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Regiments / The 1st East Prussian Infantry (1stEPI) *The Oldest in the Community*

« on: December 12, 2013, 01:13:05 am »

This Regiment fights for the Prussian Army
Our Forums

The new Prussian infantry of 1813-15 however used modern tactics
and was well organized. The men were enthusiastic and patriotic.
"Splendid old General Horn was at the head of the famous Leib Regiment;
he raised his sword on high, gave a loud Hurrah ! ... Forward !
Long live to the king of Prussia ! ...

Guten Tag! We are the 1st East Prussian Infantry Regiment, 1st Battaillon, Kompanie A, numbered 1st Regiment in the Prussian Army.  We are determined to restore Prussia's honor after the disastrous defeats at Jena and Aürstadt.  With the Prussian Army's humiliating defeat at the hands of the French, Napoleon Bonaparte occupied our capital and stained the honor of the Prussian people.  We invoke the name of Frederick the Great and his glorious armies that swept across Europe laying waste to the enemies of Prussia, to give us the strength and the courage to overcome the Corsican's oppression of our people.  Frederick the Great and his armies stood alone against a united Europe and prevailed.  Now we must do the same.  Onward, to victory!  Für das Vaterland! About Us The 1st East Prussian Infantry Was formed in December 2010 for the purpose of accurately representing historic military structure and tactics of the Napoleonic Era, to the best of our ability, and in so doing, form a tight-knit, elite Regiment of well trained, disciplined, and virtuous soldiers. Among other Regiments, we are quite unique in a number of ways. We place great emphasis on practicing accurate military structure and tactics of the Napoleonic Era. Among our ranks will be found no self-proclaimed generals leading handfuls of privates, but rather meaningful structure based on the size of our unit. Furthermore, we are committed to developing and practicing tactics of the period (with regard to practicality and feasibility in the setting of NW), to a level unrivaled by any existing Regiment. For these purposes, we are looking for intelligent, humble, and mature recruits willing and able to listen, learn, and contribute.

Expectations Whether as a recruit, or a full-fledged soldier, our members are expected to do the following: ✠ Learn and follow the Code of Conduct ✠ Learn, and become proficient in basic Tactics and Skills ✠ Be relatively active, attend trainings when possible, and alert your Platoon Leader if you are unable to participate or are taking an extended leave. ✠ Display humility, respect, and motivation. Those who can do these four things will find themselves a good match for the 1st, and will be prime candidates for promotion should they be proficient and willing to take on leadership roles.

Code of Conduct As general guidelines, members are to practice the following points: 1. Be respectful to everyone. This includes your comrades in the 1st, members of other regiments, public players, admins, officers, non-commissioned officers, and people on the forums. 2. Conduct yourself in a professional and mature manner. This means that cursing, glitching, trolling, flaming, and name calling or other forms of fighting are not allowed. This is especially important when we are in events or on a public server. 3. Follow Orders. It is paramount for the survival of the regiment that all orders given by our Offiziere and Unteroffiziere are followed to the letter and without question or argument. There is a time and place to discuss tactics and whether or not certain orders should be given or not. Directly after the order is given is not one of those times. This also applies to the Rules laid out by admins on their servers. We respect the right of admins to run their channels. 4. Do not retaliate. Regardless of the situation, if something is done to you (ie Teamkill, insult, etc) you are not to retaliate, but are instead to inform an officer or admin and report the problem. Anyone found retaliating will be dealt with in the same manner as the original offender.

