Battle Honours of the British Army: From Tangier, 1662, to the Commencement of the Reign of King Edward VIINorman, Charles Boswell
History
Battle Honours of the British Army: From Tangier, 1662, to the Commencement of the Reign of King Edward VII
Norman, Charles Boswell
Great Britain -- History, Military; Great Britain. Army -- History
and commemorates their association with a body of German troops
in Prince Ferdinand's campaign against the French, the opening
action of which was Minden. A French division, consisting of six
battalions with a regiment of hussars, was surprised by a force
of similar strength under Prince Ferdinand, and by sundown the
"King's" Hussars had gained for the Allies a glorious victory. It
was to the 15th, and to the 15th alone, that the credit of the day
was due. It was their _baptême de feu_, and well may they pride
themselves on their conduct at Emsdorff. Their gallantry was the
theme of the whole army, and the recollection of it has stood
them in good stead on many a hard-fought field. As Fortescue so
generously writes: "The traditions of charging home remained with
the regiment, and doubtless remains with it to this day."
In his official despatch Prince Ferdinand bears high testimony
to the very distinguished services rendered by the 15th. After
describing the action and the conduct of the troops generally, the
Prince wrote: "Particularly to Eliott's regiment, which was allowed
by everybody present to have done wonders.
"H.S.H. the Prince could not enough commend to the Duke the
bravery, good conduct, and good countenance, with which that
regiment fought."
In addition to the 15th, a regiment of Hanoverian cavalry and five
battalions of Hanoverian infantry were engaged at Emsdorff, their
total casualties being 8 men killed, 2 officers and 52 men wounded.
The total losses of the French were never ascertained, but that
evening the prisoners numbered 2 Generals and 177 other officers,
with 2,482 non-commissioned officers and men, whilst 9 stand of
colours and 5 guns remained in our hands. The 15th have good reason
to be proud of the battle honour "Emsdorff." Their casualties were
2 officers and 73 non-commissioned officers and men killed, 2
officers and 48 of other ranks wounded, their casualties in horses
being 168 killed and wounded.
WARBURG, JULY 31, 1760.
It was not until the close of the year 1909, just 150 years
after the battle, that the cavalry regiments which took part in
this brilliant action were authorized to bear on their colours
and appointments the battle honour "Warburg." Why the infantry
regiments which bore the brunt of the fighting should be denied
this distinction is not for me to tell. The regiments now honoured
are the
Royal Horse Guards.
King's Dragoon Guards.
Queen's Bays.
3rd Dragoon Guards.
Carabiniers.
7th Dragoon Guards.
1st Royal Dragoons.
Scots Greys.
Inniskillings.
7th Hussars.
10th Hussars.
11th Hussars.
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