of Ranks of 1722, guard officers had seniority over army officers of two ranks. With the formation of the Young Guard in 1813, its officers received seniority of one rank. This order existed until the end of the 19th century, when Alexander III curtailed the privileges of the guard.
In the 19th century, the guard participated in full force in all the wars that Russia waged with Napoleon. She especially distinguished herself in the battles of Austerlitz (1805) and Borodino (1812), in the battles of Kulm (1813) and Gorny Dubnyak (1877).
At the beginning of the 20th century, individual units of the guard took part in the Chinese Campaign (1900) and the Russian-Japanese War (1904 -1905). During the First World War (1914 - 1918), the Guard troops successfully operated in the Battle of Galicia, Warsaw-Ivangorod, and certain operations in Lodz. In the summer of 1916, as part of the Special Army, the guard took part in the Brusilov breakthrough.
During the First World War, significant changes occurred in the organization of the Guard. Due to serious losses in personnel, representatives of the peasantry and working class began to be called upon to replenish it. The soldier masses of the guard bore the hardships of war along with the entire Russian army and ceased to be a stronghold of tsarism. This seriously affected the political mood among the guards. As a result, after the victory of the February Revolution of 1917 and the abdication of the tsar, the guard did not even make an attempt to intervene in the course of events. The Provisional Government retained it, abolishing the prefix “lab” and the name “Imperial”. After the conclusion of the Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty in 1918 and the demobilization of the old tsarist army, the guard was disbanded.
During the revolution of 1917, the Red Guard appeared in many large cities of Russia. It was staffed by voluntary workers on a territorial basis (by factories) and was the main force of the Land of Soviets. On the basis of the Red Guard detachments, at the beginning of 1918, the first units and formations of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army were formed, many of whose fighters and commanders later became; prominent Soviet military leaders. After the introduction of compulsory military service on July 10, 1918, the Red Guard was gradually abolished as a form of organization of the armed forces.
The military uniform of the guards has always been a symbol of honor, dignity, discipline, and the expression “uniform honor” was identical to the concept of “honor earned on the battlefield.” After all, they, the guardsmen, were the only ones in the Russian army who were granted not only red stockings, but also white piping. It was considered the property of sailors and reminded the guards infantry of their valiant participation in the naval battles of Peter I. In memory of the Narva Victoria of 1704, officers of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments wore special plaques.
It should be noted that when new types of weapons were introduced into the army, they first entered the guard. So, during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877 -1878. The guards regiments were already armed with the improved Berdan rifle No. 2, while the army units were armed with older rifles.
The guards sacredly cherished the honor of their regiment and its ancient traditions. The name of the regiment appeared on the battle banner and was a source of special pride for all personnel. The assignment of a name to a regiment in memory of military merits was considered an outstanding event. The first duty of every guardsman was to protect the military banner of the regiment. These and other glorious traditions of the Russian Guard were continued by the Soviet Guard.
History and traditions of the Soviet and Russian Guards
The Soviet Guard was not born in a thunder of fireworks and honors. The first guards formations arose during the Battle of Smolensk in 1941 - at a time of mortal danger for the Fatherland, at the most difficult, most difficult stage of the Great Patriotic War, when our army, in unfavorable conditions for itself, stubbornly, at the cost of incredible efforts and great sacrifices, held back a sudden, treacherous, a gradually prepared enemy invasion. There, near Yelnya, as a result of a counterattack by the Western and Reserve Fronts, a large enemy group was defeated for the first time, and the city was liberated.
On September 18, 1941, the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR issued order No. 308, which noted the special military valor of the 100th, 127th, 153rd and 161st rifle divisions, which showed mass heroism, examples of courage, bravery in the battles for the Motherland, discipline, organization, high military skill of the personnel. By this order, the formations that distinguished themselves, commanded respectively by Major General I.N. Russiyanov, Colonels A.Z. Akimenko, N.A. Gagen, P.F. Moskvitin, were renamed the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Guards Rifle Divisions. At the same time, by decision of the Supreme Command Headquarters, the formation of guards mortar units began.
