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History of the Royal Green Jackets

The Formation of the Royal Green Jackets

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The Royal Green Jackets were formed on January 1, 1966, through the amalgamation of three of the British Army’s most prestigious regiments:

  • The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (43rd and 52nd)

  • The King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC)

  • The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own)

These regiments, with roots dating back to the late 18th century, were innovators in the military’s transformation of infantry tactics. They were pioneers of light infantry, trained for mobility, speed, skirmishing, and marksmanship. Their merger into the Royal Green Jackets brought together their distinct histories and traditions under one banner, continuing a legacy that played a crucial role in British military history for over two centuries.

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The Predecessor Regiments

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The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

This regiment, originally formed in 1741, became notable for its ability to adapt to new styles of warfare. Initially raised as the 43rd Regiment of Foot, it was later renamed the Oxfordshire Light Infantry. In 1881, it absorbed the 52nd Regiment of Foot, becoming the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. The 52nd, in particular, had a distinguished reputation, especially during the Peninsular War, where it became one of the earliest examples of highly trained light infantry units, emphasizing flexibility, independence, and speed.

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The King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC)

Founded in 1755 as the 62nd (Royal American) Regiment of Foot, the KRRC was raised to protect the British colonies in North America. Its early successes during the American War of Independence helped shape its reputation as an elite fighting force. By the time of the Napoleonic Wars, the regiment was known as the 60th Rifles and had incorporated the use of Baker rifles, which had greater accuracy than traditional muskets. This enhanced the regiment’s role as a specialized light infantry force. The KRRC became known for its skirmishing, reconnaissance, and sharp-shooting skills.

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The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own)

The Rifle Brigade was established in 1800 as the Experimental Corps of Riflemen to trial the use of rifles over muskets in warfare. It quickly became renowned for its use of tactics that relied on speed, stealth, and individual initiative. During the Peninsular War, the 95th Rifles (as it was known) established itself as one of Britain’s elite units, revered for its success in skirmishing, reconnaissance, and holding vital defensive positions. The regiment’s association with Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, earned it the title of Prince Consort’s Own.

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The Light Infantry Tradition

The Royal Green Jackets embodied the spirit and philosophy of light infantry, a concept that revolutionized infantry warfare during the Napoleonic Wars. While regular infantry traditionally fought in rigid lines, light infantry was more flexible, operating in small, self-sufficient groups capable of responding quickly to changing battlefield conditions. This approach made them highly effective in skirmishes, scouting, and rapid flanking maneuvers. The Royal Green Jackets carried forward this tradition, emphasizing independence, initiative, and mobility on the battlefield.

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Tactics and Innovations

Key to the Royal Green Jackets’ effectiveness was their use of open-order formations. Rather than marching in dense ranks, soldiers were trained to fight in dispersed lines, allowing for greater flexibility and speed. This tactic was particularly useful in terrain where rigid formations were impractical, such as forests or urban environments.

Additionally, the use of rifles, beginning with the Baker rifle, gave the regiment a significant advantage. Unlike muskets, which were accurate only at close range, the Baker rifle had a rifled barrel, giving it superior accuracy at longer distances. This allowed the Royal Green Jackets to act as sharpshooters, targeting enemy officers, artillery crews, and other key personnel.

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Training and Discipline

From the outset, the regiments that would form the Royal Green Jackets placed a heavy emphasis on training and discipline. Soldiers were trained to think independently and act decisively in combat. This was a stark contrast to the rigid discipline of line infantry, where soldiers were expected to obey orders without question. The ability of Green Jackets soldiers to operate autonomously made them invaluable during campaigns where quick decisions and adaptability were essential.

Why They Wore Green

One of the most iconic features of the Royal Green Jackets was their dark green uniforms, which set them apart from the traditional red coats of the British Army. This choice of color was revolutionary in the 18th century, as military uniforms at the time were designed for visibility, not concealment.

The adoption of green uniforms was directly tied to the role of the regiment as light infantry and riflemen. The dark green provided a form of camouflage, helping the soldiers blend into their surroundings during skirmishes and reconnaissance missions. This was particularly important given their role as sharpshooters and scouts, where remaining hidden from the enemy was critical to their success.

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Influence of the German Jägers

The adoption of the green uniform and light infantry tactics can be traced back to the influence of Jägers, German riflemen who specialized in skirmishing and marksmanship. King George II, who was both King of Britain and Elector of Hanover (a German state), admired the effectiveness of the Jägers and introduced elements of their training and tactics into the British Army. This influence helped shape the identity of the regiments that would eventually form the Royal Green Jackets.

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Key Historical Milestones

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  • 1800: Formation of the Experimental Corps of Riflemen

    • Established to experiment with the use of rifles over muskets and to test new tactics, this unit laid the foundation for the modern concept of light infantry. It was later renamed the 95th Rifles, one of the most famous regiments in British military history.

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  • Peninsular War (1807-1814):

    • The Royal Green Jackets' predecessors, particularly the 95th Rifles and the 52nd Light Infantry, gained a legendary reputation during the Peninsular War, part of the Napoleonic Wars. Under the command of the Duke of Wellington, the regiment used innovative tactics that capitalized on their speed, marksmanship, and ability to operate independently. Their actions at battles such as Vimeiro (1808), Corunna (1809), and Waterloo (1815) cemented their place in military history.

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  • World War I (1914-1918):

    • The Royal Green Jackets and their predecessor regiments played significant roles in World War I, serving on the Western Front. They fought in the Battle of the Somme, Passchendaele, and other key battles, displaying the same bravery and tactical prowess that had characterized them in earlier conflicts.

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  • World War II (1939-1945):

    • During World War II, the regiments that would become the Royal Green Jackets again served with distinction, taking part in major campaigns across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was particularly renowned for its role in the D-Day landings, where it captured the Pegasus Bridge, a key strategic objective.

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  • 1966: Amalgamation

    • In 1966, the Royal Green Jackets were officially formed through the merger of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and the Rifle Brigade. This amalgamation brought together centuries of tradition and innovation, creating a new regiment with a unique identity and a proud history.

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The Legacy of the Royal Green Jackets

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The Royal Green Jackets were disbanded in 2007 as part of the restructuring of the British Army. However, their legacy continues as part of The Rifles, a regiment that carries forward the traditions of light infantry, speed, and independence in the modern British Army. Their history remains a source of pride for those who served and for military historians fascinated by their impact on infantry tactics and warfare.

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