Prussian Land Regiment 2

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Origin and History

This Land Regiment was raised in 1729. It was also known as the Königsbergsches Garnison-Regiment. It counted 4 musketeer companies (no grenadier) and garrisoned Königsberg and Memel.

Till 1746, the regiment assembled each year for training. Then, from 1746 to 1756, it assembled only once from May 1 to July 15 1749.

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was under the command of:

• since June 28 1756 till October 14 1763: Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. von Polentz

Service during the War

Until July 15 1756, the regiment was supposed to be stationed in Memel to distribute muskets to the neighbouring Lithuanian peasants to allow them to defend themselves against marauding Cossacks. On July 15, the regiment assembled in Königsberg. It consisted of 4 musketeer companies (no grenadier), each counting 215 privates.

By July 1 1757, the regiment was part of the defenders of Insterburg (present-day Tschernjachowsk in Russia). On July 5, the Russians made themselves master of Memel after a naval bombardment. In September, the regiment was disbanded.

Uniform

Uniform in 1756

New uniforms were issued in the Summer of 1756.

Privates

Uniform in 1756 - Source: Dal Gavan

Uniform Details

Headgear	Musketeer black tricorne without lace with 1 pewter button, yellow pompoms Grenadier no grenadier in this regiment
Neck stock	red
Coat	Prussian blue lined red with 6 pewter buttons (arranged 2-2-2) on each side on the chest, 2 pewter buttons at the waist on the right side and 1 pewter button on each side in the small of the back Collar yellow Shoulder Straps none Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets, each with 2 pewter buttons Cuffs yellow Swedish cuffs (Prussian blue as per the Grosser Generalstab), each with 2 pewter buttons Turnbacks red
Waistcoat	Prussian blue
Breeches	1 pair of grey linen breeches, 1 pair of blue breeches
Gaiters	grey
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt white Waistbelt white Cartridge Box black Bayonet Scabbard brown Scabbard no information found Footgear black shoes

Privates were armed with a short musket and a bayonet.

NCOs

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

• tricorne with wide silver lace and black and white quartered pompoms
• a sabre

Officers

The uniforms of the officers were very similar to those of the privates with the following exceptions:

• black tricorne with a thin silver lace and a silver button
• probably white neck stock
• no shoulder strap on the coat
• silver buttons
• no turnback on the coat
• white waistcoat and white breeches
• black and silver sash around the waist

Officers carried an officer stick.

Musicians

no information found

Colours

no information found

References

Cremer, Peter: Die preussischen Landregimenter & -milizen, die Stettiner Haff-Flotille und das Verpflegungswesen der Armee 1756-1753, KLIO-Arbeitgruppe, Heimbach, 1987

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

Menzel, Adolf von: Die Armee Friedrichs des Großen in ihrer Uniformierung