The Uniforms of the Infantry of the German Imperial Army - 1871 – 1914. Part II - Prussia - Guard and Line Grenadier Regiments (IR No. 1 - 12)

The first part of this series dealt generally with the uniforms of the Prussian infantry - 1842 – 1914.

The present second part on the uniforms of the infantry of the German Imperial Army - 1871 – 1914 presents the distinctive features of the Guard and Line Grenadier Regiments (IR No. 1 - 12).

The third part is devoted to the Prussian line infantry regiments (musketeer/fusilier regiments).

In further parts the peculiarities of those units will be treated which were taken into the Prussian army (after 1866) or which, through particular uniform features, connected to certain (non‑Prussian) traditions (e.g. IR 92 - Brunswick - or the Baden, Hessian and Mecklenburg units).

In further contributions the Saxon, Württemberg and Bavarian infantry will be presented, which in peacetime belonged to (relatively) independent contingents.

The series concludes with articles on the jägers and sharpshooters and on the machine‑gun detachments formed from 1901.

Some formations of the Prussian infantry had a guard status.

They belonged, like the other Prussian guard formations, to the Guard Corps[1].

[1] Martin Lezius, The Development of the Prussian Guards, in: Ernst v. Eisenhart Rothe and Martin Lezius (eds.), The Honor Book of the Guard. The Prussian Guard in the World War 1914-1919, Berlin and Stuttgart n.d. Vol. I, p. 1 ff.

This consisted of the 1st and 2nd Guard Divisions with a total of 5 Guard Infantry Brigades, the Guard Machine‑Gun Detachments No. 1 and 2, the Guard Cavalry Division with a total of 4 Guard Cavalry Brigades, the Guard Landwehr Infantry with a total of 2 Guard divisions, the field artillery with a total of 2 Guard divisions and the field artillery shooting school with training regiment, the foot artillery with the Guard Foot Artillery Regiment, the training regiment of the foot artillery shooting school as well as the experimental battery of the Artillery Testing Commission, the Guard Pioneer Battalion with searchlight detachment and Pioneer Experimental Commission, the transport troops with Railway Regiments No. 1 and 2 as well as the operations department of the railway troops and the depot administration of the 1st Railway Brigade, Telegraph Battalions No. 1 and 2 as well as the Military Telegraph School, the Airship Battalions No. 1 and 2, Flying Battalion No. 1, the motor transport battalion and the Experimental Department of the Military Transport Service with experimental company, the Guard Train Battalion with train depot, the Castle Guard Company as well as various other institutions, such as the war school, the main cadet institute, cadet house etc.

On the helmet the Guard Infantry wore as ornament the flying eagle with sword and scepter made of tombak (or nickel silver). On its breast it bore an eight‑pointed nickel‑silver star modeled on the Order of the Black Eagle (guard star) and on the outstretched wings a ribbon with the inscription "MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND" (guard eagle).

For parade the Guard Infantry wore plumes, namely the I and II Battalions white and the III Battalion black.

In the Guard Fusilier Battalion all battalions wore black plumes.

On officers' helmets the eagle was gilded (or silvered) and the central piece (i.e. the center) of the (highly domed) guard star was finely enameled.

Square collar with white‑wool chapel lace.

Swedish sleeve cuff with white‑wool chapel lace.

Shoulder flap of the 1st Foot Guard Regiment (white).

Shoulder flap of the 2nd Foot Guard Regiment (red).

Shoulder flap of the 3rd Foot Guard Regiment (yellow).

Shoulder flap of the 4th Foot Guard Regiment (blue).

Faconned NCO lace.

Button on the shoulder flap of the 1st Company of the 1st Foot Guard Regiment.

Guard eagle with the nickel‑silver star of the Order of the Black Eagle.

Tunic of the Guard Regiments 1 - 4 (1842-1914).

Swedish sleeve cuff from the back (slit).

The Guard infantry regiments on foot were distinguished by white‑linen braids, namely

on each side of the square collar of the tunic a single braid for non‑commissioned officers

and

for other ranks a double braid.

On each collar patch of the greatcoat there was a double braid.

Furthermore, there were two vertical braids on the Swedish sleeve cuffs.

The 4th Foot Guard Regiment (Spandau) had white‑linen old‑Prussian braids without chapel ornaments.

The braids were patterned.

In the course of the rebuilding of the new Prussian army after the disastrous campaign of 1806/07 against Napoleonic France, the 1st Foot Guard Regiment was also established.

For reasons of tradition the foundation day was considered to be 11.08.1688.

