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Vestes Bellica Military history archive

Vestes Bellica

Uniforms and Equipment of the Old Army - Cavalry - Hussar Regiments - Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15

Hussar wearing a pelisse from the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15. Cigarette card.
Hussar wearing a pelisse from the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15. Cigarette card.

The unit's founding day was December 19, 1803.

The line of tradition reached back into the history of the Hanoverian army.

The formation was established on October 30, 1866 in Düsseldorf.

Parts of other hussar regiments (No. 8 and No. 11) were used to form it.

Colonel of the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15. Cigarette card.
Colonel of the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15. Cigarette card.

The regiment belonged to the 18th Cavalry Brigade in Altona.

The last regimental commander was Hans Joachim von Zieten.

The last peacetime garrison was - from 1871 - Wandsbeck (previously Düsseldorf, Geldern).

Early reservist photograph of the Hanoverian hussars from 1884. Original small-format photo.
Early reservist photograph of the Hanoverian hussars from 1884. Original small-format photo.

On August 31, 1898, the Dutch Queen Wilhelmina was appointed regimental chief. This also changed the unit's designation.

The unit was disbanded on October 1, 1919.

Hussar from the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15 wearing a pelisse. Early cdv. Photographer: Carl Nüchtern/ Hamburg.
Hussar from the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15 wearing a pelisse. Early cdv. Photographer: Carl Nüchtern/ Hamburg.

The replacement personnel initially came from the area around Düsseldorf.

One-year volunteer from the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15. Photographer: Bieber/ Hamburg. One-year volunteers wore a twisted wool cord in the state colors along the edge of the shoulder straps.
One-year volunteer from the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15. Photographer: Bieber/ Hamburg. One-year volunteers wore a twisted wool cord in the state colors along the edge of the shoulder straps.

The attila was dark blue with white frogging. The kolpak of the fur cap was yellow.

Hussars in dress uniform from the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15. Original KAB. Photographer: Heinz Sparr/ Wandsbek.
Hussars in dress uniform from the Hussar Regiment King Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (Hanoverian) No. 15. Original KAB. Photographer: Heinz Sparr/ Wandsbek.

Notes on the previous image.

The KD 89 served as the armament. It was introduced for the entire cavalry by A.K.O. of June 21, 1890. The cuirassiers, however, retained the pallasch. The KD 89 had a basket hilt in which the respective state emblem of the units was used. The blade was straight. It was therefore primarily used for thrusting, not for cutting.