1740 Prinz Leopold, 1747 Kleist, 1757 Asseburg, 1759 Lindstädt, 1764 Stojentin
Unit History
The regiment was formed in 1716 from Swedish prisoners. Distinguished at Chotusitz, Lobositz and Breslau after which the unit dropped to regular status. Also present at Leuthen and Zorndorf.
Began the Seven Years War with the engagement at Kesseldorf where the unit lost 450 men. Later at Lobositz, October 1756, the unit advanced on the left flank, along with the regiments Itzenplitz (No. 13) and Alt-Bevern (No. 7), 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, 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.
Present at the siege of Prague and later Breslau where the Austrians mounted a breakout attack that succeeded after stiff resistance. The regiment lost 700 men in the engagement as was severely damaged. With a single battalion of 500 men, the regiment formed part of the advance guard on the right flank at Leuthen.
At Zorndorf, August 1758, the regiment withstood the massive right wing assault of the Russians but at a heavy cost losing twelve offficers and 623 men. At the battle, the regiment was brigaded along with Kalckstein (No. 25) and Lehwaldt (No. 14). They were all under the command of Maj.-Gen. Bulow in the front line of the centre.
After Zorndorf, the unit was exhausted and withdrawn from active service. The unit was disbanded in 1806.
Both the Regimental and Colonel’s colour
Comments
The regiment is a gift from the Marquis de Sangfroid (a good gaming buddy – Robert Swan) who found these figures in a shoebox back in Vancouver, Canada. Long may he enjoy the wine and song of court as opposed to venturing again on the green velvet of battlefield to face these fearsome fellows.
WIP.
Sources
Flag: Nec Pluribus Impar site at http://vial.jean.free.fr/new_npi/index.htm
Text: Prussian troop website at http://www.preussenweb.de/preussstart.htm
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