View source for Banal-Grenzinfanterieregiment nr. 2

From Project Seven Years War

← Banal-Grenzinfanterieregiment nr. 2

You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

• The action you have requested is limited to users in the group: Users.
• You must confirm your email address before editing pages. Please set and validate your email address through your user preferences.

---

You can view and copy the source of this page.

<small>Hierarchical Path: [[Main Page|Seven Years War (Main Page)]] &gt;&gt; [[Armies]] &gt;&gt; [[Austrian Army]] &gt;&gt; {{PAGENAME}}</small> ==Origin and History== This ''Grenzinfanterieregiment'' (Frontier Infantry Regiment) was raised in 1746 by the ''Banus'' (honorary title of the governor of Croatia) Fieldmarshal Carl Joseph Fürst von Batthyányi in the Banat frontier region in present-day Romania. The regiment was then known as the “Grenzinfanterieregiment Carl Joseph Fürst von Batthyányi, 2. Banal-Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment” and consisted of two companies of grenadiers of 120 men each, and of four battalions, each counting four companies of fusiliers of 240 men each, for a total strength of 4080 men.₁ In 1751, the regiment was slightly reorganised and then consisted of two companies of grenadiers and four battalions, each counting five companies of fusiliers of 200 men.₂ As per the ''Etat nouveau des Troupes de sa Majesté Impériale Royale comme elles se trouvent effectivement l'an 1759'' and ''Etat général des Troupes qui servent sa Majesté Impériale et Royale Apostolique sur pié en 1760'', the regiment counted 4 battalions (2 grenadier coys and 20 fusilier coys) for a total of 3,000 men. This was the administrative organisation of the regiment. However, the tactical organisation differed: 2 field fusilier battalions, each of 6 companies; 2 grenadier companies (usually converged with grenadiers from other battalions into an ad hoc unit); and 1 depot battalion of 4 companies (''see [[Austrian Line Infantry Organisation]] for more details''). Accordingly, by 1756, the regiment really consisted of two companies of grenadiers, twelve companies of fusiliers and four ''Landesdefensions'' (depot) companies. In addition, there were two companies of sharpshooters and two artillery companies. A company counted about 100 men.₃ In wartime, the companies of grenadiers were detached from the regiment and converged into a Grenadier Corps (ad hoc battalions). However, these converged battalions seem to have been employed mostly as elite light troops. Only in some extreme cases would they fight among the elite line infantry battalions. At the outbreak of the Seven Years War, the regiment was organised as follows: *Regimental Staff *I. Battalion **Battalion Staff **1. Grenadier Company **1. Fusilier Company **2. Fusilier Company **3. Fusilier Company **4. Fusilier Company **5. Fusilier Company **6. Fusilier Company **1. Sharpshooter Company *II. Battalion **Battalion Staff **2. Grenadier Company **7. Fusilier Company **8. Fusilier Company **9. Fusilier Company **10. Fusilier Company **11. Fusilier Company **12. Fusilier Company **2. Sharpshooter Company *III. Battalion (Depot) **Battalion Staff **13. Fusilier Company **14. Fusilier Company **15. Fusilier Company **16. Fusilier Company Tactically a Grenz-Husar squadron was assigned to a foot battalion of the same ''Generalate''.₄ The regiment recruited in the northern and eastern region of Banat, in the ''Capitanat'' of Petrinja (in present-day Croatia).₅ Its regimental staff was located in Petrinja, its garrison place.