The Uniforms of the Infantry of the German Imperial Army - 1871 – 1914. Part II - Prussia - Guard and Line Grenadier Regiments (IR Nr. 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 Nr. 1 - 12).

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

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

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

The series concludes with contributions on the Jäger and Schützen and on the machine‑gun detachments formed from 1901.

Some formations of the Prussian infantry had guard status.

Like the other Prussian guard formations, they belonged to the Guard Corps[1].

[1] Martin Lezius, The Development of the Prussian Guards, in: Ernst v. Eisenhart Rothe and Martin Lezius (eds.), Das Ehrenbuch der Garde. Die preußische Garde im Weltkriege 1914-1919, Berlin und Stuttgart n.d. Vol. I, p. 1 ff.

It consisted of the 1st and 2nd Guard Divisions with a total of 5 Guard Infantry Brigades, the Guard Machine‑Gun Detachments Nos. 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 a 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 platoon and Pioneer Experimental Commission, the transport troops with Railway Regiments Nos. 1 and 2 as well as the Operations Department of the railway troops and the depot administration of the 1st Railway Brigade, Telegraph Battalions Nos. 1 and 2 as well as the War Telegraph School, the Airship Battalions Nos. 1 and 2, the Flier Battalion No. 1, the Motor Vehicle Battalion and the Experimental Department of Military Transport with an experimental company, the Guard Train Battalion with train depot, the Palace 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 an ornament, the flying eagle with sword and scepter made of tombac (or nickel silver). This had on its breast an eight-rayed nickel-silver star modeled on the pattern of the Order of the Black Eagle (Guard star) and on the outspread wings a ribbon with the inscription "MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND" (Guard eagle).

For parade the Guard Infantry wore plumes: 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 centerpiece, i.e., the center, of the (highly arched) Guard star was finely enameled.

Square collar with white-woolen capel lace.

Swedish sleeve cuff with white-woolen capel lace.

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

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

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

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

Patterned NCO braid.

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

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

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

Swedish sleeve cuff from behind (slit).

The Guard infantry regiments (Foot) were distinguished by white-linen braids, namely

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

and

for privates a double braid.

On each collar tab of the coat there was a double braid.

Furthermore, the Swedish sleeve cuffs had two vertical braids.

The 4th Guard Regiment (Foot) (Spandau) had white-linen old-Prussian braids without capels.

The braids were patterned.

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

For traditional reasons the founding 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 from 1810 (until 01.10.1919 = disbandment) was Potsdam (previously Memel and Königsberg i. Pr.).

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

Among the (old-Prussian) parent troop elements was also the Grenadier Guard (No. 6) i.e. the former King's Regiment.

In the period 1807 - 1808 the formation was called: Guard Battalion, from 1808: Foot Guard Regiment 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 — popularly also called First Strike or First Regiment of Christendom — were special parade caps of old-Prussian form.

The regiment had received grenadier caps modeled on the Russian example in 1824.

They had a yellow metal plate with a 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 the old Prussian style were introduced; the old caps — without the aforementioned helmet or cap band — were given to the Kaiser-Alexander Guard Grenadier Regiment.

The metal shield was now white (neusilvered), and the crown was rimmed with metal.

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

The new caps had a white metal shield; in the I and II Battalions the shield lining and the bag were red, and in the III Battalion they were yellow.

The crown of the grenadier cap was also edged with pressed metal.

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

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

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

From 1912, mounted officers also wore such caps.

The 2nd Foot Guard Regiment had its founding day on 06/19/1813.

It was established on 06/20/1813 in the field at Gräditz, Faulbruck, Ludwigsdorf, Ohmsdorf, Kienau in Silesia

from the Normal Infantry Battalion,

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

from the Fusilier Battalion of the Life Infantry Regiment No. 8

.

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 10/01/1919.

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

The 3rd Foot Guard Regiment had its founding day on 05/05/1860.

It was formed on 05/05/1860 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 Hannover).

The recruits came from West Prussia and the Danzig lowlands.

The unit was disbanded on 10/01/1919.

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

The 4th Foot Guard Regiment had its founding day on 05.05.1860.

It was formed on 05.05.1860 in Spandau from the 2nd Guard Landwehr Regiment.

This had already been raised in the year 1859.

The last peacetime garrison was Berlin (previously Spandau).

The manpower replacements came from all provinces of the German Empire as well as from the area around Spandau, Potsdam and Berlin.

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

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 their uniforms; however, they had three horizontal lace stripes on each sleeve tab of the tunic.

Otherwise the distribution of the lace was the same as that of the Foot Guard regiments.

This also applies to the helmet ornamentation of the pickelhaube.

The Emperor Alexander Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 1 had its founding day on 14.10.1814.

