Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4

Almost all branches of the armed forces were also represented in the Münster garrison. Some formations were particularly closely associated with the city of Münster as their garrison, namely: the Infantry Regiment Herwarth von Bittenfeld (1st Westphalian) No. 13, the, the 2nd Westphalian Field Artillery Regiment No. 22 and the Westphalian Train Battalion No. 7.

While the Infantry Regiment Herwarth von Bittenfeld (1st Westphalian) No. 13 was especially popular among the urban bourgeoisie, the Westphalian nobility served in the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4.

The rank-and-file recruits came in particular from the rural milieu.

The history of the Münster cuirassiers begins with the remnants of the old Prussian Dragoon Regiment von Wuthenau, from which the 1st West Prussian Dragoon Regiment initially arose, which on 27.05.1819 was converted into a cuirassier regiment.

Therefore, by highest cabinet order, the formation's foundation day was considered to be 19.04.1717.

Over time the unit bore the following designations:

from 10.03.1823: 4th Cuirassier Regiment (Westphalian),

from 04.07.1860: 4th Cuirassier Regiment,

then Westphalian Cuirassier Regiment No. 4 and

finally from 1889: Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4.

In 1817 the regiment reached its new locations in Westphalia: Münster, Hamm, Dortmund and Coesfeld.

Later individual squadrons were moved to Paderborn, Neuhaus, Lippstadt, Telgte and Warendorf.

From 1871 the bulk of the regiment was assembled in Münster, while the 4th squadron was housed in Hamm and the 5th squadron in Telgte.

From 1885 all squadrons were stationed in Münster.

However, in the period from 1833–1849 the regiment was detached to Silesia and in 1866–1870 to Hanover.

At the end of the year mobilization took place for the impending campaign against Denmark. The conflict was initiated by Prussia, however the German Confederation declared war on Denmark. In addition to Prussia, Austria was also tasked with conducting the military operations. The intervention was intended to prevent the incorporation of the Duchy of Schleswig into the Kingdom of Denmark.

From 10.01. the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 left its garrisons and finally reached Hamburg — partly by rail transport.

The unit was split and did not see action as a whole. The various squadrons partly served as garrisons — e.g. of Kiel — and partly as coastal guards.

After the armistice following the Battle of Dybbøl (Düppeln) (18.04.1864) the regiment was briefly united, after which the squadrons were again deployed differently.

On 15.11.1864 the march back to the homeland began. Münster was reached in mid-December 1864.

The ongoing rivalry between Prussia and Austria for dominance in the German Confederation and in Germany finally culminated in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Austria was supported, among others, by Bavaria, Hanover, Saxony and Württemberg.

On 03.05.1866 the order was given to be ready for war. At the beginning of June the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 advanced to Herford and thereafter to Minden and occupied the city of Hanover on 17.06. While searching for the Hanoverian troops it then moved on to Göttingen and subsequently to Kassel. The Grand Duchies of Baden and Hesse-Darmstadt and the Electorate of Hesse-Kassel also supported the Austrian cause. At Langensalza the troops of the Kingdom of Hanover were finally forced to capitulate. Subsequently the regiment was employed in the south, taking part as part of the Main Army in several skirmishes (Kissingen on 10.07., Tauber-Bischofsheim on 24.07., Dermbach on 04.07., Aschaffenburg and Gerchsheim on 25.07.), but it did not directly encounter bloody confrontations. Prisoners were taken and military reconnaissance carried out, the independent imperial city of Frankfurt was occupied and requisition detachments formed.

Ongoing negotiations for an armistice found the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 in Württemberg. At the end of August 1866 the march back began and the return journey to the home garrisons Münster and Hamm was then made by rail.

With the victorious end of the war Prussia established its supremacy in the German realm, but refrained from larger territorial annexations. Thus the southern German states came away with almost no territorial losses, whereas the situation was different in northern Germany. The independent city of Frankfurt was also annexed. For this reason the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 also underwent a temporary change of station. The occupation of the new Prussian territories (e.g. Hanover) with Prussian troops was intended to oversee and support their incorporation into the Prussian state. For this reason the regiment was stationed in Verden and Celle from 1866–1870.

"The Battle of Königgrätz and Prussia's assumption of political leadership must above all have had a profound impact in France. There people were not only indignant about Bismarck, but above all about Napoleon III., who had partly brought about this development by supporting Italy against Austria. A dangerous situation emerged for French policy, because a consolidated concentration of power was taking shape in the east. Napoleon III. and his diplomats, after the failed attempt to buy Luxembourg from the Netherlands with Prussian-German consent, from 1868 vigorously pursued an alliance with Austria and Italy. But until the summer of 1870 these negotiations led to no binding conclusion. The trigger of the war against France was the question of the Spanish succession.

