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:''For other units with the same regimental number, see 52nd Regiment of Foot (disambiguation)'' The 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot was a light infantry regiment of the British Army throughout much of the 18th and 19th centuries. The regiment first saw active service during the American War of Independence, and were posted to India during the Anglo-Mysore Wars. During the Napoleonic Wars, the 52nd were part of the Light Division, and were present at most of the major battles of the Peninsula campaign, becoming one of the most celebrated regiments,〔 described by Sir William Napier as "a regiment never surpassed in arms since arms were first borne by men".〔Napier, p. 279〕 They had the largest British battalion at Waterloo, 1815, where they formed part of the final charge against Napoleon's Imperial Guard. They were also involved in various campaigns in India. The regiment was raised as a line regiment in 1755 and numbered as the "54th Foot"; they were renumbered as the "52nd Regiment of Foot" in 1757. In 1781, the regional designation "52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot" was given, and in 1803 the regiment was the first regular British Army regiment to be designated "Light Infantry". In 1881 the regiment was merged with the 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot to become the regiment later known as the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. ==Regimental structure== Throughout the period of the 52nd's existence, the British Army comprised both infantry and cavalry line regiments, as well as the Household Divisions. The regiments of the line were numbered and, from 1781, were given territorial designations – "Oxfordshire" in the 52nd's case – which roughly represented the area from which troops were drawn. This was not rigid, and most English regiments had a significant proportion of Irish and Scots.〔Haythornthwaite (1987), p. 6〕 Regiments comprised at least one battalion, often two – as the 52nd did intermittently – and occasionally more. Commanded by a lieutenant colonel, an infantry battalion was composed of ten companies, of which eight were "centre" companies, and two flank companies: one a grenadier and one (in regular line regiments) a specialist light company. Companies were commanded by captains, with lieutenants and ensigns (or subalterns) beneath him.〔 Ideally, a battalion comprised 1000 men (excluding NCOs, musicians and officers); the 1st (or senior) battalion of a regiment would frequently draw fit recruits from the 2nd battalion to maintain its strength. If also sent on active service, the 2nd battalion would consequently be weaker.〔 In periods of long service, battalions were generally operating under strength.〔Haythornthwaite (1987), p. 7〕 Seriously under-strength battalions might be dissolved, or temporarily drafted into other regiments,〔 as happened to the 52nd on several occasions. The 52nd was initially a one-battalion regiment, but increased recruiting resulted in the creation of a second battalion in 1798.〔 While the 1st Battalion saw some action in Spain and Portugal in 1800–1801, the 2nd remained stationed in England. In 1803 the regiment's fittest officers and men were concentrated in the 1st battalion, for training as light infantry, and the 2nd battalion was transferred to the 96th Foot.〔 A new second battalion was raised in 1804.〔 Both battalions saw extensive action during the Napoleonic Wars, and they were brigaded together for a time during the Peninsula Campaign, but heavy losses at Badajoz in 1812 resulted in the reduction of the 2nd battalion to a cadre (skeleton staff).〔 The 2nd was eventually reformed with new recruits and saw service in Holland in 1813–14.〔 Following the conclusion of the war in 1814, both battalions were billeted in England, where the 2nd's effectives were transferred to the 1st battalion, in preparation for further service.〔Wilkinson-Latham & Roffe, p. 11〕 The 2/52nd remained in England during the Waterloo Campaign, and were disbanded in 1815.〔 Subsequently, the 52nd remained a one-battalion regiment until their merger with the 43rd. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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