User:Fusilier45eme/Gendarmerie d'Elite

Originally formed in July 1801 as a company of elite gendarmes for duty in the Paris area. In 1803 it was reorganised and incorporated into the Old Guard as the Legion de Gendarmerie d'Elite, consisting of a headquarters, four mounted companies and two foot companies. Its principal mission during the Consulate and early Empire was to guard against assassination attempts against Napoleon.

In 1809 the foot companies were discontinued and through 1809-1815 companies of the Gendarmerie d'Elite were exclusively mounted. Their special responsibilities, principally for the close protection of the Emperor's person, baggage and residence, meant that they were rarely deployed in combat and never suffered large numbers of casualties. This led to regular soldiers referring to them by the rather double-edged nickname, Les Immortels.

However, they were far from being pampered royal guards. As well as their principal duties for the Emperor they waged their own personal war on deserters, draft dodgers, marauders, bandits and enemy irregulars as well as enforcing the Emperors orders throughout his armies. A combination of Provost and Aide-de-Camp they were disciplined, efficient, respected and feared.