Gensdarmes

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Body satellite> Gens d'armes

Katte.jpg

Hans Hermann von Katte as an officer in the cuirassier regiment Gens d'armes, oil painting by Georg Lisiewski , around 1729. Katte was a close confidante of Crown Prince Friedrich
active 1688 to 1806 split up at Wichmannsdorf, surrender at Anklam in 1806, transition to the Brandenburg Cuirassier Regiment No. 6.
Country Prussia
Armed forces Cuirassiers
Former locations Berlin
Origin of the soldiers Altmark / Halberstadt; Districts: Prignitz, Osterwick, z. T. Hornburg; Cities: Havelberg, Sandau, Homburg, Stapelburg
owner 1691 Dubislav Gneomar von Natzmer ,

1739 Wolf Adolf von Pannwitz , 1743 Georg Konrad von der Goltz , 1747 Nikolaus Andreas von Katzler , 1761 Friedrich Albert von Schwerin , 1768 Hans Friedrich von Krusemarck , 1775 Joachim Bernhard von Prittwitz , 1777 Emanuel Friedrich von Bredow , 1793 Carl Friedrich von Elsner

Tribe list Old Prussian cavalry regiments
Trunk number K 10 ( Bleckwenn )
Wars and battles Nordic Wars , >> War of the Austrian Succession , Seven Years War , >> Coalition Wars - Warsaw (1656), Malplaquet (1701)>, Mollwitz (1741), Hohenfriedberg (1745), Lobositz (1757), Roßbach (1757), Leuthen (1757) , Zorndorf (1759), Hochkirch (1760), Torgau (1760)>

The regiment Gensdarmes (also Gendarmen-, Gens d'armes) was a famous and exclusive Prussian equestrian regiment. The cuirassier regiment (K10) had its garrison in Berlin on Gendarmenmarkt .

The canton and thus the recruiting area for the regiment were the cities of Havelberg , Sandau and Hornburg , as well as the Prignitzer district, part of the Jerichow district and also the Halberstädt area.

Origins, history

The name "Gendarmen" (fr. Gens d'armes ) was originally the name for heavily armored and armed knights who were created as a troop by King Charles VII of France in 1442.

In 1691 , Colonel (later General Field Marshal ) Dubislav Gneomar von Natzmer formed the Corps gens d'armes , a heavy cavalry regiment that fought in the battle of Malplaquet, in the Kurbrandenburg principality of Halberstadt . In 1713 the number of squadrons was increased to three. With the increase, the Prussian Garde du Corps ( Life Guard ) were merged with the Gens d'Armes Regiment as the fourth squadron . In 1718 the regiment was increased again by one, to five squadrons.

The Gens d'armes regiment had its greatest successes during the wars of Frederick II , including the battles near Mollwitz on April 10, 1741, Hohenfriedberg on June 4, 1745, Lobositz on October 1, 1756, and Leuthen on December 5, 1757 Zorndorf on August 25, 1758.

As an elite regiment, the cuirassiers had their own hospital from 1777.

The sergeants received the rank and patent of a cornet of the army since 1802 .

The Gens d'armes regiment was disbanded after the capitulations of Wichmannsdorf on October 27, 1806 and Anklam on November 1. Remnants of the Gens d'armes regiment were used in 1807 to form the equally famous Brandenburg Cuirassier Regiment No. 6 , which existed until 1918.

The conditions in the gendarme regiment before the battle of Jena are described critically by Theodor Fontane in his novel " Schach von Wuthenow ".

