The name of the guards regiments of the 18th century. Guards units in the army: foundation, history

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 enroll in this new army, Sergei Bukhvostov is listed in history. 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 end of the 19th century century there were no more than 40% of nobles.

The term “Young Guard” did not appear in the 20th century, but in 1813, when, according to the results 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, while the young had only one). Subsequently, some of the “young” regiments received transfer to the “old” ones for military distinction.

Semyonovtsy on the Kulm field. Photo: Elena Klimenko, military-historical reconstruction club “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 dates back to Soviet time gave them the unofficial nickname of “courtiers.” But the guard serves everywhere, and in the Far East too.

Any of the existing modern armies
has in its ranks a number of units,
imbued with a special spirit of self-respect,
based on a distinguished historical past...
These parts... must serve as a guarantee of the continuity of those traditions
which form the foundation of every army...
These elite troops must...
serve as a practical school,
a breeding ground for personnel from other parts of the army.

A. Gerua. "Hordes", 1923

Tsar Peter Alekseevich, creator of the Russian Guard.
Chromolithography on metal. 1909

Throughout the thousand-year history Russian state our ancestors constantly had to repel numerous aggressions with arms in hand and defend the independence and integrity of the state. That is why military service has always been the most honorable and respected in Rus'. Among the armed defenders of the Fatherland, guardsmen have always deservedly occupied a special place.

Company banner of the Life Guards Regiment. 1700

In Russia, the Guard (Life Guard) was created by Peter I from amusing troops. Until now, historians have no unity on the issue of the date of creation of the Russian Guard. Thus, in the diary of Peter I, when explaining the failure near Narva in 1700, it is indicated that “only two regiments of the guard were in two attacks near Azov,” but in the list of troops that marched to Azov in 1696, the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments are not named guards . Famous historian P.O. Bobrovsky took May 30 (June 10), 1700, as the guard’s birthday - the birthday of its “founding sovereign.” In one of the letters, dated June 11 (22) of the same year, Peter calls Prince Yu.Yu. Trubetskoy "guard captain". And finally, in the “Journal of Peter the Great”, under the date August 22 (September 2), 1700, for the first time, as is generally believed, the regiments were officially called Guards. This day - September 2 (August 22, Art.) is established as a memorial day for the Russian Guard.

Recruiting guards regiments for initial period Tsar Peter I was personally involved in their formation. “Every soldier who wanted to join the Guards regiment was enrolled only with the permission of the Sovereign himself, who put handwritten resolutions on their petitions.” This “selective” principle of staffing guards units with lower ranks, and even more so with officers, was preserved subsequently, although the criterion of the level of education and military professionalism by Peter’s successors was largely supplanted by the criteria political interest, personal devotion, wealth, birth, etc.

In the Peter the Great era, the guards solved a triune task. Firstly, they represented a political support royal power when carrying out reforms that are not always popular among the people. It is not for nothing that after the adoption of the imperial title in 1721, the guard units began to be called the “Russian Imperial Guard”. Secondly, the guards regiments not only performed the functions military school, which trained command personnel for the army, but was also a testing ground where all sorts of innovations for reforming the army were tested. Finally, thirdly, the guard was also a fighting unit, sometimes the last and decisive argument on the battlefield.

The Russian Guard received its baptism of fire in the Northern War of 1700-1721. In the battle of Narva in November 1700, two guards regiments held back the Swedish attacks for three hours. Their resilience saved the Russian army from complete defeat. For this feat, the officers of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments were awarded a breastplate with the inscription: “1700 November 19.” The guards also took part in other battles with the Swedes: they took Noteburg (1702), won a victory near Narva (1704), distinguished themselves in the battles of Lesnaya and Poltava (1709), etc.

For a long time, the guards did not have any advantages in rank with the rest of the troops. However, after the table of ranks was approved at the beginning of 1722, officers of the guards regiments received seniority of two ranks compared to the army.

To train officers for army cavalry regiments, the Kronshlot Dragoon Regiment was formed in 1721, which was ordered to consist of only nobles and be called the Life Regiment (from 1730 - Horse Guards, from 1801 - Life Guards Horse Regiment). In September 1730, another guards regiment was formed - the Izmailovsky Life Guards.

In the Russian-Turkish War of 1735-1739. a special guards detachment consisting of 3 infantry battalions from the Life Guards Preobrazhensky, Semenovsky and Izmailovsky regiments, 2 squadrons of horse guards and 6 guns participated in the assault on Ochakov, the capture of Khotin and in the Battle of Stavuchany in 1739.

Empress Elizaveta Petrovna had the rank of colonel of all guards regiments. The grenadier company of the Preobrazhensky stick, with the help of which she ascended the throne, as a reward for services rendered, the empress separated from the regiment and called it a life company.

During the reign of Catherine II, consolidated guards battalions took part in the Russian-Swedish War of 1788-1790. and in two Russian-Turkish wars.

Cavalry guards during the reign of Emperor Paul I.
From a watercolor by A. Baldinger.

During the reign of Paul I, the number of guards was significantly increased. Regiments were formed: the Hussar Life Guards (1796), the Cossack Life Guards (1798) and the Cavalry Guards (1799), as well as the Life Guards Artillery and Jaeger battalions.

Under Emperor Alexander I, the Life Guards Jaeger (1806), Finnish (1811) and Lithuanian (1811) regiments were formed.

In 1805, the Life Guards Horse Artillery was formed, in 1811 - the Life Guards Artillery Brigade, in 1812 - the Life Guards Sapper Battalion.