Soldaten	Unteroffizier	Offizier
--- No Rank Insignia --- Rekrut(Rkt): Upon entry into the Regiment, all new members will be awarded the rank of Rekrut. This rank acts of a sort of "probationary period" which allows new players to get to know the regiment and for us to get to know you. Once the leadership of the regiment deems a Rekrut as knowledgeable in line tactics and discipline, they will be promoted into the regiment. Think of this rank as a "trial period" where you are being educated and tested in order to determine if you fit our requirements for a Soldat.	Korporal(Kpl): Korporalen are the lowest ranking Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in the regiment. It is their job to work with the Unteroffiziere to maintain order in the ranks and to ensure that discipline and the code of conduct are upheld at all times. Korporalen lead by example, but are also expected to understand line tactics and if need be, take over for an Unteroffizier in case they fall in battle. Korporalen are expected to provide an example of what it means to be a "good soldier", but are expected, unlike the Gefreite, to learn how to lead as well. Korporalen act as the left guides of the platoons in our battle lines. Therefore, it is paramount that they be familiar with line tactics.	Leutnant/Premier-leutnant(Lt/PLt): These are the lowest ranking Offiziere in the regiment and act as platoon leaders. It is their job to run their respective platoon and oversee its performance in battle. Each Leutnant is entrusted with distributing information, taking accountability, and coordinating with their Unteroffiziere to ensure that their platoon is combat effective. During battle, Leutnants will take command of their respective platoons and follow the overall orders of the Kapitan. Therefore, Leutnants do not address Oberleutnants as sir, nor do they take orders from them unless the OLt is acting as the Kompanie Commander.
Soldat(Sdt): This is the lowest official rank in the regiment. Soldaten make up the rank and file of our regiment and account for the vast majority of our men. Soldaten are expected to follow the code of conduct and carry out orders. Our success or failure as a regiment rests on the shoulders of these men.	Unteroffizier(Uffz) Unteroffiziere are the lifeforce of the regiment. These men are the true leaders of the Kompanie and ensure that it remains combat effective. Unteroffiziere are expected to know and understand not only the line tactics, but also be knowledgeable in how to give and receive orders. Discipline is maintained by these men and it is their jobs to ensure that all orders are carried out by the men. Any problems or concerns are first dealt with by the Unteroffiziere and are only passed up the chain of command if they are unable to resolve it. Unteroffiziere are expected to interact with the men and answer any questions or concerns that they have, they are also expected to ensure that every soldier in their platoon is fully functional (ie on teamspeak, in steam group, checking the forums, etc) as well as helping their Leutnant with accountability.	Kapitan(Kapt): The Kapitan is the highest ranking Offiziere at the Kompanie level. He oversees the command of the Kompanie and leads it during battle. It his his job to coordinate with the battalion and lead his Kompanie in compliance with the overall battle plan. Any battalion orders are passed to the Kapitan first and he will distribute them to the platoon level. The Kapitan is expected to understand operation and manuevers at the strategic and tactical level and to maneuver his Kompanie according to the "big picture".
Gefreiter(Gfr): Gefreite should be considered "experienced soldaten". This is not an NCO rank, rather it is an award to those Soldaten we deem to have exhibited a mastery of the skills of the soldier. Gefreite do not issue orders, neither are they considered superior in rank to Soldaten, rather, they are looked upon as the "ideal soldiers" and are expected to act as so. Gefreite lead by example and are usually the ones being groomed for advancement into the ranks of the NCO's. Only through hard work and exemplary performance can a Soldat be considered for advancement to Gefreiter.	Feldwebel(Fw): Feldwebel is the highest ranking NCO in the regiment and is entrusted with keeping it combat effective at all times. If any Unteroffizier is unable to resolve an issue or answer a question, they bring it first to the Feldwebel before the Kapitan. The Feldwebel helps to distribute information to the platoons and assists the Kapitan in running the Kompanie. He is also free to assist platoons when need be.	Major(Maj): The Major is the Highest Ranking Offiziere at the Battalion Level. He oversees the command of the battalion and leads it during battle. He works with the Kapitan as well as Rittmeister of the Lithuanian Dragoons to make the best decisions on how to maneuver the Battalion. The Major is also responsible for the training of the Battalion. It is his job to inform his officers what needs to be done while it is the job of the Kapitan to see it carried out on the Kompanie Level.

