Jagers

Jägers is the plural form used in English to refer to Jäger, a German word meaning hunter. In military contexts, Jäger denotes light infantry units trained for skirmishing, reconnaissance and mobility, in contrast to heavier line infantry. The designation originated in German-speaking armies and was widely adopted to describe troops that used flexible tactics and a focus on dispersed, forested or rugged terrain.

Historically, Jäger battalions and regiments emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries to provide rapid-fire, accurate troops capable of operating independently and in small groups. They played important roles in the Napoleonic era and subsequent conflicts. In the Austro-Hungarian Army, K.k. Jäger referred to similar light-infantry formations.

In modern times, several countries retain a Jäger tradition as their standard light-infantry force. In the German Army (Heer), Jäger units constitute the regular light infantry, distinguishable from specialized formations such as Gebirgsjäger (mountain troops) and Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers). In Austria, the Jägers remain a traditional component of the Bundesheer’s light-infantry capabilities.

Outside of military usage, Jäger means hunter in German and appears in compound names and titles; the word is also used as a surname. In historical writing, references to Jägers typically indicate light-infantry units in German-speaking lands, reflecting the long-standing association between the term and mobile, skirmishing troops.