In this context the "Ems Dispatch" was published" (Dollinger, Kaiserreich, p. 72). This event was perceived as a political affront and on 19.07.1870 France declared war on Prussia. A pan-German reaction followed this declaration of war; i.e., the military confrontation with France was conducted by the North German Confederation under Prussian leadership together with its allied southern German states Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden and Hesse-Darmstadt. France's hope of Prussia standing isolated in Germany did not materialize. Nor did the assumption that other foreign powers, e.g. Austria or Italy, would become involved in the war.

The Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 took part in this campaign and, according to v. Haber (Die Cavallerie des Deutschen Reiches, 1877, pp. 80–81), was at Puifoeux on 15.08.1870, at Vionville (and Mars-la-Tour) on 16.08.1870, at Gravelotte on 18.08.1870, in the engagement at Droué on 17.12.1870 and in the engagement at Breteuil on 07.01.1871.

Contrary to expectations, Prussia and its German allies were able to decisively defeat the French opponent early in the campaign in various border battles (Battle of Wissembourg on 04.08.1870 and Battle of Wörth in Lower Alsace on 06.08.1870), so that the originally planned French incursion into Germany did not take place.

After the successful battles of Vionville and Mars-la-Tour and at Gravelotte (16 August 1870) prevented the French Rhine army from marching to Verdun, it withdrew to Metz. Subsequently Metz was encircled and besieged from 18.08.1870 to 27.10.1870. Breakout attempts on 26 and 31.08. and on 27.09. remained unsuccessful.

At Sedan the Germans then defeated Mac-Mahon on 01.09.1870. Thus the attempt by the Châlons army to relieve Metz had failed. After this decisive battle Emperor Napoleon III and Mac-Mahon, together with 180,000 men, had to capitulate.

The garrison of besieged Metz under Bazaine finally surrendered on 27.10. with still 150,000 combat-capable men. "The capitulation marked a turning point in the Franco-Prussian War. In Paris and numerous French cities there were popular uprisings. The freed Prussian armies could now be deployed against the French troops in the Loire Valley and as reinforcements for the siege of Paris" (Wikipedia).

The war continued with the mentioned siege of Paris (September 1870 to January 1871), since the newly proclaimed French Republic continued the war. Even before it ended victoriously for Prussia and its allies, the provisional name "North German Confederation" was changed to "German Empire" and on 18.01. the proclamation of the Emperor in Versailles took place.

On 26.02. the armistice was concluded and on 10.05. the peace treaties of Frankfurt and Versailles with France were signed. Parts of Alsace and Lorraine were officially ceded to the German Empire by the Treaty of Frankfurt.

The war was over and the Driesen cuirassiers were able to return to their home garrison. By 1885 the said regiment was then completely stationed in Münster.

Over time the regiment had the following proprietors:

The regiment's commanders were:

The officer corps[1] was supplemented by cadets and other officer candidates entering the army (Fahnenjunker). Besides physical fitness and a minimum age of 17–23 years, the prescribed academic prerequisites were required. The Abitur or the final certificate of a Realschule of the first order was necessary (in Bavaria the Abitur was indispensable). Qualification could also be demonstrated within the framework of the so‑called Fähnrich examination before the Senior Examination Commission. Acceptance of candidates was decided by the regimental commander. After promotion to Fähnrich (=non-commissioned officer rank) and attendance at the war school, an officers' examination had to be taken. The examination primarily covered military-scientific subjects, namely armament studies, tactics, fortification theory, army organization (military affairs), as well as military administrative style, terrain studies and map drawing. The certificate of fitness to be an officer was the first step; further prerequisites were a favorable assessment by the respective unit and the recommendation for promotion to lieutenant. This usually occurred in the 2nd year of service.

[1]              See, on the officer corps in general: Karl Demeter, The German Officer Corps in Society and State 1650–1945, Frankfurt am Main 1962; and Ursula Breymayer, Bernd Ulrich, Karin Wieland, Willensmenschen. About German Officers. Frankfurt am Main 1999.

[1] Taken from: Haber, R. v., The Cavalry of the German Empire. Its origin, development and history together with rank, quarter and seniority lists and uniforming, Krefeld 1977 (reprint of the 1877 edition), pp. 81 ff.

