While reading Peter Wilson's excellent article on the Three Battles of Landshut, I noticed that the order of battle for 1760 lists two battalions of Grun Loudon. Peter has added in brackets "Free Battalions," a classification normally associated with this regiment. However, over the last few years my research has led me to believe that this may not be correct.

It all started when I received a copy of "A Sketch of the Military Life of Gideon Ernest, Freiherr von Loudon, sometime Generalissimo of the Austrian Forces in the Seven Years War" by Colonel G. B. Malleson from Pallas Armata. All was going well until the winter of 1758 (Chapter IX, page 91). During the winter Loudon renewed his request to have two battalions of grenadiers permanently attached to the Croats. The skirmishing qualities of the Croats was not in question, however they were reluctant to fight in close order. Loudon felt that the Croats' value would be quadrupled if they were supported by a solid body of 1,800 grenadiers. This body was formed in March 1759 and was made up of volunteers from the grenadier companies of the line infantry regiments. This body is referred to later in the book as Volunteer Battalions of Grenadiers. There is no mention of any other unit bearing his name in the book.

This set me off rechecking all the usual sources in the hope of continuing this find. In Duffy's "The Army of Maria Theresa" they are listed as Battalion Loudon. The short note says that they were distinguished at the battles of Kunersdorf, Landeshut and Liegnitz.

I next consulted Duffy's "Russia's Military Way to the West" for an account of the battle of Kunersdorf. The battle map clearly shows Loudon's battalions as fighting with the other line regiments (page 109). There is no sign of the Croats or the regiment of hussars that we know formed part of Loudon's Corps, as skirmishers were of little use in a setpiece battle. We are told that twelve elite grenadier companies were moved up to the Kuh-Grund to support the Russians. These were then in turn supported by the regiment Baden-Baden (page 110). However the map on the same page shows only the battalions of Loudon and number 23 Baden-Baden. We are told that Loudon's battalions were of normal infantry strength, each eight companies strong. So what has happened to the grenadiers? Malleson makes no mention of the Austrian infantry in his account of the battle (Chapter IX, pages 99-103). The only other English language account I have is in "Uniforms of the Seven Years War" by John Mollo. In this account the companies of grenadiers are mentioned along with the regiments of Loudon and Baden-Baden.

The only other sources I have are orders of battle, the best of which is a German book that I picked up at the Berlin Book shop on the first Duffy trip. I know that most people on that trip will have a copy because it was so cheap: "Die Schlachten Friedrichs des Grossen" by G. Dorm & J. Engelmann. In the order of battle for Kunersdorf (page 123), listed in the Austrian troops is Loudon's Grenadiers. The same is true for the battle of Liegnitz (page 137), the advance guard lists Grenadier Regiment Loudon, two battalions. Unfortunately as I do not read German, I am unable to check the battle reports for any mention of Loudon's regiment (can anyone help?). The print on page 140 does appear to involve Loudon's regiment, however the uniforms appear to be based on regiment number 29, also named Loudon. However as far as I can see, this infantry regiment was not present.

In one of the back copies of the Journal, Vol. VIII, No. 4, there was an article on "Austrian Grenadier Formations in the SYW" by Christopher Duffy and Alister Sharman. At the end of this article was a breakdown of the grenadier formations in Loudon's Corps in 1761. Listed under Major Kluck is two battalions of Loudon's Grenadiers.

When we usually talk about Free Regiments and Freikorps in the SYW we generally think of skirmishing units of lower morale than the line regiments. Often these were raised by opportunists for financial gain who were prepared to accept any volunteer into their ranks. I hope I have shown that Loudon's was not such a regiment; in fact it was committed to the vital part of the battle line at Kunersdorf and Liegnitz, performing with distinction in both cases. It is possible that "Loudon's Volunteers" has at some time been mistranslated to "Free Regiment," and, in an environment sadly lacking in English language source material, it is understandable why this has remained unchallenged. I personally think the case for its promotion to the first division is very strong. Any further information anyone may have would be most appreciated. In the mean time, I shall continue to confuse my Prussian opponents with my green grenadiers.

This is one of the best pictures I could find of the uniform. Drummers would have had the usual Austrian shoulder wings in red, piped white. It was not normal for Austrian grenadier units to carry flags, but without firm information, I am sure no one would complain. As battalion guns were attached to grenadier units as and when required, crews would be dressed in the standard Austrian artillery uniform.

I did note in one source that it was felt Loudon had chosen a green uniform in honor of the Russians. As the unit was raised and dressed before the first joint action with the Russians at Kunersdorf, I think this highly unlikely.

Editor's Note:

I have taken the liberty of adding a "natural-looking" background to Don's wonderful and fetching image that originally was presented on a white background.

I hope you don't mind, Don. I love playing with computer graphics programs.

Thus begins this issue's color section; something I hope to provide with increasing frequency, depending on costs and subject matter.

Readers and contributors are encouraged to send me color material (as long as it is public domain) for inclusion in the Journal.

More Grun [7YWAJ v12n3]

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