Bombardier (rank)

Russian Bombardier (left) and Feuerwerker (right) (1812).

Bombardier (/ˌbɒmbəˈdɪər/) is a military rank that has existed since the 16th century in artillery regiments of various armies, such as in the British Army and the Prussian Army. Traditionally the bombardier tended the vents at the top of breeches, handled the final assembly of ammunition and placed the ammunition in the muzzles for the gunners to fire.[1] It is today equivalent to the rank of corporal in other branches.[2] The rank of lance bombardier is the artillery counterpart of lance corporal.

Bombardier Duncan Bromwich of Leyton, England (1893–1917) in his Royal Field Artillery Bombardier uniform.
  1. ^ McKenney, Janice E. (2007). "The Organizational History of Field Artillery, 1775–2003" (PDF). U.S. Army Center of Military History.
  2. ^ Oxford dictionary. "Bombardier". Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.