In 1842 the koller replaced the previous frock coat. At first the skirt was still bell-shaped.

The koller was made of white kerseymere and had hooks and eyes at the front instead of buttons. The collar was white, the sleeve cuff was Swedish style and otherwise in the regimental distinction color.

A braid in the respective distinction color ran along the collar and down the front; it was also on the sleeve cuffs.

The distinction color of the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 was — from 1870 (AKO of 16.04.) — red. Previously it had been orange.

The cuirass not only gave the cuirassiers their name but also distinguished them as members of the heavy cavalry and was a last gleam of chivalry.

The cuirasses of the enlisted men, consisting of breast and back plates, were made of iron and lined with gray linen.

There was a pocket for the field cap in the lining of the front piece.

Since 1888 the cuirass no longer belonged to the field equipment, but was only worn for parades or honorary duties. Officers wore lighter models.

In addition to the white koller (made of kerseymere), the cuirassiers also had a dark blue tunic with Swedish sleeve cuffs.

A braid in the distinction color was worn on the collar and on the sleeve cuffs.

The buttons were white or silver.

Under certain conditions it was possible for the educated bourgeoisie in the Empire to reduce the active service obligation to one year. For example, successful one-year attendance of the Untersekunda at a Gymnasium was required. Eligibility for the so-called one-year volunteer service was demonstrated by a certificate of eligibility. If the required certificates could not be provided, there was the option of taking an examination in languages and sciences before the examination board. Certain reporting deadlines had to be observed. The one-year volunteers could — provided they were fit for service — choose their unit themselves. After examination of his personal circumstances and his academic qualifications, the aspirant received a certificate of eligibility for one-year service from the responsible examination board. At the beginning of the calendar year in which he reached his 20th birthday, he had to report in writing or orally to the replacement commission of his place of enlistment. However, he could enter service earlier. If this time was missed, the entitlement to one-year service lapsed.

The one-year volunteers, however, had to bear the costs of clothing, equipment (loaned), lodging and provisions themselves, as well as the use of the service horse in the cavalry, the train and the artillery. The equipment was provided against payment of an equipment fee. Weapons had to be kept in usable condition at the volunteer's own expense and returned upon discharge. The volunteer could acquire clothing items at fixed — favorable — prices upon payment.

In the Imperial Army the non-commissioned officers were filled by suitable senior corporals and privates who had re-enlisted, and by NCO trainees. Promotion to NCO was made on the proposal of the company/squadron/battery commander by the regimental commander. In independent (e.g., Jäger/pioneer) battalions, the respective battalion commander was responsible for this. Further promotions of the NCOs generally followed seniority. For Feldwebel or Wachtmeister, suitability alone was decisive. NCOs included corporals, sergeants, vizefeldwebels/vizewachtmeisters and feldwebels/wachtmeisters. Supernumerary NCOs/sergeants could be appointed from officer cadets (Fahnenjunker), NCO trainees, capitulants, military musicians, oboists, trumpeters and horn players. Medical NCOs were only trained from men in the lower medical service; a prior seven-year period of service was required for this. Flag smiths were only men with appropriate prior training (i.e., smithing craft). Flag smiths could be promoted to senior flag smiths and, after 12 years of active service, to vizewachtmeisters.

Every regiment (or independent battalion) of the Old Army had a music corps. In the mounted troops (not the train) it was called a trumpeter corps. The music corps were led by chief oboists or chief trumpeters. They were comparable in the military hierarchy to the Feldwebel or Wachtmeister. Members of the music corps were called oboists, and in the mounted troops trumpeters. They were composed of volunteers with musical ambitions who entered the military for a set number of years. In addition to their duties in the music corps they received only reduced training (marksmanship, riding).

According to Haas-Tenckhoff, the trumpeter corps of the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 was at the same time the band of Münster's nobility. In the period from about 1850–90 it was led by chief trumpeter Fuss. From the 1870s the band often played in front of Café Midi in Bogenstrasse.

In 1888 the cuirassiers were equipped with wooden lances and Model 1871 carbines. In 1890 these were replaced by steel-tube lances. Furthermore, the Model 1888 carbine was introduced.

In addition, the aforementioned carbine and pistols were carried as firearms.

As a cold weapon a pallasch with a long straight blade and a brass hilt was used.

In 1893 the cavalry retained the three-year term of service, but the enlisted men remained only three years in the Landwehr of the 1st levy[1]. The cavalrymen were trained in riding and drill, with foot training being reduced. The training also included shooting exercises, but with a significantly smaller time allocation relative to the practice in the infantry. The non-commissioned officers also learned revolver shooting.

