Origin & History
The original regiment was formed in 1685 from French refugees after the Edict of Nantes. However, in 1687, it was incorporated into the newly formed Infanterie Regiment Nr. 15. In 1702, a new regiment was raised to occupy the rank left vacant by the former regiment.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was in the Dutch service.
From 1724, the regiment formed part of the garrison of Berlin. Its levies came from the districts of Glien, Havelland, Lowenberg, Niederbarnim, Oberbarnim and Priegnitz and from the towns of Friesack, Plaue and Rhinow.
During the War of the Austrian Succession, the regiment took part in the battles of Mollwitz (April 10, 174), Hohenfriedberg (June 4, 1745) and Kesselsdorf (December 15, 1745).
During the Seven Years War, the regiment consisted of two battalions and its successive Chefs were:
In 1768, the regiment was ranked as the third best unit after the Garde (Grenadier Garde, I. Leibgarde Batallion, II. and III Garde Batallion) and Zeuner.
The numbering system (Stammliste) was first used by Leopold I., Furst von Anhalt-Dessau (Der alte Dessauer) in the Dessauer Spezifikation from 1737. Around 1780 the numbers were used in the printed Stammlisten, still with some variations for the fusilier regiments. It became official by "Cabinets-Ordre" from October 1st, 1806. The present infantry regiment was attributed number 13.
The regiment capitulated to the French in 1806 and was never re-established.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was in the Dutch service.
From 1724, the regiment formed part of the garrison of Berlin. Its levies came from the districts of Glien, Havelland, Lowenberg, Niederbarnim, Oberbarnim and Priegnitz and from the towns of Friesack, Plaue and Rhinow.
During the War of the Austrian Succession, the regiment took part in the battles of Mollwitz (April 10, 174), Hohenfriedberg (June 4, 1745) and Kesselsdorf (December 15, 1745).
During the Seven Years War, the regiment consisted of two battalions and its successive Chefs were:
- since Novemer 7th, 1750; August Friedrich von Itzenplitz
- February 8th, 1760: Friedrich Wilhelm von Syburg
- June 19th, 1762: Tsar Peter III of Russia (the regiment was then designated as Kaiser)
- from April 8th, 1763 to December 18th, 1774: Friedrich Wilhelm Count von Wylich-Lottum
In 1768, the regiment was ranked as the third best unit after the Garde (Grenadier Garde, I. Leibgarde Batallion, II. and III Garde Batallion) and Zeuner.
The numbering system (Stammliste) was first used by Leopold I., Furst von Anhalt-Dessau (Der alte Dessauer) in the Dessauer Spezifikation from 1737. Around 1780 the numbers were used in the printed Stammlisten, still with some variations for the fusilier regiments. It became official by "Cabinets-Ordre" from October 1st, 1806. The present infantry regiment was attributed number 13.
The regiment capitulated to the French in 1806 and was never re-established.
Service During the Seven Years War
The regiment was usually considered an elite unit, it was a tightly run regiment, known as the "Donner und Blitzen" (Thunder and Lightning) under the regime of Major-General von Itzenplitz who was mortally wounded at Kunersdorf. The unit saw heavy usage being present at eight major battles.
On August 26th, 1756, when the Prussian Army proceeded to the invasion of Saxony, the regiment was part of the left column led by the Duke of Brauschweig-Bevern. This column had concentrated in the area of Lubben, then advanced through Lusatia by Hoyerswerda and Bautzen, to Hohenstein (Sept. 8th) then to Lohmen north of Elbe near Prina. On October 1st, the regiment took part in the Battle of Lobositz where it was assigned to the brigade of Major-General Itzenplitz in Kleist's Division. The regiment advanced on the left flank, along with the regiments Alt-Kleist and Alt-Bevern, to engage the Grenzers stationed on Lobosch Hill. The attempt to advance through the skirmish screen proved difficult, however, with ammunition running low, the Prussians adapted to the conditions of the terrain, abandoning close formations and picking and choosing their targets using individual fire. Gradually the Austrians, despite reinforcements that included Joseph Esterhazy Infantry, were pushed off the Lobosch Hill and forced back through the burning streets of Lobositz. After an hour of intense fighting, the Austrians were forced out. They retreated in good order. To maintain his contact with the Elbe and to buttress his right flank, the Austrian commander, Browne, shifted his uncommitted left wing around to the plains behind Lobositz and Sullowitz. On October 23, when Keith's Army left Lobositz to return to Pirna, the regiment was part of the left column. On October 28, Keith's Army reached Gorss-Sedlitz near Prina and took its winter-quarters soon afterwards.
On May 6th, 1757, during the invasion of Bohemia, the regiment took part in the Battle of Prague where it was deployed on the far right of the second line of the infantry centre in Rohr's Brigade. Led by Prince Henri of Prussia, the unit, along with Manteuffel Infantry, waded acress the Rocketnitzer Bach and attacked the flank causing the Austrians to give ground. It then supported the breakthrough of the Prussian grenadiers near Kyge-Hlaupetin. This action combined with the similar assaults on the left resulted in the defeat of the Austrians. At the end of August, the regiment was part of the small Prussian army hastily assembled at Dresden by Frederick II to head towards Thuringia and to offer battle to the Franco-Imperial Army invading Saxony. On November 5th, at the Battle of Rossbach, the regiment was deployed in the first line of the infantry left wing under Lieutenant-General Prince Henri. On December 5th at the Battle of Leuthen, the regiment was deployed in the vanguard which successfully attacked the Austrian left flank. The regiment brushed aside the Grenzers and smashed a Wurttemberger regiment. At about 1:00 p.m., the regiment along with Meyerinck Infantry advanced against an Austrian battery of 14 guns planted on the heights behind Sagschutz and took it after a short opposition. This threw the whole coprs of Nadasdy into confusion.
