Guías de Navarra facts for kids
The Guías de Navarra were a special group of soldiers. They were part of the Carlist army during the First Carlist War. A military leader named Zumalacárregui created them in 1834.
Their name, "Navarre Guides," was a bit misleading. These soldiers were not actually from Navarre, and they weren't guides. Instead, they were captured Liberal soldiers from places like La Mancha and Valencia. They had been taken prisoner after the Battle of Alsasua in April 1834. After this battle, they were given a choice: join the Carlist army or face severe punishment. They were given unique red berets to wear.
Why Red Berets?
Before the Guías de Navarra, Carlist soldiers didn't have a standard uniform. They often wore black berets, which were common in the Basque region. Zumalacárregui wanted to give his troops a special look. He bought distinctive red berets from France.
At first, Carlist officers liked the red berets. However, they soon realized that enemy sharpshooters could easily spot the bright red hats. So, the red berets were put away and hidden. When Zumalacárregui formed the Guías de Navarra, he decided to give these new soldiers the red berets. This new battalion was often sent on the most dangerous missions anyway.
Their Role and Reputation
The Guías de Navarra were led by Carlist volunteers from other countries. These soldiers were known for taking on the riskiest and most dangerous tasks. Zumalacárregui quickly grew to favor them. It became a great honor for Carlist officers to serve in this battalion.
After Zumalacárregui died, the Guías de Navarra had gained so much respect. Because of their high prestige, they were no longer used for the most dangerous missions. They fought in important battles, including the Battle of Alegría de Álava in October 1834.
In 1836, the Guías de Navarra officially became a regular battalion within the Carlist army.
Uniforms and Equipment
According to a book called Álbum de las tropas carlistas del ejército del norte, the Guías de Navarra battalion had 800 men. Their uniform included a gray casaquilla, which was a short, loose jacket. This jacket had yellow buttonholes on the chest. They also wore their famous red berets. For footwear, they wore alpargatas, which are light sandals made of hemp.
Their weapons included a rifle, a bayonet (a knife attached to the rifle), and a bandolier (a belt for carrying ammunition). Because of their yellow buttonholes on their gray jackets, soldiers from other battalions sometimes called the Guías de Navarra sardinas, meaning "sardines."
See also
In Spanish: Guías de Navarra para niños