During the reign of Alexander I, guards units participated in all the wars waged by Russia in the European theater of military operations. In numerous battles, the guards covered themselves with unfading glory, giving an example of true service to the Fatherland.

Cavalry guards at the Battle of Austerlitz fighting
Napoleon's cavalry.

Inscribed in blood in the military history of the Fatherland is the feat of self-sacrifice of the cavalry guards at the Battle of Austerlitz on November 20 (December 2), 1805, when they went to certain death, saving the bleeding Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments from the significantly superior forces of the French cavalry that fell upon them. In total, in that terrible cabin, the Cavalry Regiment lost 13 officers and 226 lower ranks. The cavalrymen of the Life Guards Cavalry and Hussar regiments fought the enemy no less bravely in this battle. The guards Cossacks of Colonel P.A. also distinguished themselves. Chernozubov, who attacked the French in the vanguard of the second column of allied troops.

The guardsmen demonstrated miracles of perseverance and courage in subsequent battles with the French. At Pułtusk on December 14 (26), 1806, the life cuirassiers of His Majesty’s regiment (counted in 1813 as part of the “Young” Guard) took part in a bold Russian cavalry raid on the enemy’s right flank, which decided the outcome of the battle in our favor.

In the Battle of Friedland on June 2 (14), 1807, the Hussar and Cossack Life Guards regiments distinguished themselves, fighting with dragoons from the division of General Grusha, as well as the Life Guards Horse Regiment, which scattered the Dutch cuirassiers with a bold attack. The Pavlovsk Grenadier Regiment, later assigned to the “Young” Guard, was awarded a special award for exceptional valor and perseverance in battle: “he was ordered to leave the hats with him in the form in which he left the battlefield” (i.e. shot and hacked). During the battle, the regiment faced hostility eleven times. Chief of the regiment, Major General N.N. Mazovsky, wounded in the arm and leg, and unable to sit in the saddle, ordered two grenadiers to carry him in front of the regiment for the final attack.

In the Patriotic War of 1812 and in Traveling abroad Russian army 1813-1814 the guards confirmed the glory of Russian weapons. Polotsk and Smolensk, Borodino and Krasny, Kulm and Leipzig, Katzbach and Craon, La Rotière and Fer-Champenoise - this is not a complete list of battle sites where the Russian guard distinguished itself. And as a result - a solemn march in the defeated French capital: in front was the Prussian Guards Cavalry, followed by the Russian Light Guards Cavalry Division, guarding the monarchs, then the Allied Guards Infantry. The 1st Cuirassier Division completed the solemn procession. Russian Emperor in a cavalry guard uniform with St. Andrew's ribbon over his shoulder, he rode on a gray horse, surrounded by his guards.

For military exploits - honorary awards. All military awards awarded for the Patriotic War had one common inscription: “For distinction in the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from Russia in 1812.” The regiments of the Petrovsky brigade (Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky) were awarded St. George's banners for courage and steadfastness in the battle of Kulm. For heroism in the same battle, the Izmailovsky and Jaeger Guards regiments were awarded the Trumpets of St. George. The Lithuanian Life Guards Regiment received the same award for Leipzig. For saving Emperor Alexander from captivity during the Battle of Leipzig, the Life Guards Cossack Regiment and His Majesty's Own Convoy were awarded silver trumpets. The regiments of the Guards Cuirassier Brigade - the Cavalry Guards and Horse Guards - were awarded the St. George Standards. The Life Guards Dragoon Regiment was awarded the St. George Standard in 1813, and the Trumpets of St. George for the battle of Fer-Champenoise in 1814. The 1st and 2nd Guards Artillery Brigades, as well as all Guards horse batteries, were awarded silver trumpets.

In 1813, in addition to the Old Guard, the Young Guard was established in Russia. This name was originally assigned to two grenadier and one cuirassier regiments for military distinction in the Patriotic War of 1812. In 1829, the Finnish Infantry Battalion was added to the Young Guard. He, like the Grenadier and Pavlovsky regiments of the Life Guards, was granted the rights of the Old Guard in 1831 for differences in the war with Poland.

Staff officer and bombardier of the 6th battery of the 3rd Guards and
Grenadier Artillery Brigade.

In 1814, in commemoration of the merits of the quartermaster unit and in memory of its “extremely diligent and useful activities for the troops during the era of the Napoleonic wars,” a special institution called the “Guards General Staff” was created as part of His Imperial Majesty’s Retinue for the quartermaster unit. "with the rights of the "Old" Guard. It was composed of the most outstanding headquarters and chief officers of the quartermaster unit (initially 24 officers of the Retinue), who were awarded special distinctions on their uniforms. These officers were not intended to serve exclusively in the guard, but were distributed on an equal basis with other ranks of the Retinue among all troops and teams that carried out topographic surveys. It was a personal honorary advantage granted to particularly distinguished officers of the quartermaster's unit, wherever they served.

In 1830, the Life Guards Don Horse Artillery Company was formed. In 1833, the Guard was divided into two corps - the Guards Infantry (infantry and foot artillery) and the Guards Reserve Cavalry (cavalry and horse artillery).

In 1856, rifle companies were formed in all guards infantry regiments, one per battalion, and at the same time the 1st and 2nd guards rifle battalions were again formed. Also in 1856. The Life Guards Rifle Battalion of the Imperial Family was added to the Guard (as the Young Guard).

