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1st Lithuanian Dragoon Regiment

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1st Lithuanian Dragoon Regiment
Lithuanian Dragoon Regiment in 1813
Active1717-1919
CountryKingdom of Prussia
TypeDragoons

1st Lithuanian Dragoon Regiment (Lithuanian: 1-as lietuvių dragūnų pulkas; German: Dragoner-Regiment „Prinz Albrecht von Preußen“ (Litthauisches) Nr. 1) was a Prussian Lithuanian dragoon regiment of the Royal Prussian Army.[1] The regiment was formed in 1717 and disbanded in 1919. This regiment was one of the eldest in the whole Prussian army.

The regiment was recruited almost exclusively from volunteers from its immediate homeland, i.e. Lithuania Minor, and was well reputed in the army at all times for having the best horses and riders.[2] In the memoirs of the inhabitants of Lithuania Minor it is written that they were proud of serving in this regiment.[3]

18th century

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On 19 April 1717, King Frederick William I of Prussia ordered major general Heinrich Jordan von Wuthenau [de] to form a regiment from 780 Saxon cavalrymen and dragoons, which Augustus II the Strong gifted the Prussian King. Already in May, von Wuthenau divided the regiment into eight companies.[2] The uniform consisted of a white coat with light blue embroidering, because of which the regiment was called the "Porcelain regiment". In December, the regiment was ordered to march to Insterburg (Lithuanian: Įsrūtis), Tilsit (Lithuanian: Tilžė), Ragnit (Lithuanian: Ragainė), Goldap (Lithuanian: Geldapė), Stallupönen (Lithuanian: Stalupėnai) and Pillkallen (Lithuanian: Pilkalnis). In 1718, the whole regiment was assembled in its entirety to a single place for military exercise in Insterburg and by the August of that year, the regiment already had ten companies. In 1725, it was established that every company would have 110 dragoons, and each company was renamed to squadrons.

When general von Wuthenau died in 1727, the regiment was divided in two regiments, which were that of von Cosel [de] and von Dockum. The regiment von Cosel maintained the same uniform and was assigned all of the same garrisons except Tilsit. The dragoon regiment von Dockum remained in Tilsit with its five squadrons and received white coats with red embroidering. After a year, the regiment received silver timpani. The dragoon regiment von Dockum was later called the 7th Dragoon regiment.

In the period between 1734 and 1746, the regiment was often relocated to various places such as Berlin, Magdeburg, Potsdam or Tilsit. Finally, in 1746, Tilsit was established as the regiment's permanent garrison.

First Silesian War (1740-1742)

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During the First Silesian War, the regiment fought in the Battle of Chotusitz with the Imperial and Royal von Birkenfeld Cuirassier regiment. The dragoon regiment's Leibstandarte was lost when the enemies grenadiers seized it from the seriously wounded junker von Roop. The regiment lost four officers and 152 soldiers, with six officers and 71 soldiers being wounded. In addition, three officers and 280 soldiers were taken prisoners of war.

Second Silesian War (1744–1745)

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During the Second Silesian War, adjutant lieutenant von Blankenburg lost the timpani and flag in the skirmish near Niederzehren. However, in the battle of Kesselsdorf, the dragoon regiment attacked the Saxon Karabiniers-garde and mounted grenadiers. The Lithuanian dragoon regiment defeated the Saxon Foot Guard and also the Saxon infantry regiment Niesemeuschel. The victorious regiment took away the flags of both of these regiments. In addition, the regiment seized the flag and silver timpani of the Saxon Karabiniers-garde.

19th century

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Napoleonic wars

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After the Treaties of Tilsit and the cabinet's order of 14 September 1808, regiments were no longer named after their commanders. During the Prussian Army's reorganization, the regiment was initially called the East Prussian Dragoon Regiment (Ostpreußisches Dragoner-Regiment), and after the cabinet's order of 14 September 1808, the regiment was called the 3rd Dragoon Regiment. The Lithuanian Dragoon Regiment was at first established in Tilžė and Įsrūtis.

Two of the regiment's squadrons were made part of the 1st Mobile Dragoon Regiment, which was part of Yorck's Prussian Auxiliary Corps. This corps fought on Napoleon's side in the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Later, the regiment fought in Germany and France in 1813 and 1814. The Lithuanian Dragoons repeatedly distinguished themselves in Yorck's Corps, especially at Möckern.[4] In the Battle of Leipzig, the regiment captured a French Imperial Eagle.[5]

After the Napoleonic wars

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Circa 1815–1816, the regiment's soldiers were dispersed into other parts of the Prussian Kingdom, i.e. Berlin, Demmin or Tilžė. In 1819, the regiment was renumbered from being the 3rd in the dragoon regiments' sequence to being the 1st.[6] During 1860–1866, the regiment garrisoned different parts of East Prussia such as Įsrūtis or Ragainė.

Finally, from 1879, the regiment was located only in Tilžė.

