The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the different types of light infantry units that fought in the Eastern Theatre of the Seven Years War, i.e. Silesia, Saxony, Bohemia and Moravia. A discussion of light infantry in the Western Theatre will appear in a future issue. In general, it seems as if the Austrians, French and to a lesser degree, the Hanoverians, seemed to have some sort of formalized light infantry establishment in the European theatre of the SYW. While the British did develop light infantry units in the North American theatre, they seemed to rely on their Hanoverian allies to provide troops (most notably led by von Luckner) of this type. The Prussians were at a distinct disadvantage when it came to light infantry troops, and they relied, more or less, on independent Frei Korps units raised outside the Prussian military establishment.

Light infantry played an important role in the Eastern Theatre in terms of their ability to screen the Austrian army movements from the Prussians, to provide intelligence to their Austrian compatriats, and in general, to create a nuisance for Frederick by means of numerous raids behind Prussian lines that targeted supply convoys and lines of communications. While Frederick discounted their effect in public, privately he held the Austrian light infantry in high regard.:

"Hussars and Pandours are formidable to those who are unacquainted with them. They are never courageous. Our troops have nothing to fear from them; but as their skirmishing retards a march, and as they now and then kill a few men, whom we are sorry to lose in such a manner, I shall prescribe such means as will most effectually counter-act their attempts."
-- Frederick the Great

The above statement made by Frederick in his Military Instructions to his army were apparently more bluff and bravado than an accurate portrayal of his true feelings towards the Croat light infantry, for we also have the following quote from Major General Joseph York recalling a conversation that he had with Alte Fritz in which the king told him:

"The most formidable enemy he has to fight with are the Croats, commonly called the Pandours, who are a hardy, brave people, faithful to their sovereign and indefatigable. There is no instance of their deserting, and not only that, but they prevent the regular troops from getting away likewise. His Majesty has, by dint of pains and precautions, got the better of his apprehensions his troops had of them; and by giving them no quarter in his two last campaigns lie has reduced them to be more civilized. He owned to me that lie was more upon his guard against them than against any other troops, and that he hoped I didn't believe that lie had that contempt of them that he expressed; but that lie found no other way to inspire confidence into his troops than by treating them as the lowest of soldiers; that it was impossible for him to oppose anything equal to them in that land, and that he did not like to be always sacrificing his regular infantry in that kind of war; that lie had, therefore, raised a number of free battalions, but that did not suffice, nor were they anything to compare in goodness; but that was the only resource lie had against them except his artillery, of which they were much afraid."

The above quotes are found in Colonel J.EC. Fuller's British Light Infantry in the Eighteenth Century, pp. 70-71, facsimile reprint 1991 by Terrence Wise.

Light Infantry Forces Austrian - Prussian SYW Theatre

Introduction
Austrian Light Forces
Prussian Light Forces
Austrian Grenzers Illustration (slow: 86K)
Prussian Frei Korps Illustration (slow: 96K)

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