Structure and organization as well as uniforming of the Old Army - Cavalry - The Prussian Uhlan Regiments (Guard No. 1 -3, Line No. 1 -16).
The article is dedicated to the Prussian Uhlans. These were a branch of cavalry armed with lances from the outset. Their origin lies in the 18th century, their roots are Polish. Their uniform retained elements of Polish dress even in later times, in particular the ulanka and the czapka. The Uhlans were adopted into almost all armies and were regarded as light cavalry.
Before the outbreak of World War I (1914) there were 23 Uhlan regiments,
including 2 Bavarian (own numbering),
3 Saxon (No. 17, 18 and 21) and
2 Württemberg formations (No. 19, 20).
From 1853 the ulanka took the place of the kollet.
The double-breasted ulanka had a distinctive - traditional - cut and shorter skirts than the tunic, e.g. of the infantry.
The collar was rounded (square for the Guard).
The sleeve cuffs were Polish, i.e., cut pointed with a button.
The ulanka had pleats at the front on both sides, likewise around the bottom, on the back and sleeve seams and also on the pocket flaps.
Not only the Guard Uhlan regiments had braid on the collar and the sleeve cuffs, but for example also Mecklenburg, Hessian and Württemberg units.
On the uniforming of the Prussian Uhlans. The ulanka.
The Uhlans did not wear shoulder straps, but epaulettes. For this, there were corresponding holders (= passants) on the shoulders of the Ulanka. These had differently colored trim.
The epaulettes had a rectangular - beveled at the top - slider as well as an epaulette panel bordered by a metal crescent.
The button showed the number of the corresponding squadron.
The half‑moons were — like the scale trim — always yellow, even when the regiment had white buttons.
Under the epaulette there was a hook for additionally fastening it to the Ulanka. There were eyelets on the Ulanka for this purpose.
The epaulettes showed — except for the Guard — as a rule the regiment number (with crown: No. 2). However, some regiments had special name inscriptions: No. 1, 3, 6, 13, 16.
The lining had the respective badge color.
The epaulettes of the one‑year volunteers in Prussia were edged with a black‑and‑white wool cord.
The base color of the Prussian and Württemberg Ulanka was dark blue. That of the Saxon Uhlans was light blue.
Individual regiments were distinguished by the respective badge color.
For the line regiments it was:
Uhlan Regiment No. 1 - ponceau red - buttons yellow
Uhlan Regiment No. 2 - ponceau red - buttons yellow
Uhlan Regiment No. 3 - ponceau red - buttons yellow
Uhlan Regiment No. 4 - ponceau red - buttons yellow
Uhlan Regiment No. 5 - ponceau red - buttons white
Uhlan Regiment No. 6 - ponceau red - buttons white
Uhlan Regiment No. 7 - ponceau red - buttons white
Uhlan Regiment No. 8 - ponceau red - buttons white
Uhlan Regiment No. 9 - white - buttons yellow
Uhlan Regiment No. 10 - carmine red - buttons yellow
Uhlan Regiment No. 11 - lemon yellow - buttons yellow
Uhlan Regiment No. 12 - light blue (with white facings) - buttons yellow
Uhlan Regiment No. 13 - white - buttons white
Uhlan Regiment No. 14 - carmine red - buttons white
Uhlan Regiment No. 15 - lemon yellow - buttons white
Uhlan Regiment No. 16 - light blue (with white facings) - buttons white
The badge color was shown on the collar, the buttoned parade flap for the Ulanka and for the Tschapka, the sleeve cuffs, furthermore the trim and the facings on the cap.
The button‑on parade flap on the Ulanka had facings in some regiments:
1st Guard Uhlan Regiment: ponceau red,
Nos. 12 and 16: white
and in Nos. 1, 3 to 5, 7 and 8: ponceau red.
The epaulette panels were also, like the aforementioned passants, kept in the badge color.
Furthermore the buttons served as distinguishing marks: white or yellow respectively silver or gold.
The waist sash belonging to the Ulanka, called the pass belt, was dark blue, but had trim in the respective color of the collar.
In the Uhlan regiments Nos. 12 and 16 the trim stripe of the waist sash had white facings.
Bei den Ulanen-Regimentern Nr. 12 und 16 hatte der Besatzstreifen der Leibbinde weiße Vorstöße.
On the uniforming of the Prussian Uhlans. The Tschapka.
The typical headgear of the Uhlans was the black lacquered leather Tschapka, to which a white linen chin cord (edge cord) was attached.
It consisted of the bell and a rectangular headpiece.
