IR No. 13 - Itzenplitz

Inhaber
1750 Itzenplitz, 1760 Syburg, 1762 Kaiser Peter III of Russia, 1763 Wylich-Lottum, 1774 Braun


Unit History
The regiment was formed in 1685 after the edict of Nantes from French refugees. Distinguished at Leuthen and at Hochkirch where it suffered 820 casualties. Usually considered an elite unit, it was a tightly run regiment, known as the "Donner und Blitzen" under the regime of Major-General August Friedrich v. Itzenplitz. He was mortally wounded at Kunersdorf. The unit saw heavy usage being present at: Lobositz, Prague, Rossbach, Leuthen, Hochkirch, Liegnitz, Torgau and Burkersdorf.
At Lobositz, October 1756, the unit advanced on the left flank, along with the regiments Alt-Kleist (No. 27) 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.
At Prague, May 1757, the unit was on the far right. Lead by Prinz Heinrich of Prussia, the unit, along with Manteuffel (No. 17), waded across the Rocketnitzer Bach and attacked the flank causing the Austrians to give ground and ultimately retreat. This action combined with the similar assaults on the left resulted in the defeat of the Austrians. The regiment was not present at Kolin but participated in the victory at Rossbach.
At Leuthen, the regiment lead the advance guard that crashed into the Austrian left flank. The regiment brushed aside the Croat Grenzers and smashed the Württemberg Regiment Gohlau.
At Hochkirch, October 1758, the regiment along with Prinz von Preussen (No. 18) attacked an Austrian battery southwest of Hochkirch. The regiment managed, after taking heavy canister casualties, to retake the village edge. In the advance, the regiment lost roughly three quarters of their strength. At Liegnitz the regiment was present but not engaged while at Torgau it was part of the advance guard.
Later at Burkersdorf, the regiment along with Finck (No. 12) and Braun (No. 37) advanced up a slope enfiladed by Croatian Grenzers. The Grenzers were driven off.
In 1762, the regiment's inhaber became Peter III of Russia in a political gesture by Frederick in recognition of the miracle of the House of Brandenburg - effectively the death of Catherine the Great and the Russian switch, under Peter III, to the Prussians. In 1768, the regiment was ranked as the third best unit after the Garde (No. 6 and 15) and Zeuner (No. 1). It was destroyed in 1806.

Both the Regimental and Colonel’s colour

Comments
The regiment has yet to live up to the elite ranking – on my gaming table that Frederick gave it.

Sources
Flag: Nec Pluribus Impar site at http://vial.jean.free.fr/new_npi/index.htm
Regimental colour Colonel’s colour Text: Prussian troop website at
http://www.preussenweb.de/preussstart.htm