The unit was formed on 24.01.1807 in Memel from a detachment (1 officer, 27 men) of the staff guard of the old guard and from officers and men of the parent regiments (No. 15 I, II and III Btl. and No. 6).

The garrison was Potsdam from 1810 (until 01.10.1919 = disbandment) (previously Memel and Königsberg in Prussia).

The regiment was among the most prestigious units of the Prussian army.

The Grenadier Guard (No. 6), i.e. the former King's Regiment, also belonged to the (old‑Prussian) parent troop elements.

In the period 1807 - 1808 the formation was called: Guard Battalion, from 1808: Guard Regiment on Foot No. 8, then from 1813: 1st Foot Guard Regiment.

The first regimental commander was Gustav Friedrich Gottlob v. Kessel, the last regimental commander was Count Siegfried zu Eulenburg.

A conspicuous external characteristic of the 1st Foot Guard Regiment – colloquially also called "Erster Hieb" or "First Regiment of Christendom" – were special parade caps of old‑Prussian form.

In 1824 the regiment received grenadier caps modeled on the Russian example.

They had a yellow metal plate with star, eagle and crown.

From 1826 these were also worn by the unmounted officers.

The (III.) Fusilier Battalion received similar caps in 1848.

From 1889 the caps of the I Battalion received the Semper‑Talis band.

In 1894, however, the new grenadier caps in old Prussian style were introduced; the old caps were given — without the aforementioned helmet- or cap-band — to the Kaiser-Alexander Guard Grenadier Regiment.

The metal plate was now white (nickel silver), the headpiece crowned with metal.

Officers and non-commissioned officers with portepee wore a silver Nationale; cockades were not worn on the caps, although scale chains (from the Pickelhaube) were.

The new caps had a white metal plate, whereby for the I and II battalions the shield lining and the bag were red and for the III battalion they were yellow. 

The headpiece of the grenadier cap was likewise trimmed with pressed metal.   

The grenadier caps were worn at parades only while armed with rifles, i.e., not for church services or when reporting.

The white trousers were worn in the summer half-year from May 1 to October 1.

The officers of the 1st Guard Regiment on Foot (Potsdam) also wore the special parade caps.

From 1912 the mounted officers also wore such caps.

The 2nd Guard Regiment on Foot had its founding day on June 19, 1813.

It was formed on June 20, 1813 in the field at Gräditz, Faulbruck, Ludwigsdorf, Ohmsdorf, Kienau in Silesia

from the regular infantry battalion,

from the 1st battalion of the Kolberg Grenadier Regiment No. 9 and

from the fusilier battalion of the Leib Infantry Regiment No. 8

and established.

The last peacetime garrison was Berlin (from 1815).

The recruits came from all provinces of the German Empire and from the vicinity of Berlin.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Wilhelm Frhr. v. Müffling gen. Weiß, the last regimental commander was Karl v. Borcke.

The 3rd Guard Regiment on Foot had its founding day on May 5, 1860.

It was formed on May 5, 1860 in Danzig from the 1st Guard Landwehr Regiment.

This had already been raised in 1859.

The last peacetime garrison was Berlin (previously Danzig, Stettin and in the period 1866-67 Hanover).

The recruits came from West Prussia and the Danzig lowlands.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Wilhelm v. d. Groeben, the last regimental commander was Johannes v. Schierstädt.

The 4th Guard Regiment on Foot had its founding day on May 5, 1860.

It was formed on May 5, 1860 in Spandau from the 2nd Guard Landwehr Regiment.

This had already been raised in 1859.

The last peacetime garrison was Berlin (previously Spandau).

The recruits came from all provinces of the German Empire as well as from the vicinity of Spandau, Potsdam and Berlin.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Ludwig v. Korth, the last regimental commander was Wilhelm Reinhard.

The Guard Grenadier regiments were also distinguished by white linen lace on the uniform; however, they had three horizontal laces on each sleeve flap of the tunic.

Otherwise the distribution of the laces was the same as with the Guard Regiments on Foot.

The same applies to the helmet ornamentation of the Pickelhaube.

The Kaiser-Alexander Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 1 had its founding day on October 14, 1814.

It was formed on October 14, 1814 in Berlin from the Leib Grenadier Battalion, the 1st East Prussian Grenadier Battalion and the 2nd East Prussian Grenadier Battalion.

The last peacetime garrison was Berlin.

The recruits came from all provinces of the German Empire as well as from the vicinity of Berlin.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Karl von Schachtmeyer, the last regimental commander was Friedrich Freiherr von Wedekind.