It was established on 14.10.1814 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 manpower replacements came from all provinces of the German Empire as well as from the area around Berlin.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Karl v. Schachtmeyer, the last regimental commander was Friedrich Frhr. v. Wedekind.

The Kaiser-Alexander Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 1 (Berlin) in 1894 adopted the caps that had previously been worn by the 1st Foot Guard Regiment (Potsdam).

These grenadier caps were based on Russian models and were - as mentioned above - initially in 1824 bestowed upon the unit called the 1st Foot Guard Regiment (Potsdam) for parade purposes.

In the I and II Battalions the rosettes took the form of a flaming grenade.

The front shield of the cap displayed 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 silver-plated. The latter had a colorfully enameled center.

The Kaiser-Franz Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 2 had 14.10.1814 as its founding day.

It was established on 14.10.1814 in Berlin from the Pomeranian Grenadier Battalion, the West Prussian Grenadier Battalion and the Silesian Grenadier Battalion.

The last peacetime garrison was Berlin.

The replacement personnel were drawn from all provinces of the German Empire as well as from the vicinity of Berlin.

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Franz Friedrich Karl Ernst v. Klüx; the last regimental commander was Martin Otto.

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

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

The last peacetime garrison was Spandau (previously Berlin).

The replacement personnel came from the Rhineland.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was v. d. Lancken.

The Queen Augusta Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 4 had its date of foundation on 05.05.1860.

It was established on 05.05.1860 in Koblenz as the 2nd Combined Grenadier Regiment, formed from the 4th Guard Landwehr Core Regiment.

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

Enlisted replacements came from the Rhineland.

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was Guido v. Opell; the last regimental commander was Walter Frhr. v. Schleinitz.

Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 5 had its date of foundation on 31.03.1897.

It was established on 31.03.1897 from the IV (half) battalion of the 2nd and 4th Guard Regiments on Foot (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).

Enlisted replacements came from the Rhineland.

The unit was disbanded on 01.10.1919.

The first regimental commander was v. d. Lancken.

The Guard Fusilier Regiment's founding day is March 30, 1826.

It was established on March 30, 1826 in Potsdam from the training Guard Landwehr battalion that had been attached to the 1st Foot Guard Regiment since April 1, 1822. A 3rd battalion was added in 1860.

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

Replacement personnel came from all provinces of the German Empire as well as from the area around Potsdam, Spandau and Berlin.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

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

The Guard Fusilier Regiment had two vertical braids on the Swedish-style sleeve cuffs.

The shoulder straps were brick yellow and displayed no name inscription, etc.

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

The leather equipment was black throughout the regiment.

The Instructional Infantry Battalion was established on December 30, 1919.

It was garrisoned in Potsdam.

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

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

"This battalion, as well as the training squadron mentioned below, aims to bring about the greatest uniformity, both in dress and in drill, in all parts of the army. Enlisted men are assembled to the training battalion from all infantry regiments in April of each year. A staff officer, usually from the Guard Corps, is placed at the head of the battalion as commander, and drills it. After the completed autumn exercise those detailed return to their regiments; only a cadre of the battalion remains in Potsdam during the winter. It is quartered in the outbuildings of the new palace, called the Communs, in Potsdam, and each spring is formed again into a battalion by new men selected by the regiments for that purpose. The non-commissioned officers and soldiers sent to the infantry training battalion must either have committed to longer service or still serve one and a half years. If they belong to the latter replacement, they must be fully drilled. After completing their detachment they receive an insignia consisting of a cord on the shoulder straps in the color of their regiment. The selection of officers for the training battalion is regarded as 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 assigned to it for duty a staff officer as commander, a lieutenant as adjutant, four non-commissioned officers and a musician as battalion drummer" (The State Forces of the Prussian Monarchy under Frederick William III, Vol. 3, Freiherr von Zedlitz, Berlin 1830, page 56.).

The men detached to the Infantry Training Battalion did not wear plumes on their helmets for the duration of their assignment.

Grenadier regiments (Nos. 1–12) were the oldest Prussian infantry units.

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

On the helmets of the grenadier regiments the Guard eagle without a star was worn from 1897 onward; previously the heraldic eagle with breastplate and the intertwined letters: FWR.

Some units had special bandeaux 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 particular uniform-related features.

Their tunics had square collars with piping, and three horizontal bands were also carried on the flaps of the sleeve cuffs.

The flaps on IR No. 9 were dark blue.

The Grenadier Regiment Kronprinz (1st East Prussian) No. 1 had its founding day on December 20, 1655.

It was established on September 7, 1808 in Königsberg in East 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 East Prussia.

The enlisted replacements came from East Prussia, particularly from the vicinity of Königsberg in East Prussia and Memel.

