Prussian Cavalry - Uniforms - Cuirassiers - Dragoons - Hussars - Preußische Kavallerie

30/03/2023 16:47 Prussian Cavalry : Uniforms : Cuirassiers : Dragoons : Hussars : Preußische Kavallerie
Cavalerie prussienne
des guerres napoléoniennes
1805 - 1815
Depuis l'époque du roi Frédéric le Grand, la cavalerie prussienne
avait une
réputation impressionnante. Sous un chef aussi renommé que
Seydlitz,
la cavalerie prussienne a atteint le plus proche d'un état de perfection qu'elle
n'a jamais atteint. Sa réputation était si grande pendant la guerre de Sept Ans
que Napoléon mit un point d'honneur à avertir ses hommes en 1806
de se méfier de la cavalerie prussienne.
1. Introduction : Cavalerie
prussienne
2. Armes et drapeaux.
3. Chevaux.
4. Organisation.
5. Tactiques.
6. Cavalerie de la Garde.
7. Cuirassiers
8. Dragons
9. Uhlans
10. Hussards
11. Cavalerie de la Landwehr.
12. Sources et liens.
La Prusse, l'un des pays

équestres,
possédait des chevaux en
abondance, fournissait
de nombreux hommes à la
Photo : Garde prussienne aiguisant des épées sur les marches de
cavalerie, qui,
l'ambassade de France en 1806 à Berlin. Photo par Myrbach.
dès leur enfance, étaient à
l'aise en selle. En tant que A Ostrovno en 1812 "Murat fait charger les lanciers noirs prussiens
cavaliers, ils sur la route principale contre deux bataillons d'artillerie
jouissaient d'une grande et d'infanterie russes, en carrés de chaque côté de celle-ci; et de sa hauteur
réputation en Europe. Thirion voit comment 'cette charge, faite calmement au trot ,
n'ayant pas réussi, cette cavalerie s'est retirée comme elle avait avancé.
"... en 1812... un uhlan major
C'était la première fois que je voyais de la cavalerie charger à ce rythme
prussien
et j'en revenais sans cris ni désordre.
a combattu un duel d'homme à
( Britten-Austin "1812 La Marche sur Moscou" p 135 )
homme avec un officier
cosaque (armé d'un sabre)
En mai 1813 à Michelsdorf env. 15 escadrons de cavalerie prussienne
entre leurs deux régiments et
(cuirassiers de Silésie, cuirassiers de Prusse orientale, uhlans de Silésie et
l'a capturé..." ( - John Elting )
régiment de cavalerie légère de la garde) attaquèrent la 16e division
d'infanterie française.
Les cuirassiers silésiens ont écrasé le carré français partiellement formé,
Les uhlans sont ceux qui ont les cuirassiers de Prusse orientale se sont déplacés entre Michelsdorf et
sauvé Hainau,
le commandant en chef de l' mettant en déroute tous les corps d'infanterie formés qu'ils ont trouvés. Les
armée prussienne, le général autres unités de cavalerie
Blucher, des mains des capturèrent 6 canons et abattirent les artilleurs. La 16e division éclata et
cuirassiers français à Ligny en s'enfuit
1815. dans une déroute sanglante vers Michelsdorf.
Dans la même bataille, le
général français Gérard
a été presque capturé par le
6e régiment d'Uhlan prussien
alors que inspectant le
https://www.napolun.com/mirror/napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Prussian_cavalry_Napoleon.htm 1/20
front." ... son chef d'état-major

a été
transpercé 7 fois par des
lances."
( - Henri Lachouque, France )
"Das Paradies der Erde liegt auf den Rucken der Pferde"
Le paradis sur terre est sur le dos des chevaux.
(devise de la cavalerie allemande)
The Prussian Cavalry.

The cavalry was probably the most vaunted arm
of the Prussian army until 1806.
Prussian cavalry grew from 1,000 sabers in the early

XVII century to 6,000 by 1750. During the Seven
Years War it was decisive in a number of victorious
battles, both by bold charges and enveloping
operations. In several occasions it even prevented
disaster by covering army retreats. The cavalry was
probably the most vaunted arm of the Prussian
army until 1800. Under a leader as renowned as
Friedrich Wilhelm, Freiherr von Seydlitz (1721-
1773), the Prussian cavalry achieved the nearest to a
state of perfection that it was ever going to. So great
was its reputation in the Seven Years' War that Napoleon made a special point of warning his men at
the beginning of the 1806 campaign to beware of the Prussian cavalry.
In 1757 at Rossbach the Prussian army (22,000 men) under

Frederick the Great defeated the French and German armies
(54,000 men) under Marshal Prince de Soubise.
About 3,500 Prussian horsemen had defeated an entire army of
two combined European superpowers. Frederick was heard to
say "I won the battle of Rossbach with most of my infantry
having their muskets shouldered."
Casualties: 550 Prussians and 5,000 French and Germans ! Most
of the allied cavalry in front were smashed to pieces by the
initial charge and many of them trampled over their own men
trying to flee.
During the Napoleonic Wars the

Prussian cavalry enjoyed several
notable successes against the enemy.
One of the greatest cavalry charges of
the Napoleonic Wars was made by the
Prussians in the battle of Leipzig.
In Leipzig in 1813, Prussian General
von Yorck gathered his troops near
Mockern,(north of Leipzig) and
counterattacked with 2 squadrons of
Brandenburg Hussars and 1 squadron
of horse volunteer-jagers who stood in
a hollow ground and were unseen to
the French. Behind them advanced Brandenburg Uhlans. Once they came closer to the French infantry
the 308 Brandenburg hussars "wheeled out" and charged. The French formed two squares and fired.
The salvo made little impression on the hussars, they broke and pursued the French infantry. The
infantrymen ran towards own artillery and thus masking their fire. In effect the entire battery was
captured by the hussars. Regiment of Wirtembergian cavalry struck the Prussians on the left flank but
was immediately charged by 2 squadrons of Prussian uhlans (342 men). The Prussian uhlans and
hussars broke two regiments of Wirtembergians and captured 9 guns. During pursuit they met
battalion of 1st Marine Infantry Regiment and slashed it to pieces. The uhlans continued their brilliant
charge and broke several other squares. Jurgass sent forward 1st West Prussian Dragoons, Lithuanian
Dragoons and several regiments of Landwehr cavalry.
Total of 2.000-3.000 of cavalry flooded French positions. The dragoons attacked French cavalry, broke
them and pursued towards Gohlis. They also captured 4 guns and took prisoners. Another group of
cavalry, dragoons and Landwehr, attacked battalion deployed in line and broke it by attacking one
flank. Battalions of 1st and 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment formed squares and attempted to halt the
Prussians. But the Mecklenburg hussars took them from the rear while from the front attacked
Prussian infantry. The marines broke in the instant, lost a flag and 700 prisoners. The 2nd Leib Hussar
Regiment took 2 French flags and 2 guns, and the Landwehr and national cavalry also captured several
guns. (Read more in Nafziger's - "Napoleon at Leipzig" and Digby's - "1813: Leipzig".)
Only the cuirassier and dragoon regiments

were entitled to carry standards.
Weapons and Flags.

