Shock Troops - Before World War I

Before World War I

Grenadiers originated as specialized assault soldiers for siege operations. First established with a distinct role in the mid- to late-17th century, grenadiers were soldiers who would throw grenades and storm breaches while leading the forefront of a breakthrough. Even when the original black-powder grenade was abandoned, the grenadier companies and regiments were retained as specialist assault troops. The American Civil War saw units of shock troops fielded by both the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia. The Iron Brigade and Irish Brigade spearheaded many of the Union's most dangerous attacks. For the CSA, the Texas Brigade and Virginia's Stonewall Brigade had similar functions. Between the war's beginning in 1861 and its end in April 1865, all of these elite units suffered heavy casualties with their rolls being eliminated several times over. During the Paraguayan War between the latter and Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, the Paraguayans would deploy shock troops composed of a mixture of dismounted cavalry and fit men who were able to row and swim, armed with sabres, cutlasses, knives, bayonets, pistols and hand grenades. They were used to attack small, fortified positions and to board Brazilian river steamers.