Editing Light infantry (section)

===Modern history===
Early regular armies of the modern era frequently relied on [[Irregular military|irregulars]] to perform the duties of light infantry skirmishers. In particular, the French Army employed detachments of German and Balkan mercenaries to serve as patrols in the rough country until a permanent corps of Mountain [[Fusilier]]s (''Fusiliers des Montagnes'') was raised in the 1740s.<ref>{{cite book|first=Rene|last=Chartrand|page=37|title=Louis XV's Army (4) Light Troops and Specialists|date=1997 |publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=1-85532-624-8}}</ref> In the 17th century, [[dragoon]]s were sometimes employed as the skirmishers of their day, as [[mounted infantry]]men who rode into battle but dismounted to fight, giving them a mobility lacking to regular foot soldiers.<ref>{{cite book|first=Rene|last=Chartrand|page=37|title=Louis XIV's Army|date= 1988 |publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=0-85045-850-1}}</ref>

In the 18th and 19th centuries most [[infantry]] regiments or [[battalion]]s had a '''light company''' as an integral part of its composition. Its members were often smaller, more [[agility|agile]] men with high shooting ability and capability of using initiative. They did not usually fight in disciplined ranks as did the ordinary infantry but often in widely dispersed groups, necessitating an understanding of skirmish warfare. They were expected to avoid [[melee]] engagements unless necessary and would fight ahead of the mainline to harass the enemy before falling back to the main position.

During the period 1777–1781, the [[Continental Army]] of the United States adopted the British Army practice of seasonally drafting light infantry regiments as temporary units during active field operations, by combining existing light infantry companies detached from their parent regiments.

[[File:Une compagnie d'infanterie légère française dans les bois.jpg|thumb|French light infantry in the woods during the [[Napoleonic era]], by [[Victor Huen]].]]

Light infantry sometimes carried lighter muskets than ordinary infantrymen while others carried rifles and wore [[rifle green]] uniforms. These became designated as ''rifle regiments'' in Britain and ''[[Jäger (military)|Jäger]]'' and ''[[Schützen (military)|Schützen]]'' (sharpshooter) regiments in German-speaking Europe. In France, during the [[Napoleonic Wars]], light infantry were called ''[[voltigeurs]]'' and ''[[chasseurs]]'' and the sharpshooters ''[[tirailleur]]s''. The Austrian army had [[Grenzer]] regiments from the middle of the 18th century, who originally served as irregular militia skirmishers recruited from frontier areas. They were gradually absorbed into the line infantry becoming a hybrid type that proved successful against the French, to the extent that Napoleon recruited several units of Austrian army Grenzer to his own army after victory over Austria in 1809 compelled the Austrians to cede territories from which they were traditionally recruited. In Portugal, 1797, companies of ''[[Caçadores]]'' (Hunters) were created in the Portuguese Army, and in 1808 led to the formation of independent "Caçador" battalions that became known for their ability to perform precision shooting at long distances.

Light infantry officers sometimes carried [[musket]]s or [[rifle]]s, rather than [[pistol]]s, and their [[sword]]s were light curved [[sabre]]s; as opposed to the heavy, straighter swords of other infantry officers. Orders were sent by [[Bugle (instrument)|bugle]] or [[whistle]] instead of [[Military drums|drums]] (since the sound of a bugle carries further and it is difficult to move fast when carrying a drum). Some armies, including the [[British Army|British]] and [[French Army|French]], recruited whole regiments (or converted existing ones) of light infantry. These were considered [[Military elite|elite units]], since they required specialised training with emphasis on [[self-discipline]], manoeuvre and initiative to carry out the roles of light infantry as well as those of ordinary infantry.

By the late 19th century, the concept of fighting in formation was on the wane due to advancements in weaponry and the distinctions between light and heavy infantry began to disappear. Essentially, all infantry became light infantry in operational practice. Some regiments retained the name and customs, but there was in effect little difference between them and other infantry regiments.

[[File:Jaakaripataljooa libaussa.jpg|thumb|The pioneer company of the [[27th Jäger Battalion (Finland)|27th Jäger Battalion]] returning from a parade in [[Liepāja]] (Libau) in 1917.]]

On the eve of World War I, the British Army included seven light infantry regiments. These differed from other infantry only in maintaining such traditional distinctions as badges that included a bugle-horn, dark green home service helmets for [[full dress]], and a fast-stepping parade ground march.<ref>Maj. R. M.Barnes, pp. 298–305 "A History of the Regiments & Uniforms of the British Army", Sphere Books 1972 {{ISBN?}}</ref>