The name of the gendarmerie was taken over from the French national gendarmerie . In the course of the 19th century the name was transferred to civilian and military police forces.

commander

Officer of the Gensdarmes Regiment ( Adolph von Menzel : The army of Frederick the Great in their uniforms )

Campaigns, battles and operations of the Gens d'armes

  • In the Polish War, a company "body satellite" was on 28./30. Assigned to Warsaw in July 1656. The loss figures are unknown.
  • In the Northern War , a company "body satanites" was used. They fought in 1658/60 near Alsen and before Frederioia in Western Pomerania . Nothing is known about losses.
  • In the French War of 1672/74, a company “body traversers” was deployed in front of Pfalzburg and Breisach. Losses are not known.
  • In the Swedish War of 1675/79, the "body satanites" rode two attacks at Fehrbellin . Two officers were wounded. Nothing is known of losses among the commoners. It is not known whether there were casualties in the Tribsees attack on June 27, 1676. In addition, the "body satellite" fought in front of Stettin , in front of Anklam , on Rügen , in front of Stralsund , Greifswald and in East Prussia .
  • The 3rd company "Grand Mousquetiers", 65 men from the nobility, was deployed in front of Bonn in 1689/90. Major von Tettau, Captain von Dewitz, Wachtmeister von Berg and the Grand Mousquetiers from Schulenburg, von Puttkamer, von Stuppenradt and von Arnstedt died. The wounded included the company commander, two officers, two non-commissioned officers and 14 soldiers.
  • The Corps Gens d'armes with the strength of one squadron (six officers, two cornets and 118 non-commissioned officers and one man) was used between 1691 and 1697 as follows:

1691/92 in France, 1693 in the battle of Neer winds , 1694 before Huy , 1695 before Namur , 1696/7 in the Netherlands. There is no information about losses.

  • 1699 March on the Vistula to occupy the Polish border.
  • in the War of the Spanish Succession 1701–1714, the strength of the Corps Gens d'armes was two companies.

On July 11, 1708, they lost their commander Colonel Philipp Ludwig Freiherr von Canstein , around forty NCOs and men in an attack against the French infantry in front of Oudenaarde . They were supported by the Lüneburg cavalry under General von Natzmer. The enemy infantry was thrown back but picked up from their second encounter. While withdrawing, the squadron Gens d'armes attacked two opposing infantry battalions alone and captured all the flags. It was only when three French guards squadrons were overwhelming that the gens d'armes were forced to retreat behind the Prussian infantry. A standard of the regiment, which was carried by Cornett von Zieten, who was wounded eight times in this battle, was lost. The companies also took part in the bombardment of Rheinberg in 1702 . Furthermore in 1703 during the siege of Geldern and Bonn and during a battle in front of Lauingen . In 1704 there was the battle of Hochstädt, in 1706 the siege of Menin. In 1709 the regiment took part in the battle of Malplaquet and in 1710 in the siege of Douay, Bethune and Aire. In 1711 Bouchain was besieged.

  • In 1714 the Gens d'armes regiment rode four escadrons against Sweden . Among other things, the Rittmeister von Steinwehr fell on Rügen . The total losses amounted to around thirty officers and men. The regiment also besieged Stralsund in 1715.
  • In the First Silesian War 1740–1742 the regiment had a strength of five squadrons. The squadron of the Major von der Asseburg accompanied King Friedrich II . until the "Garde du Corps" moved into the field in Mollwitz . On February 27, 1741 there was an attack on Friedrich II near Baumgarten . The King's escadron rode a counter-attack. There were no losses.
  • At the Battle of Mollwitz on April 10, 1741, only one squadron attacked the enemy, as the remaining four were still at Ohlau . One non-commissioned officer, seven cuirassiers and 26 horses were killed. 17 cuirassiers were missing. The regiment also fought at Glogau , Ohlau and Neisse in 1741 . In the following year at Göding and Brno . In 1742 the Rittmeister von Zastrow also died.

On April 12th / 13th, 1742 there was fighting at Zeltsch . Three cuirassiers and six horses died. During the night raid on the village of Senitz near Ollmütz, the village went up in flames. Half of the regiment fought on foot, while the rest attacked the enemy on horseback.

  • In the Second Silesian War 1744-1745, the regiment again consisted of five squadrons.
  • In 1745 there was the battle of Hohenfriedberg . Here the regiment, together with the Garde du Corps and the Cuirassier Regiment No. 2, rode the attack on Striegau and cut down two battalions of the Saxon army. Four men were killed and 37 men wounded. Including Lieutenant von Oppen.
  • In the Battle of Soor on September 30, 1745, the Gens d'armes rode the attack on the Graner Kuppe together with the Regiment von Beeren (No. 2) . Lieutenant Colonel von Bredow, Rittmeister von Maltitz, 14 riders and 114 horses were killed. Almost fifty people were injured.

