Austrian Dragoon Regiment Althann of the Seven Years’ War, 1756–1763

Austrian Dragoon Regiment Althann of the Seven Years’ War, 1756–1763.

By decree dated 4 November 1733, Oberst Andreas Graf Koháry raised a dragoon regiment of eight companies at his own expense. The unit was later increased to ten companies by additional recruitment. The cadre of experienced officers and men had been transferred from older regiments of the imperial army.

From 1758 to 1768, when the unit was disbanded, the regiment was given to Feldmarschall-Leutnant Michael Graf Althann. During the Seven Years’ War the regiment fought at the Battles of Hochkirch, Landeshut, and Liegnitz.

Proprietor

  • Oberst, later G.d.C. Andreas Graf Koháry, 1733–1758
  • FML, later G.d.C. Michael Graf Althann, 1758–1768

Commanding Officer

  • Oberst Gabriel Graf Keglevich, 1752–1759
  • Oberst Caspar Freiherr Rummel von Waldau, 1759–1768
  • Oberstlieutenant Gundacker von Wolff, 1768

Uniform

  • white coat with yellow buttons
  • red lapels with seven buttons and buttonholes left and right
  • red cuffs with three buttons
  • red turnbacks
  • red shoulder strap left
  • red aiguillette right
  • black stock
  • white vest with 2 × 7 yellow buttons
  • white or straw-coloured breeches
  • black gaiters with yellow buttons for dismounted service
  • white boot cuffs and tall black riding boots for mounted service
  • black tricorne with yellow border, and black cockade with yellow button
  • red saddlecloth with yellow border, and black and white rhombical design
  • black pistol holsters, with red holster covers and border design as above
  • round red mantlesack with border design as above
  • black leather bridle

Campaign History

  • Battle of Hochkirch, 1758
  • Siege of Neiße, 1758
  • Campaign in Upper Silesia, 1759
  • Battle of Landeshut, 1760
  • Engagement at Schwarzwald (one squadron), 1760
  • Battle of Liegnitz, 1760
  • Campaign in Silesia, 1761
  • Engagement at Peilau, 1762

Light straw-coloured leather breeches were worn on campaign.

Austrian Dragoons of the Seven Years’ War