. "Das Paradies der Erde liegt auf den Rucken der Pferde" Paradise on earth is on the backs of horses. (Motto of German cavalry) The Prussian Cavalry. The cavalry was probably the most vaunted arm of the Prussian army until 1806. Prussia and then Germany, was one of the three horse loving countries (Poland, Hungary, Germany). Prussia, possessing horses in plenty, furnished numerous men for the cavalry, who, from their childhood, have been at home in the saddle. As cavalrymen they enjoyed great reputation in Europe. The horse care was much better than in the French army. Prussian cavalry grew from 1,000 sabers in the early XVII century to 6,000 by 1750, and reached the peak of its fame and its most successful employment under Frederick the Great. During the Seven Years War it was decisive in a number of victorious battles, both by bold charges and enveloping operations. It several occasions it even prevented disaster by covering army retreats. The cavalry was probably the most vaunted arm of the Prussian army until 1806. 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 cavaliers were far 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. Prussian cavalry enjoyed several great successes against French infantry. In May 1813 at Michelsdorf approx. 15 squadrons of cavalry (Silesian Cuirassier Regiment, East Prussian Cuirassier Regiment, Silesian Uhlan Regiment and the Guard Light Cavalry Regiment) attacked the French 16th Division. The Silesian cuirassiers crushed the partially formed French square, the East Prussian cuirassiers moved between Michelsdorf and Hainau, routing all formed bodies of infantry they found. The other cavalry units captured six guns and cut the gunners. The 16th Division broke and fled in a bloody rout to Michelsdorf. During the battle of Leipzig, von Yorck gathered his troops near Mockers and counterattacked with 2 squadrons of Brandenburg hussars and 1 sq. of horse volunteer-jagers who until now stood in a hollow ground and were unseen to the French. Behind them advanced Brandenburg Uhlan Regiment. 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. The infantry 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 sq. 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 Prussia' Dragoon Regiment, 'Lithuania' Dragoon Regiment 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. It was one of the greatest cavalry charges of the Napoleonic wars. At Ostrovno "Murat makes the Prussian Black Lancers charge down the main road at two battalions of Russian artillery and infantry, in squares on either side of it; and from his hight ground Thirion sees how 'this charge, made calmly at a trot, not proving successful, this cavalry retired as it had adcanced. It was the first time I'd seen cavalry charge at that pace and came back from it without any shouting and disorder." (Britten-Austin "1812 The March on Moscow" p 135) Weapons The Prussian cavalry was armed with sabers, pallash, lances, carbines, rifles and pistols. The cuirassires wore helmets but there was no body armor. cuirassiers were armed with straight, heavy pallash. No body armor until 1814. 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. Their Volunteer-Jagers were armed with carbines instead of lances. hussars were armed with curved sabers and carbines. Their carabiniers were armed with rifles. Flags "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) 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.

. The Trakheners became Prussian army chargers and of quality unsurpassed in Europe. They were also 'purchased' by Napoleon. Horses. Height and Color According to contracts between 1803 and 1817, horses bought for the cuirasiers should have had a height at the withers (German: "Widerrist") of 5 Prussian feet (157 cm) at least, those of dragoons 4 feet 11 inches (154 cm) and hussars 4 feet 9 inches (149 cm), but many horses were smaller. The average size of the horses present in - or bought for - different units: 1810 -Garde du Corps 163 cm (of 56 horses which were bought) 1813 -Garde du Corps 158 cm (of 40 horses which were bought) 1810 -Kürassiere 159 cm (of 136 horses which were bought) 1811 -Kürassiere 160 cm (of 136 horses which were bought) 1810 -Ulanen 155 cm (of 96 horses which were bought) 1811 -Ulanen 156 cm (of 166 horses which were bought) 1810 -Dragoner und Husaren 154 cm (of 457 horses which were bought) 1811 -Dragoner und Husaren 154 cm (of 457 horses which were bought) 1813 -different units 153 cm (of 180 horses which were bought) 1811 -train and riding horses of the artillery 160 cm (of 126 horses which were bought - obviously train horses must be stronger and therefore bigger) 1810 -Brandenburgische Kürassiere 161 cm (of 419 horses of the regiment) 1812 -Schlesische Kürassiere 165 cm (of 500 horses of the regiment) 1810 -Brandenburgische Dragoner 157 cm (of 377 horses of the regiment) 1814 -Elb-Husaren 152 cm (of 253 horses of the regiment) 1815 -10. Husaren 152 cm (of 179 horses of the regiment) 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. 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. 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.

