Grenadiers (ETW Unit)
Grenadiers
Unit Description
Grenadiers are large, strong men armed with a musket and carrying bags of bombs to hurl at the enemy's ranks.
Explosive grenades are one of the oldest types of gunpowder weapons, and one of the most dangerous to use. Grenades are a simple cast iron ball, with a fuse sticking out the top. Fuses are notoriously unreliable, and grenadiers can die as thir bombs explode prematurely. Yet no matter how terrifying grenades are for the throwers, they are indefinitely worse for the targets! Grenadiers see themselves as elite, and occupy the place of honour at the right of the line on parade. They have good reason: only large brave men become grenadiers, because it takes a big chap to throw one properly. Even their uniform makes them look bigger thanks to the pointed Grenadier's cap; a tricorn gets in the way of a good throw.
Historically, grenadier regiments and battalions began as ad hoc assualt forces. All line infantry regiments had grenadier companies; collecting all these sub-units gave commandes a useful group of heavily armed, aggressice and skillful soldiers. Grenadier companies remained in line infantry regiments after the creation of grenadier regiments, but they abandoned grenades. Instead, each grenadier company became a "heavy mob" of the biggest and strongest soldiers in a regiment.
Statistics
Factional Differences
Russia has access to a unique version of this unit called a Hand Mortar Company (Empire Unit) which enables them to "throw" grenades a further distance.
Also some Factions, most notably Britain, have their Grenadiers were 'Bearskins'. These Hats differ from those worn in the East by Prussia, Russia, Sweden etc.
The Ottoman's Grenadiers are Janissary units.
Tactics
Grenadiers tactics' are pretty much the same as Line Infantry's except that these men can stand a melee fight much better than standard Line Infantry can.
Grenadier are also useful at dispatching enemy units using their 'Grenades'. The way to do this is to come around the unit you want to attack, make sure they are preoccupied ie: in a firefight, then throw the Grenades in. Many will be killed but the enemy will be in shock and 9 times out of 10 will run.