3rd Grenadiers IR

Inhaber
Astrakhan


Unit History
In March 1756, the third Grenadier companies from each Musketeer regiment were gathered into four constant Grenadier regiments this being the third of four. This unit fought at Kunersdorf, Gross-Jagersdorf and Kay. Lead the assault at Zorndorf and was counter-attacked by the charging cavalry under Seydlitz.
Two companies were converged into grenadier battalions that formed part of the main Corps under Tchernishev that raided Berlin on September 15, 1760. It was considered an elite unit within the Russian army.
At Gross-Jagersdorf, August 30, 1757, the unit was part of Andreas Manteuffel's brigade in third division under Browne. Initially located behind Norkittner Wood, the unit was sent into the wood to attack the Prussian brigade as part of the Russian counterattack. The fight in the woods was a fierce affair of bayonets and rifle butts only resolved when the Prussian battalions fighting deep in the Norkittner Wood came under friendly fire from the Prussian Garrison Regiment II. With the excitement of the fight and the obstruction of sight caused by smoke, the Prussian units gave up the position they had fought so hard for and retreated in confusion.
At Kay, July 23, 1759, the unit centred the first line commanded by Fermor. The unit helped beat back the first and third Prussian assaults along with the 2nd Moskow (No. 12), Kievski (No. 14), and Rostovski (No. 30). Later that fall, at Kunersdorf, the unit was stationed near the Großer-Spitzberg along with the 2nd Moskow (No. 12), Kievski (No. 14), Rostovski (No. 30) and Viatski (No. 35).

Comments
The flag is the Lieb flag for the regiment. These Front Rank Russians suffered the usual fate of many of my newly painted and proudly presented figures – my old gaming buddies still tease me about their artillery ‘bowling for Russians’ (even though it is more than fifteen years ago). Unit painted in 1991.

Sources
Flag: Osprey’s Russian Army of the Seven Years War (1) (Men-at-Arms 297)
Text: D. Meuser, Battle of Gross Jagersdorf, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
D. Meuser, Battle of Kay, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
F. Mueller, 1998 Frederick the Great Battlefield Tour, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.3
Osprey’s Zorndorf 1758 (Campaign 125)

2nd Moscow IR

Inhaber
Unknown


Unit History
In 1734 the Austrians asked for an Auxiliary force to be sent to the Rhine. The Auxiliary force included this regiment, the Kievski (No. 14), and Troitsk (No. 15) and marched in September 1734 to Silesia under the command of Count Lassy. In early 1735, the force was split with half remaining in Silesia waiting further orders and the other half marching through Bohemia and Ober-Pfalz to arrive in June along the Rhine.
During the Seven Years War, the unit was heavily engaged Gross-Jagersdorf and Kay. It was present at Kunersdorf and formed part of the main Corps under Tchernishev that raided Berlin on September 15, 1760 along with the regiments Kievski (No.14), and Viatski (No. 35). It was a regular unit later worn out by its heavy usage.
At Gross-Jagersdorf, August 30, 1757, the unit was part of Sybin's brigade in the second division under General Lopuchin. Initially located in front of the northern edge of Norkittner Wood, the unit, along side the Kievski and Vyborg (No. 41) regiments, took the brunt of the assault of the Prussian brigade and was forced into the Wood. After a Russian counterattack, the Prussian battalions fighting deep in the Norkittner Wood came under friendly fire from the Prussian Garrison Regiment II. With the excitement of the fight and the obstruction of sight caused by smoke, the Prussian units gave up the position they had fought so hard for and retreated in confusion. In the heavy fighting, the Russian divisional commander, General Lopuchin, was killed after being hit by three musket balls.
At Kay, July 23, 1759, the unit was located on the far right flank of the first line commanded by Fermor. The regiment, along with the Vyborg (No. 41), 3rd Grenadiers (No. 7), Kievski (No. 14), and Rostovski (No. 30) regiments, helped beat back the Prussian assault by Stutterheim's brigade. After forcing back the assault, the unit was charged by Schorlemer's cuirassier brigade. As the unit defended itself using musket butts and bayonets, a powerful Russian cavalry counter-attack was launched forcing the Prussians to withdraw. Later that fall, at Kunersdorf, the unit was stationed near the Großer-Spitzberg along with the 3rd Grenadiers (No. 7), Kievski (No. 14), Rostovski (No. 30) and Viatski (No. 35).