Organization of Prussian Cavalry. Platoon, Squadron and Regiment The Prussian cavalry was organized as follow: regiment had 400-600 men in 3-4 squadrons of 4 platoons each French cavalry regiment was stronger, it had 400-1,000 men in 3-8 squadrons brigade had from two to five regiments The French had also cavalry divisions (2 brigades each) and cavalry corps (2-3 divisions). Squadrons and Platoons Theorethically cavalry regiment had 4 squadrons of 4 platoons each. (In 1815, many regiments were only 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. According to orders from 1st February 1813 each squadron had: 5 officers, 15 NCOs, 3 trumpeters, 12 Gefreite (kind of privates first class) and 120 privates. Regiments Most often the Prussian cavalry regiment had 400-600 men in three or four squadrons. (Each squadron had also 2 pack horses.) 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) ~ Regiment ~ Staff I Squadron (4 Platoons Zuge) II Squadron (4 Platoons Zuge) III Squadron (4 Platoons Zuge) IV Squadron (4 Platoons Zuge) In 1805 were: . . . . . . . . . 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) In 1815 were: . . . . . . . . . 4 + 1 cuirassier regiments (4 squadrons each) . . . . . . . . . 8 + 1 dragoon regiments (4 squadrons each) . . . . . . . . . 12 + 1 hussar regiments (4 squadrons each) . . . . . . . . . 8 + 1 uhlan regiments (4 squadrons each) Cuirassier Regiments Uhlan Regiments Garde zu Pferde Regiment (Horse Guard Regiment) 1. Schleßisches Kürassiere-Regiment (Silesian Cuirassier Regiment) 2. Östpreußisches Kürassiere-Regiment (East Prussian Cuirassier Regiment) 3. Brandenburgisches Kürassiere-Regiment (Brandenburgian Cuirassier Regiment) 4. Westfälischen ? Kürassiere-Regiment (Westphalian ? Cuirassier Regiment) 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Garde-Uhlanen Regiment (Guard Uhlan Regiment) 1. Westpreußisches Uhlanen-Regiment (1st West Prussian Uhlan Regiment) 2. Schleßisches Uhlanen-Regiment (Silesian Uhlan Regiment) 3. Brandenburgisches Uhlanen-Regiment (Brandenburgian Uhlan Regiment) 4. Pomerßisches Regiment (Pomeranian Uhlan Regiment) 5. Rheinlandisches Uhlanen-Regiment (1st Rhenish Uhlan Regiment) 6. Westpreußisches Uhlanen-Regiment (2nd West Prussian Uhlan Regiment) 7. Rheinlandisches Uhlanen-Regiment (2nd Rhenish Uhlan Regiment) 8. Rheinlandisches Uhlanen-Regiment (3rd Rhenish Uhlan Regiment) Hussar Regiments Dragoon Regiments Garde-Husaren-Regiment (Guard Hussar Regiment) 1. Leib-Husaren-Regiment (1 Life) - the "Death's Head Hussars" 2. Leib-Husaren-Regiment (2 Life Hussar Regiment) 3. Brandenburgisches Husaren-Regiment (Brandenburg Hussar Regiment) 4. Schleßisches Hussaren-Regiment (1st Silesian Hussar Regiment) 5. Pommersches Husaren-Regiment (Pomeranian Hussar Regiment) 6. Schleßisches Hussaren-Regiment (2nd Silesian Hussar Regiment) 8. Rheinlandisches Husaren-Regiment (1st Rhenish Hussar Regiment) 9. Rheinlandisches Husaren-Regiment (Rhenish Hussar Regiment) 10. Magdeburgisches Husaren-Regiment (1st Magdeburg Hussar Regiment) 11. Rheinlandisches Husaren-Regiment (2nd Rhenish Hussar Regiment) 12. ? Hussaren-Regiment ( ???? Hussar Regiment) Garde-Dragoner-Regiment (Guard Dragoon Regiment) 1. Königin Dragoner-Regiment (Queen's Own Dragoon Regiment) 2. Westpreußisches Dragoner-Regiment (1st West Prussian Dragoon Regiment) 3. Littauisches Dragoner-Regiment (Lithuanian Dragoon Regiment) 4. Westpreußisches Dragoner-Regiment (2nd West Prussian Dragoon Regiment) 5. Brandenburgisches Dragoner-Regiment (Brandenburg Dragoon Regiment) 6. Neumärkisches Dragoner-Regiment (Neumark Dragoon Regiment) 7. Rheinlandisches Dragoner-Regiment (Rhenish Dragoon Regiment) 8. Magdeburgisches Dragoner-Regiment (Magdeburg Dragoon Regiment) 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Brigades 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.

