la garde republicaine a cheval

[winterbadger]

An example of this cool band  and another

So, you can play drums? Can you do it while *riding*?

The entire Garde, coming out of barracks

Scenes from last year's 14 Juillet, including a haka by troops from Nouvelle Caledonie and a brief appearance by GRaC, surrounding the car of President Sarkozy.

And a LONG review of this year's 14 Juillet.

And, Bryan, Peter? Here's the "real" Old Guard (explanation: the US Army has part of the 3rd Infantry, nicknamed "the Old Guard", portray troops of the American Revolution on ceremonial occasions; this is a clip of the 2me Regiment Infanterie de la garde de Républicaine, portraying grenadiers of the Napoleonic Garde Imperiale). Notes: even les grognards have a hangfire; they march to the attack in open ranks, but at the charge in both ranks(!); and note the nifty way they form close column as they retire.

The same march attack, but at Vincennes, with a larger group of tambours.

And a bit more marching. Lovely open formation by files! Neat about turn by the colour party, but sloppy manual of arms.

Comments

[gr-c17.livejournal.com]

"They came on in the same old manner, and we killed them in the same old manner."

Good stuff.

I wonder if the "Old Guard" are military (they seem young enough) or a reeanctment group? (which might explain the sloppy drill) Or possibly one each in the two vids.

My favorite is always that "odd" gap in the parade, where everone waits. Off in the distance comes, at a statly 88 paces, la Légion étrangère topped off with their Képi blanc.

[winterbadger]

The "Old Guard" are serving infantrymen of the 2me Infanterie Regiment de la Garde Républicaine. Which is, interestingly, a unit of the Gendarmerie, not of the Armée.

Yes, the Legion and their "crawl". :-) Show-offs! ;-)