Unit History
During the Seven Years War, it was common to detach the grenadiers from their parent units. The grenadiers were often the elite battalions of the units and when amalgamated into small forces which could carry out the more dangerous and difficult tasks. One way to better understand how the units operated is to follow their history. This is best represented by the experiences of their commanders.
This unit was commanded as follows: Maj. Peter Henning Erdmann v. Bandemer, killed March 30, 1757; Maj. Ernst Sigismund v. Wedell, killed at Zorndorf; Maj. Joachim Friedrich v Rathenow, who died of wounds March 16, 1762; Maj. Karl Heinrich v. Poseck. After Torgau, the unit was temporarily amalgamated with the Grenadiers of the 5/20th. The reputation of the IR No. 1 Grenadier battalion was such that it was entrusted with many dangerous missions in the Seven Years War.
The No. 1 Regimental colour and the No. 23 Regimental colour
Comments
The beautiful flags are from GMB Designs. I realize that the Grenadiers usually did not have flags with them but since issuing the unit with flags the troops themselves performed as Grenadiers should, stiffening the troops surrounding them. They are one of my two elite Prussian foot units.
Sources
Flags: Nec Pluribus Impar site at http://vial.jean.free.fr/new_npi/index.htm
Text: R. Riehn, Linear Tactics Part III, The Courier Volume 2 No. 6
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