In subsequent years, the number of units that were part of the Young Guard continued to increase. In wartime, guards units took part in all wars waged by Russia. With their steadfastness and courage, the guardsmen earned fame not only in their homeland, but also rave reviews from their allies,

In peacetime, the guard carried out internal service, participated in the protection of special royal family, guard duty, parades, on campaigns within Russia, in camps and carried out various assignments,

The officer corps of the guard consisted mainly of representatives of the highest nobility. Soldiers for the guard were selected from physically strong people who were politically reliable.

The appearance of the guards units was distinguished by the dashing spirit of the soldiers, their bearing, the ability of the officers to behave with dignity, and their uniforms.

The case near the village of Telishe in 1877.
Artist V.V. Mazurovsky.

In the second half of the 19th century. The Russian Imperial Guard participated in almost all military enterprises of Tsarist Russia. The guard units especially distinguished themselves during the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878. in the battles for Gorny Dubnyak and Palishch, Far Dubnyak and the Shindara position, at Tashkisen and Philippopolis.

At the same time, along with participation in hostilities, the guard continued to be used as a school for training military personnel for army units. The secondment of trained soldiers and officers from the Guard continued until the First World War.

Life Guards Sapper Battalion. 1853
Artist A. I. Gebens.

By the beginning of the 20th century, 23.6% of regimental commanders and 28.8% of division commanders were transferred to the army from the guard. The Semenovsky regiment, considered exemplary, was turned into a practical school for future army officers. The Life Guards Sapper Battalion served as a school for non-commissioned officers for sapper units. In artillery this was the Life Guards Artillery Battalion,

The beginning of the 20th century was marked by Russia's participation in the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion in China. In 1900-1901 As part of the expeditionary force in the Chinese campaign, the Life Guards Rifle Artillery Division took part, which participated in the operations of Russian troops in Manchuria and northern China.

In the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The Guards Fleet crew took part. Many guard officers participated in the war as volunteers, staffing units and formations of Russian troops in the Far Eastern theater of military operations with command staff.

After the war with Japan, there was an urgent need to carry out military reforms in Russia. They also affected the guard. First of all, this was due to an increase in the number of guards units.

The deployment of the guard was carried out through the formation of new units or the transformation of army units into guards units for their combat distinctions. If at the beginning of the 20th century the guard consisted of 12 infantry, 4 rifle, 13 cavalry regiments, three artillery brigades, an engineer battalion and a naval crew, then the guard met the First World War as part of 13 infantry, 4 rifle and 14 cavalry regiments. It also included four artillery brigades. Sapper battalion, naval crew and other units. In the Fleet, in addition to the Guards Fleet crew, the cruiser "Oleg", two destroyers and an imperial yacht were also assigned to the Guard. In total, by 1914, the guard included about 40 units and over 90 thousand people. The Guards also included the Corps of Pages and the permanent staff of the Nikolaev Cavalry School (Officer Cavalry School). In peacetime, the guard was subordinate to the commander-in-chief of the troops of the guard and the St. Petersburg military district.

The First World War was a serious test for the Russian Guard. Guards units successfully operated in the Battle of Galicia, the Warsaw-Ivangorad and Lodz operations. Part of the Guards (3rd Guards Infantry, 1st and 2nd Guards Cavalry Divisions) participated in the East Prussian Operation of 1914. Unfortunately, the actions of the Guards units here were less successful than on the Southwestern Front, Life Guards The Kexholm regiment and the 3rd battery of the Life Guards of the 3rd Artillery Brigade shared the tragic fate of two army corps of the 2nd Army in the Masurian Lakes region.

In the summer of 1916, as part of a special army, the guard participated in the offensive of the Southwestern Front. In the battles on the Stokhod River, she fought bloody battles with the enemy. Exhausted and suffering heavy losses, the guards units were withdrawn to the reserve of Headquarters, where they remained until the end of the war.

Due to serious losses in personnel, representatives of the peasantry and working class began to be called upon to replenish the guard. This seriously affected the political mood among the guards. As a result, after the victory February Revolution 1917 and the abdication of the tsar, the guard did not even make an attempt to intervene in the course of events; the Kornilov rebellion also left the guard indifferent. In February 1917, soldiers of almost all reserve infantry units of the Petrograd garrison went over to the side of the rebels, which greatly contributed to the victory of the revolution.

The Provisional Government retained the guard, abolishing the prefix “lab” and the name “Imperial”. During the preparation of the October Uprising, at a garrison meeting in Smolny on October 18 (31), representatives of almost all regimental committees of the Guards reserve regiments (with the exception of Izmailovsky and Semenovsky) spoke out in favor of an armed uprising. They also took an active part in the uprising itself. So, Pavlovtsy and guards grenadiers took part in the assault Winter Palace, reserve soldiers of the Finnish regiment installed Soviet power on Vasilyevsky Island, etc.

The formal disappearance of the guard was associated with the signing of the Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty on March 3, 1918 by the Soviet government. However, already from the end of January, demobilization of parts of the Petrograd garrison took place. At that time, it was recognized as necessary to get rid of the previous military formations, including the guards, as quickly as possible. The liquidation of the guards regiments was completed by April 1, 1918.

