2nd (Pomeranian) Cuirassier Regiment "Queen" facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cuirassier Regiment "Queen" (Pomeranian) No. 2Kürassier-Regiment "Königin" (Pommersches) Nr. 2 |
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|---|---|
| Active | 1717-1918 |
| Allegiance |  Prussia German Empire |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Role | Dragoon and Cuirassier regiment |
| Size | 10 squadrons |
| Garrison/HQ | Pasewalk |
| Nickname(s) | Bayreuth Dragoons |
| March | Hohenfriedberger Marsch |
| Engagements | War of Austrian Succession • Mollwitz |
| Decorations | Diploma by Frederick the Great |
| Disbanded | 1919 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Major Queen consort Louise (1806-1810) |
The Cuirassier Regiment "Queen" (Pomeranian) No. 2 was a famous cavalry unit from Prussia. Cavalry means soldiers who fought on horseback. This regiment was first formed in 1717. It was known as the Dragoner-Regiment Nr.5 Bayreuth Dragoner back then.
A dragoon was a type of soldier who could fight both on horseback and on foot. Later, in 1819, the unit changed to become a cuirassier regiment. Cuirassiers were heavy cavalry soldiers who wore body armor.
The "Bayreuth Dragoons" became very famous for their brave actions. They played a key role in winning the Battle of Hohenfriedberg in 1745. This regiment was an important part of the Prussian army until 1918. For most of its history, from 1721 to 1919, the regiment was based in Pasewalk, a town in Western Pomerania.
Contents
History of the Regiment
Early Years: Before Napoleon
The Prussian Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 5 was created by a royal order on April 2, 1717. A commander named Oberst Achaz von der Schulenburg helped gather the first soldiers. They came from areas called Ansbach and Bayreuth.
By June 1, the regiment was ready. It had 44 officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs). There were also 295 cavalry troopers, all aged between 20 and 40. By 1718, the regiment grew to four squadrons. A squadron is a group of cavalry soldiers. In total, they had 689 men.
The regiment reached its full size in 1730. It had ten squadrons, with 62 officers, 120 NCOs, and 1,320 cavalry troopers. On August 7, 1731, the regiment received a special honor. It was given the name Bayreuth Dragoner, meaning "Bayreuth Dragoons."
The soldiers wore a standard powder blue coat. This was typical for Prussian dragoons. Their coats had crimson (dark red) turnbacks and facings.
First Battles: War of Austrian Succession
The regiment first fought during the War of Austrian Succession. At the Battle of Mollwitz, six squadrons attacked the enemy's left side. This attack made the enemy retreat. It helped the Prussian king, Frederick the Great, win the battle.
However, at the Battle of Chotusitz, the regiment did not do as well. They tried to break through enemy lines twice but failed. They lost many soldiers, including 14 officers, and three regimental flags.
The regiment earned its greatest fame at the Battle of Hohenfriedberg. The Austrian commander, Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine, was holding strong against Prussian attacks. The commander of the Bayreuth Dragoons, Generalleutnant Gessler, saw a chance. He noticed a large group of Austrian soldiers attacking tired Prussian infantry.
The ten squadrons of the regiment quickly formed into two columns. They charged right into the Austrians. In the fierce fight, the Bayreuth Dragoons defeated 20 Austrian and Saxon battalions. They captured 2,500 enemy soldiers and 67 regimental flags. The dragoons themselves lost only 6 officers and 28 men. Prince Karl's army had to retreat in a hurry, and the battle was won.
After this amazing charge, the regiment was allowed to wear a golden "67" on their cartridge cases. This number represented the 67 flags they captured. They also received a special "diploma" from Frederick the Great. This document praised the regiment and all the officers who took part. Frederick the Great even composed their own regimental march, the Hohenfriedberger Marsch.
More Wars: Seven Years' War and French Revolutionary Wars
In 1756, the Seven Years' War began. The regiment was at the front of the Prussian army as it moved into Saxony. At the Battle of Lobositz, the regiment was part of two failed cavalry charges. But they still fought well. Two squadrons even rescued another unit, the Gardes du Corps, from being completely destroyed.
The dragoons also helped in the Siege of Pirna. A siege is when an army surrounds a city to try and capture it. On May 6, 1757, they fought in the tough Battle of Prague.
During the French Revolutionary Wars, the regiment marched to fight in northern France in 1792. They fought in areas like the Palatinate and Baden. In the battle of Jena-Auerstedt against Napoleon, they were almost completely defeated.
Changes and Later Conflicts
In 1806, Queen consort Louise of Prussia became the special leader of the regiment. This role was called Colonel-in-Chief. Because of this, the regiment was renamed Königin-Dragoner (The Queen's Dragoons) on March 5, 1806.
After the Queen passed away, a royal order in 1810 said the regiment would always be called "Regiment of the Queen." So, it was known as Regiment Königin-Dragoner until 1816. Then, it became the 1st Dragoon Regiment (Queen). In 1819, it changed again to a cuirassier regiment. It was then called 2. Kürassier Regiment Königin. Its final name, Kürassier Regiment "Königin" (Pommersches) Nr. 2, was given in 1860.
In the War of the Sixth Coalition, the Queen's Dragoons fought in several battles. These included the battle of Ligny and the famous battle of Waterloo in 1815.
The regiment was called to action in the Second Schleswig War. They went to war but did not see much fighting.
In the Austro-Prussian war of 1866, the cuirassiers took part in battles like the battle of Königgrätz.
During the Franco-Prussian war, the regiment fought at Colombey on August 14 and at Gravelotte on August 18, 1870. From September to October 1870, the regiment helped besiege Metz and Thionville. After that, they had more battles near places like Beaume la Rolande and St. Amand.
World War I and Disbandment
In World War I, the regiment mostly worked with another cavalry unit, the 2nd Pomeranian Uhlan Regiment No. 9. They were part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade.
Here are some of their activities during the war:
- 1914: They advanced through Belgium and fought in northern France.
- 1915: They took part in the Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes.
- 1916: They were involved in trench warfare in the swamps of Polesia.
- 1917: They patrolled in Belgium and began training as infantry (foot soldiers).
- 1918: They gave up their horses and became a mounted infantry regiment. They fought in Flanders and at Cambrai.
After the war ended with a ceasefire, the regiment returned home to Pomerania. It was officially disbanded, or broken up, in 1919.
Regimental Sponsors
Over its history, the regiment had several important sponsors or leaders. From 1810 onwards, the regiment was sponsored by the Prussian Queen until 1918.
- Major Queen consort Louise (1806-1810)
See also
- List of Imperial German cavalry regiments