One of the first in the Red Army on November 18, 1941, the legendary 316th Rifle Division under the command of Major General Ivan Vasilyevich Panfilov received the title of 8th Guards, which courageously fought against the Nazi invaders on the outskirts of Moscow in the Volokolamsk direction. 28 Panfilov heroes accomplished an unprecedented feat at the Dubosekovo crossing, stopping the advance of 50 enemy tanks. And the words of political instructor V.G. Klochkova: “Russia is great, but there is nowhere to retreat - Moscow is behind us!” have become synonymous with courage, heroism and resilience.
The Soviet Guard irresistibly grew stronger and matured in all branches of the Armed Forces and branches of the military. The name “Guards” was given to units, ships, formations and associations that distinguished themselves in the battles of the Great Patriotic War, as well as those newly formed in special states. During the four years of the Great Patriotic War, 11 combined arms and 6 tank armies, dozens of rifle, cavalry, tank, mechanized, aviation corps, divisions and individual units, and 18 warships were awarded the honorary title of “Guards”.
The Guard of the Great Patriotic War is a galaxy of heroes whose names will never fade. Among them is Yuri Vasilyevich Smirnov, a junior commander of the Red Army, who performed a heroic feat as part of the 77th Guards Rifle Regiment of the 26th Guards Rifle Division, and is forever included in his lists. On the night of June 24, 1944, while part of a tank landing force breaking through enemy defenses in the Orsha direction in the battle for the village of Shalashino, he was captured by the enemy, seriously wounded. During interrogation, despite cruel torture, the courageous warrior did not reveal military secrets to the enemy. The embittered Nazis crucified him on the wall of the dugout, and stabbed his body with bayonets. For his courage, loyalty to soldier's duty, military oath and heroism, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
The guardsmen were full holders of the Order of Glory, Heroes of the Soviet Union, Guard Senior Lieutenant Ivan Grigoryevich Drachenko and Guard Sergeant Major Pavel Khristoforovich Dubinda. I.G. Drachenko, a talented air attack fighter, named Air Admiral Nelson after the loss of one eye, fought as part of the 140th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment of the 8th Guards Assault Aviation Division. P.H. Dubinda fought after escaping from captivity, first as a squad commander, then as a platoon commander of the 293rd Guards Rifle Regiment of the 96th Guards Rifle Division on the 1st and 3rd Belorussian Fronts.
All of them revived and increased the best military traditions of the Russian Guard. In the military exploits of their ancestors, our guards set high examples of perseverance and fearlessness, loyalty to their people. For successful actions, many guards units (ships), formations, associations were repeatedly noted in the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, were awarded state awards, and were given honorary titles for the capture of cities and crossing of rivers.
In May 1942, the “Guard” badge was established for military personnel of the Guards units. In the Navy, until 1943, it was a rectangular plate (gold-plated for commanding officers and silver-plated for privates) with an orange moire ribbon with black longitudinal stripes. Sailors and foremen of guard ships wore a moire ribbon on their caps. For all military personnel of guards units, ships and formations, distinctive military ranks were established, which were formed by adding the word “guard” before the corresponding military rank; they were given an increased salary.
On June 11, 1943, a model of the Guards Red Banner was established, which became the unit’s combat insignia. The Regulations on the Guards Red Banners stated: “The Guards Red Banner obliges all personnel of the Guards armies and corps to be a model for all other units and formations of the Red Army.” The ceremony for presenting the Guards Banners included a new tradition - the oath of personnel to the Guards Banner. Without knowing fear, the guards fought heroically under their banners.
