De la Motte Infantry
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Origin and History
The regiment was raised in 1617 as a unit of the Principality of Brunswick-Celle which remained independent from Hannover until 1705. It consisted of 12 companies. Its first Chef was Major-General von Schönberg from 1617 to 1643.
In 1619 and 1620, the regiment was involved in the operations against Hamburg and Lübeck.
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 1631, 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. In 1632, the regiment took part in the siege of Calenberg and in the Battle of Lützen. In 1633, it fought in the Combat of Hessisch-Oldendorf. In 1634 and 1635, the regiment took part in the occupation of Westphalia and Hildesheim. In 1640, it was at the capture of the Fortress of Steinbrück and in the siege of Wolfenbüttel. In 1642, when the House of Brunswick-Lüneburg declared neutrality in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), the regiment was reduced to 4 companies. After the Treaty of Westphalia, in 1648, each of these companies was further reduced.
In 1665, after the death of Duke Christian Ludwig zu Zelle, the regiment was increased to 12 companies.
In 1666, the regiment was sent to the relief of Bremen, besieged and bombarded by the Swedes.
In 1668 and 1669, 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 and blockaded the Fortress of Stade until its surrender in August 1676. Then Duke Georg Wilhelm sent these troops to reinforce the Brandenburger 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. 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.
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.
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 transferred to the Rhine to fight against the French. In 1689, it took part in the capture of Mainz and Bonn. In 1690, it was sent to Brabant. In 1692, the Chef of the regiment, the Brigadier de la Motte, took 3 companies of the existing battalion and combined them with 2 newly raised companies to form a second battalion. In 1693, it took part in the Battle of Landen. The regiment then marched towards Hungary. In 1694, it returned to Zelle. In 1695, it was at the capture of Namur. In 1697, after the Treaty of Ryswick, the 2 companies were disbanded and the regiment reorganised in a single battalion..
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 Chefs were:
- from 1683: Colonel de la Motte (died in 1702 as major-general)
- from 1702 to 1727: Colonel von Gauvain
Service during the War
In 1701, 2 new companies were raised.
In 1702, the regiment was reorganised in 2 separate battalions: the first became Gauvain Infantry (the subject of the present article) and the second, Du Breuille Infantry. Gauvain Infantry then went to the Netherlands.
In 1703, the regiment participated in the capture of Bonn, Huy and Limbourg.
On 13 August 1704, the regiment took part in the Battle of Blenheim where it suffered heavy losses. It then had to march back to Zelle to replenish its ranks.
In 1705, the regiment was incorporated in the Hanoverian Army. The same year, it went to Brabant.
On 23 May 1706, the regiment fought in the Battle of Ramillies. In August, it was at the siege of Menin.
On 11 July 1708, the regiment fought in the Battle of Oudenarde.
On 11 September 1709, the regiment took part in the Battle of Malplaquet and in the siege of Tournai.
In 1710, the regiment took part in the sieges of Saint-Venant.
Uniform
In 1702, when it became Gauvain Infantry, the uniform of the regiment consisted of a red coat with blue distinctive. In 1704, after the Battle of Blenheim, the regiment received a new uniform consisting of a red coat line black with black distinctive.
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. 407-424