The unit was dissolved on October 1, 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 as its founding day February 20, 1679.

It was established on September 7, 1808 in Stargard. The core troop elements were the Old Prussian Infantry Regiment von Rüts No. 8 and the 1st Neumark Reserve Battalion. Furthermore, returning personnel of the Old Prussian infantry regiments Nos. 19, 36, 17 and 22 were incorporated.

The last peacetime garrison was Stettin.

The manpower replacement came from Pomerania and Western Pomerania, in particular from the area around Stettin.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Ludwig Wilhelm August von Ebra; the last regimental commander was Coelestin von Zitzewitz.

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

It was established on 07.09.1808 in Königsberg i. Pr. The original troop components were the old Prussian Infantry Regiment Duke v. Holstein No. 11 and the old Prussian Fusilier Battalion v. Rembow No. 6.

The last peacetime garrison was Königsberg i. Pr.

The personnel replacements were drawn from northern East Prussia, in particular from the area around Königsberg i. Pr.

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 its foundation day on 01.05.1626.

It was established on 07.09.1808 in Marienwerder, Marienburg and Elbing by the takeover of the old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Besser No. 14 and the old Prussian Fusilier Battalion No. 21. In addition, returning men from the old Prussian Infantry Regiments No. 51 and 55 were enlisted.

The last peacetime garrison was Rastenburg.

The personnel replacements were drawn from the western half of East Prussia, West Prussia in particular 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 its founding day on 11.03.1689.

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

The last peacetime garrison was Danzig.

The replacement personnel came from the western half of East Prussia, from West Prussia in particular 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 its founding day on 14.10.1772.

It was established on 07.09.1808 in Rastenburg by the incorporation of the old Prussian Infantry Regiment v Lengefeld No. 52 and the III Musketier 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 of the old Prussian Infantry Regiments No. 24, 25, 26 and 57 were enlisted.

The last peacetime garrison was Posen.

The replacement personnel came 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 Wilhelm I. - 2nd West Prussian - No. 7 had its founding day on September 12, 1797.

It was established on September 7, 1808 by the incorporation of the old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Courbière and furthermore from the III Musketeer battalions of the old Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 54 and of the old Prussian Infantry Regiment v. Manstein No. 55 and the old Prussian Fusilier Battalion v. Bülow No. 24.

The last peacetime garrison was .

The personnel replacement came from .

The unit was dissolved on October 1, 1919.

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

This medal was instituted on March 22, 1897 by Emperor Wilhelm II on the occasion of the 100th birthday of his grandfather, Emperor Wilhelm I. It was referred to as the 'Medal in Remembrance of the Most Blessed Emperor and King Wilhelm I, the Great, His Majesty'.

The Life Grenadier Regiment King Frederick III (1st Brandenburg) No. 8 had its founding day on June 7, 1808.

It was formed on August 20, 1808 in Kolberg from the Grenadier Battalion v. Waldenfels, the 2nd Pomeranian and 3rd Neumark Reserve Battalions and the light Battalion v. Schill.

The last peacetime garrison was Frankfurt a. O..

Personnel replacements came from the Province of Brandenburg, in particular from the area around Guben, Cottbus and Frankfurt a. O..

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Heinrich Wilhelm von Horn, the last regimental commander was Wilhelm von Gluszewski-Kwilecki.

The Colberg Grenadier Regiment Count Gneisenau (2nd Pomeranian) No. 9 had its founding day on June 7, 1808.

It was formed on August 20, 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.

Personnel replacements came from Pomerania, especially from the area around Stettin, Anklam and Stargard.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

The first regimental commander was Melchior Lebrecht von Boemcken, the last regimental commander was Just Freidrich von Seelhorst.

The Grenadier Regiment King Friedrich Wilhelm II (1st Silesian) No. 10 had its date of foundation on November 21, 1808.

It was formed on November 21, 1808 in Neiße and Kosel from the Silesian Infantry Battalion and the 3rd 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.

Recruits were drawn from the Province of Silesia, in particular 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 Friedrich III (2nd Silesian) No. 11 had its date of foundation 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 Nos. 33, 38 and 47.

The last peacetime garrison was Breslau.

Recruits were drawn from the Province of Silesia, in particular 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 Brandenburgian) No. 12 had its date of foundation on July 1, 1813.

It was formed on July 1, 1813 in Strehlen in Silesia from the 3rd Battalion and 2nd Reserve Battalion of the Life Infantry Regiment and the 3rd Battalion of the 1st West Prussian Infantry Regiment No. 6.

The last peacetime garrison was Frankfurt a. O. (previously Guben, Krossen and F. Sorau).

Recruits were drawn from the Province of Brandenburg, in particular 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 von Preußen was the colonel-in-chief of the regiment.