In April 1758, the regiment took part in the Siege of Schweidnitz. It then participated in the failed invasion of Moravia. On October 14th, it fought in the Battle of Hochkirch where it was initially deployed in the centre of the first line. Around 7:00 a.m., the regiment, supported by Kannacher Infantry attacked the village Hochkirch and, after taking heavy canister casualties, managed to momentarily retake the village edge. However, it was soon forced to retire by the Austrian cavalry. The regiment suffered heavily during this battle, loosing 820 men (about 75% of its effective strength).
In 1759, the regiment took part in engagements at Pretsch and Hoyerswerda.
On August 15th, 1760, the regiment was present at the Battle of Liegnitz but was not engaged. Then from August to September, the regiment was at the Siege of Dresden. On September 17th, it fought in the Combat of Hochgiersdorf. On November 3rd, the regiment took part in the Battle of Torgau where it was part of the vanguard.
On July 21st, 1762 the regiment took part in the Battle of Burkersdorf where, along with Finck and Braun Fusiliers, it advanced up a slope enfiladed by Grenzers who were finally driven off. The same year, the regiment's inhaber became Peter III of Russia in a political gesture by Frederick in recognition of the miracle of the House of Brandenburg - effectively the death of Elizabeth Petrovna and the Russian realignment, under Peter III, with Prussia. From August, the regiment took part in the siege and recapture of Schweidnitz.
N.B.: During the war the grenadiers from the wing grenadier companies were put together with the grenadiers of Infantry Regiment 26 forming the Grenadier Batallion 13/26.
On August 26th, 1756, when the Prussian Army proceeded to the invasion of Saxony, the regiment was part of the left column led by the Duke of Brauschweig-Bevern. This column had concentrated in the area of Lubben, then advanced through Lusatia by Hoyerswerda and Bautzen, to Hohenstein (Sept. 8th) then to Lohmen north of Elbe near Prina. On October 1st, the regiment took part in the Battle of Lobositz where it was assigned to the brigade of Major-General Itzenplitz in Kleist's Division. The regiment advanced on the left flank, along with the regiments Alt-Kleist and Alt-Bevern, to engage the Grenzers stationed on Lobosch Hill. The attempt to advance through the skirmish screen proved difficult, however, with ammunition running low, the Prussians adapted to the conditions of the terrain, abandoning close formations and picking and choosing their targets using individual fire. Gradually the Austrians, despite reinforcements that included Joseph Esterhazy Infantry, were pushed off the Lobosch Hill and forced back through the burning streets of Lobositz. After an hour of intense fighting, the Austrians were forced out. They retreated in good order. To maintain his contact with the Elbe and to buttress his right flank, the Austrian commander, Browne, shifted his uncommitted left wing around to the plains behind Lobositz and Sullowitz. On October 23, when Keith's Army left Lobositz to return to Pirna, the regiment was part of the left column. On October 28, Keith's Army reached Gorss-Sedlitz near Prina and took its winter-quarters soon afterwards.
On May 6th, 1757, during the invasion of Bohemia, the regiment took part in the Battle of Prague where it was deployed on the far right of the second line of the infantry centre in Rohr's Brigade. Led by Prince Henri of Prussia, the unit, along with Manteuffel Infantry, waded acress the Rocketnitzer Bach and attacked the flank causing the Austrians to give ground. It then supported the breakthrough of the Prussian grenadiers near Kyge-Hlaupetin. This action combined with the similar assaults on the left resulted in the defeat of the Austrians. At the end of August, the regiment was part of the small Prussian army hastily assembled at Dresden by Frederick II to head towards Thuringia and to offer battle to the Franco-Imperial Army invading Saxony. On November 5th, at the Battle of Rossbach, the regiment was deployed in the first line of the infantry left wing under Lieutenant-General Prince Henri. On December 5th at the Battle of Leuthen, the regiment was deployed in the vanguard which successfully attacked the Austrian left flank. The regiment brushed aside the Grenzers and smashed a Wurttemberger regiment. At about 1:00 p.m., the regiment along with Meyerinck Infantry advanced against an Austrian battery of 14 guns planted on the heights behind Sagschutz and took it after a short opposition. This threw the whole coprs of Nadasdy into confusion.
In April 1758, the regiment took part in the Siege of Schweidnitz. It then participated in the failed invasion of Moravia. On October 14th, it fought in the Battle of Hochkirch where it was initially deployed in the centre of the first line. Around 7:00 a.m., the regiment, supported by Kannacher Infantry attacked the village Hochkirch and, after taking heavy canister casualties, managed to momentarily retake the village edge. However, it was soon forced to retire by the Austrian cavalry. The regiment suffered heavily during this battle, loosing 820 men (about 75% of its effective strength).
In 1759, the regiment took part in engagements at Pretsch and Hoyerswerda.
On August 15th, 1760, the regiment was present at the Battle of Liegnitz but was not engaged. Then from August to September, the regiment was at the Siege of Dresden. On September 17th, it fought in the Combat of Hochgiersdorf. On November 3rd, the regiment took part in the Battle of Torgau where it was part of the vanguard.
On July 21st, 1762 the regiment took part in the Battle of Burkersdorf where, along with Finck and Braun Fusiliers, it advanced up a slope enfiladed by Grenzers who were finally driven off. The same year, the regiment's inhaber became Peter III of Russia in a political gesture by Frederick in recognition of the miracle of the House of Brandenburg - effectively the death of Elizabeth Petrovna and the Russian realignment, under Peter III, with Prussia. From August, the regiment took part in the siege and recapture of Schweidnitz.
N.B.: During the war the grenadiers from the wing grenadier companies were put together with the grenadiers of Infantry Regiment 26 forming the Grenadier Batallion 13/26.
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