Jung-Modena Dragoons
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Origin and History
This regiment of dragoons was initially raised in 1706 in the Electorate of Mainz by Franz Lothar count von Schönborn. On April 16 1710, the regiment was incorporated into the Austrian army.
From 1756, when the hereditary prince of Modena became owner of the regiment, it was desiganted as “Jung-Modena” to distinguish it from the Modena Cuirassiers.
In 1760, the regiment was transformed into Chevauxleger regiment. However, it was soon reverted to a dragoon regiment in 1763.
The regiment counted 6 squadrons and a company of horse grenadiers. For battles, the latter was usually converged with other similar companies to form an elite unit.
During the Seven Years' War, the regiment inhaber was:
- since 1756: Ercole d'Este, hereditary prince of Modena
During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:
- since 1750: Heinrich La Reintrie Baron du Pin
- from 1757 to 1767: Johann Friedrich Brinckmann
The regiment was disbanded in 1801.
Service during the War
In June 1756, at the beginning of the Seven Years' War, the regiment was stationed in Lombardy and counted about 600 men and 600 horses.
On May 6 1757, the regiment took part to the battle of Prague where it was deployed in the Reserve in Argenteau's Brigade. After the battle, part of the regiment took refuge in Prague while another escaped and joined Daun. On June 18, part of the regiment was at the battle of Kolin where it was assigned to Köbels’ brigade in the corps of count Colloredo held in reserve behind the centre. On September 7, when general Nádasdy attacked Winterfeldt's corps isolated at Moys, the regiment was deployed in the second line of the right wing under major-general Munro. From October 26 to November 14, the regiment took part to the siege of Schweidnitz. On November 22, the regiment took part to the battle of Breslau where it was deployed in the second line of the cavalry right wing of Nádasdy's Corps. On December 5 at the battle of Leuthen, the regiment was deployed in the first line of the cavalry Reserve under marshal O'Donell on the far left of the Austrian positions as part of Nádasdy's Corps.
In April 1758, a detachment of the regiment was captured at the siegre of Schweidnitz while defending the fortress against a Prussian army. The rest of the regiment took part to the siege of Neisse.
In 1759, the regiment reinforced the Reichsarmee. By mid-August, during the Austro-Imperial campaign in Saxony, the regiment was attached to Hadik's corps and took part in the combat of Eulenburg. On November 20, the regiment took part in the battle of Maxen where it was deployed in the first cavalry column of Sincère's corps under the command of lieutenant-general count Schallenberg. During this cavalry combat, the regiment distinguished itself.
In 1760, the regiment served with the Reichsarmee in Saxony as a Chevauxleger unit but did not take part in any major action.
In 1761, the regiment served with the Reichsarmee in Saxony once more, but did not take part in any major action.
In 1762, detachment of the regiment took part in the action at Kammerndorf.
To do: more details on the campaigns from 1760 to 1762
Uniform
Privates
Headgear |
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Neckstock | black | ||||||||||||
Coat | red with 3 white buttons under the lapel on the right side
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Waistcoat | sky blue with two rows of white buttons and horizontal pockets (each with 3 white buttons) | ||||||||||||
Breeches | sky blue | ||||||||||||
Leather Equipment |
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Horse Furniture |
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Troopers were armed with a sword, a pair of pistols, a musket and a bayonet.
Other interpretations
The Bautzener Bilderhandschrift shows a white laced tricorne and buff breeches.
Brauer's plate shows a white shoulder strap on the left shoulder and buff breeches.
Donath's plate shows buff breeches.
Officers
The officers (according to the Bautzener Bilderhandschrift of 1762) wore the same uniform with the following exceptions:
- tricorne laced silver with a green and white cockade
- silver aiguillette on the right shoulder
- green saddlecloth and sabretache both laced and fringed in gold
Musicians
Drummers of the regiments of dragoons usually wore the same uniform as the troopers heavily laced with yellow and black braids or a uniform with inverted colours.
Standards
Leib Standard: unknown
Regiment (variant 1): swallow tailed pennant; pink field with silver and white silk embroideries; wide border in silver embroideries and silver fringe. On one side there was an eagle
Regiment (variant 2): swallow tailed pennant
- Obverse: sky blue
- Reverse: red
References
Bleckwenn, Hans; Die Regimenter der Kaiserin, Gedanken zur "Albertina Handschrift" 1762 des Heeresgeschichtlichen Museums Wien, Köln: 1967
Brauer, H.M., Uniformbogen and Fahnentafeln, plate 95
Dihm, Dr. Hermann; Oesterreichische Standarten und Fahnen zur Zeit des 7 jährigen Krieges, Die Zinnfigur, Klio
Donath, Rudolf, Die Kaiserliche und Kaiserlich-Königliche Österreichische Armee 1618-1918, 2. Aufl., Simbach/Inn 1979, Teil III Blatt 3
Funcken, Liliane and Fred , Les uniformes de la guerre en dentelle
Grosser Generalstab, Die Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen, Hiller, Berlin, 1830-1913
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
Raspe, Accurate Vorstellung der sämtlichen KAYSERLICH KOENIGLICHEN ARMEEN zur eigentlichen Kentnis der UNIFORM von jedem Regimente. Nebst beygefügter Geschichte, worinne von der Stiftung, denen Chefs, der Staercke, und den wichtigsten Thaten jedes Regiments Nachricht gegeben wird., Nürnberg: 1762
Schirmer, Friedrich, Die Heere der kriegführenden Staaten 1756-1763, hrsg. von der KLIO-Landesgruppe Baden-Württemberg, überarb. u. aktual. Neuauflage 1989
Skala H., Österreichische Militärgeschichte
Thadden, Franz-Lorenz v., Die theresianische Kavallerie - II. Teil, Die Zinnfigur, Klio, 1968
Thümmler, L.-H., Die Österreichiches Armee im Siebenjährigen Krieg: Die Bautzener Bilderhandschrift aus dem Jahre 1762, Berlin 1993
Zahn, Michael, Oesterreichische Kürassier und Dragoner Standarten in Siebenjährigen Krieges, Zusammenstellung, 1988