The slider, front plate and tassels were white and black on the NCOs.
For parade a white - hanging - plume was worn. For the trumpeters it was red. The plume was about 30 cm long.
As a counterweight the Tschapka was worn tilted to the right.
As ornamentation of the Tschapka, at the front the Guard eagle was worn by the three Prussian Guard regiments and by the Guard Uhlan Regiment No. 13. The eagle of the latter regiment additionally also had helmet bands: Waterloo - Peninsula - Garzia Hernandez.
Uhlan Regiment No. 7 had a (silver) Guard eagle without a star (awarded on 16.06.1913).
Otherwise the helmet ornament was the reduced typical heraldic eagle with the letters FR on its breast.
In Uhlan regiments Nos. 1, 2 and 3 it had a breast shield with the intertwined monogram FWR.
In Uhlan Regiment No. 14 the aforementioned helmet bands (UR 13) were attached to the heraldic eagle. Both regiments (UR 13 and 14) stood in the Hanoverian military tradition.
For parade purposes there was also the above‑mentioned Tschapka flap in the respective badge color.
Furthermore, on the front of the top of the headpiece of the Tschapka the field badge was worn (as with the hussars).
On the uniforming of the Prussian Uhlans. The Litewka.
Die Litewka hatte Kragenpatten wie am Mantel. Ebenso entsprechende Achselklappen.
Zur Uniformierung der preussischen Ulanen. Der Mantel
Der Mantel war von grauem Tuch und hatte Kragenpatten in der Abzeichenfarbe. Die Farbe der Achselklappen war die des Epaulett-Unterfutters.
Wurde ein Mantel getragen, lag die Fangschnur der Tschapka über diesen.
Zur Uniformierung der preussischen Ulanen. Drillichsachen.
Die Drillichsachen der preußischen Ulanen entsprach denen der preußischen Dragoner.
Zur Uniformierung der preussischen Ulanen. Reit- und Tuchhosen.
Die Reit- und Tuchhosen waren aus dunkelblau- meliertem Tuch gefertigt.
Die Reithose hatte einen schwarzen Lederbesatz.
Die Tuchhose hatte einen ponceau-roten seitlichen Vorstoß.
Dieser war aber bei den Ulanen-Regimentern 10 und 14 karmesin-rot.
Zur Uniformierung der preussischen Ulanen. Reitstiefel und Schnürschuhe.
Reitstiefel, Schnürschuhe und auch das Zaumzeug waren wie bei den preußischen Dragonern.
Die geschwärzten Kavalleriestiefel hatten Anschlagsporen.
On the uniforming of the Prussian Uhlans. Belt, carrying strap, cartridge box and fist strap.
The white (sabre) belt was meant to be unfastened. The carrying strap (bandolier) was also white.
As a rule the cartridge box — except with the Guard — had no lid decoration.
But Uhlan Regiment No. 13 had the name cipher WR II with a crown in brass as decoration.
The Guard Uhlan regiments had the nickel‑silver 1st Guard Star in the 1st and 3rd GUR, and the golden 1st Guard Star in the 2nd GUR.
On the uniforming of the Prussian Uhlans. Characteristics of the non-commissioned officers.
The non-commissioned officers did have a white plume on the tschapka, but at its tip there were black hairs.
The visor and chin-strap rosette were braided in black.
The tassels had black and white fringes.
Otherwise, the non-commissioned officers wore, according to their rank, the customary braid trim in gold or silver. In the line it was plain braid.
Sabre-ensigns were permitted to wear the officers' overcoat, but only with the enlisted men's epaulettes.
On the uniforming of the Prussian Uhlans. The trumpeters.
The trumpeters were, as usual, identified by swallow's nests.
These were red in the Uhlan regiments No. 1 - 8.
In the other Uhlan regiments they had the respective badge color.
On the uniforming of the Prussian Uhlans. On the officers' uniform.
On the tschapka in the line regiments the heraldic eagle was generally worn in a reduced form, but gilded or silvered.
Since the A.K.O. of 10.05.1860 the Vaterlandsbandeau was to be affixed to all eagles.
The officers' tschapka had some - further - peculiarities.
Thus the hook - on the right - on the lid of the tschapka was silver (since 1862).
The chin cord consisted of a silver cord interwoven with black silk.
On the officers' ulanka the passants were trimmed with braid.
On the epaulettes the moons were either silver or gold depending on the color of the buttons.
They also had the overcoat. In the Uhlan Regiments Nos. 12 and 16 this had white facings.
The officer's sabre served as the edged weapon, as with the dragoons.