The Soviet Guard was born in the battles near Yelnya during the Battle of Smolensk, during the most difficult period of the Great Patriotic War. By decision of the Supreme High Command Headquarters for mass heroism, courage of personnel, high military skill, on September 18, 1941, by order of the People's Commissar of Defense No. 308, four rifle divisions were transformed into guards: the 100th (commander Major General I.N. Russiyanov) into 1 1st Guards Rifle Division, 127th (commander Colonel A.Z. Akimenko) to the 2nd, 153rd (commander Colonel N.A. Gagen) to the 3rd and 161st (commander Colonel P.F. Moskvitin) to the 4th Guards Rifle Division. This was the beginning of the Soviet guard, which inherited the best traditions of the Russian guard from the times of Peter the Great, A.V. Suvorova, M.I. Kutuzova.

Guards formations took an active part in all the decisive battles of the Great Patriotic War and made a significant contribution to the victory. If in 1941 the Soviet guard had nine rifle divisions, three cavalry corps, tank brigade, a number of rocket artillery units and six aviation regiments, then in 1942 various formations of the Navy, the country's air defense, many types of artillery, as well as rifle, tank and mechanized corps, combined arms armies, 10 airborne guards divisions, and since 1943 - tank armies, air divisions and corps.

As a result, by the end of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Guard was an invincible force. It consisted of 11 combined arms and 6 tank armies, one cavalry-mechanized group, 40 rifle, 7 cavalry, 12 tank, 9 mechanized and 14 aviation corps, 117 rifle, 9 airborne, 17 cavalry, 6 artillery, 53 aviation and 6 anti-aircraft -artillery divisions, 7 rocket artillery divisions; 13 motorized rifle, 3 airborne, 66 tank, 28 mechanized, 3 self-propelled artillery, 64 artillery, 1 mortar, 11 anti-tank fighter, 40 rocket artillery brigades, 6 engineering and 1 railway brigade. The Guards became 1 fortified area, 18 surface combat ships, 16 submarines, a number of other units and divisions various genera troops, and in total over four thousand military units.

Recognition of their military valor was the introduction of the Guards Banner (Flag), and for military personnel - guards ranks and the establishment of the “Guard” badge. The badges of guards valor were established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on May 21, 1942. Thus, the military-political leadership of the country once again emphasized that it attaches particular importance to the guards formations in solving combat missions.

Badge “Guard”, designed by artist S.I. Dmitriev, is an oval framed by a laurel wreath, the upper part of which is covered with a Red Banner deployed to the left of the staff. The banner bears the inscription in golden letters: “Guard.” In the middle of the wreath is a red five-pointed star on a white field. The banner and star have a golden rim. The flagpole is intertwined with ribbon: the tassels in the upper part of the flagpole hang down to the right side of the wreath. At the bottom of the wreath there is a shield with the inscription in raised letters: “USSR”. The image of the Guards badge was also placed on the Guards banners awarded to the Guards armies and corps. The only difference was that on the banner of the Guards Army the sign was depicted in a wreath of oak branches, and on the banner of the Guards Corps - without a wreath.

The presentation of the Banner (Flag) and breastplate was usually carried out in a solemn atmosphere, which had great educational significance. The honorary title obligated each warrior to become a master of his craft. All this contributed to the growth of the authority of the Soviet guard.

In the post-war years, the Soviet guard continued the glorious traditions of previous generations of guards. And although in peacetime the formations were not converted into guards, in order to preserve military traditions, the guards ranks of units, ships, formations and formations were transferred to new ones during reorganization military units and formations with direct succession in personnel. Thus, the Kantemirovskaya tank division was created on the basis of the famous 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Corps. She retained her honorary title and was given the corps guards banner. The same thing happened with the 5th Guards Mechanized Division, whose soldiers subsequently fulfilled their military duty in Afghanistan with dignity. Similar changes took place in Air Force, airborne troops and in the Navy. Newly formed units and formations of the Missile Forces strategic purpose, anti-aircraft missile units and formations of the country's Air Defense Forces were awarded the ranks of artillery and mortar formations that distinguished themselves during the Great Patriotic War.

Guard of the Armed Forces Russian Federation was the successor and continuer of the fighting traditions of her predecessors. Guards motorized rifle Taman and Guards tank Kantemirovskaya divisions; guards formations of the Airborne Forces... These names still awaken the memory, inspire and oblige.

The guardsmen of the late twentieth century are faithful to the traditions of the guard, developed and consolidated by their predecessors. Will we ever forget about the feat of our contemporaries, when on March 1, 2000, in the Argun Gorge, during a counter-terrorist operation on the territory of the Chechen Republic, the 6th parachute company of the 104th Guards Parachute Regiment of the 76th Airborne Division took on a fierce battle with many times superior forces terrorists. The paratroopers did not flinch, did not retreat, fulfilled their military duty to the end, at the cost of their lives they blocked the enemy’s path, showing courage and heroism. This feat is inscribed in gold in the modern history of the Russian Armed Forces, in the centuries-old chronicle of its guards. He inspires to good deeds those who today carry out difficult military service under the guards banners, helps to instill in soldiers a sense of pride in their army, their Fatherland.

See: Military Encyclopedia I.D. Sytin. P.201.

Bobrovsky P.O. History of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment. St. Petersburg, 1900. T.I. P.376.; Valkovich A.M. My beloved children.//Motherland, 2000, No. 11. P.26.

Letters and papers of Emperor Peter the Great. St. Petersburg 1887. T. I. P. 365.

Journal or Daily Note of the blessed and eternally worthy memory of the sovereign Emperor Peter the Great from 1698 to the conclusion of the Treaty of Neustadt. St. Petersburg, 1770, Part I, P.12.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated May 31, 2006 No. 549 “On the establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.”

Dirin P.N. History of the Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment. T. 1. St. Petersburg, 1883. pp. 158-161.

