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German Fusiliers

The German Fusiliers were the best-trained and disciplined units of the Holy Roman Empire's Reichsarmee and the Imperial Austrian Army during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. The German units of the Austrian Army included Czech troops recruited from Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, Polish and Ruthenian units recruited from the territory of Galicia, Flemings and Walloons from the territory of the former Austrian Netherlands, and Italians. Conscription led to every regiment containing both veterans and untrained men. The so-called German regiments included 11 regiments of Austrians, 23 of Czechs, 6 of Walloons, 2 of Croats, 2 of Tyroleans, and 2 of Italians. In 1805, 10 regiments were recruited from Galician Poles and Ukrainians, and these German-dressed soldiers frequently deserted to the French. By March 1809, Austria had 46 German and 15 Hungarian infantry regiments.

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