CHASSEURS, light infantry or cavalry regiments in the French army (from Fr. chasser, to hunt) . The first light infantry (chasseurs a pied) units were raised in 1743, and by 1794 their number had increased to 21 battalions. The name then disap peared until 1840, but by 1870 they had again increased to their original figure, and by the outbreak of the World War to 3o battalions, of which were known as Cliasseurs Alpins, and were specially equipped and trained for mountain warfare. Under the existing French army organization these 3o battalions of chasseurs are formed as independent units for administrative purposes, but are grouped into demi-brigades of three battalions for war. They are distinguished from line infantry by their dark blue uniform.
The light cavalry (chasseurs a clieval) regiments, which were first instituted in 1779, and had a distinguished record of service down to the close of the World War, are now represented only by the five regiments of Chasseurs d'Afrique, which were orig inally recruited for service in Algeria, but performed notable service in the European campaigns of the Second Empire. The peace and war organization of these Chasseurs d'Afrique regi ments corresponds in general to that of a line cavalry unit. The corps of chasseurs forestiers is a semi-military body of game keepers and forest guards, intended to act as guides and intelli gence agents in time of war.