Unveiling the 1740 pattern "Regimentsfahne"

Along with the reorganisation of the Army, it was decided that the Regiments should carry splendid new colours.

The new "Regimentsfahne" is of standardised design.  Bearing a black cross upon a field of the Regimental coat colour.  The quadrants sport "flames" of the Regimental facing and the flag is bordered in the applicable lace colour.  In the centre of the cross is the State Crest.

During Mass at Sankt Ulrich Cathedral, the flags were blessed and the Reichsfürst presented them to the Colonels.  In subsequent ceremonies the banners were paraded in front of the massed Regiments.

To illustrate the system, the colours of IR.1 "Kronprinz" (Top) and IR.2 "Markgräfin Katharina" (Right) are shown.  Please note, IR.2 is unique in sporting a black border. 

The Army of Maximilian - Field Artillery 1740

As has been mentioned previously, the artillery has been thoroughly reorganised.

This has entailed the concentration of all pieces heavier than 3lb (Including the Siege Artillery) into a central "Great Battery".  From this reserve the High Command can dispatch batteries of guns that act in unison against a given target.  This concentrated fire is thought to be capable of severely weakening a portion of an enemy's line making breakthrough a less daunting proposition.

The Infantry Regiments have been permitted to retain their small calibre pieces such as the "Galloper" and "Schmetterling" guns.   These being used in their traditional, infantry-support, rôle.

Coat colour remains Tobacco-Brown and in the case of Regimental Artillery the appropriate facing is still displayed.   When it comes to the Great Battery, the personnel display burned-orange facings on their brown coats - as was the case with the earlier "Siege Train" troopers.  It should be noted that all indigenous Regiments equip their artillery troopers with either of the "German" pattern coats, albeit with subtle differences to best reflect the parent formation.

The Army of Maximilian - Cavalry Regiments 1740

Less in need of reorganisation than the Infantry, nevertheless the Cavalry Arm was found to be in need of attention.

It was decided by Reichsfürst Maximilian that, in line with the other Regiments, the "Leibgarde" should be reduced to six squadrons.   The men freed by this reduction formed the cadre of the two squadron Prinzen-Jäger zu Pferde.  These troopers act as the personal escort of the Sovereign.

Another radical change was the re-distribution of Grenadiers throughout the Chevaux-léger (as the Dragoons have been renamed) Regiments.  This has neccesitated the renaming of KR.2.  No longer bearing the honorary "Grenadiere" they are now known as "Reichsfürstin Philippine" (After our Sovereign's Consort) and when combined with Regt.Nr1 and the Prinzen-Jäger squadrons comprise the "Household" Cavalry.

A further Regiment of  Chevaux-léger and a second Hussar Regiment have also been added to the Cavalry establishment.

Finally, an eight squadron regiment of Bosnian "Uhlans" has been raised and fulfills a similar rôle to that of the Hussars, although equipped primarily with a lance.

Thus the 1740 Cavalry Arm comprises:

• One Regiment of Cuirassiers
• Four Regiments of Chevaux-Légeres
• Two Regiment of Hussars
• One Regiment of Uhlans
• Two squadrons of Jäger zu Pferde

As with the Infantry, it has been requested that Colonels acquire more modern coats and equipment for their Regiments.  This, coupled with the new "Grenadier" element in each Regiment, has resulted in some unusual Regimental dress codes.

The Army of Maximilian - Infantry Regiments 1740

Following the end of the recent War against the Turk, it was recognised that our army required modernisation.  Essentially unchanged in forty years, the military remained the child of Hubertus II and was rooted deeply in the military traditions of a bygone age.

After much debate within the deeply conservative Kriegskammer, it was decided that four main changes would be desirable.  At the insistence of Reichsfürst Maximilian, these measures were enacted with great speed.  The steps taken are as follows:

• The creation of an independent massed artillery.  The Regiments were ordered to surrender all guns above 3lb to the central artillery park. Regiments that had "Galloper" or "Schmetterling" pieces have been allowed to retain them for close support purposes.
• An increase in the number of Regiments.  The nine pre-existing formations have been expanded by five. These comprise; one Line Regiment,  two "Pandour" Regiments (former irregulars now incorporated into the standing army) and finally two "Foreign" Regiments.  This expansion is expected to be more than adequate for the immediate future.
• The adoption of new uniforms.   Whilst retaining the traditional dark-yellow coats, the Colonels have been encouraged to adopt coats cut in contemporary styles*.  It is felt that these are more suited to modern warfare.  Additionally, the Regimental facing colours were "fixed" at this time to avoid future confusion.
• Finally the formation of six dedicated "Jäger" battalions.  Recruited largely from game-keepers and frontiersmen these troopers are used to skirmish with enemy light-infantry and act as piquets for the encamped army.

It will be appreciated that such large-scale reorganisation cannot be effected immediately and at present the Army is in a transitional stage.   That said, Beimbach-Schönau is in a far stronger position now than five short years ago.

*A wide variety of styles has arisen as the Colonels have taken this opportunity to re-equip their men according to their whim.   Most notable amongst the changes has been the adoption of some rather unusual Grenadier caps and the use of coats of a decidedly "Gallic" flavour in some of the Regiments.