After the disastrous Jena Campaign, Prussia had to rely
heavily on captured French weapons and British material.
The Prussian cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars was armed with the following weapons:
- cuirassiers wore no body armor until 1814.
They were armed with straight, heavy pallash.
The NCOs were armed with carbines and sometimes with muskets.
- dragoons were armed with curved sabers and carbines.
- uhlans were armed with curved sabers and lances.
The Volunteer-Jagers attached to uhlans were armed with
carbines instead of lances.
- hussars were armed with curved sabers and carbines.
Their carabiniers were armed with rifles.
Photo: Prussian light cavalry sabre from

MilitaryHeritage >
Sabre adopted by the Prussians around 1812. It was
nicknamed the "Blucher" sabre for General Blucher.
It also found favour with the army of United States.
The US dragoon pattern for the War of 1812 was identical to this sword except the scabbard was
blackened. Thousands of muskets, carbines and sabres were shipped from Great Britain to finance the
Prussia's war effort against Napoleon.
Only the cuirassier and dragoon regiments were entitled to carry standards (one standard per
regiment) and the dragoons' "swallow-tailed" flag officially was not recognised as a standard until
1891. The uhlans, hussars and Landwehr were light cavalry and didn't carry flags in 1813-1815.
"Most of the English-language sources, bar Mr Hofschröer and Mr Riehn, emphasise that the standards
date from the time of Frederick the Great. This is, as the German-language sources and Mr Riehn
show, incorrect. In fact most of the cavalry flags date from the time of Friedrich Wilhelm I, were
presented during his reign and carried his FWR monogram. This means that they were nearly 100
years old by the time of the Napoleonic Wars." (- Dallas Gavan)
The Trakheners became Prussian army chargers

and of quality unsurpassed in Europe.
They were also 'purchased' by Napoleon.
Horses.
Before 1806, horses for hussars and dragoons
were bought mainly in Moldavia,
those for cuirassiers in Holstein and Mecklenburg.
If horses came from inside Prussia, they were
bought in West- and East Prussia or Poland.
According to contracts between 1803 and 1817, horses bought for

the cavalry should have had a minimum height at the withers:
- 157 cm for the cuirasiers

- 154 cm for the dragoons (for uhlans slightly smaller mounts)
- 149 cm for the hussars (some horses were even smaller than
that.)
Below is average height of horses bought between 1810 and 1815.
Average height of horses Number of horses

Year Regiment
which were bought which were bought
1810 Garde du Corps 163 cm 56

1813 Garde du Corps 158 cm 40
1812 Silesian Cuirassiers 165 cm 500
1811 Brandenburg Cuirassiers 161 cm 419
1810 Cuirassiers 159 cm 136
1811 Cuirassiers 160 cm 136
1810 Brandenburg Dragoons 157 cm 377
1810 Uhlans 155 cm 96
1811 Uhlans 156 cm 166
1810 Dragoons and Hussars 154 cm 457
1811 Dragoons and Hussars 154 cm 457
1815 10th Hussars 152 cm 179
1811 artillery 160 cm 126
Before 1806, horses for hussars and dragoons were bought mainly in Moldavia, (ext.link) those for
cuirassiers in Holstein and Mecklenburg. If horses came from inside Prussia, they were bought in
West- and East Prussia or Polish lands (in 1807-1814 part of Grand Duchy of Warsaw)
The average serving time of a horse was to be 9 or 10 years, their age when bought should have been
between 5 and 8 years, but sometimes alsohorses of 4 years were accepted. About two third of the
horses were geldings, and the rest mares, stallions were extreme exceptions. In the Prussian army,
manes and tails of the horse were not cut.
In Blücher's hussar regiment (8th) before 1807, the squadron received mainly chestnut horses and the
trumpeters white horses. This could have been usage in other regiments, too (or not ?)
The Prussian horse Trakhener came from Eastern Prussia (today Poland). The Trakheners became
Prussian army chargers and of quality unsurpassed in Europe. They were also purchased or taken by
Napoleon. Most common colors: bays, chestnuts, blacks.
The Prussian horse Mecklenburg was a typical cavalry mount known for speed, toughness and spirit.
These horses were used by Prussian, German and French cavalry. There were also thousands of Polish
horses and even some Hungarian and Russian mounts.
In 1815 manpower shortage were acute, but the scarcity of horses was worse. Remount depots had
been emptied due to the enormous demands of the last two campaigns. In 1815 there were problems
with the Poles who were reluctant to sell their fine horses to the Prussians. The King threatened to
requisition the mounts.
No central reserve of cavalry, the battle winning ram,

was created and the individual cavalry brigades were
disperesed among the several army corps.
It means the cavalry was subordinated to infantry
and din't play any major independent role.
Organization of Prussian Cavalry.

Cavalry regiment had 4 squadrons of 4 platoons each (in 1813-15).
The 4th Platoon consisted of so-called flankers, men selected for their
dexterity and mounted on the strongest horses.
In 1805 Prussia had:

. . . . . 13 cuirassier regiments (5 squadrons each)
. . . . . 14 dragoon regiments (10 x 5 squadrons and 2 x 10 squadrons)
. . . . . 9 hussar regiments (10 squadrons each)
. . . . . 1 'Towarzysze' regiment (10 + 5 squadrons)
After the defeat in Jena Campaign in 1806 and the Treaty of Paris the Prussian cavalry was reduced to:
. . . . . 6 dragoon regiments (4 squadrons each)
. . . . . 2 uhlan regiments (4 squadrons each)
"In 1809, Major von Schill, the commander of the 2nd Brandenberg Hussar Regiment, raised the flag of
revolt against Napoleon. His actions were illconsidered and as a result, his regiment was struck from
the army list and was replaced by the newly-formed Brandenburg Uhlan Regiment ... In early 1813,
Yorck raised the East Prussian National Cavalry Regiment. This was a volunteer formation and it was
later re-titled Prussian. This example was followed in March, when the Silesian National Cavalry
Regiment, later the National Hussar Regiment and the Pommeranian National Cavalry, later the
National Light Cavalry, were raised. In November 1813, the Elb-National-Hussaren-Regiment, was
formed in the newly liberated western provinces. The Reserve cavalrymen that were mobilized in 1813
were absorbed into the existing cavalry regimental organizations." (John Stallaert - "The Prussian Army")
In 1815 (Waterloo Campaign) Prussia had:

. . . . . 9 dragoon regiments (4 squadrons each)
. . . . . 9 uhlan regiments (4 squadrons each)
The Decree issued in February 1813 stated that the regimental staff consisted of 1 commander, 1
adjudant, 1 Rechnungsfüher (an officer as accountant) 1 staff trumpeter and several non-combatants.
The commander could well be a major or leutenant-colonel, promotion was slow in the Prussian army
between 1808 and 1814, in order to save salaries. Accoring to army list of 1 January, 1813:
- colonels commanded 7 regiments (3 cuirassier, 2 dragoon, and 2 hussars)