Revolutionary Wars: During the French Revolutionary Wars of the 1790's the 1st East Prussian Infantry regiment was yet to be formed. The regiment that would become the 1st East Prussian infantry was the No.2 line infantry regiment 'Ruechel' under the command of Oberst Ernst von Rüchel. During the 1790's the regiment was part of the Prussian forces used to combat France. The No.2 fought well in the brief Prussian effort, but after the battle of Valmy they were sent back to Prussia as Prussia tried to conserve its resources and soldiers. Invasion of 1806: In 1806, Prussia entered into the War of the Fourth Coalition in fear of France from their defeat of Austria. At the start of the invasion the No.2 was attached to L’Estocq’s Corps with four other infantry regiments. L'Estocq and his chief of staff, Gerhard von Scharnhorst, commanded some 15,000 troops based at Thorn in December 1806 and at Freystadt in January 1807. Harassed by Marshal Ney, L'Estocq marched his troops from February 2 – February 8 through snowy and forested East Prussia; it has been described as "a model of the way in which a flank march in the face of a near and powerful adversary should be conducted". The Russian troops of Bennigsen were hard-pressed by Marshal Davout in the Battle of Eylau (February 7-February 8, 1807). Leading the last operational unit in the Prussian army, L'Estocq was only able to bring eight battalions, twenty-eight squadrons, and two horse artillery batteries (estimated at 7,000-9,000 men) to the battle; the rest of his soldiers were defending against Ney. Upon the small Prussian contingent's arrival at Preußisch Eylau, Bennigsen wanted it split up to reinforce his weakened Russian troops. Scharnhorst, however, advised L'Estocq to strike with his cavalry around the Russian lines at Davout's exhausted troops; the sudden attack threw the French into disarray. Following the battle, L'Estocq's corps retreated to Preußisch Friedland to maintain coalition communications with Russia.

1806/1807 Reforms: Following the defeat in 1806 Prussia was forced to reorganize and downsize its army. Six of the remaining infantry regiments were chosen to be reformed, and were each given a light infantry battalion  to complete them. The No.2 with its new 3rd battalion became the 1st East Prussian Infantry Regiment. The new army was organized into six peace-time brigades, and the 1st East Prussian were put into the East Prussian Brigade. Russia 1812/1813 When Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 there were 14,000 Prussian infantry attached to the auxiliary corps of the Grand Army. The six regiments were assembled from assorted battalions of multiple Prussian army regiments. The No.1 infantry regiment of the Prussian forces in Russia was mad up of the 2nd battalion/1st East Prussian Regiment, the 1st Battalion/2nd East Prussian Regiment, and the Fusilier battalion of the 1st East Prussian regiment. Unlike most of Napoleon's army the Prussian forces returned home mostly unharmed, saved by the Convention of Tauroggen.

War Of Liberation:    In 1813 the war of the 6th coalition started, and Prussia       mobilized its army for war. During the first battle of the    campaign the 1st East Prussian Regiment had just returned    from combat in Russia, and had two of its    battalions (2nd battalion and fusilier battalion) in the "1st       Combined Infantry Regiment". At Lützen they were on the left    flank under Generalmajor von Hünerbein, but were driven    back like the rest of the army.    After Lützen the 1st East Prussian battalions were put back    together and put in Generallieutenant von Yorc's Korps, in     Oberst von Zielinsky's 1st Infantry brigade. The regiment was    in the center of the Prussian line, and took heavy casualties    first  from the artillery barrage of the Grand Battery, and    then the successive French assault. The regiment was in the    thick of the fighting for the entire day, but was beaten back to    the village of Bautzen. The 1st East Prussian regiment was    then present at the battle of Leipzig.

Battle of Leipzig: At Leipzig, the 1st East Prussian Regiment was attached to the I. corp under Generallieutenant von Yorck, in the 2nd Infantry brigade (under Generalmajor Prinz CarlvonMecklenburg-Strelitz). At the time of Leipzig, the regiment had 1,840 men in total, or about 600 men per regiment. During the battle, the regiment was positioned on the allied right flank, and was ordered forward on the first day of fighting, to take the city of Möckern. The village was heavily fortified, and had a manor, palace, walled gardens, and low walls. Each position was turned into a fortress with the walls being loop holed for covered fire by the French. The ground to the west of the position was too wooded and swampy for emplacement of artillery. A dike ran east along the river Elster being four meters high. The bloody street fighting took a heavy toll on both sides, and the battle hung in the balance until Prussian cavalry charged and secured the field. Overall, both sides suffered around 9,000 casualties. For the next three days of the battle the regiment stayed on the right flank, and pushed to try to encircle Napoleon's forces, and even helped secure the village of Leipzig itself.

