Light Division (United Kingdom) facts for kids

The Light Division was a special group of soldiers in the British Army. They were known as light infantry. These soldiers were trained to move quickly over tough land. They protected the main army by fighting in small groups called skirmishes.

They used new rifles, which were very accurate. Their main job was to bother and confuse enemy forces before the big battles started. The Light Division was first formed in 1803 during the Napoleonic Wars. It was brought back three more times: during the Crimean War, First World War, and from 1968 to 2007.

How the Light Division Started

The British Army began forming "Rifle Battalions" in the late 1700s. The first three were part of the 60th (Royal Americans). Francis de Rottenburg, who knew a lot about light infantry, led the first rifle battalion. His ideas helped shape how the British Army used rifle-armed light infantry.

In 1800, a new group called the "Experimental Corps of Riflemen" was created. It was made up of soldiers from different British regiments. This group was special in many ways. They used the powerful Baker rifle, which was more accurate and shot farther than the standard musket.

Riflemen wore dark green jackets instead of the bright red coats of other British soldiers. They also wore dark trousers and black belts. They were taught to work alone or in pairs. They learned to think for themselves and fight in open formations.

Fighting in the Napoleonic Wars

Just four months after it was formed, the Rifle Corps was ready for its first mission. On August 25, 1800, three companies helped lead a British landing in Ferrol, Spain. They helped push back the Spanish defenders. In 1801, one company of riflemen fought as sharpshooters on Royal Navy ships. This was during the First Battle of Copenhagen.

In January 1803, the Rifle Corps became a regular regiment. It was renamed the 95th Regiment of Foot (Rifles).

On July 17, 1803, an unofficial "Corps of Light Infantry" was formed. This group brought together three regiments:

• 43rd (Monmouthshire Light Infantry) Regiment
• 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry)
• 95th Regiment

The name "Light Division" was used a few years later. General Sir John Moore finished training these regiments by September 1805.

The 95th Rifles wore dark green uniforms, like the 60th Royal Americans. This made them hard to see. They used their Baker rifles to target enemy officers and leaders. A good shot could take down an enemy commander, lowering the enemy's spirits. The Baker Rifle was much more accurate and had a longer range than the standard muskets.

In 1807, the Corps of Light Infantry, led by Sir Arthur Wellesley (who later became the Duke of Wellington), helped defeat Danish forces. This happened at the Siege of Køge and Second Battle of Copenhagen. This victory captured the entire Danish fleet.

The Corps of Light Infantry then went to Spain for the Peninsular War. This war showed how valuable light infantry with rifles could be. During this war, Portuguese Caçadores Battalions also joined the Light Division.

Battle of Corunna: A Tough Retreat

The Battle of Corunna took place on January 16, 1809. About 16,000 French soldiers attacked 16,000 British soldiers who were trying to leave Spain by ship. The British, led by General Sir John Moore, were greatly outnumbered. They had to retreat in a harsh winter, constantly under pressure.

The Light Division (then called the Light Brigade) was one of the few units that stayed organized. They fought many battles against the French while retreating. At Corunna, they helped push back the French.

52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry), early 1800s

A rifleman named Thomas Plunket, from the 95th Rifles, showed amazing skill. During the retreat, he shot a French general from a very long distance using his Baker rifle. He then reloaded and shot another officer. These shots surprised the French and helped stop their attack.

Battle of Talavera: A Long March

After Corunna, Brigadier-General Robert Craufurd led his brigade back to Spain. This brigade included the 43rd, 52nd, and 95th Regiments. They marched very long distances in the hot July weather to join Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington's army. They sometimes marched 30 miles a day!

Wellesley won the Battle of Talavera while the Light Brigade was still marching. Craufurd was then given command of the 3rd Division, which became the Light Division. He also wrote the first Standing Orders for the Light Division, a training guide for his soldiers.

Battle of the River Côa: A Risky Move

In 1810, Craufurd's actions near the Côa and Águeda rivers were very bold, almost too bold. He drew the French into the Battle of the River Côa on July 24, 1810. This was a rare mistake that almost cost him his command. Even though Wellington criticized him, he also gave Craufurd more soldiers.