- lieutenant-colonels commanded 2 regiments (2 dragoon)
- majors commanded 10 regiments (1 cuirassier, 2 dragoon, 3 uhlan, and 4 hussar)
Theorethically cavalry regiment had 4 squadrons of 4 platoons (Zuge) each. During campaign however
some regiments were only 2-3 squadrons strong. If the squadron had less than 36 files, then only 3
platoons were formed. The platoon was not allowed to fall below nine files in strength.
The 4th Platoon consisted of so-called flankers, men selected for their dexterity and mounted on the
strongest horses. The remaining three platoons had 48 such flankers and 12 riflemen each. The
riflemmen were best marksmen and were mounted on the calmest horses. Six of the 12 riflemen rode
in the second rank of 4th Platoon. The rest of riflemen and flankers were divided equally among the
1st, 2nd and 3rd Platoon.
CAVALRY REGIMENT
Staff
I Squadron
II Squadron
III Squadron
IV Squadron
Picture: squadron of
Prussian cavalry
according to
instructions issued in
1812 (Russian
Campaign).
According to orders
from 1st February
1813 each squadron
had:
- 5 officers
- 15 NCOs
- 3 trumpeters
- 12 Gefreite (privates
1st class)
- 120 privates
Each squadron had

also 2 pack horses.
Two or three regiments (sometimes four) formed brigade.

From 1808 on each of the six peacetime brigades had an overall commander for its cavalry and
infantry. In 1813-1815 there were 2-4 cavalry brigades in each army corps. Such brigade was formed of
2-4 cavalry regiments. The army list of June 1815 gives generals as "Inspekteur"s for the cavalry in
different provinces, but no overall inspector for the whole cavalry.
There was no Seydlitz.
No central reserve of cavalry, the battle winning ram, was created and the individual cavalry brigades
were disperesed among the several army corps. It means the cavalry was subordinated to infantry and
din't play any major independent role.
I ARMY CORPS in October 1813 I ARMY CORPS in June 1815
1st Brigade 1st Brigade

. . . . . . Grenadiers (4 battalions) . . . . . . 12th Infantry Regiment
. . . . . . 5th Silesian Landwehr Regiment . . . . . . 24th Infantry Regiment
. . . . . . 13th Silesian Landwehr Regiment . . . . . . 1st Westphalian Landwehr Regiment
. . . . . . II Foot Battery . . . . . . VII Foot Battery
. . . . . . 2nd Leib Hussar Regiment . . . . . . VII Horse Battery
2nd Brigade . . . . . . 1st Leib Hussar Regiment
. . . . . . 1st East Prussian Infantry Regiment 2nd Brigade
. . . . . . 2nd East Prussian Infantry Regimen . . . . . . 6th Infantry Regiment
. . . . . . 6th Silesian Landwehr Regiment . . . . . . 28th Infantry Regimen
. . . . . . I Foot Battery (8 guns) . . . . . . 2nd Westphalian Landwehr Regiment
. . . . . . Mecklembourg-Strelitz Hussar Regiment . . . . . . III Foot Battery
7th Brigade 3rd Brigade
. . . . . . Leib Infantry Regiment . . . . . . 7th Infantry Regiment
. . . . . . 4th Silesian Landehr Regiment . . . . . . 29th Infantry Regimen
. . . . . . 15th Silesian Landwehr Regiment . . . . . . 3rd Westphalian Landwehr Regiment
. . . . . . III Foot Battery . . . . . . VIII Foot Battery
. . . . . . part of Brandenburg Hussar Regiment . . . . . . + 2 comp. of schutzen
. . . . . . part of 3rd Silesian Landwehr Cavalry Regiment 4th Brigade
8th Brigade . . . . . . 13th Infantry Regiment
. . . . . . Brandenbourg Infantry Regiment . . . . . . 19th Infantry Regimen
. . . . . . 12th Reserve Infantry Regiment . . . . . . 4th Westphalian Landwehr Regiment
. . . . . . 14th Silesian Landwehr Regiment . . . . . . XV Foot Battery
. . . . . . XV Foot Battery
. . . . . . part of Brandenburg Hussar Regiment Reserve Cavalry: GM von Roder
. . . . . . part of 3rd Silesian Landwehr Cavalry Regiment 1st Brigade: GM von Treskow-II
. . . . . . 2nd Dragoon Regiment
Reserve Cavalry: GM von Jürgass . . . . . . 5th Dragoon Regiment
1st Brigade: Ob. von Donnersmark . . . . . . 3rd Uhlan Regiment
. . . . . . 1st West Prussian Dragoon Regiment . . . . . . 4th Hussar Regiment
. . . . . . Lithuanian Dragoon Regiment . . . . . . II Horse Battery
2nd Brigade: Ob-Ltn. von Katzeler 2nd Brigade: Ob. von Lutzov-II
. . . . . . Brandenbourg Uhlan Regiment . . . . . . 6th Uhlan Regiment
. . . . . . East Prussian National Cavalry Regiment . . . . . . 1st Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry Regiment
3rd Brigade: Mjr. von Bieberstein . . . . . . 2nd Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry Regiment
. . . . . . 1st Neumark Landwehr Cavalry Regiment . . . . . . Westphalian Landwehr Cavalry Regiment
. . . . . . 5th Silesian Landwehr Cavalry Regiment
. . . . . . 10th Silesian Landwehr Cavalry Regiment Reserve Artillery
Artillery . . . . . . II Foot [Heavy] Battery
. . . . . . I Horse Battery . . . . . . VI Foot [Heavy] Battery
. . . . . . III Horse Battery . . . . . . IX Foot [Heavy] Battery
. . . . . . I Foot Battery
Reserve Artillery . . . . . . X Horse Battery
. . . . . . I Foot [Heavy] Battery . . . . . . I Howitzer Battery
. . . . . . II Foot [Heavy] Battery
. . . . . . XII Foot Battery
. . . . . . XXIV Foot Battery
. . . . . . I Foot [Light] Battery
. . . . . . III Horse Battery
. . . . . . XXII Horse Battery
. . . . . . 2 pioneer companies
"The Prussian 1812 Regulation laid down strict instructions

that a small reserve was to be formed behind either flank
to protect the squadron from a flank attack as well as
to swing out in an attack on the enemy's exposed flanks."
- George Nafziger
Tactics of Prussian Cavalry.

