Wylich Fusiliers

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Origin and History

On October 15 1756, when the Saxon Army surrendered to Frederick II near Pirna, the Saxon infantry was forcefully incorporated into the Prussian Army, former Graf Brühl Infantry thus becoming Infanterie-Regiment (Nr. 51) Wylich established in Torgau.

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was under the command of:

• since October 15 1756 till August 1 1757: Major-General Baron von Wylich und Diersfort

The regiment was disbanded on August 1 1757.

Service during the War

In October 1756, the regiment was assigned to the garrison of Torgau.

In April 1757, the regiment took part in the invasion of Bohemia. On Tuesday May 3, the regiment was assigned to the guard of the towns of Aussig and Tetschen. On July 22, two of its companies capitulated at Schreckenstein near Aussig. On August 1, Frederick disbanded this Saxon regiment at Pirna and distributed the remaining men among his other regiments (IR3, IR10 and IR27).

N.B.: the grenadiers from the wing grenadier companies were put together with the grenadiers of Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm von Preußen Fusiliers, forming the S-51/S-59 Bornstädt Grenadier Battalion (please refer to this article for the details of the service of the grenadiers during the war).

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1756 - Source: Dal

Uniform Details

Headgear	Fusilier black tricorne laced white with a dark red pompom, dark red tassels and a small yellow button Grenadier mitre with polished brass front plate; white headband with a dark red braid and polished brass ornaments, white backing with a similar braid, dark red pompom
Neckstock	black
Coat	Prussian blue lined red, 6 yellow buttons grouped 2 by 2 on the chest and 3 yellow buttons on each side to fasten the skirts forming the turnbacks Collar none Shoulder Straps n/a Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets edged in red, each with 3 yellow buttons Cuffs white (in the Swedish pattern) with 2 yellow buttons Turnbacks red, each fastened with a small yellow button
Waistcoat	white
Breeches	white
Gaiters	black
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt white Waistbelt white Cartridge Box black Bayonet Scabbard brown Scabbard brown Footgear black shoes

Privates were armed with a short musket, a bayonet and a sabre with a curved blade.

NCOs

NCOs wore uniforms similar to those of the privates with the following distinctions:

• black tricorne laced gold with black and a white quartered pompom and black within white tassels
• no shoulder straps
• gold laced cuffs
• yellowish leather gloves
• black and white sabre tassel

NCOs were armed with a sabre and a half-pikes measuring 7 ½ Rhenish feet (2.37 m.) in the fusilier companies and 13 Rhenish feet (4.10 m.) in the grenadier companies (carried by the 3 most senior NCOs while other grenadier NCOs were armed with rifled muskets since 1744).

NCOs also carried canes (normally attached to a button at the top of the right front while carrying the half-pike).

Officers

Officers wore uniforms similar to those of the privates with the following differences:

• black tricorne laced with a wide gold braid with a black cockade fastened with a golden clip; black within silver tassels
• no shoulder strap
• no turnbacks

Officers carried spontoons measuring 7 ½ Rhenish feet (2.36 m.).

Musicians

n/a

Colours

Colonel Colour (Leibfahne): White field with dark green flames. Centre device consisting of a crimson medallion surrounded by a golden laurel wreath and surmounted by a gold crown. The medallion is decorated with a black eagle surmounted by a white scroll bearing the golden motto "Pro Gloria et Patria". Corner monograms (crowns, laurel wreaths, ciphers) and grenades in gold.

Regimental Colours (Kompaniefahnen): Crimson field with dark green flames. Centre device consisting of a white medallion surrounded by a golden laurel wreath and surmounted by a gold crown. The medallion is decorated with a black eagle surmounted by a crimson scroll bearing the golden motto "Pro Gloria et Patria". Corner monograms (crowns, laurel wreaths, ciphers) and grenades in gold.

Colonel Colour - Source: rf-figuren from elements by Hannoverdidi

Regimental Colour - Source: rf-figuren from elements by Hannoverdidi

References

Gavan, Dal: Colours of the Saxon regiments in the Prussian service

Grosser Generalstab Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II, Die Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen, Part 3 Der siebenjährige Krieg 1756-1763, Vol. 1 Pirna und Lobositz, Berlin, 1901, p. 125

N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.