De Luc Infantry
Hierarchical Path: War of the Spanish Succession (Main Page) >> Armies >> Hanoverian Army >> De Luc Infantry
Origin and History
The regiment was raised in 1617 as a unit of the Principality of Brunswick-Celle which remained independent from Hannover until t1705. It consisted of 2 grenadier companies and 10 musketeer companies organised in two battalions.
The unit was one of the four regiments that this principality maintained during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) to serve with the Imperial Army. In 1625, the regiment took part in the Battle of Hanover. In 1626, it fought in the battles of Calenberg and Lutter am Barenberge. In 1632, the House of Lüneburg changed side and allied itself with Sweden and the four regiments of the Principality of Brunswick-Celle joined the Swedish Army. The same year, they took part in the Battle of Lützen and in the Combat of Hessisch-Oldendorf. In 1642, the regiment was reduced to 4 companies. After the Treaty of Westphalia, in 1648, each of these companies was further reduced.
Between 1663 and 1665, the regiment was gradually increased to 12 companies.
In 1666, the regiment was sent to the relief of Bremen, besieged and bombarded by the Swedes.
In 1668, the regiment participated in the unsuccessful expedition to support the Venetians at Candia (present-day Heraklion) in the Island of Crete.
In 1671, the regiment took part in the siege and capture of Braunschweig.
In 1675, the regiment marched to Bremen country where it captured Buxtehude and Bremervörde, and blockaded Stade until its surrender in August 1676. Then Duke Georg Wilhelm sent these troops to reionforce the Branderburger Army in Pomerania. The regiment took part in the capture of Anklam and Demmin. In 1677, it was at the long but successful siege of Stettin. A few Lüneburger regiments then blocked all the passes leading from Mecklenburg to Pomerania. In 1678, the regiment accompanied Brandenburger troops in an expedition on the Island of Rügen. During this campaign, Stralsund, Greifswald and Dammgarten were also taken. The regiment then took part in the capture of the Fortress of Büzow in Mecklenburg.
In 1679, when Denmark blockaded Hamburg, the regiment joined a force assembled on the Weser. It then marched towards the Elbe, forcing the Danes to retire. The same year, the regiment was reduced to 10 companies.
In 1685, the regiment was sent to Hungary where it took part in the siege and capture of Neuhäusel and in the Battle of Gran. In 1686, it was at the capture of Ofen. In 1687, it fought in the Battle of Mohacz.
In 1688, at the outbreak of the Nine Years' War (1688–97), the regiment was increased once more to 12 companies and transferred to the Rhine to fight against the French. In 1689, it took part in the capture of Mainz. In 1690, it was sent to Brabant where it took part in the Battle of Fleurus. In 1691, the regiment campaigned once more in Brabant and took part in the Battle of Leuze. In 1692, it contributed 3 companies for the creation of a new regiment and 2 new companies were raised to replace them. The same year, it fought in the Battle of Steenkerque. In 1693, it took part in the Battle of Landen. In 1694, one of the 3 companies given to the new regiment was given back. The same year, the regiment took part in the capture of Huy. In 1695, it was at the capture of Namur.
In May 1700, the regiment took part in the campaign against the Danes and was at the attack on the Castle of Keinbeck.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regimental inhabers were:
- from 1693: Major-General von Luc (formerley major in the French Army)
- from 1707 to January 14 1742: Colonel Georg Ernst von Melvill
Service during the War
In 1702, the regiment marched to the Netherlands.
On 13 August 1704, the regiment took part in the Battle of Blenheim.
In 1705, the regiment was incorporated in the Hanoverian Army.
On 23 May 1706, the regiment fought in the Battle of Ramillies and took part in the sieges of Dendermonde and Menin.
In 1707, the regiment was subdivided in two distinct units. The present battalion forming a regiment under Colonel Melville and the other, a regiment under Colonel Hodenberg.
On 11 July 1708, the regiment fought in the Battle of Oudenarde and in the siege of Küssel.
On 11 September 1709, the regiment took part in the Battle of Malplaquet and in the siege of Mons.
In 1710, the regiment took part in the sieges of Douai and Bouchain.
Uniform
no information found for this period
Colours
no information found for this period
References
This article incorporates texts from the following books which are now in the public domain:
- Wissel, Friedrich v. and Georg von Wissel: Geschichte der Errichtung sämmtlicher Chur-Braunschweig-Lüneburgischen Truppen, sammt ihren Fahnen, Standarten und Pauken-Devisen ...], Zelle, 1786, pp. 369-395
