Thianges Infanterie
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Origin and History
The regiment was created on 23 January 1676, during the Franco-Dutch War (1672-78), and formed at Messina on 23 October by Louis-Victor de Rochechouart, Duc de Vivonne. With a battalion of La Marine Infanterie and Sicilians. It took part in the naval battle of Palermo and in the capture of Merilli and Taormina. In December 1677, it sailed for France. In 1678, it joined the Army of Flanders and took part in the sieges of Ghent and Ypres.
In 1688, at the outbreak of the Nine Years' War (1688-97), the regiment took part in the capture of Philipsbourg, Mannheim and Frankenthal. In 1689, it took part in the defence of Bonn. In 1691, it was transferred to Piedmont and took part in the capture of Villefranche, Montalban, Sant’Ospizio, Nice, Veillane, Carmagnola and Montmélian. In 1692, it was sent back to Flanders where it took part in Battle of Steenkerque; in 1693, in the Battle of Landen and in the siege of Charleroi. In 1694 and 1695, it campaigned in Germany; and in 1696 and 1697, on the Meuse.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was commanded by:
- from 25 September 1688: Claude-Henri-Philibert de Damas, Marquis de Thianges
- from 30 March 1702: Louis de Rochechouart, Duc de Mortemart
- from 27 February 1712 to 13 December 1729: Guy-André de Montmorency, Duc de Laval
Service during the War
In 1701, the regiment served in Flanders.
In 1702, the regiment was at the combat of Nijmegen and at the defence of Kaiserwerth.
On 30 June 1703, the regiment fought in the Battle of Ekeren.
In 1705, the regiment campaigned in the Army of the Moselle.
In 1707, the regiment was attached to the Army of the Rhine and took part in the capture of the Lines of Stollhofen and in the submission of Palatinate.
In 1708, the regiment was attached to the Army of Flanders and, on 11 July, fought in the Battle of Oudenarde.
On 11 September 1709, the regiment took part in the Battle of Malplaquet.
In 1710, the regiment took part in the defence of Douai.
In 1711, the regiment took part in the combat of Arleux.
In 1712, the regiment took part in the Battle of Denain and in the capture of Marchiennes, Douai, Le Quesnoy and Bouchain.
In 1713, the regiment took part in the sieges of Landau and Freiburg. At Freiburg, the grenadiers tried to stop a sortie of the defenders and are virtually annihilated, only 4 grenadiers surviving the combat and the colonel being severely wounded.
Uniform
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References
This article incorporates texts from the following books which are now in the public domain: Susane, Louis: Histoire de l'ancienne infanterie française, J. Corréard, Paris, 1849-1856, Tome 8, pp. 205-207