The creation of the Soviet Guard became one of the important events in the field of military development. It played a huge role in strengthening the combat capability of the army and navy. Guards regiments, ships, divisions, corps and armies inflicted crushing blows on the enemy, serving as an example of selfless devotion to the Motherland, unshakable will to win, perseverance and perseverance. The Soviet Guard was sent to the most difficult sectors of the front and carried out combat missions with honor everywhere. No wonder they said during the war: “Where the guard advances, the enemy cannot resist. Where the guard is defending, the enemy cannot penetrate.”
People of high duty - such were the front-line guards. Those who are entrusted to serve in the guard today strive to be like this. With their military labor, they continue the glorious traditions of previous generations of guardsmen and make a worthy contribution to strengthening the power of the Russian Armed Forces.
In peacetime, military units and formations are not converted into guards units. In order to preserve military traditions, the guards ranks of units, ships, formations and formations during reorganization are transferred to new military units with direct succession in personnel.
Thus, in October 1986, the Order-Bearing Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment, in which Hero of the Soviet Union Senior Lieutenant N.M. served as a company commander, returned to his homeland, having exemplarily fulfilled his international duty in Afghanistan. Akramov. During the Great Patriotic War, soldiers of the regiment as part of the famous 13th Guards Rifle Division, commanded by General A.I. Rodimtsev fought to the death in Stalingrad, participated in the Battle of Kursk, the crossing of the Dnieper, distinguished themselves during the liberation of the Polish city of Czestochowa and celebrated Victory Day in Prague.
The children and grandchildren of front-line soldiers had the opportunity to provide international assistance to the Afghan people. The military work of the young guards was not easy. During their stay in the Republic of Afghanistan, soldiers of the regiment, guarding columns transporting fuel and food to cities and villages, removed and destroyed more than two thousand Dushman mines and landmines. Many soldiers, sergeants and officers of the unit were awarded Soviet and Afghan orders and medals.
The guardsmen showed examples of courage and heroism while performing their international duty in Afghanistan. At a critical moment, they consciously sacrificed themselves to save the subordinates entrusted to them. So, saving the lives of the company soldiers, guard senior sergeant Alexander Grigorievich Mironenko and two of his subordinates entered into battle with the dushmans. The moment came when the cartridges ran out. Twice wounded, Alexander lay with a grenade in his hand behind a stone. He waited for the dushmans to come closer. With the last grenade he blew himself up and his enemies. For this feat, accomplished on February 29, 1980, the deputy platoon commander of the reconnaissance company of the Guards Parachute Regiment A.G. Mironenko was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He is forever included in the lists of the guards military unit.
Will we ever forget about the feat of our contemporaries - the 6th company of the 104th Guards Parachute Regiment near Ulus-Kert? It is inscribed with a golden line in the modern history of the Russian Armed Forces, in the centuries-old chronicle of its guards.
In the battles for the freedom and independence of the Motherland, guards combat traditions have developed, which for decades have been helping commanders raise courageous and skillful fighters, and the Guard of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is the successor and continuer of the combat traditions of their predecessors.
Guards units and ships are genuine laboratories of combat experience: creative daring, a tireless search for new combat techniques, and the effective use of weapons - this is what always distinguishes the guardsmen. Serving under the banners of the Russian Guard is both a high honor and a great responsibility.
The traditions of the Russian Guard, its unfading glory are the inheritance and heritage of every soldier, all our units and ships. To serve in the Guards today means to have the highest combat qualifications and to masterfully use equipment and weapons. The covenant of the front-line guardsmen - to keep their gunpowder dry, to be ready to go into battle at any moment and heroically fight for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland - should be the main one for the current defenders of the Fatherland.
NEW REGIMENTS OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY
GUARDS
The word "guard" comes from the Italian word "Guardia" - security. Initially, “guard” was the name given to military units that provided personal protection to royalty. Subsequently - selected and privileged military units.