Paris: After the battle of Leipzig, the regiment continued on the allied advance through France, fighting in the battles Brienne, The Six Day's Campaign, Craonne, Reims, and Paris. The unit was then sent back to Prussia. For reasons unknown, the regiment was not part of the army involved with the 100 Day's Campaign, and so its service to the Kingdom of Prussia ended at the battle and occupation of Paris in 1814.

Organization of the Regiment
Historically, a full strength regiment is composed of two battalions; each in turn being comprised of multiple companies. In the historical Prussian Army, a battalion consisted of four companies, and was nearly 800 men strong. However, for the purposes of the 1stEPI and the scale of Napoleonic Wars, a battalion shall consist of two or more companies, and maintain a minimum field strengthof 40-80 men rank and file.  The strength of a battalion on paper will be roughly double this amount.

The 1st East Prussian Regiment currently fields 1 Battalion with a second Battalion in the reserve, and maintains a field strength of 50+ men at all times

Media

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkhzRI5kNuk[/youtube]	[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbMRxclYn5g[/youtube]	[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxBQHfDOMU4[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsNk9-njD6Y[/youtube]	[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFLey0b2muo[/youtube]	[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL-9mOFBrWE orientation video[/youtube] 1stEPI Recruit Orientation
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGueaWogve0[/youtube]	[youtube] [/youtube]	[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCtEXYEcxfI [/youtube]

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Weekly Event Schedule

These events occur on a weekly basis:
Monday New Member Training - 8PM EST
Tuesday North American Line Battle - 8PM EST
Thursday Primary Battalion Weekday Training - 8PM EST
Friday North American Line Battle - 9PM EST


In addition to these weekly events, occasional ''special'' events will typically be scheduled once or twice a month on a Saturday evening. Members are given notice well in advance of these additional line-battle or realism opportunities.

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Medals

Badges and Medals
of the
1st East Prussian Infantry Regiment

SERVICE MEDALS

Veteran Infantry Medal, 5th Class Awarded for disciplined and active service in 10 engagements.		Veteran Infantry Medal, 4th Class Awarded for disciplined and active service in 20 engagements.		Veteran Infantry Medal, 3rd Class Awarded for disciplined and active service in 35 engagements.
Veteran Infantry Medal, 2nd Class Awarded for disciplined and active service in 50 engagements.		Veteran Infantry Medal, 1st Class Awarded for disciplined and active service in 100 engagements.		Veteran Infantry Medal, Career Soldier Awarded for disciplined and active service in 200+ engagements.

GENERAL MEDALS

Red Eagle Order, 2nd Class Awarded to Enlisted personnel for valor, courage, and service.		Red Eagle Order, 1st Class Awarded to Kompanie Offiziere for valor, leadership, and service.		Red Eagle Order, Grand Star Awarded to Battalion Offiziere for dedication, valor, leadership and services towards the 1. Ostpreussiche Infanterie.		Non-Commissioned Officer's Cadre Medal Awarded to Non-Commissioned Officers for excellence in training techniques.		Officer's Cadre Medal Awarded to Officers for excellence in training techniques.
Non-Commissioned Officer's Administration Medal Awarded to Non-Commissioned Officers who have excelled off of the battlefield.		Officer's Administration Medal Awarded to Officers who have excelled off of the battlefield.		Imperial Eagle Medal Awarded for capturing enemy colors during an event.		Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior on or off the battlefield.

PROFICIENCY AWARDS

Melee Badge - Tier 1 Awarded for a top four finish in a  Melee Test.

Melee Badge - Tier 2 Awarded for a first place finish in a Melee Test.

Melee Badge - Tier 3 Awarded for five first place finishes in a Melee Test.

Schützen Challenge Coin Awarded to the winner of the semi-monthly shooting contest.

RECRUITMENT MEDALS

Recruitment Medal - Tier 1 Awarded to those who have recruited five people.

Recruitment Medal - Tier 2 Awarded to those who have recruited fifteen people.