The Kaiser-Alexander Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 1 (Berlin) adopted in 1894 the caps previously worn by the 1st Guard Regiment zu Fuß (Potsdam).

These grenadier caps were based on Russian models and were — as mentioned above — originally granted in 1824 to the unit named the 1st Guard Regiment zu Fuß (Potsdam) for parade purposes.

On the I and II battalions the rosettes took the form of a flaming grenade.

The front plate of the cap showed the Guard star with the star of the Order of the Black Eagle and a crown above it.

On the officers' caps the crown and the Guard star were silvered. The latter featured a brightly enameled center.

The Kaiser-Franz Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 2 had its founding day on October 14, 1814.

It was established on October 14, 1814 in Berlin from the Pomeranian Grenadier Battalion, the West Prussian Grenadier Battalion and the Silesian Grenadier Battalion.

The last peacetime garrison was Berlin.

Replacements were drawn from all provinces of the German Empire as well as the Berlin area.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Franz Friedrich Karl Ernst von Klüx, the last regimental commander was Martin Otto.

The Queen Elisabeth Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 3 had its founding day on May 5, 1860.

It was established on May 5, 1860 in Breslau as a Combined Grenadier Regiment formed from the Garde-Landwehr-Stamm-Regiment.

The last peacetime garrison was Spandau (previously Berlin).

Replacements were drawn from the Rhineland.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was von der Lancken.

The Queen Augusta Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 4 had its founding day on May 5, 1860.

It was established on May 5, 1860 in Koblenz as the 2nd Combined Grenadier Regiment formed from the 4th Garde-Landwehr-Stamm-Regiment.

The last peacetime garrison was Berlin (from 1867), previously Koblenz and Düsseldorf.

Replacements were drawn from the Rhineland.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Guido von Opell, the last regimental commander was Walter Freiherr von Schleinitz.

The Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 5 had its founding day on March 31, 1897.

It was established on March 31, 1897 from the IV (half) battalion of the 2nd and 4th Guard Regiments zu Fuß (I.), the Kaiser-Alexander Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 1 and the Kaiser-Franz Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 2 (II.).

The last peacetime garrison was Spandau (previously Berlin).

Replacements were drawn from the Rhineland.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was von der Lancken.

The Guard Fusilier Regiment has its foundation day on 30.03.1826.

It was established on 30.03.1826 in Potsdam from the Lehr-Garde-Landwehr-Bataillon that had been attached to the 1st Guard Regiment Foot since 01.04.1822. In 1860 a 3rd battalion was added.

The last peacetime garrison was Berlin (from 1867), previously Potsdam and Soandau.

Personnel replacements came from all provinces of the German Reich as well as from the area around Potsdam, Spandau and Berlin.

The unit was dissolved on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Karl August Ludwig Hans Frhr. v. Esebeck, the last regimental commander was Kurt Graf von Götzen.

The Guard Fusilier Regiment had two vertical litzen on the Swedish-style sleeve facings.

The shoulder straps were brick-yellow and showed no name braid, etc.

For parade a black horsehair plume was worn, including by the 1st and 2nd battalion.

The leather equipment throughout the regiment was black.

The Training Infantry Battalion was established on 30.12.1919.

It was garrisoned in Potsdam.

The first commander was Friedrich Karl Andreas v. Wichert, the last commander Walter v. Delius.

It was composed of personnel seconded from all infantry regiments with an annual rotation.

"This battalion, as well as the instructor squadron mentioned below, aim to produce the greatest uniformity, both in dress and in drill, in all individual parts of the army. To the training battalion men are assembled from all infantry regiments in April of each year. A staff officer, usually from the Guard Corps, is appointed as commander of the battalion, and drills it. After the completed autumn exercise these attached personnel return to their regiments, only a cadre of the battalion remains in Potsdam during the winter. This cadre is quartered in the outbuildings of the New Palace, called the Communs, in Potsdam, and is in every spring again formed into a battalion by new men selected by the regiments. The non-commissioned officers and soldiers sent to the Training Infantry Battalion must either have committed to a longer period of service, or still serve one and a half years. If they are from the last replacement, they must be fully trained. After completing their attachment they receive an insignia, consisting of a cord on the shoulder straps, in the color of their regiment. The selection of officers to the training battalion is considered an honor. This battalion consists of twenty officers and 621 non-commissioned officers and privates, the cadre is 132 men strong. From the Guard Corps are attached for service one staff officer as commander, one lieutenant as adjutant, four non-commissioned officers and one musician as battalion drummer" (The State Forces of the Prussian Monarchy under Frederick William III, Volume 3, Freiherr von Zedlitz, Berlin 1830, page 56.).

