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. Primislaus Ulrich v. Kleist to mid July 1757; Maj. L.F. v. Hacke until wounded in September 1757; Capt. A.W. v. Wechmar until killed at Breslau, November 22, 1757; Capt. B.F. v. Enckevort to May 1758; Lt. Col. B.F. v. Plotho until killed at Hochkirch, October 14, 1758. At that point, Maj. L.F. v. Hacke returned from wounds to resume command. After Torgau, the unit was temporarily amalgamated with the Grenadiers of the 15/18th after taking heavy losses.
At Lobositz, October 1756, the unit advanced on the left flank, along with the regiments Bevern (No. 7), Itzenplitz (No. 13) and Alt-Kleist (No. 27) to engage the Croats stationed on Lobosch Hill. The attempt to advance through the skirmish screen proved difficult, however, with ammunition running low, the Prussians adapted to the conditions of the terrain, abandoning closed formations and picking and choosing their targets using individual fire. Gradually the Austrians, despite reinforcements that included the regiment Josef Esterhazy (No. 37), were pushed off the Lobosch Hill and forced back through the burning streets of Lobositz. After an hour of intense fighting lead by this unit and the Bevern regiment, the Austrians were forced out. They retreated in good order. To maintain his contact with the Elbe and to buttress his right flank, the Austrian commander, Browne, shifted his uncommitted left wing around to the plains behind Lobositz and Sullowitz.
At Breslau, November 1757, the unit commander, Capt. A.W. v. Wechmar, was killed in action.
At Hochkirch, October 1758, the unit commander, Lt. Col. B.F. v. Plotho, was killed in action.
The unit began the war with guard status but declined to elite through its constant use.
The No. 3 Regimental colour and the No. 6 Regimental colour
Comments
These are one part of my two elite Prussian foot units. In the latest campaign, all Prussian troops have appeared and fought except these. Hmmm, must be out on the parade field practising a few complicated manoeuvres (like retreat…?). The flags are from GMB Designs. Granted that Grenadiers usually did not carry flags, the beauty of the GMB flags means that mine must.
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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