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
Headgear |
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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
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Waistcoat | Prussian blue | ||||||||||||
Breeches | 1 pair of grey linen breeches, 1 pair of blue breeches | ||||||||||||
Gaiters | grey | ||||||||||||
Leather Equipment |
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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