₆ During the Seven Years' War, the ''Chefs'' of the regiment were: *since 1750: Carl Joseph Fürst von Batthyányi *from 1756: [[Nádasdy auf Fogaras, Franz Leopold von|Franz Leopold Count von Nádasdy auf Fogaras]] During the Seven Years' War, its commanders were: *since 1755: Johann Baron von Zedtwitz *from 1756: Christoph Baron Orsich *from 1761: Count Sermage *from 1762: Paul von Rauch Regimental numbers were introduced only in 1769 when this regiment was designated as "I.R. 70". ==Service during the War₇== In 1756, one battalion of the regiment joined the Austrian Reserve Corps led by Count Draskovic in Bohemia. By the end of September, this battalion had joined [[Browne, Baron Maximilian|Field-Marshal Browne]]'s Army at Budin (present-day Budyně nad Ohří). On October 1, during the [[1756 - Prussian invasion of Saxony|Prussian invasion of Saxony]], this battalion took part in the [[1756-10-01 - Battle of Lobositz|Battle of Lobositz]] where it was attached to Draskovic's Reserve. At the beginning of the campaign of 1757, part of the regiment was probably attached to Nádasdy's Corps stationed in Moravia. On May 19, two battalions (930 men) of the regiment joined Daun in Czaslau (present-day Čáslav). By mid June, these two battalions (totalling 930 men) were part of Beck's Brigade. On June 18, they took part in the [[1757-06-18 - Battle of Kolin|Battle of Kolin]]. On July 3, two battalions were present at the combat of Welmina where Lieutenant-Colonel Friedrich Görlichich and Major Peter Potitzky distinguished themselves. On July 28, a detachment under Major Peter Potitzky took part in an attack on the baggage of Keith's Corps which was on its way from Linai to Nollendorf. In this engagement, the Austrians captured 1 gun, 6 ammunition carts and 40 baggage wagons. At the beginning of August, part of the regiment was attached to Loudon's Corps operating in Southern Saxony. On August 8, it took part in the storming of a redoubt near Gottleuba. In October and November, detachments were at the [[1757 - Siege of Schweidnitz|siege and capture of Schweidnitz]] where the commander of the regiment, Colonel Christoph Count von Orsich distinguished himself. On November 22, part of the regiment fought in the [[1757-11-22 - Battle of Breslau|Battle of Breslau]] where it was attached to Nádasdy's Corps. In April 1758, during the [[1758 - Prussian invasion of Moravia|Prussian invasion of Moravia]], part of the regiment, led by Major Petkovich, distinguished itself in the attack of the Prussian entrenchments at Dittersbach. On July 4, a detachment of 300 men under Major Petkovich distinguished itself in the defence of a defile near Schönhengst (present-day Hrebecov), during the retreat of the Prussian Army through Bohemia. On May 27 1759, part of the regiment fought in the engagement of Buchau in Saxony. On September 21, one field battalion of the regiment took part in the [[1759-09-21 - Combat of Korbitz|Combat of Korbitz]]. By October 1, it was at encamped at Tannenberg as part of Hadik's Corps. On December 3 and 4, a detachment of the regiment formed part of Beck's Corps who attacked an isolated Prussian force and captured part of it in the [[1759-12-03 – Combat of Meissen|Combat of Meissen]]. In 1760, part of the regiment took part in the [[1760 - Austrian campaign in Saxony|Austrian campaign in Saxony]]. On August 20, it fought in the [[1760-08-20 - Combat of Strehla|Combat of Strehla]]. On September 26, it was present at the capture of Torgau. On October 2, it also fought in an engagement near Jessen. In 1761, part of the regiment served in Saxony and Colonel Christoph Count von Orssich distinguished himself once more during the retreat from Plauen. In 1762, part of the regiment served in Saxony and part in Silesia, none of them taking part in any major