Editing Light infantry (section)

{{short description|Type of mobile infantry}}
{{For|the former British infantry regiment|The Light Infantry}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
[[File:Cacadore leichte Infanterie.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Portuguese Army]] light infantryman (''caçador'') of the [[Peninsular War]].]]
{{History of war}}

'''Light infantry''' refers to certain types of lightly equipped [[infantry]] throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as [[heavy infantry]] or [[line infantry]]. Historically, light infantry often fought as [[Reconnaissance|scouts]], [[Raid (military)|raiders]], and [[skirmisher]]s. These are loose formations that fight ahead of the main army to harass, delay, disrupt supply lines, engage the enemy's own skirmishing forces, and generally "soften up" an enemy before the main battle. Light infantrymen were also often responsible for [[Screening (tactical)|screening]] the main body of a military formation.

Following [[World War II]], the term "light infantry" has evolved to include rapid-deployment units (including [[commando]] and [[Airborne forces|airborne]] units) that emphasize speed and mobility over armor and firepower. Some units or battalions that historically held a skirmishing role retain their designation "light infantry" for the sake of tradition.

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