1737 Bredow, 1741 Prinz v. Braunschweig - Bevern, 1757 Alt-Bevern, 1781 Winterfeldt
Unit History
The unit was formed in 1676 from the Garde. Saw especially heavy fighting at Kolin and Zorndorf. It also fought at Lobositz, Kay, Kunersdorf and Torgau. The first battalion captured at Schweidnitz in 1757. Began the war as an elite unit but became a regular unit after nearly collapsing at Zorndorf.
At Lobositz, October 1756, the unit advanced on the left flank, along with the regiments Itzenplitz (No. 13), Alt-Kleist (No. 27) and the converged grenadiers under von Kleist (No. 3 and No. 6), 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 converged grenadiers, 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.
In June 1757, at Kolin, the unit attacked the Austrian regiment, Deutschmeister (No. 4), positioned atop Krzeczor Hill. After repeated assaults, the unit gave way to the Prussian cuirassiers, including the Liebregiment zu Pferde (No. 3), which also charged but were defeated. In the ensuing rout, the two infantry battalions were overrun and slipped shattered, into the nearby village, Bristvi.
At Zorndorf, August 1758, the regiment was brigaded with Dohna (No. 16) under the command of Maj.-Gen. Diericke. The unit was located in the centre of the front line facing the Russians taking heavy casualties.
At Kay, July 1759, the unit was brigaded, under Manteuffel, with Anhalt-Bernburg (No. 3). The brigade joined the third assault on the Russian centre. In furious close combat, in heat, powder smoke and dust, they managed to break through the first Russian line. Manteuffel was seriously wounded and his adjutant was struck down. However, with ammunition low, the brigade had to retreat and the assault collapsed. The following month at Kunersdorf, they, along with Wied (No. 41), formed part of the initial attack along the Kleiner Spitzberg.
At Freiburg, October 1762, the unit, now considered a second line troop and brigaded under Stutterheim with various Freicorps, including Le Noble, was on the left wing. The brigade supported the Prussian attack on the weakest part of the allied position, namely the heights held by the Reichsarmee. As planned, the Reichsarmee position collapsed allowing the regiment to capture five cannon and a standard. The genial commander emphasized drill over leadership over his forty-year tenure that was one of the underlying reasons for the near collapse at Zorndorf. The unit was disbanded in 1806.
The flags for Regiment and Colonel’s colour
Comments
I really like the color scheme of the troops as the purple lapels stand out. The unit has been a solid but unspectacular performer on the gaming table.
Sources
Flag: Nec Pluribus Impar site at http://vial.jean.free.fr/new_npi/index.htm
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