The bandolier was also like that of the dragoons, but with dark blue lining.
The cartridge box also corresponded to that of the dragoons. The name cipher on the cartridge box of Uhlan Regiment No. 13 was gold.
Dress trousers were dark blue with a facing and trim stripe in the respective collar color. In Uhlan Regiments Nos. 12 and 16 with white facings.
On the uniform of the Prussian Uhlans. Armament.
The cavalry saber 89 served as the edged weapon. Previously the cavalry saber M 52.
There was also a special uhlan saber that had only a simple iron knuckle-guard (knucklebow saber, the so-called Chasseur saber of French origin - M 1873).
On the uniforming of the Prussian uhlans. Bridle, saddle.
Text
The individual uhlan regiments of the Old Army.
Only the Prussian Guard and line uhlan regiments are briefly presented below.
For the Saxon uhlan regiments,
for the Württemberg uhlan regiments and
for the separately numbered Bavarian uhlan regiments
reference is made to the separate contributions in this topic focus.
There is also an additional separate contribution for the Prussian Guard uhlan regiments.
1st Guard Uhlan Regiment (Potsdam).
The 1st Guard Uhlan Regiment had 14.04.1819 as its date of foundation.
The unit was formed on 14.04.1819 in Potsdam and Köpenick from the former 4 Guard Landwehr squadrons. These were the Posen, the Lithuanian, the Thuringian and the Cleve.
The first regimental commander was Wilhelm v. Trotha, the last regimental commander was William Halling.
The last peacetime garrison was Potsdam.
From 1820, replacements for the ranks came from Posen, Königsberg in Prussia, Merseburg, Erfurt, Cleve, Düsseldorf. Later from the Province of Brandenburg, the area around Potsdam and Berlin.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment (Berlin).
The 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment had 14.04.1819 as its date of foundation.
The unit was formed on 14.04.1819 in Potsdam and Köpenick from the former 4 Guard Landwehr squadrons (as with the 1st Guard Uhlan Regiment).
The first regimental commander was Wilhelm von Trotha, the last regimental commander was Arnold Graf v. Maldeghem.
The last peacetime garrison was Berlin.
Replacements for the ranks came from the Province of Brandenburg and Berlin.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
3rd Guard Uhlan Regiment (Potsdam).
The 3rd Guard Uhlan Regiment had 07.05.1860 as its date of foundation.
The unit was formed on 07.05.1860 in Potsdam from personnel of the Regiment of the Garde du Corps, the Guard Cuirassier Regiment and the 1st Guard Uhlan Regiment.
The first regimental commander was Richard v. Mirus, the last regimental commander was Hans v. Tschirschky.
The last peacetime garrison was Berlin.
Replacements for the ranks came from all provinces, but above all from the Province of Brandenburg.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
Uhlan Regiment Kaiser Alexander III of Russia (West Prussian) No. 1 (Militsch).
The Uhlan Regiment Kaiser Alexander III of Russia (West Prussian) No. 1 had its founding date on August 1, 1745.
The unit was formed on October 6, 1807 in Tapiau from the regiment as well as the Towarczys battalion and from men of the old Prussian Dragoon Regiment No. 10 (X.).
The first regimental commander was Friedrich Wilhelm v. St. Paul; the last regimental commander was Ewald v. Koß.
The last peacetime garrison was Militsch/Ostrowo.
Replacement personnel came from Posen and Lower Silesia.
The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.
Uhlan Regiment von Katzler (Silesian) No. 2 (Gleiwitz).
The Uhlan Regiment von Katzler (Silesian) No. 2 had as its date of foundation 01.08.1745.
The unit was formed on 06.10.1807 in Tapiau from the regiment as well as the Towarczys battalion.
The first regimental commander was Ludwig v. Borstell, the last regimental commander was Friedrich v. Pappritz.
The last peacetime garrison was Gleiwitz/ Pleß.
Replacements were drawn from Posen and Lower Silesia.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
Uhlan Regiment Kaiser Alexander II of Russia (Brandenburg) No. 3 (Fürstenwalde).
The Uhlan Regiment Kaiser Alexander II of Russia (Brandenburg) No. 3 had as its date of foundation 15.05.1809.
The unit was formed on 15.05.1809 in Berlin from men of Uhlan Regiments No. 1 and 2 and the remnants of the disbanded Hussar Regiment v. Schill as well as from members of the 2nd Silesian and Brandenburg Hussar Regiments.
The first regimental commander was Friedrich Wilhelm von St. Paul, the last regimental commander was Rudolf v. Madeyski.