Cavalry of the Royal Guard. [Königliche Garde Kavallerie] The Horse Guard Regiment (Regiment Garde zu Pferde, Garde du Corps) was formed in 1741 and was the senior regiment. Chef of the regiment was King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm III. Commanders were: 1801 - von Wintzingerode, 1806 - von Zawadzky, 1810 - von Bockum-Dolffs, 1813 - von Knobelsdorff, 1816 - Graf von Brandenburg. The guardsmen wore white Kollet with 2 bands of white lace edging the collar and cuffs. Their officers wore silver lace trim. In 1814 the Russian monarch, Tsar Alexandr, presented the cuirassiers with black armor. Their regimental standard had the embroidery, crowns and monograms of mixed silver, gold and green thread. In 1813 there were 2 Guard cavalry regiments: Horse Guard and Gurd Light Cavalry Regiment. Both regimentshad 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) The Guard Cavalry Regiment had an unusual organization. It consisted of squadron of uhlans, squadron of dragoons, squadron of hussars and squadron of ... Cossacks. In March 1815 were formed Guard Uhlan Regiment, Guard Dragoon Regiment and Guard Hussar Regiment. The Guard Dragoon Regiment (Garde-Dragoner-Regiment) was formed from 1 sq. of Guard Dragoons, 1 sq. of Queen's Own' Dragoons and 2 sq. of 'Pomeranian' National Cavalry. The Guard Uhlan Regiment (Garde-Uhlanen-Regiment) was formed from 1 sq. of Guard Uhlans, 1 sq. of Guard Cossacks and 2 sq. of Silesian National Cavalry. Their Kollet 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 (Garde-Husaren-Regiment) was formed from 1 sq. of Guard Hussars and 3 sq. 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.