A brief history of the Life Guards Izmailovsky Regiment. St. Petersburg, 1830. P. 4

The material was prepared in
Military Research Institute
history of the Military Academy of the General Staff
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

The history of the first guards units in the Russian army dates back to the existence of the imperial system. It is reliably known that the first such units were two and Preobrazhensky, which were founded during the reign of Peter I. Even then, these regiments showed considerable endurance and heroism in battle. Such units existed until Bolshevism came to power in Russia. Then there was an active struggle against the remnants of the tsarist regime, and the guards units were disbanded, and the concept itself was forgotten. However, during the Great Patriotic War, the issue of encouraging distinguished soldiers became acute, since many soldiers or entire units fought bravely even against superior enemy forces. It was during this difficult time that the “USSR Guard” badge was established.

Establishment of the Guards rank

In 1941, the Red Army suffered a series of defeats from the Wehrmacht and retreated. The decision to revive the former tradition of the Soviet government arose during one of the most difficult defense battles - the Battle of Smolensk. In this battle, four divisions especially distinguished themselves: the 100th, 127th, 153rd and 161st. And already in September 1941, by order of the Supreme High Command, they were renamed into the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Guards Divisions and assigned the corresponding rank. At the same time, all personnel were awarded the “Guard” badge, and also received special salaries: for privates - double, for officers - one and a half. Later, this sign also began to decorate the banners of distinguished units (since 1943).

During the war years, many units that showed courage and heroism in battles with the invaders were awarded the guards rank. But the story of elite formations in the Red Army does not end there. Awards of the Guards rank were also carried out during other armed conflicts. They continued until the collapse of the USSR. The "Guard" badge was awarded to any recruit who joined the unit, but only after he had undergone baptism of fire, and in such areas as the aviation or navy, these requirements were even more stringent. Moreover, in this regard, there was no difference between officers and ordinary soldiers.

Badge "Guard": description

There are several varieties of this award: WWII, post-war, and modern badges. Each of them has its own differences, since the design and Yes, and they were produced at different factories, changed over time. A sample from 1942 will be described below.

So, this honorary award is a sign made in the form of a laurel wreath, covered with gold enamel. The upper part is covered with a fluttering color on which "Guard" is written in gold letters. The entire space inside the wreath is covered with white enamel. In the center stands the Soviet army in red with gold trim. The left rays of the star are crossed by the flagpole, which is intertwined with a ribbon. Two cords extend from it, which hang onto the left branch of the wreath. At the bottom there is a cartouche on which the inscription “USSR” is engraved.

When assigning any part of the guards rank, the emblem depicting the award was also applied to military equipment- tanks or planes.

The dimensions of the sign are 46 x 34 mm. It was made of tombak - an alloy of brass, copper and zinc. Its properties prevented the award from rusting. A special pin and nut were included for fastening to clothing. The award was worn on the right side of the clothing at chest level.

The project was developed by S.I. Dmitriev. One of the design options was an almost similar sign, but Lenin’s profile was placed on the banner. However, Stalin did not like the idea, and he ordered to replace the profile with the inscription “Guard”. This is how the award received its final form.

Privileges and features

Those who had the sign “USSR Guard” were entitled to special privileges. The award remained with the person who received it even if he left the guards service. The same applied to the transfer of a soldier to another unit. The award was also worn in the post-war period. In 1951, the government of the USSR issued a law that decided to temporarily stop awarding the “Guard” badge, doing this only in exceptional cases. This order was observed until 1961, when the Minister of Defense R. Ya. Malinovsky approved an order according to which the right to wear the badge came into force when serving in a guards unit. It did not apply to WWII participants.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the presentation. It was carried out solemnly, with the entire unit in general formation, with banners unfurled. In addition to the award itself, the fighter was also given a document containing relevant information about the award and confirming it. But over time, the presentation itself turned into a routine and lost its “ritual” meaning.

Modernity

Now, when the glory of past events is fading, it can be purchased from various private dealers. Since one of the most popular awards is the “Guard” badge, its price is usually low. This depends on several factors: the time and method of manufacture, the history of the award, and who is selling it. The cost starts at an average of 2000 rubles.

Bottom line

The “Guard” badge testified to the heroism, military training and valor of the person wearing it. During the existence of the USSR, units awarded the title of guards were considered elite, and soldiers who served in such units were treated with great respect.