Comments
Since the flag pattern is the same for both the 1st and 2nd Moscow I could have chosen to write about either. I chose the 2nd only because they served together with the Kievski and Viatski regiments and the heavy usage during the war. Unit painted in 1991.

Sources
Flag: Osprey’s Russian Army of the Seven Years War (1) (Men-at-Arms 297)
Text: D. Meuser, Battle of Gross Jagersdorf, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
D. Meuser, Battle of Kay, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2

Viatski IR

Inhaber
Unknown

Unit History
The unit was present at Kay and Kunersdorf. Fought at Gross-Jagersdorf. It formed part of the main Corps under Tchernishev that raided Berlin on September 15, 1760 along with the regiments Kievski (No.14) and 2nd Moscow (No. 12). Later the unit participated in the siege, under Rumiantsev, of Colberg in November 1761.
At Gross-Jagersdorf, August 30, 1757, the unit was in the second line, part of Saltykov's brigade, in the first division under Fermor. Initially located near the northern edge of Norkittner Wood, the unit was sent into the wood to attack the Prussian brigade, as part of the general Russian counterattack. The fight in the Wood was a fierce affair of bayonets and rifle butts only resolved when the Prussian battalions fighting deep in the Norkittner Wood came under friendly fire from the Prussian Garrison Regiment II. With the excitement of the fight and the obstruction of sight caused by smoke, the Prussian units gave up the position they had fought so hard for and retreated in confusion.
At Kay, July 23, 1759, the unit was in the second line commanded by Villebois and saw little action in the battle beyond beating back the Prussian cavalry assault on the right wing. Later that fall, at Kunersdorf, the unit was stationed near the Großer-Spitzberg along with the 3rd Grenadiers (No. 7), Kievski (No. 14), Rostovski (No. 30) and 2nd Moscow (No. 12).
The unit formed part of the main Corps under Tchernishev that raided Berlin on September 15, 1760 along with the regiments Kievski (No. 14) and 2nd Moscow (No. 12). A regular unit often held in reserve as reflective of its ranking (35th).

Comments
These Front Rank Russians suffered the usual fate of many of my newly painted and proudly presented figures – my old gaming buddies still tease me about ‘bowling for Russians’ even though it is more than fifteen years ago.

Sources
Text & Flag: Osprey’s Russian Army of the Seven Years War (1) (Men-at-Arms 297)
Text: D. Meuser, Battle of Gross Jagersdorf, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
D. Meuser, Battle of Kay, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
F. Mueller, 1998 Frederick the Great Battlefield Tour, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.3