[1]                    Jany, Curt, Geschichte der preußischen Armee, Vierter Band, S. 306.

In the first year of service the gaits were to be learned, whereby the rider also had to use his weapons together with the horse. Riding skills were then further developed and training progressed from individual instruction to riding in closed formation (riding on the spot, movements in formation and charges). On this the Drill Regulations for the Cavalry of 03.04.1909 stated: "The drill-like training on horseback is carried out primarily in the squadron; it is continued in the regiment and reaches its completion in the brigade. But here as in the regiment the performance of the larger formation is based on the firm structure of the squadron"[1].

[1][1] Berlin 1909, S. 2.

The careful individual training of man and horse was regarded as the basis of overall training. In the course of individual training emphasis was placed above all on "reinforcement of the pace at walk, trot and gallop, training in the collected trot, in the extended gallop and at full gallop, agile riding in the terrain and overcoming obstacles of all kinds, quickly taking up and maintaining a given marching direction, secure and skillful handling of the lance against various targets and rapid mounting and dismounting"[1]. Already in the summer of 1888 some Prussian cavalry regiments received the lance, at first only the cuirassiers, then officially from 02.06.1889 all cavalry regiments. Previously it had been carried only by the uhlans and by the Landwehr cavalry (until 1852). Initially made of raw wood, it was later blackened. It had an iron tip and when not in use was placed in a shoe on the stirrup. Experienced cavalrymen also broke in remounts. Training also included mock fighting with the lance, as well as gymnastics exercises on horseback. Overall "the cavalry should always seek to resolve its tasks offensively"[2].

[1] Exerzier-Reglement für die Kavallerie vom 03.04.1909, Berlin 1909, S. 22.

[2] Exerzier-Reglement für die Kavallerie, vom 03.04.1909, Berlin 1909, S. 3.

In addition to the usual training of the cavalryman in riding and drill, individually and in formation, there were also special trainings, e.g. assignments of non-commissioned officers and Kapitulanten to the cavalry NCO school and to the shooting and telegraph school, or of officers to the Military Riding Institute, to the gymnastics facility, the shooting and telegraph school and to the War Academy.

The Military Riding Institute with officer riding school and cavalry NCO school belonged to the X Army Corps and was located in Hannover and Soltau. The development of the Military Riding Institute goes back to the year 1816. On 10.12.1816 the Military Riding Institute for officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the cavalry (later also of the field artillery) was founded. In 1849 it was briefly dissolved and reestablished in the same year; the separation between the officer riding school and the cavalry NCO school took place in 1872.

The location of the institution was from 1816 – 1849 Berlin, from 1849 – 166 Schwedt a. O. and from 1866 Hannover/ Soltau.

The flag was to be accorded military honors; it also always embodied the history of the respective unit. King Wilhelm bestowed new flags and standards on all newly established regiments; these bore the letters W. R. on the finial.

Since 1807 each cavalry regiment carried only one standard. For the infantry each battalion had a flag. The standards were smaller than the flags and almost square. For the artillery and the pioneers the flags did not have the same significance as for other branches of service.

The cavalry carried lance pennants independently of the field signs discussed here. Furthermore certain standards indicated the whereabouts of the Emperor (and the Empress) — e.g. at maneuvers. The role of the flag bearer represented a special honorary position.

For reasons of tradition the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 initially carried the standard of the squadron of Friesenhausen, which had received it in 1725.

After the campaign against the returning former Emperor Napoleon I in 1815 this standard received the Iron Cross for the finial.

On 30.07.1835 the standard received a secular standard ribbon bearing the founding year 1717.

By A.K.O. of 12.01.1861 the standard was awarded the ribbon of the Military Honor Decoration with swords for the campaign in Baden.

This was followed by the award of the ribbon of the Commemorative Cross for 1864 (A.K.O. of 18.12.1864) and the ribbon of the Commemorative Cross with swords of 1866 (A.K.O. of 12.12.1866).

After the Franco-Prussian War the standard received the ribbon of the Iron Cross 1870/71 (A.K.O. of 16.06.1871).

Furthermore a ring was attached to the standard in memory of the fallen standard bearer Corporal Struwe. Also the standard had to be repaired with a metal ring after being damaged in the Battle of Mars la Tour.

The regiment was presented with a new standard in 1899, since there long was no cloth left of the original. The staff of the old standard had already been damaged in the Battle of Möckern and at Château-Thierry. The new standard was handed over to the unit in Berlin.

