Prince's Life Regiment

Prince's Life Regiment
Prinsens Livregiment
Active1961–2005
DisbandedAugust 2005
CountryDenmarkDenmark
Branch Royal Danish Army
RoleMechanized infantry
Size
  • four to five battalions (1961-1999)
  • Seven battalions (2000-2005)
Garrison/HQ
  • Viborg Kaserne 1961-2000
  • Skive Kaserne 2000-2005
Motto(s)Gloria Finis (Honor above all)
Regimental belt

The Prince's Life Regiment (Danish: Prinsens Livregiment) was a Royal Danish Army infantry regiment. The motto of the regiment was "Gloria Finis" (Honor above all).

History

Because one of the regiment's antecedents was the life regiment of Queen Ingrid, the Queen Mother, the regiment had both Prince Henrik's and the late Queen Mother's cyphers on its Regimental Colour. The regiment was raised during the reign of King Frederik III in 1657 under the command of Ernst Albrecht von Eberstein. Over the years it underwent many changes of name, the last taking place in 1961.

The Regiment participated in the Northern Wars (1657–1660), Scanian War (1675–1679), Great Northern War (1709–1720), First Schleswig War (1848–1850) and Second Schleswig War (1864). It was furthermore in foreign service during 1689–1697 and 1701–1714. The regimental flag had the battle honours Nyborg 1659, Wismar 1675, Rygen 1715, Treldeskansen 1849, Dybbøl 1849 and Dybbøl 1864.

From the 1960s to 2000 the regiment had two mechanised and two infantry battalions, from 2000 to 2004 it had four mechanised and three infantry battalions.

In 2000, two other regiments, Schleswig Regiment of Foot and Queen's Life Regiment, were merged into Prince's Life Regiment. In August 2005, the regiment was amalgamated with Jutland Dragoon Regiment and its battalions were disbanded.

Organisation

Disband units

  • 1st battalion (I/PLR), raised in 1961 and disbanded in 2004. Mechanized Infantry Battalion.
    • Saff Company
    • 1st Armored Infantry Company
    • 2nd Armored Infantry Company
    • 3rd Tank Squadron
    • 4th Motorised Infantry Company
  • 2nd battalion (II/PLR), raised in 1961 and disbanded in 2004. Mechanized Infantry Battalion from 1979.
    • Saff Company
    • 1st Armored Infantry Company
    • 2nd Armored Infantry Company
    • 3rd Tank Squadron
    • 4th Motorised Infantry Company
  • 3rd battalion (III/PLR), raised in 1961 and disbanded in 2004. Mechanized Infantry Battalion from 2000 to 2004.
    • Saff Company
    • 1st Armored Infantry Company
    • 2nd Armored Infantry Company
    • 3rd Tank Squadron
    • 4th Motorised Infantry Company
  • 4th battalion (IV/PLR), raised in 1961 and disbanded in 2004. Infantry Battalion. Mechanized Infantry Battalion from 2000 to 2004.
    • Saff Company
    • 1st Armored Infantry Company
    • 2nd Armored Infantry Company
    • 3rd Tank Squadron
    • 4th Motorised Infantry Company
  • 5th battalion (V/PLR), raised in 1961 and disbanded in 2004. Infantry Battalion. Mechanized Infantry Battalion from 2000 to 2004
    • Saff Company
    • 1st Armored Infantry Company
    • 2nd Motorised Infantry Company
    • 3rd Tank Squadron
    • 4th Motorised Infantry Company
  • 6th battalion (VI/PLR), raised in 2000 and disbanded in 2004. Infantry Battalion.
    • Saff Company
    • 1st Infantry Company
    • 2nd Infantry Company
    • 3rd Infantry Company
  • 7th battalion (VII/PLR), raised in 2000 and disbanded in 2004. Infantry Battalion.
    • Saff Company
    • 1st Infantry Company
    • 2nd Infantry Company
    • 3rd Infantry Company
  • Tank destroyer Squadron/2nd Territorial Region (1979-1983)
  • 2nd Staff Company/Rear Combat Group/Danish Division (2000-2004)
  • LRRP Company. (2000-2004) Part of Danish Division
  • Prince's Music Corps, (1961-2004)

Names of the regiment

"Ihre Königl. Hoheit Prinz Friderichs Regiment" - illustration from 1763
Names[1]
Ebersteins Regiment Eberstein's Regiment 1657-11-30 – 1665
Bremers Regiment Bremer's Regiment 1665 – 1672
Max Rosenkrantz Regiment Max Rosenkrantz's Regiment 1672 – 1676
Prins Christians Regiment Prince Christian's Regiment 1676 – 1695
Prins Carls Regiment Prince Carl's Regiment 1695 – 1730
Schacks Regiment Schack's Regiment 1730 – 1734
Dombroicks Regiment Dombroick's [da] Regiment 1734 – 1735
Laalandske (Lollandske) geworbne Infanteri-Regiment Lolland Recruited Infantry Regiment 1735 – 1753
Prins Frederiks geworbne Infanteri-Regiment (Arveprinsen) Prince Frederick's Recruited Infantry Regiment (Hereditary Prince) 1753 – 1806
Prins Christian Frederiks Infanteriregiment Prince Christian Frederick's Regiment (on Foot) 1806 – 1839
Kongens Regiment til Fods The King's Regiment on Foot 1839 – 1842
6. Linie-Infanteri-Bataillon 6th Line Infantry Battalion 1842 – 1860
6. Infanteribataljon 6th Infantry Battalion 1860 – 1863
6. Infanteriregiment 6th Infantry Regiment 1863 – 1865
6. Infanteribataljon 6th Infantry Battalion 1865 – 1867
6. Bataljon 6th Battalion 1867 – 1951-10-01
3. Regiment 3rd Regiment 1951-10-01 – 1961
Prinsens Livregiment The Prince's Life Regiment 1961 – 2005

Standards

  • Historical standards of the regiment
  • Prince Frederick's Recruited Infantry Regiment (Hereditary Prince) (1753–1790)
    Prince Frederick's Recruited Infantry Regiment (Hereditary Prince)
    (1753–1790)
  • Prince Frederick's Recruited Infantry Regiment (Hereditary Prince)[2] (1790–1808)
    Prince Frederick's Recruited Infantry Regiment (Hereditary Prince)[2]
    (1790–1808)
  • 6th Battalion (1912–1947)
    6th Battalion
    (1912–1947)

References

  1. ^ "Prinsens Livregiment (3. Regiment), Prins Christian Frederiks Infanteriregiment". sa.dk/daisy (in Danish). The Danish National Archives. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  2. ^ Wolter, Hans Christian (1992). Den danske hær i Napoleonstiden 1801-1814 (in Danish). Tøjhusmuseet. pp. 31–43. ISBN 87-89022-10-6.
  • Lærebog for Hærens Menige, Hærkommandoen, marts 1960