Rostovski IR

Inhaber
Unknown

Unit History
In 1734 the Austrians asked for an Auxiliary force to be sent to the Rhine. The Auxiliary force included this regiment, the 2nd Moscow (No. 12), Kievski (No. 14) and Troitsk (No. 15) and marched in September 1734 to Silesia under the command of Count Lassy. In early 1735, the force was split with half remaining in Silesia waiting further orders and the other half marching through Bohemia and Ober-Pfalz to arrive in June along the Rhine where they joined the Allied army at Phillipsburg. This regiment was part of the Russian auxiliary corps on the Rhine in the summer of 1735.
During the Seven Years War, the unit was present at Gross-Jagersdorf, Kay, Kunersdorf and Zorndorf.
At Gross-Jagersdorf, August 30, 1757, the unit was part of Villebois' brigade in the second division under Lopuchin. Initially located in front of the northern edge of Norkittner Wood, the brigade, which included the 2nd Grenadiers (No. 6) and Narva (No. 37) regiments, took the brunt of the assault of the Prussian brigade, von Kanitz, and were forced into Norkittner Wood. After a Russian counterattack, the Prussian battalions fighting deep in the Wood came under friendly fire from the Prussian Garrison Regiment II. With the excitement of the fight and the obstruction of sight caused by smoke, the Prussian units gave up the position they had fought so hard for and retreated in confusion.
At Zorndorf, August 25, 1758, the regiment was brigaded with the 2nd Grenadiers (No. 6) under the command of Prinz Liubomirski.
At Kay, July 23, 1759, the unit centred the first line commanded by Fermor. The unit helped beat back the first and third Prussian assaults along with the 2nd Moskow (No. 12), Kievski (No. 14), and 3rd Grenadiers (No. 7).
Later that fall, at Kunersdorf, the unit was stationed near the Großer-Spitzberg along with the 3rd Grenadiers (No. 7), Kievski (No. 14), 2nd Moscow (No. 12) and Viatski (No. 35).

Comments
The only reason I like this unit are the flags. The bright yellow regimental flag sure contrasts the green and red uniform of the Russians and is a pretty rare pattern. Roughly forty percent of all infantry flags were green with red flames.

Sources
Text & Flag: Osprey’s Russian Army of the Seven Years War (1) (Men-at-Arms 297)
Text: D. Meuser, Battle of Gross Jagersdorf, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
D. Meuser, Battle of Kay, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
Osprey’s Zorndorf 1758 (Campaign 125)

Troitsk IR

Inhaber
Unknown


Unit History
In 1734 the Austrians asked for an Auxiliary force to be sent to the Rhine. The Auxiliary force included this regiment, the 2nd Moscow (No. 12), and Kievski (No. 14) and marched in September 1734 to Silesia under the command of Count Lassy. In early 1735, the force was split with half remaining in Silesia waiting further orders and the other half marching through Bohemia and Ober-Pfalz to arrive in June along the Rhine where they joined the Allied army at Phillipsburg. This regiment was part of the Russian auxiliary corps on the Rhine in the summer of 1735.
In the Seven Years War the unit was present at Gross-Jagersdorf and Zorndorf.
At Gross-Jagersdorf, August 30, 1757, the unit was part of Rumianzow’s brigade in the first division under Fermor. The brigade had three regiments, Troitsk (No. 15), Voronezh (No. 24), and Novgorod (No. 18), each of which supplied three battalions. The brigade formed part of the Russian counterattack into Norkittner Wood which helped push the Prussian battalions fighting deep in the Wood to retreat in confusion.
At Zorndorf, August 25, 1758, the regiment was brigaded with the Kazan (No. 54) under the command of Major-General Kokoschkin. Both units were relatively unscathed in the battle and were used at provide a rallying point for Fermor at the end of the battle along with four other regiments. The four regiments were the 4th Grenadiers (No. 8), Smolensk (No. 21), Kexholm (No. 1), and Ladoga (No. 48).
The regiment performed as a regular unit.

Comments
To give the Russians some more support, I finally broke down and added to the lead pile. The green flag with the red flames was a common pattern found on roughly forty percent of the Russian infantry regiments. Unit painted in 1991.

Sources
Flag: Osprey’s Russian Army of the Seven Years War (1) (Men-at-Arms 297)
Text: D. Meuser, Battle of Gross Jagersdorf, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
D. Meuser, Battle of Kay, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
F. Mueller, 1998 Frederick the Great Battlefield Tour, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.3
Osprey’s Zorndorf 1758 (Campaign 125)