On 19.04.1917 the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 celebrated its 200th regimental anniversary. The following account can be found in Eduard Schulte's war chronicle of the city of Münster 1914–1918:

"In contrast to the large, roaring festivities with which in 1913 our Infantry Regiment No. 13 was able to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the two-hundred-year celebration of the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 had to be held in a narrow, plain setting.

For almost 100 years, since 27.10.1817, Münster has been, with few interruptions, the garrison town of this mounted regiment formed from dragoons on 19 April 1717, which is honorably connected with the military history of Prussia.

In the morning a field service was held in the decorated courtyard of the cuirassier barracks on Steinfurter Straße by Military Senior Pastor Konsistorialrat Friedrich Franke and Subregens Arnold Franken. At the following roll call the leader of the reserve squadron, Major a. D. Graf Adolf von Wedel, after historical remarks about the victorious deeds of the cuirassiers, with the oath of loyalty to king and fatherland delivered the Kaiserhoch, to which the commanding general added a cheer for the regiment..." (pp. 277–278).

After the expiration of the active 2–3 year term of service the soldier transferred to the reserve. The last months had already been maneuvers. The reservists proudly presented themselves with a special reservist's mug and walking stick; color prints and photomontages were common and hung as mementos in almost every parlor. The reserve obligation lasted until a total of 7 years was reached together with the active years. Reservists had to complete two exercises of at most 8 weeks each and were monitored by the competent military authorities during the reserve period.

For reservists who evaded the inspection assemblies the reserve obligation could be extended. Reservists belonged, like members of the Landwehr of the first and second levies, members of the replacement reserve, as well as the enlisted men released to the disposition of the replacement authorities until a decision on their later military relationship and the enlisted men on leave to the disposition of the units before fulfilling their active service obligation, to the so-called "beurlaubtenstand" (men on leave). Reporting obligations had to be observed for changes of residence, travel, and stays abroad. Furthermore, inspection assemblies took place each spring (April) and in the autumn (November).

Those liable to the Landsturm were not subject to military control in peacetime. In cases of extraordinary need the Landsturm and naval militia liable could be called up to supplement the army and the navy. Their conscription generally took place by year classes. The respective Landsturm certificate served as identification vis-à-vis all military and civil authorities.

As early as before the outbreak of the First World War the field-gray uniforming was introduced. After the introduction of breech-loaders and low-smoke ammunition camouflage was called for. On 23.02.1919 and on 18.03.1910 corresponding implementation regulations were issued on the occasion of the introduction of the field-gray field clothing. Even before 1914 the field-gray uniform was therefore to be worn during all combat and other exercises against an enemy not merely a designated one and in the field. The colorful peacetime uniform was still permitted at that time as parade dress, for garrison guard duty, for church attendance, for court duty and as dress and social wear.

According to Friedag, the cuirassiers' field uniform consisted of

• a field-gray cap with a trimming band in the regiment's respective badge color (K 4 = ponceau red). The cap had white piping around the rim of the crown and around the edges of the trimming band.

• a field-gray tunic with piping in the aforementioned badge color, namely down the front and around the lower edge of the skirts and at the rear on the pocket flaps. On the standing collar and on the Swedish sleeve cuffs there was a braid trim with white outer edges and inner stripes in the badge color. The shoulder straps were also field-gray and had piping in the respective badge color.

• a field-gray pair of riding breeches with a matching riding panel.

• a field-gray cloth pair of trousers with ponceau-red piping in the side seams.

• a coat as in peacetime. On this the shoulder straps from the tunic were worn.

Already before 1914 the political fronts in Europe had hardened and war was in sight. The murder of the Austrian heir to the throne and his wife on 28.06.1914 in Sarajevo triggered a worldwide armed conflict in which about 17 million people lost their lives. Mobilization in Germany took place on 01.08.1914 at 5 p.m.

This mobilization also encompassed all units of the Münster garrison.

The first day of mobilization was a Sunday. Already on this day the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westph.) No. 4 marched to the front.

