Preußische Heeresbibliothek
(Preußische Armee Library)
A short history of Prussia's
Brandenburg Dragoon Regiment, (Prince William),
Numbered "5" in the line.
Oberstlieutenant Dallas Gavan
2. Westpr. IR Nr. 7
I Korps
Königlich Preußische Armee
The Brandenburgisches Dragoner-Regiment Nummer 5 (Prinz Wilhelm) was formed on the 16 October, 1807, from the 1st and 2nd squadrons of the old 5th von Balliodz Kürassiere Regiment and the depot, 2nd, 3rd and 4th squadrons of the old 1st Prince William Dragoon Regiment. It was thus regarded as a "new" regiment rather than one of the surviving "old" regiments.
In 1812 the 1st and 3rd squadrons were merged with squadrons from the 2nd (1st West Prussian) Dragoons and sent to Russia, as part of the Prussian force accompanying Napoleon on his invasion of Russia. The regiment saw minor action in the campaign and lost 1 officer, 34 men and 86 horses.
In 1813, with the declaration of war on Napoleon, the regiment saw far heavier fighting. Part of 1. Brigade, III Corps Reserve Cavalry, it was part of Bernadotte's Army of the North and saw action at Gröss Gorschen, Borna and Bautzen. The regiment was heavily engaged in the defeat of the French at Dennewitz. It is credited with riding over three French squares and a Württemberg square, a French battery (capturing four guns), rounting a Polish uhlan regiment and sharing the capture of 412 wagons and 4 (some sources say 7) flags with the 2nd Dragoons and 1st Pommerania Landwehr Cavalry. But the unit paid a price, losing 7 officers, 88 men and 156 horses.
In 1814 the regiment was present at Oudenarde, Antwerp, Soisson and Laon.
1815 saw the regiment as part of the cavalry reserve of I Korps, fighting in Belgium and France. At Villiers-Cotterets the regiment caught the fleeing French and captured 3 guns, a howitzer and 22 munitions wagons.
The regiment was awarded the following decorations for its service in the Napoleonic Wars:
6 Orders Pour le Merite
8 Iron Cross 1st Class
58 Iron Cross 2nd Class
15 Military Commendations 2nd Class
The standard of the 5th Dragoons, formerly a Regiments-Fahne of the "old" Queen's Dragoons.
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