combat. ===Notable names=== Batthyányi, Carl Joseph Fürst von₈ Fieldmarshal₉ Görlichich, Friedrich₁₀ Lieutenant-colonel₁₁ [[Nádasdy auf Fogaras, Franz Leopold von|Nádasdy auf Fogaras, Franz Leopold Count von]]₁₂ ''Generalfeldwachtmeister'' and General of Cavalry₁₃ Orsich, Christoph Baron₁₄ Colonel₁₅ Petkovich,₁₆ Major₁₇ Potitzky, Peter,₁₈ Major₁₉ Rauch, Paul von₂₀ Colonel₂₁ Sermage, Count₂₂ Colonel₂₃ Zedtwitz, Johann Baron von₂₄ Colonel₂₅ ==Uniform== Until recently we had no information on the uniform worn at the outbreak of the Seven Years' War. Thanks to the kind authorisation of the [https://www.hgm.at/en.html Heeresgeschichtliches Museum] in Vienna, Vladimir Brnardić, a member of our group, has had access to the Delacre Bilderhandschrift, a rare contemporaneous manuscript depicting the uniforms of the entire K. K. Army around 1756-57. For this reason, we present the uniforms of troopers circa 1752 and in 1762. ===Privates in 1752=== [[File:Banal-Grenzinfanterieregiment nr. 2 Uniform Plate 1752.jpg|left|frame|Uniform in 1752 - Source: Dal Gavan from a template by David at [http://nba-sywtemplates.blogspot.com/ Not By Appointment] ]] {| class="tblunout" |+<big>'''Uniform Details in 1752<br/>as per the Delacre Bilderhandschrift''' |- |'''Headgear'''|| {| class="tblunin" |- |'''Fusilier'''||black colpack with red bag |- |'''Grenadier'''||black colpack with red bag and brass three-flamed grenade |} |- |'''Neck&nbsp;stock'''||black |- |'''Coat'''||Hungarian short dark blue coat lined dark blue with no visible buttons or frogging at the buttonholes {| class="tblunin" |- |'''Collar'''||''none'' |- |'''Shoulder&nbsp;Straps'''||''none'' |- |'''Lapels'''||''none'' |- |'''Pockets'''||''none visible'' |- |'''Cuffs'''||yellow pointed cuffs edged yellow without button |} |- |'''Dolman'''||dark blue edged yellow with 3 rows of small pewter buttons and yellow braids; Polish cuffs |- |'''Cape'''||red |- |'''Trousers'''||dark blue Hungarian trousers with traditional decoration (''Schoitasch'') in yellow thread |- |'''Gaiters'''||''none'' |- |'''Leather&nbsp;Equipment'''|| {| class="tblunin" |- |'''Crossbelt'''||white |- |'''Waistbelt'''||white, no barrel sash, and small waist box, black with brass badge, to the front |- |'''Cartridge Box'''||black |- |'''Bayonet Scabbard'''||black with brass fittings |- |'''Scabbard'''||black with brass fittings |- |'''Footgear'''||short black boots |} |} <br clear="all"> N.B.: the uniforms may have had frogging and barrel sashes, but they are not shown in the Delacre Bilderhandschrift. Privates often wore a moustache. Privates were armed with a slightly curved sabre, a musket and a bayonet. ===Privates in 1762=== [[File:Banal-Grenzinfanterieregiment nr. 2 Uniform Plate.jpg|left|frame|Uniform during the Seven Years War - Source: [[User:RCouture|Richard Couture]] from a template by David at [http://nba-sywtemplates.blogspot.com/ Not By Appointment] ]] {| class="tblunout" |+<big>'''Uniform Details in 1762</big>''' |- |'''Headgear'''|| {| class="tblunin" |- |'''Fusilier'''||black felt shako without cockade |- |'''Grenadier'''||bearskin |} |- |'''Neckstock'''||black |- |'''Coat'''||dark blue edged yellow with 6 red and white ''brandebourgs'' with red and white tassels on each side {| class="tblunin" |- |'''Collar'''||''none'' |- |'''Shoulder&nbsp;Straps'''||''none'' |- |'''Lapels'''||''none'' |- |'''Pockets'''||''none'' |- |'''Cuffs'''||red pointed cuffs edged yellow without button |} |- |'''Dolman'''||red edged yellow with 3 rows of small yellow buttons and yellow braids |- |'''Cape'''||red |- |'''Trousers'''||red Hungarian trousers decorated with an intricate yellow lace |- |'''Gaiters'''||''none'' |- |'''Leather&nbsp;Equipment'''|| {| class="tblunin" |- |'''Crossbelt'''||white |- |'''Waistbelt'''||blue and red barrel sash |- |'''Cartridge Box'''||black with a large overhanging cover |- |'''Bayonet Scabbard'''||black with brass fittings ??? |- |'''Scabbard'''||black with iron fittings |- |'''Footgear'''||short black boots |} |} <br clear="all"> Privates often wore a mustache. Privates were armed with a slightly curved 58 cm long brass hilted sabre₂₆ with a white knot and a cord of a different colour for each company; a Model 1754 musket (151 cm long, 112 cm long barrel, 18,3 mm calibre, 4,9 kg); and a bayonet ???. Each soldier carried 36 musket balls and 6 shrapnel bullets.₂₇ Privates also carried a haversack and a canteen. Additional ammunition and kettles were transported in the wagons of each company. '''Other interpretations''' Raspe illustrates a rather different uniform: *yellow pointed cuffs *dark blue dolman *dark blue trousers Finally, the ''Bautzener Bilderhandschrift'' of 1762 illustrates a totally different uniform: *red coat and trousers decorated with white edging and braids *black dolamn with white edging and braids *black pointed cuffs *red and white barrel-sash *sandals ===NCOs=== ''no information available'' ===Officers=== Officers wore uniforms of the same colour as those of the privates but were distinguished by a black tricorne laced gold; a Western style coat with vertical pockets square cuffs; and yellow Hungarian boots. Officers wore a black and gold sash or a gold sash with tassels at the waist, over the dolman and under the coat. The black and gold sash could be made of strictly separated layers and then intertwined in knots or in a kind of knitwear; while the entirely gold sash was made of heavy knit of fine shiny silk.₂₈ ===Musicians=== ''no information available'' ==Colours== When the Grenzer Regiments where formed they adopted the yellow 1745 pattern flag, with the black Doppeladler carrying the Imperial shield and edged in black/red/yellow/white flames, which measured 1.8m x 1.4m. The senior company carried a white Leibfahne displaying the Madonna and Christ on the obverse. From 1756 each battalion carried two yellow Ordinarfahnen, except the first battalion which carried a white Leibfahne and one Ordinarfahne. However, it seems unlikely that any were carried in the field ==Footnotes== 1. Ref. Tessin, Georg: Die Regimenter der europäischen Staaten im Ancién Regime des XVI. bis XVIII. Jahrhunderts. Part 1. Die Stammlisten, Osnabrück 1986, p. 54, Tessin, Georg: Die Regimenter der europäischen Staaten im Ancién Regime des XVI. bis XVIII. Jahrhunderts. Part 2. Namen und Inhaber der Regimenter aller europäischen Staaten im Ancién Regime. Eine Materialsammlung zu den einzelnen Regimentern in alphabetischer Folge, untergliedert nach Territorien, Osnabrück 1993, Kaiser und Reich Nr.2, Tessin, Georg: Die Regimenter der europäischen Staaten im Ancién Regime des XVI. bis XVIII. Jahrhunderts. Part 3. Namensregister der deutschen Regimentsinhaber und Namensregister der Regimenter mit Orts- und Ländernamen aus ganz Europa, Osnabrück 1995, p. 18, Wrede, Alphons Freiherr von: Geschichte der k.u.k. Wehrmacht, Wien 1898-1905, Vol. V, pp. 219, 296 and Kornauth, Friedrich: Das Heer Maria Theresias. Faksimile-Ausgabe der Albertina-Handschrift „Dessins des Uniformes des Troupes I. I. et R. R. de l´année 1762“, Wien 1973, p. 102. 2. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 214 3. Ref. Kornauth, p. 92 4. Ref. Kornauth, p. 92 5. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, pp. 219, 296 and Kornauth, p. 102 6. Ref. Kornauth, p. 102 7. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 297 and Kornauth, p. 102 8. Ref. Tessin, Part 2, Kaiser und Reich No. 2, Tessin, Part 3, p. 18 and Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 9. Ref. Tessin, Part 3, p. 18 and Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 10. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 297 11. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 297 12. Ref. Tessin, Part 2, Kaiser und Reich Nr.17, Tessin, Part 3, p. 225 and Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 13. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 14. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 and Kornauth, p. 102 15. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 and Kornauth, p. 102 16. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 297 17. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 297 18. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 297 19. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 297 20. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 and Kornauth, p. 102 21. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 and Kornauth, p. 102 22. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 and Kornauth, p. 102 23. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 and Kornauth, p. 102 24. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 25. Ref. Wrede, Vol. V, p. 296 26. Ref. Kornauth, p. 26 27. Ref. Kornauth, p. 25f 28. Ref. Koch, Arwed Ulrich: Der modische Wandel der Uniform im 18. Jahrhundert. Reich und Württemberg. (Offiziersportraits 1730 bis 1790) (Part II.), in: Zeitschrift für Heereskunde, LI. Jahrgang 1987, pp. 66-72, 69 ==References== ''Etat nouveau des Troupes de sa Majesté Impériale Royale comme elles se trouvent effectivement l'an 1759'' ''Etat général des Troupes qui servent sa Majesté Impériale et Royale Apostolique sur pié en 1760'' Koch, Arwed Ulrich: ''Der modische Wandel der Uniform im 18. Jahrhundert. Reich und Württemberg. (Offiziersportraits 1730 bis 1790)'' (Part II), in: Zeitschrift für Heereskunde, LI. 1987, pp. 66-72. Kornauth, Friedrich: ''Das Heer Maria Theresias. Faksimile-Ausgabe der Albertina-Handschrift „Dessins des Uniformes des Troupes I. I. et R. R. de l´année 1762“'', Wien 1973. Seyfart: ''Kurzgefaßte Geschichte aller kaiserlich-königlichen Regimenter zu Pferde und zu Fuß'', Frankfurth and Leipzig, 1762, p. 73 Tessin, Georg: ''Die Regimenter der europäischen Staaten im Ancién Regime des XVI. bis XVIII. Jahrhunderts.'' Part 1 Die Stammlisten, Osnabrück 1986. Tessin, Georg: ''Die Regimenter der europäischen Staaten im Ancién Regime des XVI. bis XVIII. Jahrhunderts.'' Part 2 Namen und Inhaber der Regimenter aller europäischen Staaten im Ancién Regime. Eine Materialsammlung zu den einzelnen Regimentern in alphabetischer Folge, untergliedert nach Territorien, Osnabrück 1993. Tessin, Georg: ''Die Regimenter der europäischen Staaten im Ancién Regime des XVI. bis XVIII. Jahrhunderts.'' Part 3 Namensregister der deutschen Regimentsinhaber und Namensregister der Regimenter mit Orts- und Ländernamen aus ganz Europa, Osnabrück 1995. Thümmler, Lars-Holger: ''Die Österreichische Armee im Siebenjährigen Krieg. Die Bautzener Bilderhandschrift aus dem Jahre 1762'', Berlin 1993. Vanicek, Fr.: ''Specialgeschichte der Militärgrenze aus Originalquellen und Quellenwerken geschöpft'', Vol. II, Vienna: Kaiserlich-Königlichen Hof- und Staatsdruckerei, 1875, pp. 402-488 Wrede, Alphons Freiherr von: ''Geschichte der k.u.k. Wehrmacht'', Wien 1898-1905. N.B.: the section ''Service during the War'' is partly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges. '''Acknowledgments''' Mathias Kussmann for the initial version of this article [[Category:Austrian Land Unit]]

Return to Banal-Grenzinfanterieregiment nr. 2.