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Regiments / Re: [KGL] King's German Legion - 1st Hussars [EU]
« on: February 10, 2019, 07:01:51 pm »
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KGL Staff Colonel Zauberfisch Major Ryan Commissioned Officers Cornet Quinn Non-Commissioned Officers Corporal Jetfire Corporal Peaky | Enlisted rankers Chevalier Arathorn Royal Hussar Silen Royal Hussar Voland Hussar Atticus Hussar Kreativer Hussar Leon Trooper Atsuque Trooper ETxm Trooper Pedersen Recruit Goronek Recruit Ran12go Recruit Ruby | Reserves Res. (Chv) Scoopy Res. (Tpr) Amberger Res. (Rec) Illuminato Total count: 20 |
KGL Staff Colonel (Col) Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Major (Maj) Commissioned Officers Captain (Cpt) Lieutenant (Lt) Cornet (Crt) Non-Commissioned Officers Corporal Major (CMaj) Corporal of Horse (CoH) Corporal (Cpl) | Enlisted Lance Corporal (LCpl) Royal Horse Guard (RHG) Chevalier (Chv) Royal Hussar (RHus) Hussar (Hus) Trooper (Tpr) Recruit (Rec) Reservist (Res) Extra ranks/titles Volunteer (Vol) Grenadier ([G]) Bugler (Bgl) |
Lance Corporal: Grenadier: Bugler: Volunteer: | | Rank given temporarily to trial applicants for a Corporal position Title appointed to the top melee duellist within the enlisted men Title appointed to the designated musician for the battalion Rank given to frequent guest players from friendly regiments |
The King's German Legion (1803–1816) The King's German Legion was formed of Hanoverian expatriates in 1803 in an effort to help the British defeat the French forces sweeping through Europe. The Convention of Artlenburg in 1803 had dissolved the Electorate of Hanover and meant French occupation of the state. Although many horses and supplies had been seized by the French, there was a burning desire amongst the unceremoniously defeated German soldiers to fight back, defeat the French and free Hanover. The Electorate had been, since 1714, technically ruled under personal union with the King of Great Britain. The opportunity arose for the experienced soldiery to flee to Britain and form a legion of exclusively German battalions, fighting with a vengeance to free their homeland from Napoleonic occupation. Thus the King's German Legion was raised, in December of 1803. The Legion would peak at roughly 14,000 members, with approximately 28,000 individuals having served in the KGL at one time or another. | The Cavalry of the King's German Legion The KGL was a mixed corps from it's very beginning, comprising infantrymen, cavalrymen and artillerymen in distinct regiments. The cavalry of the KGL initially consisted of five dragoon regiments, of which two were heavy cavalry and three were light dragoons. Each regiment consisted initially of 8 troops (Approximately 80 men, including a cornet, lieutenant and captain), and was commanded overall by a Colonel and his support staff.[1] The amount of troops per regiment varied over time; in the summer of 1811 it peaked at 10 troops per regiment, but by the eve of the Battle of Waterloo this amounted to only 4 troops per regiment. A lack of sufficient light cavalry at the British disposal precipitated a reform of the KGL cavalry regiments in 1813. The two heavy dragoon regiments were reformed into a light dragoon role, and the three previous light dragoon regiments were reformed into hussars. This was the birth of the King's German Legion 1st, 2nd and 3rd Hussars. The Hussars would serve with distinction, earning a reputation as superior light cavalry, and becoming known in particular for their reconnaissance skills, their discipline, and their combat ability. |
"[The KGL Hussars...] had such a high degree of professionalism that they were considered equal in every way to the best British units." - Alessandro Barbero, Historian[2] "Major General. Alten's brigade, of which there were only three squadrons on the ground, were engaged on the left with numbers infinitely superior to themselves. These squadrons charged repeatedly, supporting each other, and took above twenty prisoners, notwithstanding the immense superiority of the enemy. The post would have been maintained, if the Commander of the Forces had not ordered the troops to withdraw from it... " - Excerpt from Wellington's General Order following the Battle of El Bodón[3] "Our Germans, who were commanded by a very smart young fellow, immediately charged them. The French, perceiving the number of our cavalry only equal to their own, instantly wheeled about and calmly awaited the attack. A very smart combat soon took place, and was supported by great resolution for some time on both sides, but terminated in the flight or capture of the enemy. Several prisoners were brought in, all of whom were badly wounded; and scarcely one of our gallant Germans had escaped without some sabre-wound." - Edward Costello, 95th Rifles, describing a KGL skirmish[4] | "[The 1st KGL Hussars were] ...deserved favourites of the Light Division... it was one of the romances of a soldier's life to hear them chanting their national war songs" - Captain Kincaid (1787–1862), 95th Rifles[5] "If we saw a British Dragoon at any time approaching in full speed, it excited no great curiosity among us, but whenever we saw one of the 1st Hussars KGL... it was high time to gird on our swords and bundle up." - Captain Kincaid (1787–1862), 95th Rifles[6] "As cavalry, [the KGL] were the finest and most efficient I ever saw in action; and I had many opportunities of judging, as some troops of them generally did duty with us during the war. Indeed, while alluding to the cavalry of the German Legion, I cannot help remarking on the care and fondness with which they regarded their horses. A German soldier seldom thought of food or rest for the night until his horse had been provided for. ..." - Edward Costello, 95th Rifles, on the KGL Cavalry[7] |