DESCRIPTION OF FLAG ON THE FROM COVER
Also from 1800, the standard of the Fusilier Battalion. On this standard the upper and lower edges are red white those on the sides are dark blue. The red and blue edges are followed by a white border upon which are an ornamental scroll work in gold with a gold coronet in each corner. The coronets have cords of red, white, and blue and in the center of each there is a gray grenade with four-red flames. Similar grenades are contained within the coils of the scroll work. The main field of the flag is dark blue in the upper left and lower right corners and red in the upper right and lower left with an octagonal center of white.
The inscription Legion Polonaise is in black at the center of a shield which is edged red and also surrounded by an oak wreath and lightning bolts at the bottom with a beige czapka and crossed sabers with black hilts at the top. Plumes on the czapka are blue white and red. At top REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE is in gold, PREMIER BATALLION is red.
Standard of the 1st Battalion of Fusilier Polish Legion
As described in the memoir of General Dombrowski and after the illustration by B. Gembarzewski.
The standard is made of silk divided into three vertical sections with the one next to the staff being a medium blue in color with white in the center and crimson for the final section. In the center there is an oak wreath which is embroidered in silk thread of several colors (shown here in green only). At the top the wreath is tied with a yellow ribbon of silk which has embroidered upon it in black thread the legend LEGION POLSKI AUXILIARNY LOMBARDI.
In the center of the wreath is the cap of freedom. also embroidered in several colors (shown here in red only), this too is of silk. Immediately below, embroidered in black silk is the motto WSZYSCI LUDZIE WOLNI SA BPACIA and below this is a Mack bevel, used as a symbol of equality. Eribroidered in black on a white field at the bottom of the blue section is FUCILIERY and done in the same manner at the bottom of the crimson section is I Zoy BATALLION.
The opposite side of the standard is identical except for the various inscriptions which read as follows: on the yellow ribbon, LEGIONE POLACCA AUSILIARI DI LOMBARDIA; in the wreath, TUTTI GLI UOMINI LIBEPJ above SONO FRATELLI; on a white field in the crimson section FUCILIERI; and on a white filed in the blue section I BATAGLIONE.
The standard was a gift from the Administration of the Commonwealth of Lombardy in recognition for their part in the first actions.
Artillery Flag
Presented to the artillery on
January 30, 1801, the colors and
the design of this standard are
identical to those of the 7th
battalion except that behind the
rooster there are two laurel
branches and is standing on two
crossed cannons which are tied with
an oak wreath. Flames issue from
the muzzles of the guns and smole
from their vents. The inscriptions
are REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE and
BATATLLON DIARTILLERIE.
Flag of 7th Bttn, 1st PolishLegion
Standard of the 7th Battalion of
the 1st Polish Legion. This dark
blue silk standard measure 150 cms
by 150 cms and on the dark blue
field is a white star with eight
points. The four points of the star
which point towards the corners are
longer than those remaining and
contain large red quadrangles. In
the center of the white star is a
brown and grey rooster which
clutches in its left foot a green
wreath and laurel branch while in
his right he holds a flame of
pinkish red and golden lightning
bolts. Above the rooster is painted,
in oils, a blue ribbon with the
silver inscription REPUBLIQUE
FRANCAISE, below the rooster is
another ribbon which is inscribed
PREMIERE LEGION POLONAISE. The
reverse of this standard is
identical to the front except that
the inscription on the bottom ribbon
is 7me BATAILLON. The cords and
tassels are of red white and blue
with silver woven in.
Polish Legion Standard 1800
The original sketch, now in the Jagiello Library in Cracow, was made by Boleslavi Starzenski. The standard was presented by Napoleon to the Legion in 1800 to 1801.
Later this same standard was used by the 1st Regiment of the Vistula Legion while serving in Spain with the Corps of Suchet. It deteriorated until nothing remained but tattered shreds hanging from the staff which was brought back to the Ministery of War in 1812.
The portion of the standard
nearest the staff is blue, in
the center it is white and the
last third is red. The cap at
the center is also red. Rooster
and branches are in their
natural colors while the
ribbons are tricolored. The
inscription reads REPUBLIQUE
FRANCAISE and the number I
appears in a wreath in each
corner. The ribbon of the staff
is red and white.
Flag of Fusilier Battalion
Also from 1800, the standard of the Fusilier Battalion. On this standard the upper and lower edges are red white those on the on the sides are dark blue. The red and blue edges are followed by a white border upon which is an ornamental scroll work in gold with a gold coronet in each corner. The coronets have cords of red, white and blue and in the center of each there is a grey grenade with four red flames. Similar grenades are contained within the coils of the scroll work. The main field of the flag is dark blue in the upper left and lower right corners and red in the upper right and lower left with an octagonal center of white.
The inscription LEGION POLONAISE is in black at the center of a shield
which is edged red and also surrounded by an oak wreath and lightning
bolts at the bottom with a beige czapka and crossed sabers with black
hilts at the top. Plumes on the czapka are blue white and red. At top
REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE is red.
Flag of the Battalion of Grenadiers 1800
It was presented by the French government on the 25 of November 1800. It was 150 cms. wide and 150 cms high, it cost 400 francs.
Each of the four corners are of dark red (almost purple) and the four fields between the arms of the cross are of red. The four arms ofs the cross are dark blue surrounded by white which is also the color which appears in the square center of the standard. In each corner there is a grenade and each grenade has four flames issuing from it.
At the center there is a cap
and grenade surrounded by a
wreath of oak and laurel, above a
ribbon with the inscription
REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE, below a
ribbon with the inscription
PREMIERE LEGION POLONAISE. On the
reverse the inscriptions are in
Polish. The ribbon of the staff
is tricolored with gold fringes
and tassels.
On this cavalry standard the
four corners-are deep red, the
upper left and the lower right
field are dark blue while the
upper right and lower left are of
red and all areas are separated by
bands of red. The ribbons are red
with a deep red lining and have
upon them in black letters the
inscriptions REPUBIQUE FRANCAISE
and LEGION POLONAISE D'ITALIE. In
the center of the flag there is a
dark blue czapka which has a red
turban and a deep red plume.
Immediately beneath the czapka are a pair of inverted wings and behind a wreath of green laurel and red lightning bolts.
Polish Legions in Italy 1797-1803
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© Copyright 1978 by Jean Lochet
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