When more than one cavalry regiment came together
then the cuirassiers stood on the right flank,
then dragoons, next to them were hussars
and on the left flank stood uhlans.
"Before 1806 the Prussians used a linear attack known as the Attacke mit drei Gliedern, or 'attack with
three ranks'. This was established by the Regulation of 1796. Tactically it was a two-rank line with a
third rank formed behind them which acted as a flanking corps.
This rear rank was formed by drawing the four files from the left wing of each Zug. The third rank was
then divided into two groups which were posted behind each wing of the regimental line. It would
then swing out and attack the enemy flank and rears as opportunity permitted.
The Prussian 1812 Regulation laid down strict instructions that a small reserve was to be formed
behind either flank to protect the squadron from a flank attack as well as to swing out in an attack on
the enemy's exposed flanks. The 1st Zug of the 1st Squadron formed the reserve on the right and the
3rd and 4th Zuge of the 4th Squadron formed that of the left. ...
The Prussians before 1806 made extensive use of echelon tactics. The process was delineated in the
Regulation of 1796. The echelons were placed 30 paces apart. They found the echelon attack naturally
easier to handle and manoeuvre than the long undivided linear attack. Surprisingly, the Prussian 1812
Regulation doesn not speak of the echelon attack." (Nafziger - "Imperial Bayonets")
During campaign the column of march was by 3s but all movement on the battlefield was done by 2s.
Cavalry regiment could be formed in several different ways: in echelon, in column with intervals, and
in column without intervals (companies placed "nose to tail"). When in line the men were drawn up
stirrup to stirrup in 2 ranks. The quietest horses were in the front rank.
The flankers and riflemen were usually sent out to engage the enemy at 150 - 200 paces away from
their parent regiment.
The 1812 Regulations prevented the Prussian cavalry from taking the initiative and was seen as a mere
appendage of the infantry. In battle the cavalry was usually deplyed behind infantry or on the flanks,
only to be used to exploit success achieved by the infantry and not "to go out on its own."
At least theoretically they were to await the attack of the French cavalry. Only when the enemy was
much weaker the Prussian cavalrymen were to attack the enemy. In such case they attacked one or
both flanks of the French. In reality the Prussian cavalrymen were more aggressive.
When more than one cavalry regiment came together then the cuirassiers stood on the right flank, then
dragoons, next to them were hussars and on the left flank stood uhlans.
When attacking French infantry formed in squares, the attack was to be made on the corners. In the
last years of the Napoleonic Wars, maneuvers and tactics of Prussian cavalry were very similar to other
armies.
Fig. 123:
Regiment of 4 squadrons forming column by
squadron.
[Source: Nafziger - "Imperial Bayonets"]
The Prussians had two basic columns, column
of half-squadrons and column of squadrons.
They had two intervals, open (geoffneten) and
closed (geschlossenen or masse). The open
column had intervals equal to the size of a Zug
or squadron. It also had an additional 4 ft.
between each squadron, be the column in Zuge
or squadrons.
The Prussians used two basic systems to ploy from line to column. In the first, when forming a column
of squadrons or Zuge the manoeuvre elements filed by 2s to the flank where the column was to be
formed and, thence, directly to the rear. Continuing in Indian file until the squadron or Zug had
withdrawn to the depth of its position in the intended column, it would turn 90 degrees towards the
final column's location and march to its final position.
Garde zu Pferde (Horse Guard, Garde du Corps)

was the flower of Prussian cavalry.
Cavalry of the Royal Guard.

[Königliche Garde Kavallerie]
Left: officer and private of Garde du Corps in

1806 ?, picture by Bryan Fosten.
Right: Garde du Corps in 1813, picture by

Knotel.
The regiment of guard cavalry (Regiment

Garde zu Pferde, Garde du Corps, Horse
Guard) was formed in 1741 and was the senior
cavalry unit. It was a cuirassier unit, heavy
cavalry. Their regimental standard had the
embroidery, crowns and monograms of mixed
silver, gold and green thread. The privates of
Garde du Corps wore white Kollet with 2
bands of white lace edging the collar and cuffs. The officers wore silver lace
trim. In 1814 the Garde du Corps (Garde zu Pferde, Horse Guard) wore
captured cuirasses of the French horse carabiniers. After the campaign in
France in 1814 Russian monarch, Tsar Alexandr, presented the cuirassiers with black Russian armor.
Chef of the Garde du Corps (Garde zu Pferde, Horse Guard) was

King Friedrich Wilhelm III.
Commanders:
- - - 1801 - von Wintzingerode
- - - 1806 - von Zawadzky
- - - 1810 - von Bockum-Dolffs
- - - 1813 - von Knobelsdorff
- - - 1816 - Graf von Brandenburg
Combats (sometimes only in detachment strength):

- - - 1806 Auerstädt - 1806
- - - Jan 1807 Heilsberg
- - - 1807 Schippenbeil
- - - 1807 Bialochowo
- - - 1807 Gollau
- - - 1807 Königsberg
- - - 1813 Neu-Flemmingen
- - - 1813 Lutzen
- - - 1813 Bautzen
- - - 1813 Haynau
- - - 1813 Leipzig
- - - 1814 Aube
Picture: Normal-Dragoner-Eskadron in 1810. Picture by Knotel.
In 1810 the Normal-Dragoner-Eskadron was formed from men drawn

from dragoon and curassier regiments. The Normal-Hussaren-
Eskadron took men from the hussar rgiments.
In 1813 the two units became Guard Dragoon Squadron and Guard
Hussar Squadron and together with two other squadrons (Guard
Cossacks and Guard Uhlans) formed the Guard Light Cavalry
Regiment (Leichtes Garde-Kavallerie-Regiment)
In 1813 thus were two Guard cavalry regiments:
- Garde du Corps (Garde zu Pferde, Horse Guard) Regiment

- Guard Light Cavalry Regiment (Leichtes Garde-Kavallerie-Regiment)
Both regiments had a normal establishment of 4 squadrons. However, because of "popular

subscription" to the war squadrons known as "freiwilligee jagers" were raised. These were wealthy
young men who wished to liberate the fatherland. (Nafziger - "Lutzen and Bautzen" p 178)
In March 1815 were formed three new regiments:
- Guard Uhlan Regiment (Garde-Ulanen-Regiment)

- Guard Dragoon Regiment (Garde-Dragoner-Regiment)
- Guard Hussar Regiment (Garde-Husaren-Regiment)
The Guard Uhlan Regiment was formed from several smaller units:
- 1 squadron of Guard Uhlans (see picture ->)
- 1 squadron of Guard Cossacks
- 2 squadrons of Silesian National Cavalry
The Kollet of Guard Uhlans was dark blue with yellow buttons, red collar,
cuffs and piping. Two bars of yellow lace were on each side of the collar
and one on the cuff. On the cartridge-box was a brass 'guard star'. Their
greatcoat had white shoulder straps.
The Guard Hussar Regiment was formed from:

- 1 squadron of Guard Hussars
- 3 squadrons of East Prussian National Cavalry
The Guard Hussars wore dark blue pelisse and dolman, poppy red cuffs
and collars and yellow buttons. The saddle cloth was dark blue with
poppy red stripes.
The Guard Dragoon Regiment was formed from:

- 1 squadron of Guard Dragoons
- 1 squadron of Queen's Own Dragoons
- 2 squadrons of Pomeranian National Cavalry
In contrast with the French and British, the Prussian best corps took no part in the fighting in Waterloo
Campaign in 1815. The Royal Guard was kept in reserve and after the war was stationed in Paris.
1815:
Kommandeur: der General-Lieutenant Herzog Carl von Meklenburg Strelitz
Chef des Generalstabs, der Oberst-ltn. von Wedell
Infanterie-Brigade - Oberst von Alvensleben
. . . . . . . . . 1ste Regiment Garde zu Fuss - Oberst-ltn. von Block
. . . . . . . . . 2te Regiment Garde zu Fuss - Oberst-ltn. von Muffling
. . . . . . . . . Garde-Jäger-Bat. - Major von Bock
Infanterie-Brigade - Oberst von Ratzmer
. . . . . . . . . Grenadier-Regiment Kaiser Alexander -Major von Schachtmeier
. . . . . . . . . Grenadier-Regiment Kaiser Franz - Oberst-ltn. von Klür
. . . . . . . . . Garde-Schützen-Bat. - Major Graf von Meuron
Kavallerie-Brigade - Oberst von Knobelsdorf
. . . . . . . . . Regiment Garde zu Pferde - Oberst-ltn. Graf von Brandenburg
. . . . . . . . . Garde-Husaren-Regiment - Major von Knobloch
. . . . . . . . . Garde-Dragoner-Regiment - Oberst-ltn. von Zastrow
. . . . . . . . . Garde-Uhlanen-Regiment - Major von Kraft
Artillerie-Brigade - Major Willmann
. . . . . . . . . 6pfund. Garde Fussbatterie No. 1. - von Lehmann,
. . . . . . . . . 12pfund. Garde Fussbatterie No. 1. - Kpt. von Witt
. . . . . . . . . reitende Garde-Batterie No. 1. - Major von Willmann
. . . . . . . . . reitende Garde-Batterie No. 2. - Kpt. von Neuendorf
. . . . . . . . . Park-Kolonne No. 37.
Within the Prussian cavalry the cuirassiers

enjoyed higher prestige than dragoons and uhlans.
Cuirassiers
[Kürassieren]
Left: Brandenburg Cuirassier Regiment in 1809, by Knotel. From left to right:

- cuirassier in July 1809
- cuirassier in August 1809
Right: Brandenburg Cuirassier

Regiment in 1813, by Knotel. From
left to right:
- officer in blue leibrock
- officer in kolett
- cuirassier in Litevka.
Right:
Squadron of
volunteer-jagers attached to the
Brandenburg Cuirassier Regiment 1813,
picture by Knotel
Within the Prussian cavalry the

cuirassiers enjoyed higher prestige than
dragoons and uhlans. The men and
horses in cuirassier regiments were
bigger and stronger, a factor important
not only on parades. They were the
battle-cavalry who on battlefield charged
en masse crushing the enemy with sheer
force.
In 1806 Prussia had 13 cuirassier regiments, incl. the Garde du Corps Regiment. Then Napoleon
defeated and downsized the Prussian army. In 1812 the numebr of cuirassier regiments was 4,
including the Garde du Corps.
For the campaign in 1815 Prussia had 5 regiments, one Garde du Corps and 4 cuirassier regiments. In
the 4th Regiment served many Saxons. Several cavalry regiments, incl. cuirassiers, had also squadron
of volunteer-jagers.
On campaign the cuirassiers wore either dark blue Litevka or grey greatcoats. But often during battle
the rank and file wore the white, double-breasted Kollet. The shoulder straps were white with piping in
the facing color. When off duty the officers could wear the single-breasted blue tunic known as
Leibrock.
The leather belts were white for all the troopers.
Their headwear was a Russian style high black leather helmet decorated with a black comb (not
covered by oilcloth), a brass plate and chinscales. The helmet fittings were brass.
The cuirassiers wore dark grey overalls and covered in black leather "up the whole length of the inner
legs and around the ankles." The seams could be piped in red "according to colonel's wishes." The
buttons down the outer legs were removed during the 1815 campaign.
Under overalls were worn short boots.
The saddle cloth was in the facing color with 2 edge-stripes in the botton color. Officers' saddle cloth
had silver or gold stripes, depending on button color.
Uniforms of Prussian cuirassiers in 1815
Regiment Coat Facings Buttons

1. Silesian White Black Yellow
2. East Prussian White Light Blue White
3. Brandenburgian White Poppy Red Yellow
4. Westphalian White Yellow White
The cuirassiers were armed with the pallash, a straight-bladed sword. The scabbard was iron.
Additionally they carried 2 pistols each.
The Prussian cuirassiers were lighter than the French heavies. They had not worn the heavy
breastplates since 1790. Andreas Hetzert of Germany wrote us:
"A few weeks ago I bought a reprint-text from "Die Elberfelder Bilderhandschrift" (author: Peter
Schuchardt) from a painter, Johann Carl Hackenberg, who painted in color all troops from 1813 - 1816,
which came through his town Elberfeld. On 02 Feb 1815 he saw the Brandenburger Kürassiere with
yellow (former French) cuirasses and on 06 Feb 1815 the Ostpreussisches Kürassierregiment with
white (former French) cuirasses. Then I found in the reprint of the book "Geschichte der Bekleidung
und Ausrüstung der Königlich Preussischen Armee in den Jahren 1808 bis 1878" (Berlin, 1878, Mila) -
History of clothing and equipment of the Kings Prussian Army in the years of 1808 until 1878, on page
166 § 978 " ... at the end of March 1814 they got the French cuirasses, yellow for the Garde du Corpse
and the Brandenbuger Kürassiere and white for the rest ...." And I found in a reprint from 1840 "Die
Uniformen der Preußischen Garden" / The uniforms of the prussian Guards, a picture of the Garde du
Corps 1806 without a cuirasse and 1814 with a yellow cuirasse, then 1815 a Cuirassier with a black
cuirasse and an officer 1815 with a yellow cuirasse."
"Here, I must give the greatest credit to the Lithuanian Dragoons,

incl. the Volunteer Jager Squadron, who had performed to the highest
standards during the entire campaign ... for the way in which they
carried out the next manouevre could not have been done better on the
parade ground. I had them turn right about by troops,
right wheel in squadrons and charged the [French] battalion
in echelon ... We had to jump both the ditches which lined the road
... The French were in column and hurrying towards Wiederitzsch ...
we got among them and there followed a great bloodbath ..."
- Wilhelm Ludwig Victor Graf von Donnersmark
Dragoons
[Dragoner]
Left: Dragoon of the 6th Regiment in parade

outfit in 1806. Picture by Vuksic, Croatia.
Right: Dragoons during the campaign in

1813.
From left to right:
- officer (mounted) of the Queen's Own
Regiment,
- officer of Brandenbourg Dragoons,
- private of Queen's Own Dragoons,
- senior NCO of Brandenbourg Dragoons,
- private (mounted) of Neumark Dragoons
- trumpeter of Neumark Dragoons
Picture by de Beaufort, France.
.
The Prussian dragoons were excellent. Although they
were of lower status than cuirassiers and rode on smaller
horses, they were in combat more often. The dragoons
were universal troops, they could skirmish, scout, fight
dismounted and make all-out charge in pitched battle. In Auerstadt in 1806 one regiment of Prussian
dragoons scattered some of GdD Gudin's seasoned infantry out of formation and left 600 men killed
and wounded.
The dragoons were armed with a curved saber in an iron scabbard. (The heavy and straigh-bladed
Pallash was favored by the stronger men, however it was replaced by the lighter saber in 1811).
Approx. 20 dragoons per squadron were armed with cavalry carbines.
To several dragoons regiments were attached small detachments of horse volunteer-jagers. Their
officer wears dark green coat, grey trousers and his shako is protected with oilcloth.
The Prussian dragoons wore light blue (or blue) Kollet.