Recruitment Medal - Tier 3 Awarded to those who have recruited twenty five people.

CAMPAIGN MEDALS

Mount&Musket Service Medal Awarded for serving in the 1stEPI before the release of Napoleonic Wars		French Campaign Medal Awarded for actions taken against the Légion Irlandaise on 18 August 2012		British Campaign Medal Awarded for actions taken against the Royal Army on 12 October 2013
7th Prussian Infantry Service Medal Awarded for serving in the 7th in Age of False Innocence		Battalion Campaign Ribbon Awarded to participant members in the monthly realism linebattle		Austrian Campaign Medal Awarded for actions taken against the Schwarze Schar Nr.92 on 23 February 2014

PRUSSIAN ARMY DONATION MEDALS

Prussian Army Donation - Tier 1 Awarded for donating to the Prussian Army fund.

Prussian Army Donation - Tier 2 Awarded for donating $20 or more to the Prussian Army fund.

Prussian Army Donation - Tier 3 Awarded for donating $50 or more to the Prussian Army fund.

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School of the Soldier Reference

These guides are to be used for the instruction of the soldier and platoon. Outlined here are the basic practices and tactics essential for the creation of a functional company.

School of the Soldier
http://www.1stepi.com/forums/index.php?topic=30.0
This section concerned with the skills and practices of the individual soldier.

School of the Platoon
http://www.1stepi.com/forums/index.php?topic=10.0
This section is concerned with maneuver and drill on the Company level. These drills are based off of period manuals from the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War:
http://www.drillnet.net/GILHAM/Gilart4.htm (Gilham's Manual)
http://www.drillnet.net/COOPERS/Coopers.htm#OfCo (Cooper's Volunteer Manual)
http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/organization/reg1791/c_regtitle.html (French 1791 Drill Manual)
http://glengarrylightinfantry.ca/drillmanual.pdf (British 1816 Drill Manual)
http://books.google.com/books?id=c-H6BceZ8oMC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false (German Manual)
We are devoted to the practice of historically accurate line tactics, and place great emphasis on drill. By practicing these drills, we are able to march and wheel a deployed line of multiple ranks on the move over any distance, and can quickly deploy into line or column to any direction. These drills make way for proper Battalion-level tactics, and give the Company unrivaled flexibility and maneuverability on the field.  It is therefore paramount that all members - particularly those aspiring for promotion, are well versed in these tactics and drills.

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Organization of the Company
The Kompanie is the smallest unit to complete itself, and should be able to field at least 20 men rank-and-file. For this purpose, given an average attendance rate of 50-66% for any given event, at least 50 active members should be maintained on paper. The unit is ran at the company-level by the Kapitain (Captain) and Feldwebel (Company Sergeant Major).

Each Kompanie is divided into two platoons, termed "Zug." Ideally, each Zug should be able to field 12 soldiers rank and file, in addition to one Officer (a Lt or PLt) who is designated the Platoon Leader, a ranking Unteroffizier, who is designated the Platoon Sergeant, and one or two additional Unteroffizier to assist or replace him when need-be. Of the rank-and-file, 2-4 Korporalen shall be placed in each platoon, and will assist and fill in for the Unteroffiziere when needed.

Thus, the full strength Kompanie comprised of two Zug shall include:
1 Kapitan - Company Officer
1 Feldwebel - Company Sergeant
1 Premierleutnant - Overseeing 2. Zug
1 Leutnant - Overseeing 1. Zug
4-6 Unteroffiziere - 2~3 in each Zug, except for 1. Zug, which shall generally require no more than 2.
4-8 Korporalen - 2~4 in each Zug
32+ Soldaten - 16+ in each Zug

Also included may be:
1-2 Musicians


Thus, a full strength Company on paper shall be comprised of no less than 44-52 men in total. The Company's field strength will generally be only 50-66% of its strength on paper for any given event, accounting for average attendance and expected, excused, or unexcused absences. Should the Company maintain a high level of activity and attendance, the number of men required to maintain a full strength Company on paper may be lower than prescribed above.