The accession to the throne of Emperor Alexander I was marked by a change in the uniform of the Russian army. The new uniform combined fashion trends and traditions of Catherine's reign. The soldiers dressed in tails-cut uniforms with high collars, all ranks replaced their boots with boots. Chasseurs (light infantry) received brimmed hats reminiscent of civilian top hats. A characteristic detail of the new uniform of heavy infantry soldiers was leather helmet with a high plume of horsehair and a colored shlyk at the back, similar to those worn in the Russian army with the so-called “Potemkin uniform” in 1786-1796. However, life has shown that outwardly beautiful helmets were not practical, and in 1804 they were replaced by hats, which became the prototype of future shakos. It was in “shako” hats that the Russian Guard took part in the campaigns of 1805-1807.
The grenadiers of the Guards regiments differed among themselves in the color of the collars and blades of their headdresses: in the Preobrazhensky Regiment the color was red, in Semenovsky - blue(cornflower blue), in Izmailovsky - green collar and white blade hats. Non-commissioned officers were distinguished from private officers by a white plume on the helmet with a black top, a collar trimmed with braid along the front and bottom edges; an additional insignia for non-commissioned officers was a cane, left over from Pavlov's time. The non-commissioned officers were armed with a soldier-style halberd and cleaver. The musicians' uniforms were embroidered with a guards basson; the senior drummer, or "drum chief", wore the insignia of a non-commissioned officer and always a cane. Officers stood out from the lower ranks with large double-cornered hats (it is no coincidence that in the Battle of Austerlitz the command was heard among the French riflemen: “Aim for the big hats!”); collars the uniforms were decorated with gold embroidery of a special pattern for each regiment; flaunted on his right shoulder aiguillette. The officer's weapons were an esponton and a sword.
The huntsmen, intended to operate in loose formation, were armed with rifles (rifled guns) and wore green uniforms with black belts.
The ranks of the Guards Foot Artillery received the uniform of the Guards Infantry, and the Guards Horse Artillerymen received a uniform of the dragoon type, but with a black collar and cuffs with special Guards embroidery. An additional difference between ranks in the horse artillery was the hair plumes of their helmets: white with a black ending for officers, black with a white ending and a longitudinal orange stripe - for non-commissioned officers, completely black- among the rank and file, red- among musicians, red with a white ending and an orange longitudinal stripe - at the headquarters of the trumpeters.
Military uniform gradually transformed, following fashion trends (the cut of the uniform changed, equipment, appeared shoulder straps), but the traditions were preserved. So, for example, in 1832 L.-Gv. Horse Grenadier Regiment received helmets, similar to the guards helmets of 1802. 70 years later, during the reign of Nicholas II, the wearing of helmets was prescribed to dragoons and horse artillery, and when developing uniforms presidential regiment modern Russian army helmets were one of the proposed options for headdresses.

All engravings used are taken from the album of A.O. Orlovsky "Costumes des Gardes Russes en 1802" ("Form of the Russian Guard in 1802")

Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment

The oldest regiment of the regular Russian army, formed from the “amusing” troops of Peter the Great formed in 1683. This army of Peter's childhood was initially based in the village of Preobrazhenskoye, from which the regiment received its name.
The chief of the regiment was always listed as the monarch of the Russian Empire, in 1801-1825. - Emperor Alexander the First.
Guards ranks in the table of ranks had an advantage of 2 steps compared to army officers.
In 1801-1803 commanded the regiment lieutenant general Tatishchev, Nikolai Alekseevich; in 1803-1805 adjutant general lieutenant general Count Tolstoy, Pyotr Alexandrovich; in 1805-1810 Colonel(and from December 1807 - major general) Mikhail Timofeevich Kozlovsky 1st.
In 1801-1811 The regiment consisted of 4 grenadier battalions, consisting of four companies each. According to the staff approved in December 1802, the regiment consisted of 13 staff officers (regiment chief, 4 battalion chiefs and 8 colonels), 74 chief officers (4 captains, 12 staff captains, 18 lieutenants, 20 second lieutenants and 20 warrant officers), 64 senior non-commissioned officers and 96 junior non-commissioned officers. The grenadier company consisted, in addition to the command staff, of 141 grenadiers, 3 drummers and 2 flute players. In total, the regiment was supposed to have, together with non-combatants (priests, doctors, barbers, orderlies, artisans, etc.), 3003 people.
In total, the Preobrazhensky Regiment had 22 musicians on staff, assigned to the regimental headquarters (4 horn players, flautist, bassoonist, clarinetist, trumpeter and 2 drummers), 1 regimental and 3 battalion drummers. With 3 drummers and 2 flute players assigned to each of the 16 companies, the regiment numbered 102 musicians.
The salary of the regimental drummer was 97 rubles per year, the rest of the regimental and battalion musicians - 57 rubles per year. Company musicians received 18 rubles. 45 kopecks.
The 1st and 3rd battalions of the regiment took part in the war of the Third Coalition against France and participated on November 20 (December 2), 1805 in the Battle of Austerlitz. In the campaign of 1807, the regiment took part in its entirety in the battles of Gutstadt, Altenkirchen and Friedland.

Sources:
1. Pogodin M. Origin of the Preobrazhensky Regiment and the Guard with it. "Russian Bulletin" 1875 No. 2.