However during campaign they wore the longer, more comfortable
and warmer Litevka.
The black shako was covered with a black oilcloth.

The saddle cloth for all regiments was light blue (blue) with 2 edge-
stripes in facing color.
Picture: Lithuania Dragoon Regiment in 1813, by Knotel. From left to

right:
- dragoon wearing the longer Litevka
- volunteer jager (dismounted)
- officer in kollet
Uniforms of Prussian dragoons in 1815
Regiment Coat Facings Buttons

1. Queen's Own Light Blue Crimson white
2. 1st West Prussian Light Blue white White
3. Lithuanian Light Blue Red Yellow
4. 2nd West Prussian Light Blue Red White
5. Brandenburgian Light Blue Black Yellow
6. Neumark Light Blue Light Red White
7. Rhenish Light Blue white Yellow
8. Magdeburg Light Blue Yellow White
In 1813 at Weinberg Defile, the Prussian uhlans advanced

against French chasseurs who stood behind a ditch.
The French fired a volley. The Prussians halted before
the ditch and the French commander of elite company
rode forward and called a challenge in German:
"Now come here !"
The Prussian officer drew his saber and responded
"Wait a moment, I'm coming !" Unfortunately in this moment
the elite company abandoned the brave officer and fled at once.
The uhlans pursued them. (Nafziger - "Napoleon at Leipzig")
Uhlans
[Ulanen]
Left: Regiment of Towarzysze (Towarczys) in 1806, picture

by Knotel.
Right: Prussian uhlans in 1813, picture by Knotel.
"As early as 1704, the Prussians were using cavalry troops

armed with lances. In 1745, a unit known as Bosniaken ...
wore a costume which derived from Bosnian and Polish
national costume. By 1806, the Prussian army still retained
units with strong Polish/Bosnian links. These were the
‘Towarczys" Regiment and a self-standing "Towarczy"
Battalion, both of which were armed primarily with the lance
... The Prussian uhlan regiment, raised in 1806/7 from the
former Towarczys, had a strength of 8 squadrons. But was
later split in two to form two separate regiments of four squadrons each." For more info click here
(ext.link)
In 1807 the Towarczys Regiment was disbanded. (Towarzysze in Polish means Comrades, Nobles).
With the reorganisation of the Prussian forces the remains of this famous unit were split into two units:
- (1st) West Prussian Uhlan Regiment

- (2nd) Silesian Uhlan Regiment
"In 1809, Major von Schill, the commander of the 2nd Brandenberg Hussar Regiment, raised the flag of
revolt against Napoleon. His actions were illconsidered and as a result, his regiment was struck from
the army list and was replaced by the newly-formed Brandenburg Uhlan Regiment." (John Stallaert -
"The prussian Army")
- (3rd) Brandenburg Uhlan Regiment
Uniforms of Prussian uhlans
Lance-
Regiment Coat Shoulder Straps Buttons
Pennants
1. West Prussian Dark Blue White Yellow White / Blue
2. Silesian Dark Blue Red Yellow Red / Blue
3. Brandenburgian Dark Blue Yellow Yellow Yellow / Blue
In 1815 the number of uhlan regiments increased.
The (5th) '1st Rhenish' Uhlan Regiment was formed from:

- III Squadron of Silesian Hussars
- III Squadron of Brandenburg Hussars
- II Squadron of Berg Hussars
The (7th) '2nd Rhenish' Uhlan Regiment was formed from:
- Hellwig's cavalrymen
- Saxon uhlans
The (8th) '3rd Rhenish' Uhlan Regiment was formed from:
- two hussar regiments of Russo-German Legion.
(In 1815 they still didn't have lances and uhlan uniforms.
They were armed and dressed like hussars.)
The Prussian uhlan was armed with lance and curved saber in steel scabbard. The lance had brown
shaft, iron point and (since 1815) white over black pennants. The rank and file were armed with pistols
but no carbines.
The Prussian uhlans wore dark blue Kollet with red collars and 'Polish' cuffs. The lapels were pipped in
red. Their legwears were the usual cavalry overalls. The shako was covered with black waxed cloth.
In 1815 the tall black Polish czapka with black chinstraps was introduced. Privates and NCOs wore the
dark blue sash, while officers had the silver-and-black sash.
The black sheepskin saddle cloth with red "wolf's teeth" trim was replaced in 1815 with a rounded,
dark blue saddle cloth.
Uniforms of Prussian uhlans in 1815
Lance-
Regiment Coat Shoulder Straps Buttons
Pennants
1. 1st West Prussian Dark Blue White Yellow White / Black
2. Silesian Dark Blue Red Yellow White / Black
3. Brandenburgian Dark Blue Yellow Yellow White / Black
4. Pomeranian Dark Blue Light Blue Yellow White / Black
5. 1st Rhenish Dark Blue White White White / Black
6. 2nd West Prussian Dark Blue Red White White / Black
7. 2nd Rhenish Dark Blue Yellow White White / Black
8. 3rd Rhenish Dark Blue Light Blue White White / Black
The black-clad 1st Life Hussar Regiment

struck fear into the enemy for many years.
Their badge (skull and crossbones)
was also used by the Das Reich SS Panzer Division
and some other elite SS troops during World War 2.
Hussars
[Husaren]
Left: Prussian hussars in 1806. Picture by Knotel. From left to right: - von Prittwitz Hussars (1806),
- Prinz Eugen von Wurttemberg Hussars (1807),
- von Pietz Hussars (1806),
- von Rudorff Hussars (1807).
Right: privates of 1st Silesian Hussar Regiment skirmishing in 1813. Picture by Knotel.
.
Right: detachment of
Volunteer-Jagers of 1st
Silesian Hussars in 1813.
Picture by Knotel.
The Prussian hussars were of awerage height and rode on smaller but agile horses. If they were not as
disciplined and trained as dragoons and not as strong and robust as the cuirassiers, the hussars were
the most dashing. They participated in many bold actions, went through the most difficult situations,
and they also skirmished, scouted and pursued the enemy. From 25 to 29 June 1815 (several days after
Waterloo) two regiments of Prussian hussars had ridden a total of 170 km and since 15 June they had
been marching and fighting almost continuously, which was taking its toll both on men and horses.
In 1806 were 10 hussar regiments, in 1812 only six.
In 1815 the regiments of National Cavalry became regular regiments,

and six of them went into hussars.
In 1815 Prussia had 12 hussar regiments.
- The (11th) '2nd Rhenish' Hussar Regiment was formed from:

1st, 2nd and 3rd Berg Hussar Regiment.
- The (12th) Hussar Regiment was formed from
two Saxon hussar regiments and militia.
The Prussian hussars were armed with curved

sabers and carbines. Pistols were carried by NCOs
and trumpeters.
Hussars' uniforms were the most expensive and

gave them an advantage when it came to
conquering women's hearts :-)
Until 1806 the officers of Guard hussars on parade
wore red-lined panther skins. During campaign
however the hussars wore grey overalls over their
tight breeches, the black shako was protected by a
black oilcloth.
The sabretache was of brown leather and having a

flap with a poppy red cover. The waist sashes were
of the same color as the dolman collar. Officers
wore silver-and-black sashes.
The hussars used black sheepskin saddle cloth
with a poppy red "wolf's teeth" trim. These items
were replaced in 1815 by rounded saddle cloth
with pointed corners.
The dolman and pelisse were in the same color.