The last peacetime garrison was Fürstenwalde.
Replacements were drawn from the Province of Brandenburg and the surrounding area of Berlin and Frankfurt a. O.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
Uhlan Regiment von Schmidt (Pomeranian) No. 4 (Thorn).
The Uhlan Regiment von Schmidt (Pomeranian) No. 4 had as its date of foundation 07.03.1815.
The unit was formed on 16.05.1815 in Oranienburg, Behlefanz from the 1st squadron of the Pomeranian National Cavalry Regiment, the 1st squadron of the East Prussian National Cavalry Regiment and the 1st squadron of the West Prussian Uhlan Regiment No. 1.
The first regimental commander was Friedrich v. Eisenhardt, the last regimental commander was Friedrich Karl Frhr. v. Wechmar.
The last peacetime garrison was Thorn.
Replacements were drawn from Pomerania until 1853 and thereafter from Pomerania and Posen.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
Westphalian Uhlan Regiment No. 5 (Düsseldorf).
The Westphalian Uhlan Regiment No. 5 was founded on March 7, 1815.
The unit was formed on March 7, 1815 in Ospern in Luxembourg from the 1st Squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 2, the 1st Squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 3 and the 1st Squadron of the Bergisches Hussar Regiment.
The first regiment commander was Karl Ludwig v. Zatrow; the last regiment commander was Adolf Frhr. v. Carnap.
The last peacetime garrison was Düsseldorf.
The replacement personnel were recruited from the Rhineland and from Westphalia.
The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.
Thuringian Uhlan Regiment No. 6 (Hanau).
The Thuringian Uhlan Regiment No. 6 had its foundation day on 18.02.1813.
The unit was formed on 25.03.1815 in Dinant in Belgium from 3 squadrons of the Cavalry Regiment v. Lützow.
The first regimental commander was Ludiwg Adolf Wilhelm v. Lützow, the last regimental commander was Franz Wuille di Bille.
The last peacetime garrison was Hanau.
The replacement personnel were drawn from Posen from 1817 to 1831, and from the Province of Saxony and the Province of Thuringia from 1831 to 1867.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
Uhlan Regiment Grand Duke Friedrich of Baden (Rhenish) No. 7 (Saarbrücken).
The Uhlan Regiment Grand Duke Friedrich of Baden (Rhenish) No. 7 had its foundation day on 14.04.1734.
The unit was formed on 07.03.1815 in Nantes in France and Bastogne in Luxembourg from 2 squadrons of the Saxon Uhlan Regiment Prince Clemens, from cavalrymen of the Freikorps v. Hellwig and 2 squadrons of volunteers from Schill's corps.
The first regimental commander was Karl Heinrich Max Frhr. v Czettritz, the last regimental commander was Bogislav v. Kamecke.
The last peacetime garrison was Saarbrücken.
The replacement personnel were drawn from the Saarland, the Rhineland and the Moselle region.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
Uhlan Regiment Count zu Dohna (East Prussian) No. 8 (Gumbinnen).
The Uhlan Regiment Count zu Dohna (East Prussian) No. 8 had 06.09.1812 as its foundation day.
The unit was formed on 19.03.1815 in Huy in Belgium from the squadrons of the 1st and 2nd Hussar Regiments of the Russian-German Legion.
The first regimental commander was Friedrich Count zu Dohna, the last regimental commander was .
The last peacetime garrison was Gumbinnen/ Stallupönen.
The manpower replacement came until 1852 from the Rhineland, the Moselle region, the Saarland and after 1852 from East Prussia.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
2nd Pomeranian Uhlan Regiment No. 9 (Demmin).
The 2nd Pomeranian Uhlan Regiment No. 9 had 07.05.1860 as its foundation day.
The unit was formed on 07.05.1860 in Treptow a. Toll and Ückermünde from the 5th squadron of Cuirassier Regiment No. 4, the 5th squadron of Cuirassier Regiment No. 8, the 2nd squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 5 and the 5th squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 7.
The first regimental commander was , the last regimental commander was .
The last peacetime garrison was Demmin.
The manpower replacement came from Western Pomerania.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
Uhlan Regiment Prince August of Württemberg (Posen) No. 10 (Züllichau).
The Uhlan Regiment Prince August of Württemberg (Posen) No. 10 had 07.05.1860 as its foundation day.
The unit was formed on 07.05.1860 in Züllichau and Unruhstadt from the Uhlan squadron of Cuirassier Regiments No. 1 and 5, from the 1st squadron of Uhlan Regiments No. 1 and 2.