In Russia, guard units arose at the end of the 17th century. based on the “amusing” soldiers of Peter I. First, two battalions were created, and then two regiments - Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky. On May 30, 1700 (another named date is 1687), on the birthday of the founding tsar, these regiments were given the status of guards. In accordance with the Table of Ranks, guards officers had an advantage of two ranks over army officers (for example, a guards captain was equal in rank to an army lieutenant colonel). From 1884 this advantage was reduced to one rank. According to another privilege, when transferred to the army, guard officers retained their guard ranks and salary. Until the end of the 18th century. The composition of the guard was predominantly noble, including privates.
In the XVIII–XIX centuries. the number of guard units is constantly growing. In 1722, the Horse Guards Regiment was formed, in 1730 - Izmailovsky, in 1796 - Jaeger, Hussar, Cossack, in 1799 - Cavalry Guard, in 1809–1814. Uhlan, Finnish, Lithuanian, Cuirassier, Grenadier, Pavlovsk and Horse-Jager Guards regiments arise.
The guards selected men who were tall, handsome, strong, and good with weapons. In the 30s XIX century There was a tradition of selecting recruits for guards regiments based on the color of their eyes, hair and facial features. Blondes were recruited into the Preobrazhensky Regiment, brown-haired into the Semenovsky, brunettes into the Izmailovsky, red-haired into the Moscow, blue-eyed blondes into the Cavalry Guard, snub-nosed blondes into the Pavlovsky, in memory of its creator, Emperor Paul I. All the great princes served in the guard, including crown princes. The chiefs of the guards regiments were members of the imperial family.
Later, the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments took part in all the main battles and campaigns of Peter the Great’s time. After the Azov campaigns, the company composition of these regiments was determined, which significantly outnumbered other parts of the army. The Preobrazhensky regiment consisted of 16 fuselier (musketeer), 1 grenadier and 1 bombardier companies. The Semenovsky regiment, somewhat inferior in number to the Preobrazhensky regiment, had 12 fuselier (musketeer) companies and 1 grenadier company. In the first half of the 18th century. From the soldiers of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments (mostly nobles) officers were trained for army regiments.
Subsequently, the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment participated and distinguished itself at the siege of Ochakov (1737), Khotin (1739), in the Battle of Stavuchany in 1739, in the coalition wars with Napoleonic France, in the battles of Friedland (1807), Borodino (1812), and Kulm (1813). ). During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878. Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment fought with the enemy at Etropol, Adrianople, San Stefano and Tashkisen.
In turn, the Semenovsky regiment participated in the Russian-Turkish and Russian-Swedish wars, coalition wars with Napoleonic France. Its personnel distinguished themselves in the Stavuchany (1739) and Borodino (1812) battles, and the Battle of Kulm (1813). During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878. Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment distinguished itself in the battles of Gorny Dubnyak and Pravets.
During the First World War, Preobrazhensky and Semyonovtsy took part in hostilities with German and Austro-Hungarian troops on the North-Western and South-Western fronts, distinguishing themselves in the battle on the river. Stochod (1916).
At the end of 1917, the guard was abolished by the Soviet government. In 1941, the guards' status in the Red Army was revived.
GRENADIERS
Initially, selected infantry units were considered grenadiers, whose special combat function, along with rifle shooting and bayonet fighting, was the use of hand grenades (grenades).
In Russia, grenadiers first appeared in the late 70s. XVII century during the Russian-Turkish War of 1677–1681. Special teams of grenadiers in the Semenovsky, Preobrazhensky and some Streltsy regiments operated during the Azov campaigns of 1695 and 1696. By 1704, all infantry and cavalry regiments had one grenadier company. In 1708, grenadier regiments appeared.
Grenadiers have proven themselves in battles more than once, showing miracles of courage and often deciding the outcome of battles. This happened in the famous Battle of Cahul, which took place on July 21, 1770.