Battle of Bussaco: Holding the Line

The Battle of Bussaco on September 27, 1810, was a defensive victory for the Allies. This allowed Wellington to continue his army's retreat to the strong Lines of Torres Vedras. The French found these lines too strong to attack. They ran out of food and were bothered by British attacks. Many French soldiers died or were captured before they left Portugal in early 1811.

Battle of Sabugal: Fog and Bravery

At the Battle of Sabugal on April 3, 1811, Craufurd was sick. Major-General William Erskine was in command. The plan was for the Light Division to go around the French left side while other divisions attacked the front. On the day of the battle, there was heavy fog.

Erskine ordered the 1st Brigade forward, but they got lost in the fog. They attacked the French from the wrong spot. Erskine then became too careful and left the Light Division without a leader. But Colonel George Drummond bravely disobeyed orders. He led his 2nd Brigade to help the 1st Brigade. Together, they pushed the French back.

Battle of Fuentes De Onoro: Beating Cavalry

At the Battle of Fuentes de Onoro on May 3, 1811, the Light Division showed how to defeat French cavalry. They used fast movements, accurate rifle fire, and strong formations. The Light Division reinforced other light infantry units that were surrounded by French cavalry.

The whole force quickly retreated, chased by the French. Whenever the French got close, the light infantrymen and riflemen quickly formed squares. These squares protected them from the cavalry attacks. This quick forming of squares while on the move was amazing to see.

Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo: A Hard-Won Victory

The Light Division, now led by Major-General Robert Craufurd again, fought in the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo on January 8, 1812. They stormed and captured a key fort. On January 19, they attacked the city itself, along with Major-General Thomas Picton's 3rd Division.

The attack was very successful, but Craufurd was among those killed. After the victory, British soldiers sadly looted the city, despite their officers' efforts to stop them.

Battle of Salamanca: A Reserve Role

After Craufurd's death, Charles Alten took command of the Light Division. At the Battle of Salamanca on July 22, 1812, the division was kept in reserve. This meant they did not take a major part in the main fighting.

Battle of Vitoria: Ending Napoleon's Rule in Spain

At the Battle of Vitoria on June 21, 1813, the Light Division was part of Wellington's main attack. After tough fighting, the French defense broke apart. About 5,000 French soldiers were killed or wounded, and 3,000 were captured. Wellington's forces also lost about 5,000 men. This battle led to the end of Napoleon's rule in Spain.

Battle of Nivelle: Storming Forts

The Battle of Nivelle on November 10, 1813, began before dawn. The Light Division moved towards a high plateau. Their goal was to clear out three French forts. They stormed the forts, surprising the French, who fled.

The 43rd and 95th Regiments dealt with the French on the high ground. Meanwhile, the 52nd, supported by riflemen, attacked a strong star-shaped fort below. Again, the French were surprised and quickly ran away. The British captured the fort without losing a single soldier.

Battle of Toulouse: The Final Battle

The last battle of the Peninsular War was the Battle of Toulouse on April 10, 1814. That evening, French Marshall Jean-de-Dieu Soult learned that Napoleon had surrendered in northern France. Soult's generals told him to surrender the city, and he did.

The Light Division was known as one of the strongest divisions in the British army during the Peninsular War. They proved their toughness in many battles, from the difficult retreat to Corunna to the final invasion of France.

Light Division Structure in the Peninsular War

• Commanders: Robert Craufurd, William Erskine, Charles Alten
• 1st Brigade
  • 1/43rd (Monmouthshire Light Infantry) Regiment
  • 1/95th Rifles
  • 3/95th Rifles (Headquarters & 5 companies)
  • 3rd Portuguese Caçadores
• 2nd Brigade
  • 1/52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry)
  • 2/95th Rifles
  • 1st Portuguese Caçadores
• Other Troops
  • Ross' Troop, Royal Horse Artillery
  • Parts of the 14th Light Dragoons and 16th Light Dragoons (cavalry)

Waterloo: A Final Stand

After Napoleon gave up power in 1814, the army that fought in Spain was broken up. But Napoleon escaped and returned to power, leading to one more big battle.