20th century

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World War I

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Even until the end of the First World War, the signs outside the soldiers' barracks were in Lithuanian and German languages.[7]

Uniforms

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During World War I, the uniforms of the regiment's soldiers had red piping.[8]

Commanders

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The regimental commanders were the following:[9]

No. Portrait Commander Took office Left office Time in office
1
Anton Ludolph von Krosigk
von Krosigk, Anton LudolphOberst
Anton Ludolph von Krosigk
(1667–1737)
19 April 171731 March 17213 years, 346 days
2
Franz Christoph von Friesenhausen
von Friesenhausen, Franz ChristophOberst
Franz Christoph von Friesenhausen
31 March 172115 June 17276 years, 76 days
3
Wilhelm von Rappe
von Rappe, WilhelmOberstleutnant
Wilhelm von Rappe
15 June 17273 May 17379 years, 322 days
4
Friedrich von Stosch [de]
von Stosch, FriedrichOberst
Friedrich von Stosch [de]
(1689–1752)
3 May 17371 November 1744<7 years, 5 months
5
Friedrich Ludwig I. Truchseß von Waldburg [de]
von Waldburg, Friedrich Ludwig I. TruchseßOberstleutnant
Friedrich Ludwig I. Truchseß von Waldburg [de]
(1711–1777)
1 November 174419 January 1746<1 year, 2 months
6
Joachim Wilhelm von Ahlimb [de]
von Ahlimb, Joachim WilhelmOberstleutnant
Joachim Wilhelm von Ahlimb [de]
(1701–1763)
19 January 174617 April 1754<8 years, 2 months
7
Johann Heinrich Friedrich von Spaen [de]
von Spaen, Johann Heinrich FriedrichMajor
Johann Heinrich Friedrich von Spaen [de]
(1705–1762)
17 April 175418 February 1759<4 years, 10 months
8
Carl Sigismund von Pogrell
von Pogrell, Carl SigismundMajor
Carl Sigismund von Pogrell
1759? (c.1760)<10 months
9
Heinrich Ernst von Loßberg
von Loßberg, Heinrich ErnstMajor
Heinrich Ernst von Loßberg
? (c.1760)until September 1760<8 months
10
Joachim Anton von Massow
von Massow, Joachim AntonOberst
Joachim Anton von Massow
23 September 1760[10]29 November 1762<2 years
11
Karl von Eberstein
von Eberstein, KarlMajor
Karl von Eberstein
29 November 1762[11]27 October 1778<15 years, 10 months
12
Sylvius von Frankenberg und Proschlitz [de]
von Frankenberg und Proschlitz, SylviusMajor, then Oberstleutnant, later Oberst and then Generalmajor
Sylvius von Frankenberg und Proschlitz [de]
(1732–1795)
6 November 177826 September 1790<11 years, 10 months
13
Joseph Albrecht Christoph von Bieberstein-Pilchowsky [de]
von Bieberstein-Pilchowsky, Joseph Albrecht ChristophOberst
Joseph Albrecht Christoph von Bieberstein-Pilchowsky [de]
(1730–1815)
26 September 179027 November 1793<3 years, 2 months
14
Franz von Quoos
von Quoos, FranzMajor, then Oberstleutnant, then Oberst
Franz von Quoos
27 November 1793[12]25 September 1798<4 years, 9 months
15
Joseph Theodor Sigismund von Baczko [de]
von Baczko, Joseph Theodor SigismundOberstleutnant, then Oberst
Joseph Theodor Sigismund von Baczko [de]
(1751–1840)
25 September 179818 November 1806<8 years, 1 month
16
Helmuth Dietrich von Maltzahn [de]
von Maltzahn, Helmuth DietrichOberst
Helmuth Dietrich von Maltzahn [de]
(1761–1826)
18 November 18061 February 1813<6 years, 2 months
17
Gottlieb Wilhelm Christian von Platen [de]
von Platen, Gottlieb Wilhelm ChristianOberst
Gottlieb Wilhelm Christian von Platen [de]
(1765–1819)
1 February 181330 June 1813<4 months
18
Theodor von Below [de]
von Below, TheodorOberstleutnant then Oberst
Theodor von Below [de]
(1765–1839)
30 June 18135 January 1816<2 years, 6 months
19
Rudolph Hiller von Gaertringen [de]
von Gaertringen, Rudolph HillerOberst
Rudolph Hiller von Gaertringen [de]
(1771–1831)
5 January 181615 November 1827<11 years, 10 months
20
Wilhelm von Tietzen und Hennig [de]
von Tietzen und Hennig, WilhelmOberstleutnant
Wilhelm von Tietzen und Hennig [de]
(1787–1869)
30 March 182830 March 1836<8 years
21
Karl von Broesigke [de]
von Broesigke, KarlMajor
Karl von Broesigke [de]
(1790–1852)
30 March 183629 March 1839<2 years, 11 months
22
Heinrich Gregorovius
Gregorovius, HeinrichHeinrich Gregorovius30 March 183923 March 1841<1 year, 11 months
23
Hans Adolf Erdmann von Auerswald
von Auerswald, Hans Adolf ErdmannHans Adolf Erdmann von Auerswald
(1792–1848)
23 March 1841<6 years
24
Karl von Dunker
von Dunker, KarlMajor
Karl von Dunker
27 March 18478 March 1848<11 months
25
Otto von Trotta genannt Treyden [de]
von Trotta genannt Treyden, OttoMajor then Oberstleutnant, then Oberst
Otto von Trotta genannt Treyden [de]
9 March 18487 August 1854<6 years, 4 months
26
Eduard Kehler
Kehler, EduardMajor then Oberstleutnant
Eduard Kehler
5 October 185413 March 1857<3 years, 2 months
27
Richard von Kalckreuth [de]
von Kalckreuth, RichardMajor then Oberstleutnant then Oberst
Richard von Kalckreuth [de]
(1808–1879)
14 May 185715 September 1862<5 years, 4 months
28
Otto von Bernhardi [de]
von Bernhardi, OttoMajor then Oberstleutnant then Oberst
Otto von Bernhardi [de]
(1818–1897)
16 September 186221 March 1868<5 years, 6 months
29
Ferdinand von Massow [de]
Oberstleutnant then Oberst
Ferdinand von Massow [de]
(1830–1878)
22 March 18681 December 1871<3 years, 8 months
30
August von Egloffstein
von Egloffstein, AugustOberstleutnant then Oberst
August von Egloffstein
17 December 187115 October 1873<1 year, 9 months
31
Otto von Holtzendorff
von Holtzendorff, OttoOberstleutnant then Oberst
Otto von Holtzendorff
16 October 18734 August 1875<1 year, 9 months
32
Richard Manché
Manché, RichardMajor then Oberstleutnant then Oberst
Richard Manché
5 August 18754 July 1883<7 years, 10 months
33
Albert von Kemnitz
von Kemnitz, AlbertOberstleutnant then Oberst
Albert von Kemnitz
5 July 188316 January 1888<4 years, 6 months
34
Hans von Meyer
von Meyer, HansOberstleutnant then Oberst
Hans von Meyer
17 January 188827 July 1892<4 years, 6 months
35
Gustav Kühls
Kühls, GustavOberstleutnant then Oberst
Gustav Kühls
28 July 189213 May 1894<5 years, 4 months
36
Hans von Gersdorff (General) [de]
von Gersdorff, HansMajor then Oberstleutnant then Oberst
Hans von Gersdorff (General) [de]
(1847–1929)
14 May 189417 August 1898<5 years, 4 months
37
Kuno von Ruppert
von Ruppert, KunoOberstleutnant then Oberst
Kuno von Ruppert
18 August 189821 April 1901<2 years, 8 months
38
Julius von Platen [de]
von Platen, JuliusOberstleutnant then Oberst
Julius von Platen [de]
(1853–1922)
22 April 19019 September 1908<7 years, 4 months
39
Wedig von Glasenapp
von Glasenapp, WedigOberstleutnant then Oberst
Wedig von Glasenapp
10 September 19083 April 1913<4 years, 6 months
40
Georg von Eicke und Pollwitz
von Eicke und Pollwitz, GeorgOberstleutnant
Georg von Eicke und Pollwitz
4 April 191311 December 1913<8 months
41
Karl von Kanitz
von Kanitz, KarlOberstleutnant then Oberst
Karl von Kanitz
12 December 191321 March 1918<4 years, 3 months
42
Hermann Osterroht
Osterroht, HermannOberstleutnant
Hermann Osterroht
22 March 1918June 1919<1 year, 2 months

