Napoleon's Light Infantry
Although light infantry tactics formed one of the cornerstones of Napoleonic warfare, their employment was by no means restricted to Light regiments.
Thus, from the early 1800s if not before, the distinction between Light and Line infantry was largely one of costume and tradition. One marked difference from the Line infantry, however, was in the superior ésprit de corps of the Light regiments. Their attitude of superiority was reinforced by their different (and often more impressive) uniform, the theoretical difference in role, and supposed superior training.
Philip Haythornwaite examines their uniforms in a volume including eight superb colour plates by Brian Fosten.
Carlos Caballero Jurado was born in Ciudad Real, Spain, in 1957. He served as an NCO in the Spanish Army's Division Brunete (1st Armoured Division) and later graduated with a BA in History from the University of Alicante. He has written and co-written numerous books and articles on military historical subjects, including four books for Osprey Publishing. Carlos is a history teacher in Alicante.
Bryan Fosten was born in 1928, the son of a Master Military Embroiderer and a Court Embroidress. He served in the army in Egypt and Palestine and returned to follow the printing trade, devoting himself to military research and illustration. He was the founding editor of the innovative magazine Tradition and has written and illustrated many books, often in collaboration with his late brother, Donald Fosten.