French 52nd Infantry Regiment de Castella of the Seven Years’ War, 1756–1763

French 52nd Infantry Regiment de Castella of the Seven Years’ War, 1756–1763.

The Swiss foreign regiment de Pfyffer was recruited in 1672 for service in the French army. On 14 March 1756, Lieutenant-General Rudolf von Castella was appointed as honory colonel of the regiment, which carried his name until 1792, when it was disbanded. During the Seven Years’ War, the 52nd (4th Swiss) Regiment de Castella fought at Roßbach, Lutterberg, Bergen, Corbach, and Neuhaus.

Proprietor

  • Lieutenant-général Rodolphe de Castella, 1756–1792

Uniform

  • red coat with white metal buttons
  • 7 buttons and buttonholes right and left
  • blue cuffs with 3 buttons
  • blue shoulder strap left
  • blue turnbacks with white hearts
  • blue vest with white metal buttons
  • blue breeches
  • white gaiters with white metal buttons
  • black tricorne hat with white edging
  • Grenadiers wore beards, and sabres
Swiss soldiers of the 52nd Infantry Regiment de Castella attacking with bayonets levelled at the Battle of Roßbach.

Swiss soldiers of the 52nd Infantry Regiment de Castella attacking with bayonets levelled at the Battle of Roßbach. These 40 mm miniatures were cast in a Prince August mould, and painted with artists‘ acrylics.

Campaign History

  • Campaign in Thuringia under Soubise, 1757
  • Battle of Roßbach, 1757
  • Withdrawal to the Rhine under Broglie, 1758
  • Campaign in Hesse unter Soubise, 1758
  • Action at Lutterberg, 1758
  • Battle of Bergen, 1759
  • Action at Corbach (Korbach-Sachsenhausen), 1760
  • Action at Neuhaus, 1761

Battle Honours

  • LUXEMBOURG 1795
  • ALKMAER 1799
  • OPORTO 1809
  • YPRES-ARTOIS 1914–1915
  • VERDUN-L’AISNE 1916–1917
  • MATZ 1918
  • LA MARNE 1918

Lineage

  • 66ème régiment d’infanterie, 1791–1792
  • 66ème demi-brigade de bataille, 1795
  • 66ème régiment d’infanterie de ligne, 1803

French Infantry of the Seven Years’ War