The regiment also fought in 1744 in the Battle of Prague , 1745 in Pilgramshain, Wildschütz and Catholic Hennersdorf . Nothing is known about losses here.

  • In the Third Silesian War (Seven Years War) 1756–1763 the strength of the Gens d'armes was five squadrons.
  • In the battle of Lobositz on October 1, 1756, the regiment rode two attacks and captured two enemy standards. This success was paid for with the lives of the commander, Colonel Georg Heinrich von Holtzendorff, and around fifty other cuirassiers. Nine men, including Lieutenant von Münchow, were taken prisoner.

The regiment was then completed with captured Saxon Garde du Corps.

  • At the beginning of November 1757 the battle of Rossbach broke out . The regiment did not ride with the attack on the enemy cavalry, but together with the Garde du Corps attacked the French infantry afterwards and thereby overturned the right wing of the enemy army. For this mission the ten company commanders, the adjutant von Dolff and lieutenant von Kleist received the medal " Pour le Mérite ".
  • A month later the battle of Leuthen broke out . The regiment, together with the Garde du Corps, attacked the Austrian Modena regiment and took 2000 prisoners. In a subsequent pursuit, they captured a cannon, numerous flags and standards, and 15 guns. 28 men died in this battle, including the Cornett von Schmalenberg.
  • Siege of Olomouc in 1758
  • The regiment suffered heavy losses in the battle of Zorndorf . Almost 70 men and 132 horses died in the two ridden attacks. Around 35 men were wounded. However, the successes in this battle were not entirely insignificant. The regiment captured seven flags and 14 cannons, six of which were attributable to the 5th squadron under Lieutenant von Dolff. Three officers received the order “pour le merite”.
  • In the battle of Hochkirch on October 14, 1758, which was so fatal for the Prussian army , the regiment rode several attacks against enemy grenadiers, but could not prevent the defeat. Major von Sydow, Rittmeister von Engelhardt and another 58 men died in this battle.
  • 1759 Battle of Hoyerswerda
  • 1760 Battle near Kunzendorf
  • In August 1760 there was the battle of Liegnitz . Eight riders died.
  • In the battle of Torgau on November 3, 1760, the Cornett von Tschischwitz, three NCOs, 14 cuirassiers and 46 horses died.
  • In 1762 there was a meeting near Reichenbach . However, only 200 men of the regiment fought here. The losses were small, but three standards were captured.
  • Other smaller skirmishes in the Seven Years' War took place in Pirna in 1756. 1757 near Prague, near Kulm, Tyrow, Weißenfels, Gröster Hügel, Bedra, Groß Ohlau and near Breslau.

1758 near Schweidnitz, Proßnitz, Wichau, Olmütz , Gundersdorf , Domstadtl , Königgrätz and Neisse. 1759 Pretzsch and Freiberg. 1760 near Dresden, Großenhain, Hochgiersdorf and Radis. 1761 near Wahlstatt and Bunzelwitz . 1762 near Adelsbach , Kunzendorf and Bunkersdorf.

  • 1763 march back to Berlin
Officer of the Gensdarmes Regiment in 1806
  • In the War of the Bavarian Succession 1778–1779, there was a battle near Weisskirch in 1778 , and in 1779 the regiment returned to Berlin.
  • Between 1793 and 1795 there was a campaign against Poland. There the regiment fought at Rawka , Miedrzomie and Kolo. Nothing is known about losses.
  • 1805 mobilization against France and march to Saxony, Delitzsch and Halle.
  • March 1, 1806 return to Berlin. In August 1806 it made its way back to Auerstedt . However, the Gens d'armes were not used in the famous double battle of Jena and Auerstedt .

