In our turbulent times, so rich in "local conflicts", which are mostly full-fledged wars, references to the guards and guards units are increasingly being made in the media. But only a few know what a guard is. Let's try to correct this misunderstanding.
Let's start with the fact that the very word "guard" appeared at the time of the heyday of slave-owning Rome. Then the so-called elite, selected units of soldiers, who were placed in the most dangerous and difficult areas, where the likelihood of an enemy breakthrough was the greatest. However, this term was finally fixed only in the 12th century, and then the guard was called a special unit responsible for keeping the banner. In our country, the imperial guard (which became imperial a little later) appeared in 1690, when Peter I created the famous Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments by his decree.
The guard units were formed from selected soldiers and officers who showed unparalleled courage in battle. Such principles for the formation of these units were subsequently adhered to abroad. So, Napoleon's guard, on whichthe illustrious commander laid his last hopes at Waterloo, was formed from young people who were exclusively devoted to him personally, brave and courageous.
It was to such soldiers that the Russian Empire owed many of its victories in countless wars that fell to its lot in the future. After 1917, when the young Soviet Republic had to re-create the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA), there were no guards units in it. This was largely due to the negative perception of everything "bourgeois". However, one should not discount the fact that at that time there were simply no units in the USSR army that could win the title of guards with their real military merits. And therefore, in those years, the question of what the guard is and what is its significance in battle was not before the leadership of the country.
However, in the sad year of 1941, everything changed. The troops, which were deeply demoralized by the vile and cruel blows of the enemy, needed not only reinforcements and weapons, but also some other support. Then it was decided to revive the high rank of the Guard. They were awarded to units that showed incredible courage and stamina in battle. In particular, in the first months of the war, this title was awarded to the 100th, 127th, 153rd and 161st rifle divisions, which courageously defended the country from the fascist invasion. Then the country's leadership decided that it was not worth remembering what the guard was in relation to the tsarist regime, returningto its original definition of an elite type of troops.
However, one should not assume that the assignment of a unit or division of the guards rank carried only propaganda value. The soldiers and officers of such military formations were en titled to increased allowances, they were given the best uniforms, and they were more often armed with advanced equipment at that time. In particular, all the units that were armed with the famous "Katyusha" were exactly guards.
We hope that from our article you have learned about what the guard is.