A "Light Division" was not officially formed for the Battle of Waterloo. Instead, many light infantry battalions were grouped into the 3rd British Brigade. This brigade was part of the 2nd Division and led by Major-General Frederick Adam.

The most famous moment for these light infantry units at Waterloo involved Sir John Colborne. He led the 52nd Light Infantry to outflank the French Old Guard. This was Napoleon's best unit, trying a last attack on the British center.

As the Old Guard marched past, the 52nd charged. They fired a powerful volley into the French soldiers' side and then attacked with bayonets. The Old Guard was pushed back and began to retreat.

The French Imperial Guard made a final stand in squares. The 3rd (Light) Brigade charged one of these squares and broke it apart. The French then retreated from the battlefield.

Light Infantry at Waterloo

• 2nd (Light) Brigade
  • 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) (the largest battalion at Waterloo)
  • 71st (Glasgow Highland) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry)
  • 2nd Battalion, 95th Rifles
  • Detachment, 3rd Battalion, 95th Rifles

Crimean War: A New Light Division

The Crimean War (1853–1856) was fought between Imperial Russia and an alliance of France, the United Kingdom, Kingdom of Sardinia, and the Ottoman Empire. Most of the fighting happened in the Crimean Peninsula. This war is sometimes called the first "modern" conflict because it brought new technologies and changes to warfare.

A Light Division was formed again for this war. However, it didn't have special light infantry battalions like before. This division fought in the Battle of the Alma on September 20, 1854. This was the first major battle of the Crimean War. They also took part in the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855) and the Battle of Inkerman on November 5, 1854.

By the late 1800s, the idea of fighting in large formations was fading. The differences between light and heavy infantry began to disappear. In practice, all infantry became more like light infantry. Some regiments kept the name and traditions, but there was no real difference in how they fought.

World Wars: Light Divisions Return

During the First World War, two Light Divisions were formed: the 14th (Light) Division and the 20th (Light) Division. The 14th (Light) Division was the first to be attacked by German flamethrowers. Both divisions fought on the Western Front. They were involved in major battles like the Battles of the Somme, Battles of Arras, and the Battles of Ypres.

After the First World War, the British Army formed an occupation army in Germany called the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). In February 1919, the 2nd Division was renamed the Light Division and joined the BAOR.

The British Army did not form a Light Division for the Second World War, except for the 61st Division for a short time. However, the spirit of the Light Division lived on in new units. These included the Commandos, Parachute Regiment, and the Chindits. These were all lightly armed, fast, and agile units.

Light Division: 1968 - 2007

After the Second World War, the British Army had infantry depots. In 1968, the Light Division was reformed as an administrative division. It brought together the Light Infantry Brigade and the Green Jackets Brigade.

The reformed Light Division had seven regular infantry battalions:

• 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Battalions, The Light Infantry
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions, The Royal Green Jackets

Over time, some battalions were removed. In 2005, two more regiments joined the Light Division:

• 1st Battalion, The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry
• 1st Battalion, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry

This was to prepare for all four regiments joining together into one large regiment called The Rifles. This new regiment was formed in February 2007. When The Rifles was created, the name Light Division was no longer used.

Light Division: 2022 Onwards

In 2022, as part of new army changes called Future Soldier, the Light Division was reformed again. It now serves as one of the new divisions that brings all infantry regiments under one administrative group.

The new Light Division has a total of ten infantry battalions (7 regular army and 3 Army Reserve). It also includes two extra companies:

• 1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
• 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
• F (Falklands) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
• G (Coriano) Company, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
• 1st Battalion, The Rifles
• 2nd Battalion, The Rifles
• 3rd Battalion, The Rifles
• 5th Battalion, The Rifles
• 4th Battalion, The Rangers
• 6th Battalion, The Rifles
• 7th Battalion, The Rifles
• 8th Battalion, The Rifles

Images for kids

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  52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry), early 1800s