This battle involved a 38,000-strong army under the command of General P.A. Rumyantsev and the 150,000-strong Turkish army of the Grand Vizier Khalil Pasha. Seeing the enormous numerical superiority of the enemy, Rumyantsev built his army in five squares and went on the attack. The Turks did not expect such decisiveness from the Russians, but they rushed their cavalry towards them. Two of the five Russian squares (under the command of generals Bruss and Repnin) began to resemble islands in a stormy sea of enemy cavalry. But with rifle and cannon fire, Russian soldiers kept the Turkish cavalrymen at a distance. Two battalions of Russian grenadiers with six guns came to the rescue - with their well-aimed shots they completely drove away the Turks.
At this time, the square under the command of generals Olitz, Bauer and Plemyannikov continued to advance in the direction of enemy fortifications. There was continuous gunfire from both sides, but the Russian artillery fired better, knocking out many of the Turkish cannons. Soon Kare Bauer, having approached the enemy within half a rifle shot, charged with bayonets and the Turkish battery passed into the hands of Russian soldiers. Plemyannikov's square and Olitsa were also preparing for a bayonet attack when a ten-thousand-strong detachment of Janissaries crashed into Plemyannikov's square. The Turkish attack was so swift and unexpected that the square was instantly upset, and the Russian regiments began to flee. The Turks took away two banners and in the heat of battle the victorious cries of the Janissaries were heard.
General Rumyantsev, who was in the Olitsa square, jumped out to meet the fleeing ones, stopped them and rebuilt them. The presence of the beloved commander gave things a completely different turn. The square closed its ranks. At this time, the 1st Grenadier Regiment, under the command of Brigadier Ozerov, left the Olits square and went on the attack with bayonets at the ready. Following the grenadiers, the main units also went on the attack: guns were spraying grapeshot everywhere, cavalry cut into the ranks of the Janissaries, and infantry cleared the way with a bayonet. The Turks could not stand it and ran... The Kagul victory glorified Russian weapons throughout Europe.
According to the decree of Peter I, selected soldiers were sent to the grenadiers. After all, in order to carry grenades on a campaign and throw grenades in battle (spherical, wick-equipped, cast-iron projectiles weighing about 1.5 kg), remarkable strength, endurance, experience and composure were needed.
A distinctive feature of the grenadier uniform was special headdresses - grenadiers, as well as grenadiers - large leather bags for hand grenades. Grenadiers also had "flaming grenades" embossed on their buttons and buckles.
In 1763, hand grenades were phased out and grenadiers became elite heavy infantry units alongside the musketeers. By 1812, there were 14 grenadier regiments in the Russian army, and on their basis two grenadier divisions were formed. In 1827, the Guards Company of Palace Grenadiers was formed to guard the Winter and Kremlin palaces. At this time, the grenadiers are replaced by shakos with sultans, with the exception of the soldiers of the Pavlovsk Grenadier Regiment. By 1917, there were 26 grenadier regiments in Russia, 2 of which were guards.
JAGERS
The word "jaeger" comes from the German "Jager" - hunter. Jaegers were light infantry trained to operate both in close and loose formation, in the training of which a special place was given to marksmanship.
In the Russian army, special huntsman teams in musketeer regiments appeared in 1761 on the initiative of P.A. Rumyantseva. They performed reconnaissance functions and covered the flanks of the advancing columns. During the battle, they destroyed enemy officers with sniper fire, and during the retreat they covered the retreat, setting up ambushes and camouflaging themselves on the ground. In the 80s XVIII century Battalions were formed from the Jaeger teams, which were transformed into regiments in 1797.
By 1801, there were 19 Jaeger regiments in the Russian army. In 1812, there were 50 ranger regiments in the Russian army and they made up 1/3 of the entire infantry. During the Patriotic War of 1812, the ranger soldiers performed numerous feats.
The rangers were recruited from soldiers of small stature, agile, dexterous, hardy, proactive, preferably former hunters. Their uniforms were light, comfortable and had a protective green color. The huntsmen underwent enhanced fire training compared to usual, and were able to shoot from any position. Since 1777, huntsmen were gradually armed with guns - muzzle-loading rifled guns that had a high and precise firing range (about 400 m). Since the rangers often acted in loose formation, without direct contact with commanders, greater importance was attached to the personal initiative of the soldiers.
