IR No. 41 - Wied

Inhaber
1741 Bevern, 1741 Riedesel, 1746 Graf v.Wied bei Neuwied, 1765 Lossow, 1782 Jung-Woldeck,


Unit History
Formed in 1741 when it was taken from the Württemberg service and entrusted to Major-General Riedesel, an effective disciplinarian. In 1756 the unit was taken from the Wesel garrison and converted to field service. The regiment was present at Prague and distinguished at Kolin, Kunersdorf, Liegnitz and Torgau.
At Prague, May 1757, the unit acted as reinforcements for the right flank. One month later, at Kolin, June 1757, the unit sustained roughly 60% casualties in heavy fighting around the Krzeczor heights. The regiment was sent repeatedly uphill against the centre of the Austrian position and chewed up. After the assaults, the unit gave way to the Prussian cuirassiers, including the Liebregiment zu Pferde (No. 3), which charged the Austrians and were defeated. In the ensuing rout, the remains of the regiment were overrun and joined, shattered, the retreat of the Prussian army.
At Leuthen, the regiment saw minor action on the right flank. In 1758, the regiment helped besiege Schweidnitz and Olmütz. In Pomeria in late 1758, the unit skirmished at Fehrbellin and Prenzlau. At Kunersdorf, August 1759, along with Alt-Bevern (No. 7); they formed part of the initial attack along the Kleiner Spitzberg.
At Liegnitz, August 1760, the unit was in the second line on the left wing and joined the counter-attack against Loudon's attempted surprise advance. The attack was enthusiastically led by the recently disgraced regiment Alt-Bernberg (No. 3) which was eager to win back the good favour of the king. The Prussian attack drove Loudon off the Reh Berge. The Austrians executed an orderly retreat through the towns of Panten and Bienowitz. Every so often, Austrian battalions turned around and fired at their overzealous pursuers until Loudon's corps escaped.
It was deemed the best of the Westphalian regiments and one of the best fusilier units. Was a solid regular unit that saw considerable service. The unit was disbanded in 1806.

Comments
The unit has delivered a solid but unspectacular performance on the gaming table unlike its real-life counterpart. The pretty flags flown by the unit are from GMB Designs.

Both the Regimental and Colonel’s colour

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