Pomeranian Land Militia Battalion Nr. 5

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Origin and History

On July 13 1757, a Cabinet Ordre created the Militia of Pomerania and Uckermark. The present battalion, initially known as the Land-Bataillon Sydow, was raised in Stettin in August 1757. It originally consisted of 5 companies of musketeers (no grenadier), each company consisting of:

• 1 captain
• 1 lieutenant
• 1 ensign
• 6 NCOs
• 1 or 2 drummers
• 100 privates

At the end of 1757, the companies of the Pomeranian militia battalions were reduced to 96 men.

In 1759, a company of grenadiers, also designated as Rekruten-Kompagnie, was raised. During campaigns, this company was converged with other companies of grenadiers of the Pomeranian militia battalions to form distinct grenadier battalions. Otherwise, when on garrison duty, the company served with its parent battalion.

In 1760, each Pomeranian militia battalion received two light 3-pdr guns.

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

• since August 1757 to July 1 1762: von Sydow

The battalion was disbanded on July 1 1762.

Service during the War

no information found yet

Uniform

Uniform 1757-1758

Privates

Uniform in 1757 - Source: Dal Gavan

Uniform Details

Headgear	Musketeer black tricorne without lace, white/red pompom Grenadier during this period there were no grenadiers in this battalion
Neck stock	black
Coat	dark blue unlined smock with 3 yellow buttons (arranged 1-1-1) on each side on the chest Collar none Shoulder Straps porbably yellow Lapels none Pockets none Cuffs none but 2 yellow buttons placed as they would have been on a Prussian style cuff Turnbacks none
Waistcoat	none
Breeches	dark blue
Gaiters	grey
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt one white belt over the left shoulder for the cartridge box and one narrower white belt over the right shoulder for the haversack Waistbelt white Cartridge Box black Bayonet Scabbard brown Scabbard none Footgear black

Privates were armed with a short musket and a bayonet.

NCOs

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

• tricorne laced white with black and white quartered pompoms.

Officers

Officers had tricorne wearing a thin golden lace. Their coat had 4 yellow buttons (arranged 1-2-1) on each side on the chest.

Musicians

Drummers probably wore uniforms similar to those of the privates but with a swallow nest on each shoulder

Uniform from 1759

Privates

Uniform in 1759 - Source: Dal Gavan

Uniform Details

Headgear	Musketeer black tricorne without lace, white/red pompom Grenadier no information available
Neck stock	black
Coat	dark blue lined red with 3 yellow buttons (arranged 1-1-1) on each side on the chest Collar none Shoulder Straps none Lapels none Pockets none Cuffs yellow Prussian cuffs, with 2 yellow buttons on the sleeve above each cuffs Turnbacks red
Waistcoat	dark blue
Breeches	dark blue
Gaiters	black
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt one white belt over the left shoulder for the cartridge box and one narrower white belt over the right shoulder for the haversack Waistbelt white Cartridge Box black Bayonet Scabbard brown Scabbard none Footgear black

Privates were armed with a short musket and a bayonet.

NCOs

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

• tricorne laced white with black and white quartered pompoms.

Officers

Officers had tricorne wearing a thin golden lace. Their coats were similar to those of the privates but had no turnbacks.

Musicians

Drummers probably wore uniforms similar to those of the privates but with a swallow nest on each shoulder.

Colours

Colours were not carried by militia units.

References

Cremer, Peter: Die preussischen Landregimenter & -milizen, die Stettiner Haff-Flotille und das Verpflegungswesen der Armee 1756-1753, KLIO-Arbeitgruppe, Heimbach, 1987

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