3rd Hussar Regiment
| 3rd Hussar Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1764-Present |
| Country |  France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Cavalry Regiment |
| Role | Armoured Warfare, Garrison |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | Franco-German Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Metz |
| Engagements | French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars, French Expedition to Spain, Colonization of Algeria, Franco-Prussian War, World War I, World War II, Algerian War, French Forces in Germany, Franco-German Brigade, Operation Barkhane, Operation Sentinel |
The 3rd Hussar Regiment was an Hussar Regiment of the Royal French Army, the French Revolutionary Army, the Grand Armée, and the French Army. First formed by the Ancien Regime in 1764, the regiment is still active today, joining the Franco-German Brigade in 1990, and stationed in Metz since 2011.
History
Original article in French:[1]
Ancien Régime
The 3rd Hussar Regiment was created in Phalsbourg, France, in 1764 by the Count Valentin Esterhazy, consisting of a squadron of the three existing Hussar Regiments, (Bercheny, Chamborant, and Royal Nassau Hussars) but also adds conscripts, Alsatian, and German volunteers into their ranks. In honor of Count Esterhazy, the regiment was named, Esterhazy Hussars.[2]
Revolutionary Wars
Following the overthrow of the Bourbons in 1791, the Esterhazy Hussars gained the number ‘3’ into their name, a number that will not be changed to this day. The name was changed to 3rd Hussar Regiment, and gained a reputation for having elite units serving valiantly in the Army of the North, at Quiévrain, then at Valmy. In the Army of Moselle, the 3rd Hussars accompanied the Expedition to Trier. (1792) In 1794, the 3rd Hussars would return to the Army of the North.[3]
Napoleonic Wars
In the Napoleonic Wars, the 3rd Hussar Regiment served multiple times, first in 1805 at the Battle of Elchingen. In 1806, the 3rd Hussar Regiment was even more successful, leading attacks at Jena, and pursuing the Prussians. Then in modern day Poland, 1807, the 3rd Hussars attacked at the Battles of Eylau, and Friedland, all of which were victories. But starting from 1808, the 3rd Hussar Regiment would be bogged down in Spain, until 1813, withdrawn to modern day Germany, in the German Campaign, serving at Leipzig.
In the German Campaign, the Hussars had to rely more and more on young conscripts, as veterans either retired or died in action. But the conscripts of the 3rd Hussar Regiment distinguished themselves at Montereau, saving the French Army from destruction, and buying time for the rest of the army.
Bourbon Restoration
Under the restoration, the 3rd Hussar Regiment successfully took the titles of Hussars du Dauphin and Hussars de la Moselle, winning prestige. The regiment would take part in the French expedition to Spain, a surprising success.
Second French Empire
Under the French Empire, the 3rd Hussar Regiment took part in the colonization of Algeria, then in the Franco-Prussian War, distinguished themselves in the Siege of Bitche, resisting the Germans for a year. In the Paris Commune, the 3rd Hussars joined the Bloody Week, along with the Versailles Army.
Following time in the reserve, the 3rd Hussars would be stationed in Reims, but after 1906, was stationed in a district of Senlis
World War I
1914
First Skirmishes -The patrol-[4]
This is what future Lieutenant, d’Argenlieu, experienced, when the first skirmishes along the front occur:
“The Uhlans (German) appear at the exit of this village, they howl and wave their spears. They are 300 meters away and form a battle in front of us. I can feel my hussars in line in a row behind me, well in hand, well vibrating, I recall my examination for leaving Saint-Cyr in Satory for I shout: “For the attack, Charge!”
In 1914, the 3rd Hussars would engage in numerous skirmishes, and attack in the Battle of Ourcq. They would participate in the “Race to the sea,” a maneuver in trying to outflank the German lines. They would also skirmish in the Battle of Artois, allowing the Hussars to speed towards the Yser Canal.
1917
Like most other regiments of World War I on the Western Front, the 3rd Hussars enter combat in the trenches, but in 1917, regain their ability of flexible movement on horses. The reconnaissance that followed enabled an attack on German lines. But it would fail, and soon, the Hussars reenter trench warfare.
1918
A German attack soon spreads across the western Front, as the 3rd Hussar Regiment was thrown into battle, stopping the German attack of Mount Kemmel. A counter offensive followed with the Hussars back on horse. After carrying out a 200 kilometer charge against enemy forces, they join with 2nd Cavalry Corp for the Second Battle of the Marne in June 25th 1918. In a month, the 3rd Hussars drove out the German defenders east of Epernay. Their brilliant conduct won praise as the 3rd Hussar Regiment gained a Fodder with the Croix de Guerre and a citation ‘Order of the army.’
