Nordenfieldske
Grenader
Compagnie
Nordenfieldske Grenader Compagnie (NGC)
is an open
civilian organisation in Trondheim.
We reenact a grenader
company from the 2nd Trondhjemske infantery regiment in the time period of
approx. 1808 |
 |
The uniforms and weaponry used are true replicas of what was actually
used during that time. There are little information on the equipment
used by the grenadiers, so part of the time we use is spent on research,
to get the uniforms, gear and routines as correct as possible.
One incident we are especially proud of is the battle of Trangen
on the 25th of april 1808. 600 grenadiers from Trondheim marched approx.
450 km in 10 days and went directly into combat with Swedish forces. The
Swedes where defeated.
The first Norwegian unit of grenadiers appeared in 1680 to 90 after a
proposal to improve the army by Major General Johan Wibe
(1637-1710).
The grenadiers were elite soldiers. They were chosen among the
biggest and most fearsome soldiers, and they had to look very manly.
Dark haired and sun tanned, with a fearsome moustache. They should not
easily smile, or be too friendly looking. These tough looking men should
be in the thickest of battle. They performed either as part of a company
or as their own company or battalion.
In the Royal Ekserserreglement of 1740 (official regulations of the
army) the grenadier companies tasks and fighting methods are described
in detail. The grenadiers were lined up in rows of 4 deep, the first
line readied their grenades and threw then at the enemy on command, then
took place at the back of the formation, giving room for the nest line
to ready their grenades. All procedures concerning lighting the fuse and
throwing the grenades are known.
The grenades are thrown overhead, that's why the triangular hats
where not used. The grenadiers had instead a tall hat made of bearskin
with a brass plague depicting a grenade.
Up until 1810 the 1st and 2nd Trondhjemske Regiment had two gevorpne
(professional) grenadier companies each, in addition to the grenadiers
included in the so called national forces. In 1808 the grenadiers were
withdrawn from the national forces and organized as separate companies
of grenadiers. After the reorganization of 1810 we find a single
volunteer Jeger and Musketeer company in each of the Trondheim
regiments. The grenadiers are gone.
In recent time the hand grenade has regained its value, and all
infantry men are trained in its use. Some are also trained in using the
rifle as a platform of long range grenade launching. Even as late as
1961 the name grenadier was used in the Norwegian armed forces to single
out some part of the drafted personnel.
NGC is a society for everyone interested in this historic
period. We have lots of fun and are enjoying our hobby as much as we
can. This is by no means a professional unit! Our meetings are held at
Kristiansten Fortress, in a real historical atmosphere.
NGC is a member of the Norsk Svartkrutt Union (Norwegian Black Powder
Association) and hence has status as a sharp shooter society. We do
regular sharp shooting, and practice the correct shooting methods of the
time period we depict.
Formation drill and exercise, as well as the drill performed by the
single soldier, are also part of our activity.
NGC has participated in activities in Russia, Finland, Sweden,
England and
Italy as well as several arrangements in Norway.
This is a brief description of NGC and what we stand for. For further
information, se our contact page |