The first regimental commander was Emil v. Frankenberg und Ludwigsdorf, the last regimental commander was Arthur Count v. Bredow.
The last peacetime garrison was Züllichau.
The manpower replacement came from Silesia, Posen and Lusatia.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919
Uhlan Regiment Count Haeseler (2nd Brandenburg) No. 11 (Saarburg).
The Uhlan Regiment Count Haeseler (2nd Brandenburg) No. 11 had 07.05.1860 as its foundation day.
The unit was formed on 07.05.1860 in Perleberg, Kyritz and Wusterhausen from the 5th squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 3, the 1st squadron of Uhlan Regiment N.r 6, the Uhlan squadron of Cuirassier Regiment No. 6 and the Uhlan squadron of Cuirassier Regiment No. 7.
The first regimental commander was Hermann v. Kosigk, the last regimental commander was Carl Epner
The last peacetime garrison was Saarburg.
The manpower replacement came from the Province of Brandenburg and from the Prignitz.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.
Lithuanian Uhlan Regiment No. 12 (Insterburg).
The Lithuanian Uhlan Regiment No. 12 had its foundation day on 07.05.1860.
The unit was formed on 07.05.1860 in Insterburg and Wehlau from the 1st squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 4, the 2nd squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 8, the Uhlan squadron of Cuirassier Regiment No. 3 and the Uhlan squadron of Cuirassier Regiment No. 2.
The first regimental commander was Friedrich v. Trotha, the last regimental commander was Arthur Hay.
The last peacetime garrison was Insterburg.
Replacements were drawn from northern East Prussia.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919
King's Uhlan Regiment (1st Hanoverian) No. 13 (Hanover).
The King's Uhlan Regiment (1st Hanoverian) No. 13 had its foundation day on 19.12.1813.
The unit was formed on 31.10.1866 in Potsdam from the 5th squadron of the (Hanoverian) Garde du Corps regiment, the 5th squadron of the 1st Guard Uhlan Regiment, the 5th squadron of the 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment and the 5th squadron of the 3rd Guard Uhlan Regiment.
The first regimental commander was Friedrich v. Schack, the last regimental commander was Cecil Carl v. Natzmer.
The last peacetime garrison was Hanover.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919
2nd Hanoverian Uhlan Regiment No. 14 (St. Avold).
The 2nd Hanoverian Uhlan Regiment No. 14 had its founding day on December 10, 1805.
The unit was formed on October 30, 1866 in Münster (Westphalia) and Hamm from the 5th squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 4, the 5th squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 8, the 5th squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 9 and the 1st squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 12.
The first regimental commander was Otto Wilhelm v. Lüderitz, the last regimental commander was Heinrich v. Sydow.
The last peacetime garrison was St. Avold/Mörchingen.
The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.
Schleswig-Holstein Uhlan Regiment No. 15 (Saarburg).
The Schleswig-Holstein Uhlan Regiment No. 15 had its founding day on September 27, 1866.
The first regimental commander was Gustav v. Alvensleben, the last regimental commander was Robert v. Schulz.
The unit was formed on October 30, 1866 in Perleberg and Kyritz from the 3rd squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 1, the 5th squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 3, the 5th squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 10 and the 5th squadron of Uhlan Regiment No. 11.
The last peacetime garrison was Saarburg.
The manpower replacements came from Schleswig-Holstein, Lauenburg, Mecklenburg, Hamburg, Lübeck and Bremen.
The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.
Uhlan Regiment Hemmings v. Treffenfeld (Altmark) No. 16 (Salzwedel/Gardelegen).
The Uhlan Regiment Hemmings v. Treffenfeld (Altmark) No. 16 had its founding date on 27.09.1866.
The unit was formed on 30.10.1866 in Salzwedel and Gardelegen. Constituent troop elements were the 5th squadron from Uhlan Regiment No. 2, the 5th squadron from Uhlan Regiment No. 5, the 5th squadron from Uhlan Regiment No. 6 and the 5th squadron from Uhlan Regiment No. 7.
The first regimental commander was Conrad v. Paczensky und Tenczin, the last regimental commander was Georg Runge.
The last peacetime garrison was Salzwedel/Gardelegen.
The personnel replacements came from the Province of Saxony, the Province of Thuringia and the Province of Posen.
The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919
Württemberg (No. 19 and 20), Saxon (No. 17, 18 and 21) and Bavarian Uhlan Regiments (No. 1 and 2).
Reference is made to the separate articles in this special section for these formations.
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