The pelisse of the hussars had white fur, but black
for the Normal-Husaren-Eskadron. In 1815,
pelisses of the 2. Leib-Husaren-Regiment [No. 2 in
the army list], as well as the 7., 8., 9., 10. and 12. Regiment also got black fur. NCOs had black fur, but
this was changed in 1815 and from that year onwards their fur was of the same colour as that of the
men. Officers had grey "Baranken" (fur of Russian lambs). In 1815 in those of regiments with black fur
the fur of officers became black, too, the officers in the white fur regiments retaining the "Baranken".
After 1808 other hussar regiments had no shoulder straps, except their officers. The official regulations
issued in December 1808 stated that the sabretache of the Pommeranian and the 1st and 2nd Life
Hussars would be of black leather. The regimental history of the Life Hussars by Mackensen confirms
the black sabretache. Some illustrators incl. Herbert Knotel, however depict the sabretache of Life
Hussars as covered with red cloth. (Herbert Knötel is considered as generally less reliable than his
father Richard.)
The uniforms of 1st and the 2nd Life Hussars were quite similar until 1815. The only difference was
that the 1st had white and the 2nd had poppy-red shoulder-straps. In March 1815 the 1st Life Hussars
retained the poppy-red facings (collar, cuffs, stripes etc.), while the 2nd Life were given black.
Uniforms of Prussian hussars in 1815
Stripes
Dolman & Collar & Buttons & Saddle
Regiment (on saddle
Pelisse Cuffs Cords Cloth
cloth)
1. Life Poppy Poppy
Black White Black
"Death's Head" Red Red
2. Life Black Black White Black Black
3. Dark Poppy Dark Poppy
White
Brandenburgian Blue Red Blue Red
4. 1st Silesian Brown Brown Yellow Brown Yellow
Dark Dark Dark Dark
5. Pomeranian Yellow
Blue Blue Blue Blue
Poppy Poppy
6. 2nd Silesian Green Yellow Green
Red Red
Poppy Poppy
7. Black Yellow Black
Red Red
Dark Light Dark Light
8. Yellow
Blue Blue Blue Blue
Corn Corn Corn Corn
9. Yellow
Blue Blue Blue Blue
Light Light
10. Green Yellow Green
Blue Blue
Poppy Poppy
11. Green White Green
Red Red
Corn Corn Corn Corn
12. White
Blue Blue Blue Blue
Death's Head's Hussars

"Totenkopf-Husaren"
The black-clad hussars struck fear
into the enemy for many years.
One regiment stood out above the others. It dressed in black and took as its badge a skull. The
regiment became known as the Death's Head Hussars and struck fear into the enemy for many years.
It was the 1st Life Hussar Regiment (1. Leib-Husaren-Regiment)
The chefs of this unit were:

1804-1808 von Prittwitz
1808-1840 His Majesty Friedrich Wilhelm III
The commanders were:

1803 - Lossow
1806 - Pfuhl
1809 - von Czerdaheli

1812 - Sandrart
The 1st Life Hussar Regiment participated in record number of combats: 66 !

1806 - Drobin, Sierps, Biezun, Mlawa u. Soldau, Lahna, 1807 - Schippenbeil,
Lennenburg, Waltersdorf, Wackern, Eylau, Braunsberg, Wusen (Vorpost.),
Albrechtsdorf, Danzig (Gdansk), Spanden, Dietrichsdorf, Heilsberg, Gollau
and Königsberg, 1812 (as Hus. R. Nr. 1 under Major von Cosel) - Poniewiesz,
Borusk (Bobrujsk ?), Wyszki (part of regiment), Czeszawen, Garossenkrug
(part of regiment), Neugut (part of regiment), Schöppingsmühle and
Baldohnen, Neumühle (part of regiment) and Friedrichstadt, 1813 -
Dannigkow, Magdeburg, Bernburg, Halle (Jäg. Sq.), Friedeburg (1. Sq.),
Luckau (Jäg. Sq.), Kalau, Hoyerswerda, Luckau, Großbeeren, Jüterbog,
Klausdorf, Dennewitz, Burgxdorf, Streumen, Colmitz, Treugeböla, Leipzig,
Zütphen, Gorkum, Heusden, Herzogenbusch, Breda, Bavel, Doest and
Ypelaer (part of regiment), 1814 - Hoogstraten and Turnhout, Antwerp, Lier,
Condé, Soisson, Fontenay, La Fère Champenoise, Jonville and Compiègne.
The 2nd Life Hussar Regiment was formed in 1808 by taking 4 out of 8
squadrons of 1st Life Hussars. It participated in 36 battles.
The 1st and 2nd Life Hussars (Leib-Husaren) did wear the "Totenkopf" on their shakos.
There is however disagreement to the badge painted on the shako cover. The well-
known illustrator Knotel has the shako-covers painted with the full skull and
crossbones.
PS.
That badge was also used by the Das Reich SS Panzer Division and some other SS
troops during World War 2. The Waffen-SS was the Nazi party's fighting force. In
contrast to Germany's regular army, the Waffen-SS was an elite combat unit composed of volunteer
troops with particularly strong personal commitments to Nazi ideology. Images: 1 (ext.link)
On 27th June 1815 the 1st Pomeranian Landwehr Cavalry Regiment

moved to Senlis. They found the town empty of French troops.
Hardly had the regiment dismounted on the market place
to bivouac when an outpost returned in full flight.
Hot on its heels was a detachment of French curiassiers from
Donop's brigade (Kellermann's Corps). The landwehr had no time
to remount and the commander of the cuirassiers demanded
their surrender. Major Blankenburg decided otherwise.
Leading those men who were mounted, he charged the French,
taking advantage of the fact that they were bottled up in
one of the streets and thus unable to manoeuvre.
The landwehr cut down the front rank of the cuirassiers
and drove them out of the town. A detachment of 2nd Silesian Hussars
supported the landwehr with carbine fire. Meanwhile, the elite
French horse carabinier brigade arrived and the landwehr quickly fell back.
(Hofschroer - "1815: The Waterloo Campaign" p 230)
Landwehr Cavalry
[Landwehr Kavallerie]
Left: detachment of volunteer jagers attached to Silesian Landwehr Cavalry Regiment in 1813-1815.
Picture by Knotel.
Right: East Prussian Landwehr

Cavalry Regiment in 1813. Picture by
Knotel.
Below: officer and private of Elbe

Landwehr Cavalry in 1813-1814.
Picture by Knotel
The Landwehr cavalry was

considered light cavalry.
In March 1813 Landwehr (militia) was formed on the introduction

of universal conscription, including formations of 30 Landwehr
Cavalry Regiments with total of 113 squadrons (each squadron
with 72-102 men).
Additionally several provinces of Prussia (East Prussia,