In 1856, the training of infantry regiments was unified and the Jaeger regiments were transformed into infantry regiments. By 1917, only the Life Guards Jaeger Regiment remained in the Russian troops.
CAVAL GUARDS
The word "cavalry guard" comes from two Italian words "cavalliere" - "horseman" and "guardia" - guard. The literal meaning is horse guard. Cavalry guards were bodyguards selected based on their appearance and the principle of noble origin. For the first time, cavalry guards appeared in Russia by decree of Peter I for ceremonial purposes in 1724. Peter declared himself captain of the cavalry guard (as this unit was then called), the officers were generals and colonels, corporals were lieutenant colonels, and privates were selected officers from the entire army, “the most tall and prominent." After the coronation of Catherine Alekseevna, the company was disbanded, but in 1726 Catherine I restored it - the cavalry guards performed the functions of ceremonial representation and personal guard of the Empress. In 1731, the company was again disbanded by Empress Anna Ioannovna. But Empress Elizaveta Petrovna again created a cavalry guard of 60 officers of the life campaign. Emperor Paul I abolished the cavalry guard in its previous form and in 1799 created a cavalry guard corps of 189 nobles - the personal guard of the Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1800, the corps was transformed into a heavy cavalry regiment as part of the guard. He covered himself with glory in the battle of Austerlitz on December 2, 1805. In the Patriotic War of 1812, a regiment of cavalry guards distinguished itself in the Battle of Borodino. For their exploits during the Patriotic War, the Cavalry Regiment was awarded St. George's Standards with the inscription "For distinction in the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from Russia in 1812." The cavalry guards also proved themselves in the Foreign Campaign of the Russian Army of 1813–1814, for which the regiment was awarded the St. George Trumpets.
Cavalry guards served as internal guards of the Winter Palace. There was even a concept of “having the entrance behind the cavalry guards,” i.e. during large receptions, have the right to enter the halls adjacent to the personal apartments of the imperial family, which was allowed only for high dignitaries and persons of the first four classes of the Table of Ranks. In 1912, the regiment took part in the parade dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the victory over Napoleon in the Patriotic War of 1812. The last time cavalry guards took part in hostilities was during World War I. In 1918, one of the platoons of the Cavalry Regiment in full force joined the Red Army and went through the entire Civil War in white uniform caps, recalling the connection of times.
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Due to their privileged position and closeness to the emperor, they played a decisive role in the palace coups of the 18th century; the main force of the coup that brought Elizabeth I to power was the grenadier company of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment, Catherine II - the Izmailovsky and Semyonovsky regiments, and most of the participants in the conspiracy that ended in the murder of Paul I were guards officers or lower ranks (in particular, they took part in the conspiracy commanders of the Semenovsky, Cavalry Guard and Preobrazhensky regiments).
Since 1800, the system of regimental chiefs (honorary commanders) has been established in the guard. The emperor, empress and grand dukes were appointed chiefs of a number of guards regiments. So, the emperor was listed as the chief of the regiments of the Preobrazhensky, Jaeger, Pavlovsky, 1st and 4th Infantry, His Majesty's Cuirassier and Horse Guards regiments, the empress was the chief of the cavalry guards and Her Majesty's Cuirassier regiment, and so on. Regimental chiefs received the privilege of wearing the uniform of the regiment “subordinate” to them, and special uniforms were made for empresses and princesses.
With the increase in the number of formations in the guard in 1813, it was divided into “old” and “young”.
The Guard was a separate formation and, accordingly, had a privileged position compared to the army units of the Russian Imperial Army, the Navy, and so on, depending on the length of service: in 1883, an army officer needed more than 30 years to rise to the rank of colonel, a guards officer - from 15 to 18 years, at the same time in the three most privileged guards regiments - 10 years.
