Preußische Heeresbibliothek
(Preußische Armee Library)
A short history of Prussia's
Brandenburg Infantry Regiment,
Numbered "12" in the line.
Oberstlieutenant Dallas Gavan
2. Westpr. IR Nr. 7
I Korps
Königlich Preußische Armee
The Brandenburgisches Infanterie-Regiment Nummer 12 was formed on the 1st day of July, 1813. The regiment was formed from the 1st and 2nd Reserve battalions of the Leib-Infanerie-Regiment and the 3rd Reserve battalion of the 1st Westpreußisches Infanterie-Regiment. It was raised to fill in the vacant position in the army lists that was caused when the Garde-Infanterie-Regiment was removed from the line numbering and the infantry regiments numbered 9 to 12 became 8 to 11. It therefore is very similar to the Reserve-Infanterie-Regienter raised at the same time, but was always considered a part of the line rather than as an ad-hoc formation. It wasn't called the "2. Brandenburgisches IR" until 1823.
The regiment varied from the other line units in that it had no grenadier companies. However the usual organisation of three battalions (two musketeer and one fusilier, or light, battalion) was the same as the other infantry regiments. The regiment had no colours until 3 September 1815, when new colours were presented to the unit in France.
The regiment saw action at Lowenberg and Colberg before being part of Blücher's force that defeated MacDonald at the Katzbach. The 2nd battalion was credited with capturing an eagle and 188 French troops, after attacking a French square, in this action. It later took part in all the actions of 1813, being present at Bishofswerda, Wartenburg and Möckern as part of 8 Brigade, I Corps from Augst 1813. In 1814 the regiment was at Chateau-Thierry, Laon and eventually the entry into Paris.
1815 saw the regiment was part of 1. Brigade, I Korps and saw action in the battles of June, 1815, before advancing on Paris to force Napoleon's final abdication.
For its service the unit was awarded the following decorations:
2 Orders Pour le Merit ("Blue Max")
15 Iron Cross 1st Class
160 Iron Cross 2nd Class
Formed from reserve battalions, the unit wore a number of different uniforms in its ranks. Illustrated below is that of the 1st Battalion (from Knötel's "Uniformekunde)
The regiment went on to give distinguished service, being re-titled as a grenadier regiment in 1861 and finally being disbanded in 1919.
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