"Austrian Harsch Infantry Regimennt SYW" Topic

Ok, so I have two main references for the SYW, Summerfield's excellent books and Project SYW,

I want to paint the Harsch regiment as it appeared at Leuthuen.
link

it's the officers sash that confuses me. Summerfield doesn't say anything about it for this specific regiment. The section of the book on officers just says about the usual yellow and black.

However Project SYW says that this regiment has a red sash, which seems odd. Has anyone come across any confirmation either way?

Hoping the twin gurus, DAF and Jemima Fawr will chime in here…

At a guess, Royston, it's a "mark of favour" given to either him or his family- the silver and red matches his livery colours. There's little exceptions like this with some regimental "owners" being allowed non-regulation favours. If you like I'll ask on the Kronoskaf forum.

Dal G – thanks for that and yes please.

I've put the question to the group, mate. No answer yet, but with luck Michael or one of the other Austrian experts will have a look over the next couple of days.

DG – really appreciate this.

I didn't even realise there was a Project SYW forum, I'll have to investigate that further..

I haven't had a reply, yet, but that's not unusual. It can take a few days before someone has the time to answer. Real life can get in the way of important things. :-)

You piqued my interest too, Royston. There's lots of little peculiarities like this in most of the armies. In the British army they still observe some of them, despite the best efforts of the UK government to erase the traditions of the regiments with amalgamations, like the Gloucester's "Back Badge" (worn in The Rifles). The Australian army has a few little funnies as well, such as A Battery, RRAA, wearing their lanyards on the "wrong" shoulder, or the Pioneer Sergeant of 2 RAR having to wear a beard.

It's a closed forum, mate. You'd have to contact Richard and ask him- the contact details are on the site ( link ).

No reply from the group, mate. I also had an attempt to read the two linked sources- my German reading capabilities are less than average. Kurzgefaßte Geschichte aller kaiserlich-königlichen Regimenter zu Pferde und zu Fuß just gives a thumbnail history of the regiments ( link -Harsch is on page 10). Geschichte der kaiserl. Königl. Regimenter, Corps, Bataillons und anderer Militär-Branchen seit ihrer Errichtung biz zu Ende des Feldzuges 1799 ( link – the link takes you straight to Harsch) is much the same, as is my 1973 re-print of the Albertina Bilderhandschrift. Apart from the plate in the Albertina (a soldier, not an officer), there's no uniform descriptions. The illustration in the Delacre Bilderhandschrift are the same- no officer details. Accurate Vorstellung der sämtlichen KAYSERLICH KOENIGLICHEN ARMEEN zur eigentlichen Kentnis der UNIFORM von jedem Regimente. Nebst beygefügter Geschichte, worinne von der Stiftung, denen Chefs, der Staercke, und den wichtigsten Thaten jedes Regiments Nachricht gegeben wird (available for free download at BnF Gallica link ) shows an NCO, not an officer.

The description in Kronoskaf is very particular and the sash is unique- no other unit/army on Kronoskaf is described in the same way. I think the sash description probably comes from Leutnant des Inf.Regts. Harsch 1762, in Das Kasket, which is the closest thing to a regimental history that I can find.

It was an interesting, if nearly fruitless (I downloaded "Accurate") hunt, Royston.

Hi DG,
I really appreciate all the effort you have put into chasing this for me.Thank you.

I think you are right about it being too specific to the regiment for there not to be a reason for it.

I am going to go for it and give them red sashes. It will make them look special :)

Thanks again

My pleasure, mate. I like trying to solve these sorts of mysteries. Too much time on my hands, I suppose. Besides, it allowed me to download another old uniform book that I can barely read. Thankfully it's got uniform plates.

Please post some piccies when you get the regiment painted, mate.

Will do – but it may be a couple of months, they are third in line after 1st Dragoon Guards, Roth Wurzburg then Harsch.

I like to get the details straight before I get to the unit..