INFANTRY, foot soldiers armed with rifle and bayonet. In Europe the infan try is divided into infantry of the line, light infantry, and rifles; but practically no distinction, except that the latter have a lower standard, now exists between them. Formerly the flank companies of each line battalion were, respectively, "grenadier" and "light" comp,anies, and the deployment of the lines or the ad vance of the columns in battle were either covered by these companies, or by separate light infantry regiments, which were extended as skirmishers. These were either called in when the masses of troops advanced, or, halting, let them pass through. They only prepared the way for the main attack. With the in troduction of long range fire, the attack by lines or columns became too danger ous; the former from their slowness, the latter from their denseness. The infan try could no longer advance covered by a weak screen of skirmishers. Battal ions, therefore, formed for attack with two companies firing, two supporting, and four in local reserve, the whole working on a narrow front; and, finally, the company in Germany, and the double company in England, formed the fighting tactical unit, and was distributed in a similar manner. But the skirmishers no
longer merely cover the advance of troops in rear. They form the fighting line themselves, and reinforced as loss occurs, and strengthened finally by the local reserve, they break down the de fense first with preponderating fire, and then with the bayonet. Ancient nations largely depended in battle on their in fantry. Then foot soldiers became less employed, the use of cavalry being one feature of the age of chivalry. The for mation by Louis VI., of France (1108 1137), of the communal militia, followed by similar action on the part of Fred erick I., the Emperor of Germany (1152 1190), and Henry II., of England (1154 1189), again brought infantry into note and they have held the first place in bat ties ever since. It was especially the case during the European War of 1914 18. Cavalry were only employed in the first months of the war to any eAent, but were effective during the great Ger man retreat in 1918.