Austrian Dragoon Regiment Hesse-Darmstadt, 1756–1763
By decree dated 4 November 1733, Oberst Alexius Graf D’Ollone raised a dragoon regiment at his own expense. The cadre of experienced officers and men had been transferred from other imperial regiments. From 1746 to 1768, Ludwig VIII. Landgraf von Hessen-Darmstadt owned the regiment, followed by his son, Erbprinz Georg Wilhelm Prinz von Hessen-Darmstadt who became the Inhaber until 1773. During the Seven Years’ War the regiment fought at the Battles of Kolin, Breslau, Leuthen, Hochkirch, and Torgau.
Proprietor
- FM Ludwig VIII. Landgraf von Hessen-Darmstadt, 1746–1768
- G.d.C. Georg Wilhelm Prinz von Hessen-Darmstadt, 1768–1773
Commanding Officer
- Oberst Johann Freiherr Hochberg von Hennersdorf, 1752–1757
- Oberst Joseph Carl Graf D’Ayasasa, 1757–1758
- Oberst Friedrich Freiherr von Riedesel, 1758
- Oberst Rudolph Freiherr von Pugnetti, 1758–1771
Uniform
- red coat with eleven yellow buttons left and right
- green cuffs with three buttons
- green turnbacks
- green shoulder strap left
- green aiguillette right
- black stock
- light straw-coloured vest with green edging, and hook and eye closure
- light straw-coloured breeches
- black gaiters with yellow buttons for dismounted service
- white boot cuffs and tall black riding boots for mounted service
- black tricorne with yellow border, and black cockade with yellow button
- red saddlecloth with yellow border, and black and white rhombical design
- black pistol holsters, with red holster covers and border design as above
- round red mantlesack with border design as above
- black leather bridle
Campaign History
- Battle of Kolin, 1757
- Battle at Breslau, 1757
- Battle of Leuthen, 1757
- Engagement at Görlitz (Grenadier-Kompanie), 1757
- Battle of Hochkirch, 1758
- Ambush at Greifenberg, 1759
- Engagement at Günsberg, 1759
- Capture of Cosdorf, 1760
- Battle of Torgau, 1760
- Campaign in Saxony, 1761
- Engagement at Leutmannsdorf, 1762
Dragoner-Regiment Hessen-Darmstadt was distinguished from other Austrian dragoon regiments by its red coat without lapels, and the light straw-coloured button-less cuirassier-style vest with green edging.