The march-out is — in the style of the time — described in the city's war chronicle of Münster 1914–1918 by Eduard Schulte (p. 11) as follows: "The march-out of our cuirassiers then made the deepest impression in the evening hours. Hundreds of local and many non-local relatives had already surrounded the barracks in front of the Neutor for hours. Around 1/27 o'clock the 4th squadron under Rittmeister Alfred von Landsberg-Velen set out as the first detachment. It rode at the head into the flag-decorated city with the trumpet corps, the glorious standard and the entire regimental staff accompanied by friendly officers (commander: Lieutenant Colonel von Albedyll). The ride through Frauenstraße, the Spiekerhof, over Roggen- and Prinzipalmarkt and further through Ludgeristraße over Ludgeriplatz and Hafenstraße to the goods ramp resembled a triumphal procession. The spectators stood packed closely together, singing, cheering and waving. Windows flew open and from them and from balconies and verandas women and girls threw flowers and gifts to the splendid riders. Into the blaring sound of the regimental music mingled the booming bright singing of the numerous companions and spectators, the trampling of the proud horses and the victory-confident farewell cries of the lance riders, covered all over with flowers ... Trumpet calls and battle songs, the clinking of weapons and fluttering of little flags, flowers and flags, sparkling eyes and loud farewells — all this remained unforgettable impressions of the evening of the first day of the war. During the night the other squadrons followed."

The Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 initially advanced to the west and was engaged there in the Battle of the Marne. Later it fought on the Aisne and in Flanders.

From the beginning of November the regiment was transferred to the east and was in action there in Russian Poland and Russia until March 1918.

To increase the firepower of the cavalry formations they received machine-gun platoons from 1915. In 1916 further restructurings followed, so that each division now kept only one squadron as divisional cavalry for reconnaissance and messenger services.

The remaining cavalry units largely lost their horses and were henceforth employed only as infantry as rifle regiments. Due to a lack of horses numerous squadrons of the Landwehr etc. were subsequently dissolved. Reserve cavalry regiments were also partly converted into (12) rifle regiments.

Of the active cavalry regiments, in spring 1918 only the following units were still used as divisional cavalry:

Cuirassiers

In the East in 1918 various cavalry regiments were still used mounted or took part unmounted in the so-called expedition in Finland; on the Western Front some mounted units carried out police duties in the occupied territories.

Particularly notable in the fighting in the West was the Guard Cavalry Rifle Division, to which many traditional cavalry regiments of the Old Army belonged, e.g. the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4.

From May 1918 the former riders were employed as infantry in defensive battles. The withdrawal march after the armistice initially led the unit to Potsdam.

On 10.12.1918 they marched into Berlin. Already at that time a large part of the regiment was discharged; the remainder did not return to their old garrison town of Münster until 18.08.1919.

The regiment was officially disbanded on 01.10.1919.

In the Reichswehr the 6th squadron of the 15th Cavalry Regiment continued the tradition of the Driesen cuirassiers.

In der Reichswehr führte die 6. Eskadron des 15. Reiter-Regiments die Tradition der Driesen-Kürassiere weiter.

The war memorial for the fallen of the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalian) No. 4 was erected on the promenade at the Agidiitor.

Josef Frhr. v. Hammerstei-Equord was responsible for the original version (inaugurated on 31.08.1930), Bernhard Graf von Plettenberg for the 2nd variant (cast in 1960, inaugurated in 1964). It is a massive, multi-stepped block complex of sandstone. The war memorial consists of a foundation, an intermediate and a main block with an upper part.

The pyramid-like complex displays three vertical reliefs on a display wall.

In 1964 — since the original ornamentation made of metal had been melted down during the Second World War — a simpler execution with scenes from the war was made.

The upper part shows helmet, cuirass, kettledrums and standards.

On the sides are bronze nameplates. The Iron Cross is missing in the 2nd variant.

Alt, The Royal Prussian Standing Army. Volume 2: History of the Royal Prussian Cuirassiers and Dragoons. Berlin 1870.

B. Friedag, Guide through Army and Fleet. Eleventh Year 1914, reprint Krefeld 1974.

Heinrich Glasmeier, History of the Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westph.) No. 4 (= Erinnerungsblätter deutscher Regimenter. Truppenteile des ehemaligen preußischen Kontingents. Band 334). Stalling, Oldenburg i.O. 1932.

Germann Klüting, Soldiers in Westphalia and on the Lower Rhine. The Royal Prussian VII Army Corps, Beckum 1982.

Alexander v. Lynker, The Prussian Army 807 - 1867 and its genealogical sources, Berlin 1939.

Paul Pietsch, The formation and uniform history of the Prussian Army 1808 - 1914. Volume 2. Cavalry, Artillery, Train and their Landwehr, the Generality, General Staff, etc., Hamburg 1966.

Hans Graf Praschma, The Cuirassier Regiment von Driesen (Westphalia) No. 4: 1717–1900. Münster 1901.