Plettenberg Dragoons

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Origin and History

The regiment was created on June 15 1727 from 5 squadrons of the Dragoner Regiment Nr. 6.

At the end of 1740, the regiment contributed troops for the creation of a new regiment.

At the beginning of the Seven Years' War, the regiment counted 5 squadrons.

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was under the command of:

• since August 3 1756: Christoph Friedrich Stephan von Plettenberg
• from June 1761 to September 10 1763: vacant

In 1763, at the end of the Seven Years' War, the regiment consisted of 688 Prussians, 17 Saxons, 162 "foreigners".

Service during the War

In 1757, the regiment was part of Lehwaldt's army assigned to the defence of East Prussia against a Russian invasion. On August 30, at the battle of Gross-Jägersdorf, it was deployed in the first line of the cavalry left wing under lieutenant-general Schorlemmer. During this battle, the regiment lost 136 men.

On August 2 1758, during the Russian invasion of Brandenburg, Manteuffel reinforced the Prussian detachment at Reppen with this regiment along with Schorlemmer Dragoons (5 sqns). On August 21, the regiment joined king Frederick II at Cüstrin. On August 25, the regiment fought at the battle of Zorndorf where it formed part of the reserve behind the left wing. It was part of the brigade of dragoons who, around 11:50 am, delivered a deadly counter attack and threw Gaugreben’s brigade back into the ranks of the Russian infantry causing disorder and confusion. Frederick then sent the regiment to reinforce his right wing but changed his mind and recalled it to the left to support the attack of the Prussian cavalry. During this battle, the regiment captured 5 guns and lost 63 men. On September 15 in the evening, Dohna received orders from Frederick instructing him to send the regiment to Berlin where it would join Wedel who was advancing against the Swedes. On September 16, the regiment departed for Berlin. On September 26, it attacked a Swedish foraging party near Tarmow. It charged Västmanlands Infantry six times but did not succeed to break them, loosing 2 officers and 120 men in this action. The Swedish regiment retreated in good order.

To do: campaigns from 1759 to 1762

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1757 - Source: Frédéric Aubert

Uniform in 1757

Headgear	black tricorne (no lace) with a black cockade fastened with a small yellow button and red pompons N.B.: for combat, the tricorne was reinforced with an iron cap
Neckstock	black
Coat	cobalt blue with 8 yellow buttons on the chest and 3 yellow buttons on each side to fasten the skirts forming the turnbacks Collar red Shoulder strap left shoulder: blue fastened with a yellow button right shoulder: yellow with a yellow aiguillette Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets each with 2 yellow buttons Cuffs red (Swedish style) with 2 yellow buttons Turnbacks red
Waistcoat	straw yellow with one row of small yellow buttons and horizontal pockets, each with yellow buttons
Breeches	buff
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt white Waistbelt white Cartridge Box black leather Scabbard brown leather Bayonet scabbard brown leather Footgear black boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth pink with pointed corners; bordered with a wide orange and white braid Housings pink pointed housings; bordered with a wide orange and white braid Blanket roll cobalt blue

Troopers were armed with a sword, a pair of pistols, a musket and a bayonet.

Officers

Plettenberg Dragoons Officer Lace - Source: Kling, C., Geschichte der Bekleidung, Bewaffnung und Ausrüstung des Königlich Preussischen Heeres

The officers wore the same uniform with the following exceptions:

• black tricorne (no lace) with a black cockade (attached with a golden fastener) and black and silver pompons
• golden buttonholes on the coat

Musicians

Plettenberg Dragoons Drummer Uniform - Source: Kling, C., Geschichte der Bekleidung, Bewaffnung und Ausrüstung des Königlich Preussischen Heeres

Plettenberg Dragoons Drummer Lace - Source: Kling, C., Geschichte der Bekleidung, Bewaffnung und Ausrüstung des Königlich Preussischen Heeres

Drummers of the regiments of dragoons probably wore the same uniform as the troopers but decorated on the seams with a red lace decorated with a yellow central band.

Colours

Standards were made of damask. They were swallow-tailed and measured some 50 cm along the pole, 65 cm from the pole to the extremity of a point and 50 cm from the pole to the centre of the indentation. The cords and knots were of silver threads. The pole of the standard was a black tournament lance reinforced with iron hinges. The golden spearhead wore the crowned monogram of Frédéric Wilhelm (FWR).

N.B.: some dragoon regiments simultaneously used standards dating from Frederick Wilhelm I and wearing his monogram (“FWR”) and motto (“Non Soli Cedit”); and standards wearing Frederick II's monogram (“FR”) and motto (“Pro Gloria et Patria”).

Colonel Standard (Leibstandarte): white field with red waved corners, fringed gold with a black central medallion surrounded by a golden laurel wreath and decorated with a golden eagle flying towards a golden sun surmounted by a white scroll laced gold bearing the golden motto "Non Soli Cedit". Decoration in gold in each corner (crowns, laurel wreaths and “FWR” ciphers).	Squadron Standard (Eskadronstandarte): black field with red waved corners; fringed gold with a silver central medallion surrounded by a golden laurel wreath and decorated with a black eagle flying towards a golden sun surmounted by a black scroll laced gold bearing the golden motto "Non Soli Cedit". Decoration in gold in each corner (crowns, laurel wreaths and “FWR” ciphers).
File:Plettenberg Dragoons Colonel Standard.jpg Colonel Standard – Source: Frédéric Aubert	File:Plettenberg Dragoons Squadron Standard.jpg Squadron Standard – Source: Frédéric Aubert

References

Funcken, Liliane and Fred , Les uniformes de la guerre en dentelle

Nelke, R., Preussen

Thümmler, L.-H., Preußische Militärgeschichte

Vial J. L., Nec Pluribus Impar

N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.