Legacy

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A statue commemorating the regiment's fallen soldiers was built after World War I.[7] Within the Reichswehr, the regiment's traditions were passed on by the 1st Squadron of the 1st Cavalry Regiment, part of the 1st Cavalry Division.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Matulevičius 2020.
  2. ^ a b Goetzke 2003.
  3. ^ Rėklaitis 1968.
  4. ^ von Ramin 1967, p. 64.
  5. ^ von Haber 1877, p. 101.
  6. ^ Berckenhagen & Wagner 1982, p. 240.
  7. ^ a b Jakužaitis 1952.
  8. ^ Bull 2000, p. 51.
  9. ^ Günter Wegmann (Hrsg.), Günter Wegner: Formationsgeschichte und Stellenbesetzung der deutschen Streitkräfte 1815–1990. Teil 1: Stellenbesetzung der deutschen Heere 1815–1939. Band 3: Die Stellenbesetzung der aktiven Regimenter, Bataillone und Abteilungen von der Stiftung bzw. Aufstellung bis zum 26. August 1939. Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück 1993, ISBN 3-7648-2413-1, S. 44–46.
  10. ^ Sammlung ungedruckter Nachrichten. Band 3, S. 19.
  11. ^ Louis Ferdinand Eberstein: Geschichte der Freiherren von Eberstein. Band 1, S. 1185.
  12. ^ Gothaisches genealogisches Taschenbuch der adeligen Häuser. Gotha 1904, S. 689.
  13. ^ Richter 1968, p. 77.

Sources

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  • Bull, Stephen (2000). Newark, Tim (ed.). World War One: German Army. Brassey's History of Uniforms. ISBN 1574882783.

Lithuanian

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German

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