On the retreat in the direction of the Oder, the regiment was surrounded by the French Beaumont division on October 27 near Wichmannsdorf near Boitzenburg. The regiment, decimated by the march back to 350 horses, attacked the overpowering enemy in narrow terrain at around 9 p.m. Only a small number of cuirassiers, including Major von Wahlen-Jurgass , a few officers, and forty horsemen, achieved the breakthrough with the standard. The rest of the regiment was captured. The small group who had made the breakthrough made their way to Corps Hohenlohe near Prenzlau . There they capitulated on October 27, 1806 and were also taken prisoner. Three squadrons capitulated at Anklam. The depot squadron, which had remained in Berlin, marched with the called up reserves to East Prussia and was integrated there as an squadron in the Märkische Kürassier-Brigade.

Uniform and standard at the time of Friedrich II.

Cuirassier from the Gensdarmes regiment from behind, from: Adolph von Menzel "The army of Frederick the Great in their uniforms"

The trimmings of the NCOs and commoners at the time of Frederick II were made of red velvet with a gold central stripe. The former had a double golden braid around the serve. Golden trumpet braids with red velvet stripes. In addition to the collet, instead of the white coat of the other cuirassier officers, the officers wore a red gala skirt with a dark blue collar and lapels, a gold armpit band and gold embroidery (twelve bows on the chest, four on the lapels, four on the pockets, four on the waist, two back) as well as a red interim skirt without embroidery.

The standard was made of gold fabric, the central shield in silver with the eagle flying against the sun and the slogan “Pro Gloria at Patria”. Frangels and embroidery were made of gold.

Equipment of the cuirassier regiments at the time of Friedrich II.

largely quoted verbatim from:

Adolph Menzel “The army of Frederick the Great in their uniforms” facsimile reproduction, Battenberg Verlag 1998

To fully assemble and equip the cuirassier, at that time preferably "rider", in older language also called "Reuter", included:

  • Leather breeches. On the outside of the knee was a strip of white linen, the so-called boot cuff. In the stables and for ordinary riding, linen trousers were worn, and in winter they were probably pulled over the leather ones. Linen trousers were worn in summer for foot duty and off duty. In addition, there are short overbutton trousers that are worn over the lederhosen in the cold season.
  • Two cuff boots. Only the cuff made of stiff leather, the actual leg piece made of "lube leather".
  • The neck band, narrow and stiff, to tie at the back.
  • The vest (so-called chemiset) made of strong cloth, with linen lining, to be closed at the front with hooks and eyes, and trimmed with linen ribbon on the outside.
  • The collet, made of strong, frieze-like cloth ( kirsey ) with open folds. The collar consists only of a strip of cloth sewn on smoothly. Both the wings of the skirt, like the waistcoat, are hooked together at the front, there and at the same time along the lap, which the latter are hooked, on the hems with a strong knitted border. The collet was light yellow ("paille") and was painted in this color; after the Seven Years' War , white paint came up - also for the leather trousers and all leather items that had previously been kept yellow. Only regiment No. 2 kept the yellow collets. The regimental badges (collar, lapels and trimmings) were fixed around 1742 in the manner shown. Before that, regiments 1, 2, 6, 7, 10 had red 3, 4, 8, 9, dark blue, 5, 11, and 12 light blue lapels and collars, and some of the borders were different.
  • The Pallasch , whose blade is smooth and double-edged, was carried over the collar . The wooden scabbard has a leather cover with iron fittings. The saber pocket is fastened to the waist belt of the Pallasch belt on the left behind the Pallasch with three straps (for small needs). It is similar in shape, size, and other equipment to the hussars .
  • Gauntlets.
  • The sash, it came to sit on the Pallasch belt. It is made of "Etamin" fabric and so long that it could be wrapped around the body several times and pinned in front.
  • The cuirass, only for the chest (plastron), to be fastened at the front with straps that cross over the back. It is made of iron, blackened; its edge bordered with waxed stuff, the lining of raw linen. Until April 1732 the cuirasses also had back pieces. After the cuirass was out of use at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, the riders received chest pieces again in 1715. Only the officers wore back pieces until 1731. In the Garde du Corps, the cuirass was not black, but shiny.
  • The cartridge pouch made of black waxed leather. For the "Garde du Corps" and the "Gens d'Armes" it was made of white leather and trimmed with braid.
  • The carbine strap with the attached hook, in which the carbine was hung after firing on horseback with a ring running on its side for this purpose.
  • The hairstyle, the same consisted of a teased curl above the ear (so-called “mutton paw”), all other hair combed strictly from the face. The back hair was wrapped in a stiff braid that had to reach the cross; In the absence of such long hair of his own, a rope rope is said to have taken the place. The end of the tape wrap was pinned to the top of the neck. The mustache was waxed and carried trimmed up. Any other beard was frowned upon.
  • The hat, made of felt. The pompoms running around between his brims are of different colors depending on the squadron. The hat strings with the side tassels on them were of the same color in the regiments; In ancient times, they were an essential distinguishing feature and usually showed the colors of the boss's coat of arms. the ten companies of each regiment differed in their sword tassels. The cockade was already a strong ribbon of wool. The plumes were introduced to the whole cavalry at the same time in 1762. An iron head cross was carried in the field to protect against the blow. In addition to the figure from the back, a hat provided with the same is shown. (Although not based on reality.)
  • The coat. With twelve regiments (incl. "Garde du Corps") of blue cloth, with one (Reg. No. 5) of white. It is kept behind the saddle on the coat bag. The latter is the same as the coat in terms of fabric and color.
  • A linen smock and a cloth cap, both for stable duty.
  • The carabiner . The cuirassier went to the guard with him. There are still two leather loops on the carabiner on the saddle. One held the spigot of the piquet pole to which the horse was tied in the camp. The other was intended for the handle of a scythe (for mowing fodder), the blade of which was then attached to the luggage, where some of the kettles for the cook companions had to find space. It is believed that only a certain number of people introduced scythes to each squadron. For each tent d. H. for six to eight men a field kettle, a large canteen for fetching water, a field ax and a scythe.
  • Two long pistols in holsters on the saddle.
  • A German saddle under him only a half saddle pad . The same with ribbon trimmings and otherwise more or less decorated, and lined with black wax linen.
  • The luggage. Below is the feed sack, on top of it the coat sack, and above the rolled coat. Spun hay was carried along on the march. According to a veteran from that time, behind the luggage on the horse.
  • With regard to the horses, it should be noted that only black and brown horses were ridden in the cuirassier regiments . Individual regiments are said to have only kept horses of the same color. The horses of the trumpeters and timpanists were an exception . The Gens d'Armes obtained their horses from East Prussia . A capital "A" was branded on them as a distinguishing mark. The service horses were on average nine years old.