3. Staff of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment dated 12/29/1802.

Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment

The Semenovsky regiment was formed in 1691 in the village of Semenovsky from the expanded "amusing" Preobrazhensky soldiers and, thus, became the second regular regiment of the Russian army.
The chiefs of the regiment were traditionally the royals of the Russian Empire. The exception is the period of the reign of Paul the First, when the chief of the regiment was his son Alexander Pavlovich, the future Alexander the First. This explains the privileged position that the regiment occupied during the reign of Alexander. The Emperor always singled it out from the rest and considered it his favorite regiment. This certain spoiling of the Semyonovites by the royal attention to some extent predetermined the “Semyonovsky history”, which will be mentioned below.
When formed, the regiment received blue caftans and retained blue instrument color until the end of its existence.
Regiment commander in 1799-1807. was major general Leonty Ivanovich Depreradovich.
During the War of 1805 with Napoleon, the 1st and 3rd battalions of the regiment took part in a foreign campaign and distinguished themselves in the battle of Austerlitz on November 20 (December 2, new style), losing 3 chief officers and 86 soldiers killed and 217 wounded. In the campaign of 1807, the regiment took part in the battle of Heilberg and the battle of Friedland.
At the beginning of April 1820, he was appointed commander of the regiment Colonel Grigory Efimovich Schwartz, Arakcheev’s protégé. His excessive pedantry, severity and rudeness towards subordinate soldiers and officers (among whom were the future Decembrists Muravyov-Apostol S.I., Bestuzhev-Ryumin M.P., Krasnokutsky S.G.) led to the fact that on October 16, 1820 year, His Majesty’s company refused to carry out the order of the regimental commander and go on guard, for which, under the escort of two companies of Pavlovsk grenadiers, they were sent to the Peter and Paul Fortress. The remaining companies stood up for their comrades, refusing to obey even the highest authorities, and demanded the release of the soldiers, or the arrest of the entire regiment. Under the escort of the Cossacks, the disarmed regiment in its entirety was placed in the fortress.
On November 2, 1820, the highest decree was issued on the dismantling of the regiment and the transfer of soldiers and officers to army units (with, however, maintaining guards seniority) without the right of resignation and presentation of awards. The Semenovsky regiment, however, did not cease to exist; it retained its privileges in a short time was recruited from the ranks of the grenadier regiments.
Schwartz was put on trial and even sentenced to death for his harsh and unfair treatment of his subordinates, but was pardoned and dismissed. After this, he twice returned to military service, and twice, in 1838 and 1850, he was dismissed from service “for abuse of power.”
This incident had far-reaching consequences and was one of the reasons for the beginning of the reactionary policy of Alexander the First (and after him, Nicholas the First).
Sources:
1. Kartsov P. P. History of the Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment: 1683-1854: in 2 volumes. St. Petersburg, 1852,1854.
2. Lapin V.V. Semyonov's story. L., 1991.
3. Shenk V.K. Imperial Guard. St. Petersburg, 1910.

Life Guards Izmailovsky Regiment

The Life Guards Izmailovsky Regiment was formed by decree of September 22, 1730 from the Ukrainian Land Militia. When appointing regiment officers, preference was given to residents of the Baltic provinces.
From 1800 to 1855 the chief of the regiment was Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich, later Nicholas the First.
Commanded the regiment in 1799-1808. lieutenant general Pyotr Fedorovich Malyutin.
By decree of December 29, 1802, the staff of the regiment was approved: 3 grenadier battalions of 3 companies each.
The regiment was dressed in a dark green double-breasted uniform with short tails, with a high dark green collar. The cuffs are also dark green. There are three on the cuffs and two gold on the collar buttonholes. Blade hats white. The plaques of the 1st battalion, like the backs of their caps, were gilded; the remaining battalions had copper plaques and instrument-colored backs (white). Non-commissioned officers and musicians on the left side helmets, behind the plume, worn white plume with an admixture of black and yellow feathers on top. In 1804 helmets were replaced by shakos. Overcoats gray. One on the left shoulder shoulder strap, under which he stuck belt backpack The officers wore tall hats with a short black plume and a large gold buttonhole with a star. A gold strap is attached to the right shoulder aiguillette. The uniform had long tails. In addition, for formation, officers retained espontons (abolished in 1805), and non-commissioned officers retained halberds (4 non-commissioned officers in each company had rifle guns instead of halberds).
The regiment took part in the campaigns of the anti-French coalition of 1805-1807. On November 20 (December 2), 1805, he took part in the Battle of Austerlitz, losing 20 lower ranks killed and 6 officers wounded. During the campaign of 1807 he fought in action near Gutstadt, during the battle of Heilberg on May 29 he was in reserve; On June 2, he fought in the Battle of Frinland, losing 57 lower ranks killed, 22 officers and about 400 soldiers wounded.
Sources:
1. Brief history of the Life Guards Izmailovsky Regiment: St. Petersburg, 1830.
2. Shenk V.K. Imperial Guard. St. Petersburg, 1910.

Life Guards Jaeger Battalion

The Life Guards Jaeger Battalion was formed on November 9, 1796 "from the Jaeger teams consisting of the Semenovsky and Izmailovsky Life Guards regiments and the Jaeger company of Lieutenant Colonel Rachinsky." Initially it consisted of 3 companies, in 1802 the 4th company was added. On May 10, 1806, the Jaeger Regiment was reorganized into the Life Guards from two battalions of four companies, and on September 16, 180 it received a third battalion, also from 4 companies.
According to the staff of 1802, the battalion included 1 general, 2 staff officers, 15 chief officers, 450 combatant lower ranks and 101 non-combatant lower ranks.
Chief of the regiment in 1806-1812. was General Prince P.I. Bagration. Commanded the regiment in 1806-1809. Colonel Count Emmanuel Frantsevich de Saint-Prix.
In 1802 lower ranks They received round hats trimmed on top with orange braid, and for non-commissioned officers with gold braid. The tassels on the hats were orange with green centers. An army chasseur uniform, but with split cuffs without flaps, which, like the piping, were orange. On the collar and cuffs there were stripes from bason. IN winter time it was ordered to wear green pants, and to have white ones in the summer. Officers are allowed to wear leggings while on tour. In 1804, officers were given hats with a buttonhole made of narrow gold braid with a high green plume, and lower ranks were given cloth hats hats .
During the war with Napoleon 1805-1807. The battalion took part in the Battle of Austerlitz (11/20/1805), on 05/24/1807 it distinguished itself in the battle near the town of Lomitten, where it took a fortified position from the battle, and on 06/2/1807 it fought at Friedland.
Sources:
1. History of the Life Guards Jaeger Regiment for a hundred years. 1796-1896. St. Petersburg, 1896
2. Shenk V.K. Imperial Guard. St. Petersburg, 1910.