Peacetime
In 1919, the 3rd Hussar Regiment gained the honor of parading in Paris, and the next year, London, in front of King George V. The rest of the decade was spent in Strasbourg, where the 3rd Hussars performed garrison duties.
World War II
Mobilization
In the wake of mobilization in the French Army, the 3rd Hussar Regiment was to train reconnaissance squadrons in Strasbourg. As hostilities began in 1939, the 3rd Hussar Regiment was divided into 5 groups.
• 16th Cleavage recognition group Infantry (16 GRDI)
• 32nd Cleavage recognition group Infantry (32 GRDI)
• 46th Cleavage recognition group Infantry (46 GRDI)
• 62nd Cleavage recognition group Infantry (62 GRDI)
• 94th Cleavage recognition group Infantry (94 GRDI)
1940
These five groups would fight valiantly in days to come, slowing the German attacks, meanwhile still holding on to their traditional Hussar uniform and rank. The 16th GRDI for example, in order to help 11th Infantry Division escape, made contact with the Germans continually, halting the advance for at least two days. A citation to the 16 GRDI is showed below, signed by General Weygand.
“During the retreat from Oise to Vienne, fought tirelessly in the rearguard of the division (11th) to cover the retreat and keep contact with the enemy. Magnificent troop honor which brought honor to the French Cavalry.”
- Maxime Weygand
1942
But, the Germans took France. A new 3rd Hussars was formed was part of the Armistice Army. After the German invasion and occupation of Vichy France, the regiment was dissolved again.
1943- 1945
Part of the staff and regiment of 3rd Hussars escaped in 1942, and joined the Free French Forces. A new squadron of 3rd Hussar Regiment was established, and landed in Southern France in 1944. It took action in the battles of Vosges, and Alsace, and in early 1945, the 3rd Hussar Regiment was reestablished as a Hussar regiment of the French Army from eager recruits of the French Resistance, and regular troops. They will continue fighting on the Western Front until German capitulation.
1945- 1990
After a brief occupation of the Verlay District in France, the Regiment was sent to Morocco, and stationed itself in the Bissey District. (The expedition only lasted for 8 months) The regiment relocated in Spain at Auch district. In France, the hussars moved to Alençon, in which they will remain in for 6 years.
The regiment fought in the Algerian War, the last armed conflict the regiment would intervene in. They charged down rebel units along the front, and after rebel capitulation, the 3rd Hussars were one of the 91 regiments that form the 114 units to occupy Algeria.
After Algerian Independence in 1962, the 3rd Hussar was dissolved in France at Lunèville, but in 1963, re-emerges in Pforzheim, Germany as the replacement for the 24th Spahis Regiment, and under the command of French Forces in Germany. The regiment will be the reconnaissance unit for the 3rd Armored Division until 1968, and is part of 2nd Corp until 1990.
Modern era
Transferred from 2nd Corp to the Franco German Brigade, the 3rd Hussar Regiment joined 1st Division, in its usual reconnaissance role. The regiment also participates in Anti-Terrorism activity, and adapting to the modern world. Based in Pforzheim from 1963 to 1996, then from Immendingen from 1996 to 2011, the 3rd Hussars have gone through major restructuring. Since 2011, the 3rd Hussar Regiment is based in Metz, replacing the 2nd Engineer Regiment.[5]
Structure
• 3 Armored Reconnaissance units
• 2 Intervention Reconnaissance units
• 1 command squadron
• 1 Intervention reserve squadron
Tactical situation:
The 3rd Hussar Regiment today is stationed at Metz, replacing the 2nd Engineer Regiment. It participates in Operation Sentinel.
