1757 SYW - PRUSSIAN 8th REGIMENT "VON GEIST"

PRUSSIAN REGIMENT VON GEIST - BATTLE OF LEUTHEN 1757

It was really hard to cut and trim all these papersoldiers (about 1 month work!) but at the end I succeeded. I will keep on with my project about the 1:1 ratio re-fighting the battle of Leuthen; I think at the moment I reached the number 10.000 papersoldiers... but still there is a lot to be done! By the way the glorious "von Geist" Regiment is finished and ready for fighting and parading.
 

Some info about this regiment
Info from Kronoskaf:http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Amstell_Infantry

On November 15 1678, 1,000 men which were previously stationed in Livonia were transferred to Prussia as Marsch-Regiment. In February 1679, Colonel Johann von Zieten created a new regiment (8 coys) from these troops.

From 1716, the garrison place of the regiment was Stettin. It recruited in the Pomeranian districts of Borck, Flemming, Greifenhagen and Saatzig; and in the towns of Cammin, Greiffenberg, Gülzow, Labes and Stettin.

During the War of the Austrian Succession, the regiment took part in the Siege of Prague in 1744. On June 4 1745, it fought in the Battle of Hohenfriedberg. 

During the Seven Years's War, the regiment was commanded by:

• since June 25 1754: Georg Friedrich von Amstell (killed in action during the battle of Prague on May 6 1757)
• from May 12 1757: Baron Karl Ferdinand von Hagen, also known as “von Geist” (died on February 19 1759 from wounds received at the battle of Hochkirch)
• from February 25 1759 to December 13 1769: Julius Dietrich von Queiss

  

  Top: the 5 colours of the Second Battalion marching aside the coloumn

  
  

  Service during the Seven Years War

  In 1756, the regiment was considered as the best Pomeranian regiment and was initially stationed in East Prussia. In December, it was transferred to Lusatia.
  In the Spring of 1757, the regiment took part in the invasion of Bohemia. On April 21, at the Combat of Reichenberg, the regiment was deployed on the right wing of the first line of Duke of Brunswick-Bevern's force. On May 6, the regiment took part in the Battle of Prague where it was deployed in the first line in the Duke von Braunschweig-Bevern's Brigade. Its colonel was killed during the battle. On November 22, the regiment took part in the Battle of Breslau where it was deployed in Ingersleben's Brigade, in the first line of the infantry centre. On December 5 at the Battle of Leuthen, the regiment was deployed in Münchow's Brigade in the first line of the infantry centre. 
   
  In the Spring of 1758, the regiment took part in the invasion of Moravia and in the Siege of Olmütz. On October 14, the regiment took part in the Battle of Hochkirch where it was initially deployed in the village and immediately to its left. Its second battalion vainly tried to recapture the Prussian battery planted near Hochkirch. During this battle, its colonel, Major-General von Hagen (aka von Geist), was mortally wounded.
  On September 17 1760, the regiment was present at the Combat of Hochgiersdorf. On November 3, it took part in the Battle of Torgau where it distinguished itself in the attack of the Süptitz Heights but was virtually annihilated.
  
   As it possible to see here, the unit can be deployed in column or in line, exactly as in the reality. Every base represents a company (8 per battalion) with a front of 4/5 stands of 4/5 papersoldiers each on 3 ranks; the stands have a magnet to glue them to a bigger base with iron inside, giving the possibility to play and remove one single stand (4/5 men) with a very very short time for deploying and entire battalion or even an entire regiment, as shown
  
  
  

  Colours

  Colonel colour (Leibfahne): White field with black flames. Centre device consisting of a black medallion surrounded by a golden laurel wreath and surmounted by a golden crown. The medallion is decorated with a golden eagle holding a sword and lightning bolts surmounted by a white scroll bearing the golden motto "Pro Gloria et Patria". Corner monograms (crowns, laurel wreaths, FR ciphers) and grenades in gold.
  Regimental colours (Kompaniefahnen): Black field with white flames. Centre device consisting of a white medallion surrounded by a golden laurel wreath and surmounted by a golden crown. The medallion is decorated with a black eagle holding a sword and lightning bolts surmounted by a black scroll bearing the golden motto "Pro Gloria et Patria". Corner monograms (crowns, laurel wreaths, FR ciphers) and grenades in gold.
  
  
  
  
  
   the 10 colours of the complete regiment.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   This pictures are intented to show you the possibilities of papersoldiers in a 1:1 ratio; here it's introduced 2 battalions of the 8th Regiment at the Battle of  Leuthen;
  

  

  Close view

   There is a total of about 1.100 papersoldiers (still drummers and some NCO's and Officers to be done to complete); every battalion is about 60/70 cm wide;
   
  
  
  
  

  

  The 2 Battalions in line