Pomerania, Silesia and Western Prussia) formed their own
National Cavalry Regiment. During the autumn campain in 1813
the 113 squadrons of Landwehr Cavalry had 10.952 men, while
the National Cavalry 13.375 men.
In 1815 were 30-34 Landwehr Cavalry Regiments, while the

National Cavalry Regiments no longer existed. These formations
became regular regiments.
Provinces: Landwehr cavalry regiments
East Prussia - 5 regiments

West Prussia - 3
Pomerania - 3
Neumark - 2
Kurmark - 7
Silesia - 8
Westphalia - 1
Elbe - 1
Thuringia - 1 (after June 1815)
Rhineland - none (3 regiments after November 1815)
At Waterloo 40 % of Prussian cavalry was made of Landwehr, 38 % were hussars, 13 % uhlans, only 9
% dragoons and 0 % cuirassiers and guards.
The Landwehr Cavalry was armed with curved sabers and lances. Mark Adkin gives them also pistols.
(Adkin - "The Waterloo Companion" p 255)
"The Landwehr cavalry were given lances in imitation of the Cossacks. Lack of training in their use
must have made them fairly ineffective in a battlefield role." (- Peter Hofschroer
The Landwehr Cavalry wore dark blue Litevka with collars and cuffs in provincial colors. The leather
belts were black. They wore their typical headwear with a white cross, although shakos were also
popular. In 1815 the Neumark regiments wore English stovepipe shakos, and the 3rd Silesian wore the
Polish style czapka.
Uniforms of Prussian Landwehr Cavalry in 1815
Province Coat Litevka Collar and Cuffs Buttons

East Prussia Dark Blue Poppy Red White
Kurmark and Neumark Dark Blue Poppy Red Yellow
West Prussia Dark Blue Black White
Pomerania Dark Blue White Yellow

Silesia Dark Blue Yellow White
Westphalia Dark Blue Green White
Elbe Dark Blue Light Blue Yellow
Rhineland Dark Blue Madder Red Yellow
Shoulder straps within regiments:
white for I Squadrons
red for II Squadrons
yellow for III Squadrons
light blue for IV Squadrons
Sources and Links.

Recommended Reading.
Information supplied by Oliver Schmidt from Germany

Hofschroer - "Prussian Cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars 1792-1815"
Craig - "The Germans"
Nafziger - "Napoleon at Leipzig"
Duffy - "Frederick the Great"
Holborn - "A History of Modern Germany 1648-1840"
Digby-Smith - "1813: Leipzig"
Petre - "Napoleon’s Conquest of Prussia 1806" 1993
Simms - "The Struggle for Mastery in Germany" 1998
Article by Dallas Gavan "Prussian Cavalry Standards 1808-1815" on napoleonseries.org
flags from warflag.com
"Deutsche Uniformen - Das Zeitalter Friedrich des Großen" von Herbert Knötel d. J., Text und Erläuterungen von
Dr. Martin Letzius, Herausgegeben von der Sturm-Zigaretten GmbH Dresden-A. 21 (Erscheinungsjahr: 1932)
Russian Cavalry
Preussische Kavallerie - Der Chronist.
Preußische Husaren.
Preussische Uhlanen.
Prussian Army of the Napoleonic Wars
Prussian Infantry - - Prussian Cavalry - - Prussian Artillery
Battle of Dennewitz, 1813

General von Bulow crushed Marshal Ney
Battle of Leipzig, 1813
The Battle of the Nations,
the largest conflict until World War One:
Battle of Waterloo, 1813
The German Victory - interview with Peter Hofschroer
Tactiques et combats de cavalerie

Cut and Slash vs Thrust, Charge, Melee, Pursuit, Casualties
La meilleure cavalerie
Napoléon, son armée et ses ennemis

Prussian Cavalry - Uniforms - Cuirassiers - Dragoons - Hussars - Preußische Kavallerie

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30/03/2023 16:47 Prussian Cavalry : Uniforms : Cuirassiers : Dragoons : Hussars : Preußische Kavallerie

La Prusse, l'un des pays

front." ... son chef d'état-major

The Prussian Cavalry.

Prussian cavalry grew from 1,000 sabers in the early

In 1757 at Rossbach the Prussian army (22,000 men) under

During the Napoleonic Wars the

Only the cuirassier and dragoon regiments

Weapons and Flags.

Photo: Prussian light cavalry sabre from

The Trakheners became Prussian army chargers

According to contracts between 1803 and 1817, horses bought for

- 157 cm for the cuirasiers

Below is average height of horses bought between 1810 and 1815.

Average height of horses Number of horses

1810 Garde du Corps 163 cm 56

No central reserve of cavalry, the battle winning ram,

Organization of Prussian Cavalry.

In 1805 Prussia had:

In 1815 (Waterloo Campaign) Prussia had:

- colonels commanded 7 regiments (3 cuirassier, 2 dragoon, and 2 hussars)

Each squadron had

Two or three regiments (sometimes four) formed brigade.

I ARMY CORPS in October 1813 I ARMY CORPS in June 1815

1st Brigade 1st Brigade

"The Prussian 1812 Regulation laid down strict instructions

Tactics of Prussian Cavalry.

Garde zu Pferde (Horse Guard, Garde du Corps)

Cavalry of the Royal Guard.

Left: officer and private of Garde du Corps in

Right: Garde du Corps in 1813, picture by

The regiment of guard cavalry (Regiment

Chef of the Garde du Corps (Garde zu Pferde, Horse Guard) was

Combats (sometimes only in detachment strength):

Picture: Normal-Dragoner-Eskadron in 1810. Picture by Knotel.

In 1810 the Normal-Dragoner-Eskadron was formed from men drawn

In 1813 thus were two Guard cavalry regiments:

- Garde du Corps (Garde zu Pferde, Horse Guard) Regiment

Both regiments had a normal establishment of 4 squadrons. However, because of "popular

In March 1815 were formed three new regiments:

- Guard Uhlan Regiment (Garde-Ulanen-Regiment)

- Guard Hussar Regiment (Garde-Husaren-Regiment)

The Guard Hussar Regiment was formed from:

The Guard Dragoon Regiment was formed from:

Within the Prussian cavalry the cuirassiers

Left: Brandenburg Cuirassier Regiment in 1809, by Knotel. From left to right:

Right: Brandenburg Cuirassier

Within the Prussian cavalry the

The leather belts were white for all the troopers.

Under overalls were worn short boots.

Uniforms of Prussian cuirassiers in 1815

Regiment Coat Facings Buttons

"Here, I must give the greatest credit to the Lithuanian Dragoons,

Left: Dragoon of the 6th Regiment in parade

Right: Dragoons during the campaign in

The Prussian dragoons wore light blue (or blue) Kollet.

The black shako was covered with a black oilcloth.

Picture: Lithuania Dragoon Regiment in 1813, by Knotel. From left to

Uniforms of Prussian dragoons in 1815

Regiment Coat Facings Buttons

In 1813 at Weinberg Defile, the Prussian uhlans advanced

Left: Regiment of Towarzysze (Towarczys) in 1806, picture

Right: Prussian uhlans in 1813, picture by Knotel.