Osprey Elite 61 : The Guards Divisions 1914-1945

Most national armies have a corps or group of regiments that enjoys the reputation of being an elite. Today these will almost certainly be 'special' forces, usually the commandos and parachute troops who receive [and encourage] so much attention from the media that they are regarded as superior military beings by a substantial part of their nation's public. In the past a similarly 'inflated' status was given to the troops who protected the person and the property of emperors, kings and other monarchs. These guardians of palaces and royal personages were privileged groups who enjoyed better pay and conditions than the common soldier and were lauded for their magnificent appearance on parade. Like the royal personages they served, few of these glittering 'Garde du Corps' have survived to the present in anything but token form. The best example, and perhaps the only body of elite troops who have maintained their role as guardians of a royal household for over three centuries while building a reputation in war that is the envy of all, is Britain's household troops, the Guards. Over the years they have maintained the highest standards in peace and war, and have served as an example to the rest of the British Army, a benchmark in all matters military from drill and 'turnout' to leadership in battle. Mike Chappell describes the history and uniform of the Guards Divisions from 1914-45 and provides the accompanying illustrations.

Contents

• Introduction
• The Guards Regiments 1914-15
• Battles and Engagements of the Guards Division 1915-18
• Between the Wars
• The Second World War
• Uniform
• The Plates