The personnel seconded to the Training Infantry Battalion did not wear hair plumes on their helmets for the duration of their attachment.

Grenadier regiments (No. 1-12) were the oldest Prussian infantry units.

They traced their tradition partly back to Frederician formations and were stationed in the Prussian home provinces, in particular Brandenburg, West and East Prussia, etc.

On the helmet of the grenadier regiments since 1897 the Guard eagle without a star was worn; previously the heraldic eagle with breast shield and the entwined letters: FWR.

Some units had special bandeaus on the helmet ornamentation, e.g. No. 1, 4, 7 etc.

The 3rd battalions of the grenadier regiments were called fusilier battalions.

The line grenadier regiments were distinguished by special uniform characteristics.

Their tunics had square collars with litzen; likewise three horizontal litzen were carried on the patches of the sleeve facings.

The patches on IR No. 9 were dark blue.

The Grenadier Regiment Kronprinz (1st East Prussian) No. 1 had its foundation day on 20.12.1655.

It was established on 07.09.1808 in Königsberg in Prussia. The parent troop elements were the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Rüchel No. 2 and the Old Prussian Fusilier Battalion v. Bergen No. 21 as well as men from the East Prussian regiments of the Old Army.

The last peacetime garrison was Königsberg in Pr.

Personnel replacements came from East Prussia, in particular from the area around Königsberg in Pr. and Memel.

The unit was dissolved on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Ernst Wilhelm v. Hamilton, the last regimental commander was Cordt Frhr. v. Brandis.

The Grenadier Regiment King Frederick William IV (1st Pomeranian) No. 2 had its foundation day on 20.02.1679.

It was established on 07.09.1808 in Stargard. The parent troop elements were the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Rüts No. 8 and the 1st Neumärkische Reserve Battalion. Furthermore, returning men of the Old Prussian infantry regiments No. 19, 36, 17 and 22 were taken on.

The last peacetime garrison was Stettin.

Personnel replacements came from Pomerania and Western Pomerania, in particular from the area around Stettin.

The unit was dissolved on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Ludwig Wilhelm August v. Ebra, the last regimental commander was Coelestin v. Zitzewitz.

The Grenadier Regiment King Frederick William I (2nd East Prussian) No. 3 had as its foundation day 18.08.1865.

It was established on 07.09.1808 in Königsberg in Prussia. The original troop elements were the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment Herzog v. Holstein No. 11 and the Old Prussian Fusilier Battalion v. Rembow No. 6.

The last peacetime garrison was Königsberg in Prussia.

Replacements were recruited from northern East Prussia, particularly from the area around Königsberg in Prussia.

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Hans Karl Friedrich Franz v. Below; the last regimental commander was Hans v. Johnston.

The Grenadier Regiment King Frederick the Great (3rd East Prussian) No. 4 had as its foundation day 01.05.1626.

It was established on 07.09.1808 in Marienwerder, Marienburg and Elbing by absorbing the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Besser No. 14 and the Old Prussian Fusilier Battalion No. 21. In addition, returning personnel from the Old Prussian Infantry Regiments No. 51 and 55 were recruited.

The last peacetime garrison was Rastenburg.

Replacements were recruited from the western half of East Prussia and West Prussia, particularly from the area around Danzig and Elbing.

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Wilhelm v. Wostrowsky; the last regimental commander was Friedrich Wilhelm v. Massow.

The Grenadier Regiment King Frederick I (4th East Prussian) No. 5 had as its foundation day 11.03.1689.

It was established on 07.09.1808 in Braunsberg, Pr. Holland and Mühlhausen in Prussia by absorbing the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Diericke No. 16, the III Musketeer Battalion of the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 4 and the Old Prussian Fusilier Battalion v. Schachtmeyer No. 23. Furthermore, returning prisoners from the Old Prussian Infantry Regiments No. 4, 35, 54 were enlisted.

The last peacetime garrison was Danzig.

Replacements were recruited from the western half of East Prussia and from West Prussia, particularly from the area around Danzig and Graudenz.

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Hans Christoph Ludwig v. d. Mülbe; the last regimental commander was Heinrich v. Kummer.

The Grenadier Regiment Count Kleist von Nollendorf (1st West Prussian) No. 6 had as its foundation day 14.10.1772.