Under Peter I
The forerunners of the Russian Guard were the amusing troops of Peter I, who were trained in the “foreign system”. Sergei Leontyevich Bukhvostov is considered the first Russian guardsman, the first to enroll in the amusements in 1683.
Recruitment of the Guard
During the reign of Peter I, the guard was replenished mainly by nobles; Only after significant losses in battles did they begin to allow transfers from the army and the reception of recruits.
Every nobleman who entered military service, before becoming an army officer, had to enroll as a private in one of the guards regiments and serve in this lower rank until the sovereign approved his candidacy for officer, on which promotion to the ranks was based at that time .
To train officers for army cavalry regiments, the Kronshlot Dragoon Regiment was formed in 1721, which was ordered to consist only of nobles and be called the Life Regiment. This regiment, although it served as the basis for the Life Guards Cavalry, under Peter the Great did not have the rights and advantages that the guard regiments enjoyed.
Under Peter I, nobles were required to serve as privates in the guard before receiving an officer rank. Over time, many nobles begin to avoid this en masse, signing up for fictitious ordinary positions in childhood. In some cases, a nobleman was “registered” as a private in the guard even before his birth, when it was still unknown whether the child would be a boy or a girl. Back in 1744, Elizabeth ordered that noble minors who had estates be assigned to guard regiments from the age of 12, allowing them to stay with their parents for three years during their childhood, provided they were taught science and civil engineering at home. Memoirist Count A.F. Langeron wrote that nobles or persons enjoying patronage almost never served in the ranks of chief officers: already on their birthday they were registered as sergeants in the guard; at 15-16 years old they are officers and live at home; if they are in St. Petersburg, then they are barely engaged in service; finally, having “reached” the rank of captain, they retire as brigadiers or join the army as colonels. The Guards regiments had from 3 to 4 thousand supernumerary sergeants who never served.
On April 3, 1812, the Guards Corps was formed, in December 1829 it was renamed the Separate Guards Corps. From February 3, 1844 to 1856, the Grenadier Corps was also subordinate to the commander of the Separate Guards Corps. The Corps Headquarters was reorganized into the Headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Guards and Grenadier Corps, and from 1849 - the Headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Guards and Grenadier Corps. In 1856, the Headquarters of the Separate Guards Corps was restored. There were commissions at the Corps Headquarters: Guards Barracks Commission(1820-1836) and Cavalry Repair Commission(1843-1860). The corps was abolished in August 1864 with the introduction of the provision for military district administration (Milyutin's reform). The corps headquarters was transformed into the Headquarters of the Guard Troops and the St. Petersburg Military District.
Under Alexander II
Deployment of the Guard at the beginning of the 20th century
New recruits for the guard were selected based on their appearance. In the Preobrazhensky Regiment - the tallest and fair-haired, in the Semyonovsky - blondes, in the Izmailovsky - brunettes, in the Life Rangers - light build with any hair color. The Moscow Life Guards Regiment are red-haired, the Grenadier Regiment is brunette, the Pavlovsky Regiment is red-haired and snub-nosed, the Finnish Regiment is like huntsmen.
Cavalry Regiment - the tallest blondes, bay horses, Life Guards Cavalry - brunettes and black horses, His Majesty's Cuirassier - red on red horses, Her Majesty's Cuirassier - blonde on karak (dark bay) horses.
A. A. Ignatiev, who participated in the “breakdown” of recruits in the Mikhailovsky Arena, described it in his memoirs:
At the entrance to the arena, a good dozen “1st class” recruits were lined up, that is, guys eleven inches tall and taller. The commanders and adjutants of the guards regiments looked at them like a desired delicacy. However, the highest and most powerful ones went to the guards crew in order to represent the fleet with dignity on the rowing boats of the royal yachts. Tall, rougher-looking recruits ended up in the Preobrazhentsy group, blue-eyed blonds in the Semyonovtsy group, brunettes with beards in the Izmailovtsy group, and redheads in the Muscovite group. All of them went to replenish the first, so-called Tsar’s companies.