After the death of Friedrich II in 1786, his successor Friedrich Wilhelm II began redesigning the uniforms, which had remained almost unchanged since Friedrich Wilhelm I. Schwerin remarks: “In the years 1787–1806, the clothing of the cuirassiers is more like undressing, at least for the upper body. Des Koller's laps got shorter from year to year, finally only a corner remained on the elongated back. It should be saved. On the other hand, the rider's well-being suffered, because the collar did not provide protection against cold, wind and precipitation, the heavy coat often had to help out ... "

literature

  • Georg von Alten: manual for army and fleet. Volume IV, Berlin 1912.
  • Hans Bleckwenn : The Frederician uniforms 1753–1786 . Volume III: Mounted Troops. Dortmund 1984, ISBN 3-88379-444-9 .
  • René Du Bois: The Gens d'armes Regiment: nursery school for young officers. Norderstedt 2011.
  • Adolph von Menzel: The army of Frederick the Great in their uniform. Oldenbourg publishing house, 1908–1912. (Facsimile reproduction: Battenberg Verlag, 1998).
  • L. Schneider: The sixth Cürassieregiment (Emperor of Russia). Berlin 1854.
  • Otto von Schwerin: The regiment Gens d'armes. Three volumes, Berlin 1912–1917.
  • Günther Voigt: Germany's armies until 1918. Volume 6, Biblio Verlag, 1986.

See also

Cavalry regiments of the Old Prussian Army 1644–1806

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Only later was a regiment called Gardes du Corps (K 13) established.
  2. ^ Otto von Schwerin: The regiment gens d'armes , III. Part 1786–1806, Berlin 1917, page 12