It was established on 07.09.1808 in Rastenburg by absorbing the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Lengefeld No. 52 and the III Musketeer Battalions of the Old Prussian Infantry Regiments v. Kauffberg No. 51, Jung-Larisch No. 53 and the Old Prussian Fusilier Battalion v. Wakenitz No. 3. Furthermore, returning prisoners from the Old Prussian Infantry Regiments No. 24, 25, 26 and 57 were enlisted.

The last peacetime garrison was Posen.

Replacements were recruited from Lower Silesia and the Province of Posen, particularly from the area around Glogau and Posen.

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was August Ernst v. Kamptz; the last regimental commander was Otto Grußdorf.

The Grenadier Regiment King William I - 2nd West Prussian - No. 7 had as its foundation day 12.09.1797.

It was established on 07.09.1808 by absorbing the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Courbière and furthermore from the III Musketeer Battalions of the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 54 and the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Manstein No. 55 and the Old Prussian Fusilier Battalion v. Bülow No. 24.

The last peacetime garrison was .

Replacements were recruited from .

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was , the last regimental commander was .

This medal was instituted on 22 March 1897 by Emperor Wilhelm II on the occasion of the 100th birthday of his grandfather Emperor Wilhelm I. It was designated the “Medal in Memory of the Late Emperor and King Wilhelm I, the Great, His Majesty.”

The Life Grenadier Regiment King Frederick III (1st Brandenburg) No. 8 had as its foundation day 07.06.1808.

It was established on 20.08.1808 in Kolberg from the Grenadier Battalion v. Waldenfels, the 2nd Pomeranian and 3rd Neumark Reserve Battalion and the light Battalion v. Schill.

The last peacetime garrison was Frankfurt a. O..

Replacements were recruited from the Province of Brandenburg, particularly from the area around Guben, Kottbus and Frankfurt a. O..

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Heinrich Wilhelm v. Horn; the last regimental commander was Wilhelm v. Gluszewski-Kwilecki.

The Colberg Grenadier Regiment Count Gneisenau (2nd Pomeranian) No. 9 had as its foundation day 07.06.1808.

It was established on 20.08.1808 in Kolberg from the Grenadier Battalion v. Waldenfels, the III Musketeer Battalion of the Old Prussian Regiment v. Owstien No. 7 and the III Musketeer Battalion of the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Borcke No. 30. Furthermore, returning prisoners from the Old Prussian Infantry Regiments No. 7, 12, 23 and 30 were enlisted.

The last peacetime garrison was Stargard in Pomerania.

Replacements were recruited from Pomerania, particularly from the area around Stettin, Anklam and Stargard.

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Melchior Lebrecht v. Boemcken; the last regimental commander was Just Freidrich v. Seelhorst.

The Grenadier Regiment King Frederick William II (1st Silesian) No. 10 had its founding date on November 21, 1808.

It was formed on November 21, 1808 in Neiße and Kosel from the Silesian Infantry Battalion and the III. Musketeer Battalion of the old Prussian Infantry Regiment von Sanitz No. 50 and the Silesian Grenadier Battalion von Losthin in Glatz as well as the old Prussian Fusilier Battalion No. 9.

The last peacetime garrison was Schweidnitz.

The unit's replacements came from the Province of Silesia, especially from the area around Breslau, Schweidnitz and Striegau.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Friedrich Wilhelm Leopold von Gaudy; the last regimental commander was Wilhelm von Schütz.

The Grenadier Regiment King Frederick III (2nd Silesian) No. 11 had its founding date on November 21, 1808.

It was formed on November 21, 1808 in Glatz, Silberberg and Brieg from various parent troop elements, including men returning from French captivity from the old Prussian Infantry Regiments No. 33, 38 and 47.

The last peacetime garrison was Breslau.

The unit's replacements came from the Province of Silesia, especially from the area around Breslau, Brieg and Schweidnitz.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Michael Heinrich von Losthin; the last regimental commander was Albrecht Graf von Stosch.

The Grenadier Regiment Prince Carl of Prussia (2nd Brandenburg) No. 12 had its founding date on July 1, 1813.

It was formed on July 1, 1813 in Strehlen in Silesia from the III. Battalion and the II. Reserve Battalion of the Life Infantry Regiment and the III. Battalion of the 1st West Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 6.

The last peacetime garrison was Frankfurt an der Oder (previously Guben, Krossen and Sorau).

The unit's replacements came from the Province of Brandenburg, especially from the area around Guben, Krossen and the Spreewald.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Karl August Ferdinand von Borcke; the last regimental commander was Richard Küntzel.

From 1822 to 1883 Prince Karl of Prussia was the regiment's chief.