Anhalt Infantry

From Project WSS
Jump to navigationJump to search

Hierarchical Path: War of the Spanish Succession (Main Page) >> Armies >> Prussian Army >> Anhalt Infantry

Origin and History

Grenadiers of Anhalt Infantry in 1698. - Source: Richard Knötel Uniformkunde

The regiment was raised on 16 December 1665 by Colonel Johann von Fargell in Frankfurt am Main, Regensburg and Nuremberg.

By 1688, the regiment consisted of 10 companies.

In 1698, the regiment was reduced to one battalions but in 1699, it received six additional companies.

In 1695, during the Nine Years’ War (1688-1697), the regiment campaigned in Brabant where it took part in the siege and capture of Namur.

On the eve of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-13), the regiment counted two battalions.

During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regimental Chefs were:

  • from 17 August 1693 to 12 April 1747: Leopold von Anhalt-Dessau

Service during the War

In 1702, the regiment contributed two companies for the creation of a new infantry regiment. It took part in the siege of Kayserwerth.

In May 1703, the regiment took part in the siege and capture of Bonn.

On 13 August 1704, the regiment took part in the Battle of Blenheim where it was deployed on the extreme right wing of the first line.

On 16 August 1705, the regiment took part in the Battle of Cassano.

On 19 April 1706, the regiment took part in the Battle of Calcinato. On 7 September, it fought in the decisive Battle of Turin.

In 1707, the regiment took part in the expedition against Toulon.

In 1708, the regiment was at the siege of Lille.

On 11 September 1709, the regiment took part in the Battle of Malplaquet.

In 1710, the regiment was present at the sieges of Douai and Aire.

Uniforms

From 1700, each Prussian unit started to wear a distinguishing uniform. A regulation was issued in 1709 to standardize the uniform and equipment.

Privates

Uniform Details in 1698 as per Knötel
Headgear
Musketeer black tricorne laced white
Grenadier mitre cap with white metal front plate and blue bag.
Neck stock red
Coat blue with red lining and with yellow buttons below the lapels
Collar red
Shoulder Straps none
Lapels none
Pockets no info available
Cuffs blue cuffs with yellow buttons
Turnbacks red
Waistcoat blue
Breeches no info available
Stockings red
Gaiters white
Leather Equipment
Cross belt natural leather
Waist belt natural leather
Cartridge Pouch black leather pouch
Bayonet Scabbard black with a white metal tip
Scabbard black
Footwear black low shoes


Armaments consisted of a musket, a bayonet and a sword. Grenadiers were also armed with hand grenades.

NCOs

To do

Officers

Uniforms of officers were always of finer cloth, better cut and better embroideries than those of the privates.

Officers carried a spontoon, an epee and a black and silver sash. From 1709, they also had a black and silver porte-epee and a gorget.

Musicians

To do

Colours

Tentative Reconstruction
Leibfahne in 1697 - Copyright: Kronoskaf
Kompaniefahne in 1697 - Copyright: Kronoskaf
 
Kompaniefahne in 1707 - Copyright: Kronoskaf

References

Seyfart, F.: Kurzgefassete Geschichte aller königlichen preussischen Regimented, welche bis in dem September 1760 fortgesetzet, Nuremberg, 1760, pp. 4-6

Fahnen und Standarten der brandenburgisch preussischen Armee, 1623-1713; Redlin, Reinhold, compiler & publisher 1975

Wikipedia