Problems of self-presentation of the Russian Imperial Guard in regimental stories

Based on the analysis of the regimental histories of the Guard units of the Russian Imperial Army, the article attempts to uncover the problems associated with justifying the merits of guard units that have not participated in combat for a long time. With each passing decade, the authors of the regimental histories of the Guards had to prove the deservedness of the regiment’s privileged status more difficult. The problems were caused by the minimal involvement of the guard in modern epoch-making battles and campaigns, but using them as representative units. During the analysis of a number of regimental histories, it was noticed that the chroniclers of the Guards regiments made considerable efforts to find evidence of the widespread involvement of representatives of the Guard in national events. As a result, it was found that the authors of regimental stories about the Guards units used various approaches and methods to self-present their units, sometimes covertly, and sometimes openly, the involvement of the Guards in great historical events was mentioned. It was revealed that, being an elite army component, they also served as suppliers of managers for the administrative resources of the state. The guard’s long-term non-participation in wars was offset by descriptions of past epoch-making battles, the greatest human losses at the dawn of the empire’s formation, and privileged connections with famous generals and statesmen. A special role was played by the relationship with the monarchs, where the guards acted both as saviors and as the support of the autocrat, carrying out even unusual military assignments. The authors of the regimental histories tried their best to show the importance and merits of the Guards units, their invaluable contribution to the development and protection of the Russian state throughout the history of the elite units.