Life Guards Artillery Battalion

The Life Guards Artillery Battalion was formed on November 9, 1796 from the bombardment company of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, a team of gunners from the Semenovsky and Izmailovsky regiments and the artillery of the Gatchina troops.
Initially it consisted of 3 infantry and 1 cavalry companies and 3 teams: pioneer, pontoon and furshtat. Each foot company had 14 musicians. In 1803, 1 more foot company was added, and the newly approved staff consisted of 2 battery, 2 light and 1 horse company. The battery company consisted of 4 1/2 pound unicorns, 4 12-pounder guns of medium proportion, 2 12-pounder guns of smaller proportion and 1 3-pounder unicorn. Each light and horse company included five 12-pounder unicorns and five 6-pounder guns. There are a total of 52 guns in the battalion.
Each battery gun was moved by 6 horses, and each light gun by 4 horses. There were 3 charging boxes for a battery gun, 2 for a light gun and 1 for a 3-pound unicorn. 120 combat charges for each gun.
The battery gun had 14 servants, a light gun had 10, and a horse gun had 12 men.
On March 25, 1805, the cavalry company was expelled and assigned to be separate under the name of the Life Guards Horse Artillery.
Companies of the battalion took part in the campaigns of 1805-1807.
Sources:
1. Pototsky P. History of the Guards Artillery of St. Petersburg, 1896.
2. Shenk V.K. Imperial Guard. St. Petersburg, 1910.

Based on materials from the site: //adjudant.ru/table/rus_guard_1802_1805.asp

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The Day of the Russian Guard was established on December 22, 2000 by decree of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin No. 2032 “On the establishment of the Day of the Russian Guard” in connection with the tricentenary of the Russian Guard in order to revive and develop domestic military traditions and increase the authority of military service.

Guards regiments, brigades, divisions, crews and battalions are the pride of the Russian Armed Forces, a model for the entire army and navy. A guardsman is a brave warrior with an indomitable fighting spirit and an indestructible will to win. The emergence and development of the Guard The Russian Guard was created by Peter I in 1700, and it received its baptism of fire at the beginning

Northern War , in the Battle of Narva on November 19, 1700. Then Peter's Guard distinguished itself in 1702 and 1704, as well as near Poltava in 1709. Before the appearance military educational institutions The guard was the only school for officer cadres. But not only those who passed this stage were called guardsmen.

During the reign of Paul I, the number of the guard increased significantly: five new battalions were formed. Then in 1813, along with the Old Guard, the Young Guard was formed - a cuirassier and two grenadier regiments, which distinguished themselves in the War of 1812. Subsequently, the number of the guard continued to grow. At the beginning of the 20th century, it included 12 infantry, 13 cavalry and 4 rifle regiments, 3 artillery brigades, a naval crew and a sapper battalion.

Guardsmen were involved in almost all wars in which Russia took part. Since the formation of the guard, its military uniform has been considered a symbol of honor and discipline. Every detail of this uniform was reminiscent of the victories won, and the regiments received their names in memory of military merits and were proudly worn on military banners, the protection of which was the primary duty of every guardsman.

The Soviet and current Russian Guard became a worthy successor to the traditions of the Russian Guard.

Russian and Soviet Guards

The Soviet Guard was created during the Great Patriotic War. Four motorized rifle divisions, who distinguished themselves during the Smolensk battle near Yelnya, on September 18, 1941, were called guards for their military exploits. At the same time, the Supreme Command Headquarters decided to organize guards mortar units.

The Guard of the Great Patriotic War are heroes whose names will never be forgotten: V.S. Petrov, A.I. Pokryshkin, I.N. Kozhedub, A.P. Maresyev, A.M. Sailors. Finding examples of fearlessness, perseverance and loyalty to the Motherland in the famous exploits of their ancestors, they multiplied the military merits of previous generations of guardsmen.

During the years of the Great Patriotic War, more than 4.5 thousand units, formations, associations and ships received the Guards name and special Guards banners. In May 1942, a badge was introduced for military personnel of the guards units.

Classes with young recruits in the 4th Guards Mechanized Corps on the eve of the Belgrade operation. In the background is a T-34-85 tank. Romanian-Yugoslav border

Soldiers of the 13th Guards rifle division in Stalingrad during rest hours

The command and technical personnel of the 20th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment at the Yak-9 fighter. Summer 1945. Third from left in the third row - regiment commander Hero Soviet Union Lieutenant Colonel P.S. Kutakhov

After the end of the war, the Soviet Guard maintained the historical traditions of the Russian Guard. In peacetime, the formations were not transformed into guards, but with continuity in personnel, this rank was transferred to new military formations to preserve traditions. Guards formations and units, as a rule, were located at the forefront in border districts and groups of forces, and ships and divisions that performed especially recognized feats were located in the capitals of the union republics or in major cities. Each recruit who began serving in the Guards unit received the “Guard” badge and took an oath that he would not disgrace the memory of his fathers and grandfathers.

At the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st century, the guard is still faithful to its laws, developed and consolidated by past generations of guardsmen. The modern guard has retained the previous awards and honorary titles. Her further development- this is professionalization, new principles of staffing, improving the organizational structure, equipping the most modern types military equipment and weapons. Much attention is paid to combat training, and the life of military personnel is being improved. Patriotism, ideological conviction and loyalty to the oath are traits that are inherent in every guardsman.

The great glory of the Guard is the inheritance and heritage of all of Russia. To be a guardsman today means to have the highest combat qualifications, masterfully wield