Regiment Commanders
Translated from French Wikipedia:
Ancien Regimè
• Count Valentin Ladislas Esterhazy (1764)
• Knight of Boufflers (1767)
• Count of Helmstadt (1777)
• Charles of Hesse (1783)
• Baron Fredrick the Strong (1788)
• Prince of Salm-Kybourg (1789- 1790)
Revolutionary France
• Colonel Froissy de Brisson (1792)
• Colonel Scheydt (1792)
• Colonel Karowe (1793)
• Colonel Bouchotte (1793)
• Colonel Lebrun de la Houssaye (1794), a General, Baron, and a recipient of the Legion d’Honneur
• Colonel Jean Sultzmann (1795)
First French Empire
Source:[1]
• Colonel Anne Charles (1804) Aide de Camp to Napoleon, and himself a General in 1812
• Colonel Louis Marie Levesque (1807) A General, and Comte of the Empire in 1813
• Colonel Rousseau (1811)
• Colonel Bernard Prues (1814)
• Colonel Bon-Marie Moncey (3/15/1814), son of Marshal Moncey
Bourbon Restoration
• Colonel Nadaillac (1815)
• Colonel Burggraff (1823)
• Colonel Chambrun (1823)
French Republicans
July Monarchy
• Colonel Pelletier (1839)
Second French Republic
• Colonel Planhol (1848)
• Colonel Euzennou Kersalaün (1853)
Second French Empire
• Colonel Tilliard (1861)
Third French Republic
• Colonel Cramezel (1870)
• Colonel d’Espeuilles (June -November 1870)
• Colonel Bergeron (1875)
• Colonel Bohin (1876)
• Colonel Renaudot (1878)
• Colonel Besaucele (1883)
• Colonel Raimond (1887)
• Colonel Audren (1892)
• Colonel Lesné (1897)
• Colonel Perez (1898)
• Colonel d’Anglegean (1906)
• Colonel Grelet (1906)
• Colonel Lyautey (1911)
• Colonel Henri Pierre (1916)
• Colonel Moineville (1917)
• Colonel Longin (1919)
• Colonel Jobert (1919)
• Colonel Lescazes (1927)
• Colonel Escale (1931)
• Colonel Gouraud (1934)
• Colonel Azaïs (1938)
• Colonel Langle de Cary (1940)
• Colonel Bourgouin (1941)
Fourth French Republic
• Colonel Nérot (1944)
• Lieutenant Colonel Hurstel (1946)
• Lieutenant Colonel Dary (1948)
• Lieutenant Colonel Pennendref (1951)
• Lieutenant Colonel Vignon (1954)
Fifth French Republic (Today)
Officers who became brigadier General (Sign: I)
Officers who became Major General (Sign: II)
Officers who became Corp General (Sign: III)
• Lieutenant Colonel Michaud (1958)
• Colonel Duguè (1960)
• Lieutenant Colonel Poirier (1963)
• Lieutenant Colonel Moutis (1963)
• Colonel Grasset (1965) II (Major Gen.)
• Colonel Sabouret (1967) II (Major Gen.)
• Colonel Guichard (1969) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Chevasnerie (1971)
• Lieutenant Colonel Mailfait (1973) II (Major Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Grillot (1975) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Bisschop (1977) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Savare (1979)
• Lieutenant Colonel Ruffray (1981) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Baudot (1983) II (Major Gen.)
• Colonel Chatelier (1985) II (Major. Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Celerier (1987)
• Colonel Lafontaine (1989)
• Lieutenant Colonel Sommerlat (1991) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Lefort (1993) II (Major. Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Declety (1995) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Pinget (1997) II (Major. Gen.)
• Colonel Dell'Aria (1999) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Colonel Sainte Claire Deville (2001) III (Corp. Gen.)
• Lieutenant Colonel Richoux (2003) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Colonel Boyard (2005) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Colonel Laurent (2007)
• Colonel Paris (2009) I (Brig. Gen.)
• Colonel Rostain (2011)
• Colonel Fontenay (2013)
• Colonel Hardy (2015)
• Colonel Durand (2017)
• Colonel Biclet (2019- Present)
Basic Sources
Notes:
- ↑ "3e régiment de hussards", Wikipédia (in français), 2021-03-20, retrieved 2021-04-01
- ↑ "Paul Anton Esterházy Hussars - Project Seven Years War". www.kronoskaf.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ↑ "French Hussars: 1st - 7th Regiments". www.napoleon-series.org. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ↑ "Ouvrages de référence", Wikipédia (in français), 2020-04-13, retrieved 2021-04-02
- ↑ "Le 3ème Régiment de Hussard prévu à Metz en 2012". TOUT METZ (in français). 2009-11-26. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
Bibliography:
• 250 Years of the Esterhazy Huzzars -Official biography of the 3rd Hussar Regiment- (7/2014)
• History of the 3rd Hussar Regiment (Gallica) https://
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