- Each platoon forms a line two ranks deep.  1. Zug falls in left of the Kapitan and their senior Unteroffizier(Ufz), who are always on the right-most flank.  2. Zug falls in left of the Premierleutnant(PLt) and their senior Unteroffizier. The Korporalen of either platoon fall in the left most file of each Zug. - The remaining Unteroffiziere and Leutnant(s)(Lt) are placed as file closers. The Leutnant's file-closing position is one full pace behind the Kapitan's file. The Unteroffiziere take up position behind the first and last ranker files of their respective Zug.  In 1. Zug, the first Unteroffizier file closing position (directly left of the Leutnant, behind the first ranker file) is reserved for the Feldwebel(Fw). The file-closing Unteroffiziere are charged with keeping the line intact and operating efficiently.  It is also their duty to take down any lone cavalrymen or flankers who threaten the formation, and to keep a lookout and prevent the Company from being taken by surprise. Upon heavy losses, the file closing Unteroffiziere and even the Company Musicians are allowed to join the line at their own discretion, or upon the order of an Officer. The Platoon Sergeants - that is, to say, the Unteroffiziere stationed directly behind the Officers at the head of each platoon, are to act as the right guides and Platoon Leaders in the event the commanding officer retires from the head of his platoon, or falls in battle.  When acting as Platoon Leader, the Unteroffiziere in charge should draw his sword to distinguish himself from his fellow rankers. The Offiziere acting in the capacity of Platoon Leader (generally the Premier-leutnant and Kapitan, except when the Kapitan hands off control of 1. Zug to the platoon's Leutnant) act as the overall commanders of each Zug The 1st East Prussian Infantry also fields a squadron of Lithuanian Dragoons, made up of the most active and dedicated members of the EPI that are able to fill any role from skirmishing, to cavalry, to artillery, and to line Infantry. Members of the Lithuanian Dragoons are hand picked by its Rittmeister and members may apply upon reaching the rank of Soldat, however exceptions may be made.* See Litauische Dragoner - Field Manual*

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCtEXYEcxfI[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcb9TWrEVHY[/youtube]

RECRUITMENT All Recruiting related questions should be directed to the 1st East Prussian Infantry's Civil Affairs Representative: Currently not filled, please refer to Feldwebel Mogu. - S-5, Civil-Military Relations Steam Page:- https://steamcommunity.com/id/epimogu/ Please direct questions or comments regarding the scheduling of events or calendar to the S3 point of contact To post an application, we ask that all people interested in joining the 1st East Prussian Infantry visit the Regimental Website: forums.1stepi.com. Additionally, if you have any questions regarding the application process, feel free to contact Feldwebel Mogu or email the1stepi@gmail.com. Steam Page:- https://steamcommunity.com/id/epimogu/ FSE Page: - https://www.fsegames.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=14483 Other Information We have our own Message Boards and Team Speak Server. Members should check the forums on a regular basis, and have bookmarked both the forums and the 1stEPI TeamSpeak servers. Our Steam Group - https://steamcommunity.com/groups/1stepi_nw The Steam group is public, please join to be invited to events. Our Website and Forums can be found here: http://www.forums.1stepi.com Team Speak Address- ts3.1stepi.com You do not need a microphone, but everyone will need to have Team Speak for trainings and events in order to hear orders. STAFF POINTS OF CONTACT Chief of Staff:  Bataillon-Adjutant L. Hopper Steam Page - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198018523853/ S-1, Personnel:  Korporal Hancock Steam Page - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198112343283/ Please direct questions involving matters of administration concerning the regiment, Website/Forum issues, Server groups, and distribution of awards to the S1 point of contact. S-3, Operations:  Currently not filled. Please refer to Feldwebel Mogu if you need any assistance. Steam Page - https://steamcommunity.com/id/epimogu/ Please direct questions or comments regarding the scheduling of events or calendar to the S3 point of contact S-5, Civil-Military Relations:  Currently not filled. Please refer to Feldwebel Mogu if you need any assistance. Steam Page - https://steamcommunity.com/id/epimogu/ Please direct questions or concerns with Civil-Military Relations, or seek guidance from the S5 point of contact when needing assistance with the application process or new member indoctrination.

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