Hat 8003 British Rocket Troops

It is most often assumed that British troops came into contact with weapons that could be called primitive rockets in 1792 in India during the Battle of Seringapatam, when they were used by the troops of Sultan Mishor. This weapon was improved by Sir William Congreve, who was moreover the son of a British general of the same name and surname. In Polish historiography, these improved, though still painfully primitive rockets are known as Congressional flares. In the British Army, these flares came in six different weights: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 pounds. Of course, they used black gunpowder as "fuel". It is assumed that their range could reach approx. 1800-2000 meters, which was a significant achievement for those times. It should be added, however, that this weapon had terrible accuracy and was very unreliable. On the other hand, with its roar and considerable firepower, it exerted a terrible impact on the morale of the enemy troops. Congressional flares were first used by the Royal Navy during the Boulougne shelling in 1806 and later - in 1807 - during the shelling of Copenhagen. They were probably first used by the army in 1813. They almost certainly took part in the 1815 campaign as well. By the way, it can be mentioned that after the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the Congregational flares entered the service of the army of the Kingdom of Poland and were used in the Battle of Grochów (1831) during the November Uprising (1830-1831).