Napoleonic Newsdesk

Russian Grenadier Reenactors

Enlist in Tsar Alexander's St Petersburg's Grenadiers and fight against the anti-Christ Napoleon Bonaparte, whose tyrannical ambitions are aimed not just against Holy Russia but the whole of Europe. This is a new regiment which will formed a new brigade within the Napoleonic Association. It will also be the first Russian regiment in the West and like the regiments in the East, the St Petersburg Grenadiers will base itself on the 1812 - 1814 period.

Why join a Russian regiment? Russian troops fought all over Europe, not just against France, but Sweden and the Ottoman Empire. David Chandler wrote in his book On the Napoleonic Wars 'Any consideration of the vast canvas of the Napoleonic Wars would be hopelessly incomplete without the troops and achievements of Holy Russia; Russian troops earned the respect of friend and foe alike.' Also re-creating a Russian regiment gives a different point of view to Napoleonic re-enactment, than the usual British and French regiments

A great deal of preparation has already been done, but there is still plenty to do before the regiment takes the field, hopefully sometime in 1998, everything will be ready. However this delay will give the regiment time to recruit, obtain uniforms and get to know each other.

Though all the commands will be in Russian, you do not have to speak the language to join, because you will be taught to recognise the commands. Russian is easier to learn than you might think, Leva is left and Prava right.

For more information contact;

    Laurence Spring
    12 Puckshill, Knaphill
    Woking, Surrey, GU21 2BS
    Tel 01483 489684

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