Prussian Jäger zu Pferde

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Origin and History

The unit was raised on November 24 1740 and placed under the command of Oberjäger Schenck, It then consisted of:

• 1 Oberjäger
• 1 assistant
• 12 jägers

They were used as scouts, couriers and guides.

During the First Silesian War (1740-1742), the unit was gradually increased to 110 men. At the end of the war, its peacetime strength consisted of:

• 3 Oberjägers
• 60 jägers

At the outbreak of the Second Silesian War (1744-1745), the unit was increased to:

• 6 Oberjägers
• 167 jägers
• 1 surgeon

The unit was then organised in 2 squadrons, each of:

• 1 Rittmeister
• 3 Oberjägers
• 84 jägers

By the time of the Seven Years' War, the unit was known as Feldjäger-Korps zu Pferde. Its garrison place was Cöpenick with detachments in Berlin, Zehlendorf, Potsdam and on the borders with Mecklenburg and Saxony.

In December 1755, the unit counted 3 officers, 10 oberjägers and 144 jägers.

During the Seven Years' War, the successive Chefs of the unit were:

• since September 8 1751: Colonel von Aweyde
• from November 9 1756: Major von Hartwig
• in 1759: Major Baader
• from July 19 1759 Captain von Gaudi
• from March 12 1760 till 1778: Major des Granges

Since August 7 1756, its two squadrons were under the command of Captain von Choteck.

Service during the War

no information found yet

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1756 - Source: Richard Couture from a template by Jocelyne Chevanelle

Uniform Details

Headgear	black unlaced tricorne with one yellow button and a yellow strap to fasten a black cockade; dark green within white tassels in the lateral cornes
Neck stock	black
Coat	dark green lined Ponceau red with 8 yellow buttons arranged 2 by 2 on the right side; 6 yellow buttons arranges 2 by 2 on the left side; 3 yellow buttons on each side to fasten the skirts forming the turnbacks Collar Ponceau red Shoulder Straps none yellow aiguillette on the right shoulder Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets, each with 2 yellow buttons Cuffs Ponceau red (in the Swedish pattern) with 2 yellow buttons Turnbacks Ponceau red
Waistcoat	dark green
Breeches	yellow leather
Leather Equipment	Cross-belt none Waist-belt white Cartridge Box natural leather Bayonet Scabbard none Scabbard brown Footgear black boots with white knee covers
Horse Furniture	Saddle-cloth dark green with rounded corners; bordered with a yellow braid; and carrying an unidentified yellow escutcheon in each rear lower corner Housings dark green housings with pointed lower corner; bordered with a yellow braid; and carrying a yellow crowned “FR” cipher in the centre of each housing Blanket roll green edged yellow

NCOs

NCOs wore uniforms similar to those of the privates with the following distinctions:

• tricorne with a golden lace

Officers

Officers had a golden scalloped tricorne with black within white tassels on the lateral cornes. They also had gilt buttons, golden buttonholes on the waistcoat and a golden aiguillette. They carried an officer stick. Their coats were similar to those of the privates but had no turnbacks.

Musicians

details not yet available

Colours

The unit did not carry any colour.

References

État general De toutes les Trouppes de sa Majesté le Roi de Prusse, sur pié en 1759, Augsbourg: Jacques André Fréderic

Grosser Generalstab Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II, Die Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen, Part 3 Der siebenjährige Krieg 1756-1763, Vol. 1 Pirna und Lobositz, Berlin, 1901, Appendix 1

Schirmer, Friedrich: Die Heere der kriegführenden Staaten 1756-1763, published by KLIO-Landesgruppe Baden-Württemberg, Neuauflage 1989

Wikipedia Reitendes Feldjägerkorps