The Chasseurs Alpins (English: Alpine Hunters) are the élite mountain infantry of the French Army. They are trained to operate in mountainous terrain and in urban warfare.
France created its own mountain corps in the late 19th century in order to oppose any Italian invasion through the Alps. In 1859, the former independent states of Italy such as the Kingdom of Naples, Republic of Venice or the Papal States were unified through the campaigns of Garibaldi and Cavour.
The French military saw this geopolitical change as a potential threat to their Alpine border, especially as the Italian military was already creating troops specialized in mountain warfare (the Alpini). On December 24, 1888, the first troupes de montagne (mountain troops) corps were created from 12 out of the 31 existing Chasseurs à Pied (Hunters on Foot) battalions.
Initially these units were named Bataillons Alpins de Chasseurs à Pied (Alpine Battalions of Hunters/Rangers on Foot). Later this was shortened to Bataillons de Chasseurs Alpins (Battalions of Alpine Hunters/Rangers). From their establishment the Chasseurs Alpins wore a plain and practical uniform designed to be suitable for mountain service. This comprised a loose-fitting dark blue jacket and blue-grey breeches, together with a large beret carrying the yellow bugle horn insignia of the Chasseur branch. They are believed to have been the first regular military unit to have worn this form of headdress.
