Régiment de Royal-Allemand cavalerie

Regimental flag

The Régiment de Royal-Allemand cavalry was a regiment in the French Royal army, mainly composed of German-speakers from the frontier districts of Alsace and Lorraine. In 1791 it became the "15e régiment de cavalerie" (15th Cavalry Regiment), and in 1792 it was disbanded.

Raising and renamings

Commanders and/or Colonels as owners

Role in French Revolution

In June 1789 the Royal-Allemand was one of the regiments of the Royal Army summoned to Paris to suppress the growing disturbances in the city, that preceded the outbreak of the French Revolution. About half of this force was made up of Swiss and German mercenaries who were considered more dependable in a time of civil unrest than the rank and file of the French regular regiments. While the Royal-Allemand was recruited within the borders of France, its German speaking troopers proved willing to act against the Paris population when ordered. On 12 July 1789, the regiment under the command of Charles Eugene charged a crowd of demonstrators in the Tuileries Garden killing one and injuring others. A detachment of the French Guards, who formed the permanent garrison of Paris and had strong local ties, then fired on the cavalrymen of the Royal-Allemand. The regiment was subsequently withdrawn from Paris and returned to its frontier garrison.

After the overthrow of Louis XVI in August 1792, the bulk of the regiment, led by its officers, defected and took service with the army of royalist emigres being raised by the Prince de Condé at Coblenz. The remnants of the Royal-Allemand fought in the Battle of Aldenhoven beside the Austrian Army, before being finally disbanded.

General Jabłonowski served as Lieutenant in the regiment before losing his commission after failing to return from leave.[1]

Uniforms

External links

References

  1. Pachonski Jan, Jan & Wilson, Reuel K. (1986), Poland's Caribbean Tragedy: A Study of Polish Legions in the Haitian War of Independence 1802-1803, New York: East European Monographs, p. 60-61
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