Don Cossacks

Inhaber
1760 Turoverov and Lukovkin

Unit History
The unit was present at Kay, Kunersdorf and Gross-Jagersdorf. The two units were under the commanded of Turoverov and Lukovkin respectively, when the Don Cossacks, as part of a Corps under Tchernishev, raided Berlin on September 15, 1760.
These troops were 'loaned' from the Don Cossacks to the Tsar as the Cossacks still retained specific freedoms from the Tsarist empire. Generally used as Hussars or to guard baggage and supply routes. Not good in set piece battles but inspired terror in the 'kleinkreig'. At Gross-Jagersdorf, August 30, 1757, the Cossacks were part of the advance guard under Sybilsky along with the Narvski Horse Grenadiers. The advance guard tangled early and briefly with the Prussian cavalry, under Holstein, on the Prussian right wing with no real result.
At Kay, July 23, 1759, the Cossacks were part of the Observation corps. They formed a skirmish front on the right wing and were quickly driven back by the advance of the Prussian cavalry at the beginning of the battle.



Comments
This is not a unit I normally would have collected but many years ago, I was pleasantly surprised by a group of gaming buddies who presented me with a birthday present – a regiment of Cossacks (there is no nicer gift a gamer can receive). The flags shown are Hetman flags from the early 1700's. There are hints that the Cossacks carried banners but I have found no definitive description and so used a flag design from an earlier period.
Unit painted in 1991.

Sources
Flags: Based on a flag from Dan Schorr’s site at: http://www.megalink.net/~dschorr/CosFlags2.html
Flags of the Ukrainian (Left Bank) Cossack Armies, 1651 by Vic Pocilujko
Text: Osprey’s Russian Army of the Seven Years War (2) (Men-at-Arms 298)
D. Meuser, Battle of Gross Jagersdorf, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
D. Meuser, Battle of Kay, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
F. Mueller, 1998 Frederick the Great Battlefield Tour, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.3

Archangelogorodski Dragoons

Inhaber
Unknown

Unit History
The Russian dragoons began the Seven Years War still clinging to the old notion that their role was as a mounted infantry arm. The Dragoons were still trained to dismount and fire like infantry and their horses reflected the tactical doctrine being slight and of light build. Although the main cavalry force of the Russians, the reforms of 1756 left the Dragoons re-evaluating their role. The slow adaptation of new tactics and the general lack of enthusiasm by the officers meant that in the first two years of the conflict they could not be relied on to fully perform their military duty as main line cavalry. A reflection of the poor quality is that only three of the twenty Dragoon regiments participated in the Seven Year War campaigns. The regiments that participated were: Tverski, Tobolski, and Archanguelogorodski.
During the Seven Years War, the Archanguelogorodski Dragoons fought at Kunersdorf, Zorndorf, and Kay.
At Zorndorf, August 1758, the regiment was part of the first rank on the left wing. The front rank included elements of the Fedorovitch, Kasanski and the 3rd Cuirassiers. The cavalry was brigaded under the command of Major General Demiku.
At Kay, July 1759, the regiment helped guard the baggage Lager under Mordvinov.
At Kunersdorf, August 1759, the regiment was present along with the Kievski Cuirassiers and the 3rd Cuirassiers.
The flag carried by the first squadron would have been the imperial eagle on a white background. The crest within the eagle would have contained the same image as the crest in the coloured standard. The rest of the squadrons carried the coloured standard shown below. The saddle cloth of the Dragoons was cornflower blue as was their coat.
The regiment initially performed as a militia unit but improved to a regular unit by wars end. It was only one of three Dragoon regiments deemed worthy of participating in the Russian offensives in Eastern Prussia.

Comments
Originally I thought that the Russians would have many Dragoon regiments and was surprised to discover that the Horse Grenadiers were actually more common. Clearly a mouthful, the ‘Angel’ Dragoons are a nice unit and fun to field with the Russian Horse Grenadiers. Unit painted March 2006.

Sources
Flag: Osprey’s Russian Army of the Seven Years War (2) (Men-at-Arms 298)
Text D. Meuser, Battle of Kay, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.2
F. Mueller, 1998 Frederick the Great Battlefield Tour, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No.3
Osprey’s Zorndorf 1758 (Campaign 125)