Cuirassiers [Kürassieren] Within the Prussian cavalry the cuirassiers enjoyed higher prestige than dragoons or 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. Uniforms of Cuirassiers 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 Cuirassiers ~ 1815 ~ Regiment Coat Facings Buttons 1. White Black Yellow 2. White Light Blue White 3. White Poppy Red Yellow 4. White Yellow White Weapons of Cuirassiers 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 me "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] 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. At Auerstadt one regiment of dragoons scattered some of GdD Gudin's seasoned infantry out of formation and left 600 men killed and wounded. Weapons of Dragoons The dragoons were armed with a curved saber in an iron scabbard. (The heavy Pallash was replaced by the lighter saber in 1811). Approx. 20 dragoons per squadron were armed with carbines. To several dragoons regiments were attached few horse volunteer jagers. One is seen on picture. This officer wears dark green coat, grey trousers and his shako is protected with oilcloth. Uniforms The Prussian dragoons wore light blue (or blue) Kollet but during campaign they wore the longer and warmer Litevka. The black shako was covered by a black oilcloth. The saddle cloth for all regiments was light blue (blue) with 2 edge-stripes in facing color. Uniforms of Dragoons ~ 1815 ~ Regiment Coat Facings Buttons 1. Queen's Own Light Blue Crimson white 2. Light Blue white White 3. Light Blue Red Yellow 4. Light Blue Red White 5. Light Blue Black Yellow 6. Light Blue Light Red White 7. Light Blue white Yellow 8. 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] "As early as 1704, the Prussians were using cavalry troops armed with lances. In 1745, a unit known as "Bosniaken" was linked with the ‘Totenkopf-Husaren-Regiment" and 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, and were used for scouting and foraging duties for which the Uhlans became justly famous. These troops were used in East Prussia and the bordering Polish and Austrian-Hungarian states and had a distinctly Tartar-Slav appearance. ... The Prussian uhlan regiment, raised in 1806/7 from the former ‘Towarczys", had a strength of eight squadrons. but was later split in two to form two separate regiments of four squadrons each. ... The new line regiments were raised from the Freiwillige and National cavalry regiments of the 18l3-1815 Freedom War, the Freikorps Lützow, Freikorps Hellwig and the Russo-German Legion. (http://www.caltim.com/uhlan.regiments/index.htm) The 5. '1st Rhenish' Regiment was formed from: 3rd Sq. of Silesian hussars, 3rd Sq. of Brandenburgian hussars and 2nd Sq. of Berg hussars The 7. '2nd Rhenish' Regiment was formed from Hellwig's cavalrymen and Saxon uhlans. The 8. '3rd Rhenish' 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. Weapons of Uhlans The 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. Uniforms of Uhlans 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 Uhlans ~ 1815 ~ Regiment Coat Shoulder Straps Buttons 1. Dark Blue White Yellow 2. Dark Blue Red Yellow 3. Dark Blue Yellow Yellow 4. Dark Blue Light Blue Yellow 5. Dark Blue White White 6. Dark Blue Red White 7. Dark Blue Yellow White 8. Dark Blue Light Blue White

Hussars [Husaren] 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 the boldest actions, went through the most difficult situations, skirmished and scouted. The hussars distinguished themselves in numerous battles, including Heilsberg, Leipzig, Mockern and Ligny. 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 a total of 12 hussar regiments. The 11. '2nd Rhenish' was formed from Berg troops: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Hussar Regiment. The 12th Hussar Regiment was formed from two Saxon hussar regiments and some militia. Death's Head's Hussars - "Totenkopf-husaren" 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: 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. Weapons of Hussars The hussars were armed with curved sabers and carbines. Pistols were carried by NCOs and trumpeters. Uniforms of Hussars 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". Uniforms of Prussian Hussars ~ 1815 ~ Regiment Dolman & Pelisse Collar & Cuffs Buttons & Cords Saddle Cloth Stripes (on saddle cloth) 1. Life "Death's Head" Black Poppy Red White Black Poppy Red 2. Life Black Black White Black Black 3. Dark Blue Poppy Red White Dark Blue Poppy Red 4. Brown Brown Yellow Brown Yellow 5. Dark Blue Dark Blue Yellow Dark Blue Dark Blue 6. Green Poppy Red Yellow Green Poppy Red 7. Black Poppy Red Yellow Black Poppy Red 8. Dark Blue Light Blue Yellow Dark Blue Light Blue 9. Corn Blue Corn Blue Yellow Corn Blue Corn Blue 10. Green Light Blue Yellow Green Light Blue 11. Green Poppy Red White Green Poppy Red 12. Corn Blue Corn Blue White Corn Blue Corn Blue

Landwehr Cavalry [Landwehr Kavallerie] 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). The Landwehr cavalry was considered light cavalry. 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. Weapons The Landwehr Cavalry was armed with curved sabers and lances. Mark Adkin gives them also pistols. ("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. Uniforms of Landwehr Cavalry The Landwehr Cavalry wore dark blue Litevka with collars and cuffs in provincial colors (see diagram below). 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 had the Polish style czapka. Uniforms of Prussian Landehr Cavalry ~ 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 1st squadrons red for 2nd squadrons yellow for 3rd squadrons light blue for 4th squadrons

Sources and Links.

Information supplied by Oliver Schmidt from Germany
Hofschroer - "Prussian Cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars 1792-1815"
Craig - "The Germans"
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