Chevolier ( Fr. chevau-légers, from chevaux - horses and léger - light ) - regiments of light cavalry , armed with sabers , pistols and carbines [1] . The first chevolier appeared in France in 1498, and then similar military units were created in Austria and Bavaria [2] .
Until the beginning of the XIX century, chevolezhera existed in almost all European states [1] .
At the beginning of the 19th century, the need for cavalry armed with peaks became apparent. However, not all states were ready to introduce the Uhlan regiments due to the high cost and specifics of their uniforms, not to mention the Cossacks . Therefore, light cavalry regiments were often formed, armed, among other things, with peaks, but having a more familiar cavalry uniform, close to dragoon. Such cavalrymen began to be called according to historical tradition chevolezhera. In the army of Emperor Napoleon I, chevolier, together with horse rangers, made up the bulk of the light cavalry.
By the beginning of the 20th century , only 6 such regiments remained in Bavaria and 12 in Italy [1] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 Chevolezhera // Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary : in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.
- ↑ Chevolezhera - an article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia .