Guard Hussar Regiment (Denmark)

History

Origins of the regiment

Although the Guard Hussars themselves date from 10 February 1762, the Danish Army takes the date of the founding of a regiment from its oldest part, in this case the Zealand Life Regiment, which was founded in 1614. This makes the Guard Hussars one of the oldest regiments of hussars in the world still operational, it is also the only hussars in mounted parade uniform to still wear the slung and braided pelisse which was formerly characteristic of this class of cavalry. In addition to its operational role, the Guard Hussar Regiment is one of two regiments in the Danish Army (along with the Den Kongelige Livgarde) to be classed as 'Guards'; in this case, the Mounted Squadron perform the same role as the Household Cavalry do in the British Army.

From 1961 to 1972 the regiment was responsible for two armoured battalions, one recon battalion. From 1972–2000 the regiment was responsible for one armoured, one mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and one infantry battalions. From 2000–2004 the regiment was responsible for two armoured, two mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and two infantry battalions. From 1992–2004 the regiment also had to form two light Reconnaissance Squadrons assigned to the 1st Zealand Brigade and Danish International Brigade.

2001 amalgamation

As part of the Defence Agreement 2000–04, it was decided to merge the Guard Hussar Regiment with the Zealand Life Regiment and the Danish Life Regiment. With this amalgamation of the three infantry regiments, the name and history of the new regiment had to be decided. This led to what the media called "the Colonels' War" (), with the three colonels fighting for their regiment’s name and history to survive. The Chief of Defence, Christian Hvidt, ordered the old insignia removed, which was not customary. The new armoured horse head was nicknamed the "biker patch". Furthermore, it was decided that a colour be used alongside the standard.

Modern times

Following the amalgamation, the Guard Hussar Regiment has participated in a number of international missions, resulting in the loss of 16 soldiers.

Structure

Current units

Today the Gardehusarregiment is classed as a cavalry regiment, it is in fact a mixed armoured and infantry unit, with three battalions:

• [[File:Emblem for the Danish Guard Hussar Regiment.svg|27px]] Guard Hussar Regiment, in Slagelse
  • [[File:GHR Shield 1.svg|25px]] I Armoured Infantry Battalion – assigned to 1st Brigade; Motto: Hurtig i tanke og handling, livsfarlig for sine fjender (Quick in thought and action, deadly to his enemies)
    • [[File:Emblem for the GHR 1Staff.svg|25px]] Staff Company (SLEIPNER) Motto: Altid Klar (Always Ready)
    • [[File:Emblem for the 1-I-GHR.svg|25px]] 1st Armoured Infantry Company (1/I/GHR or VIDAR) Motto: Når storm lægger sig raser vi stadig (When the storm subsides we rage on)
    • [[File:Emblem for the 2-I-GHR.svg|25px]] 2nd Mechanised Infantry Company (2/I/GHR or ULTRA) Motto: Non plus ultra (Nothing further beyond)
    • [[File:Insigne incognitum.svg|25px]] 4th Mechanised Infantry Company (4/I/GHR) (inactive)
  • [[File:GHR Shield 3.svg|25px]] III Reconnaissance Battalion – assigned to 2nd Brigade; Motto: Nec temere nec timide (Neither brashly nor timidly)
    • [[File:Emblem for the GHR 3Staff.svg|25px]] Staff Squadron (Inactive)
    • [[File:Emblem for the GHR 1 LOPKESK.svg|25px]] 1st Light Reconnaissance Squadron (1 LOPKESK)
    • [[File:Emblem for the GHR 2LOPKESK.svg|25px]] 2nd Light Reconnaissance Squadron (2 LOPKESK) nickname: Spøgelserne fra Bornholm (The ghosts from Bornholm)
    • [[File:Insigne incognitum.svg|25px]] 3rd Light Reconnaissance Squadron (3 LOPKESK)
    • Marine Squadron (4th Training Squadron) - Motto:Klar til kamp – altid i front (Ready to fight - always in front)
  • [[File:GHR Shield 5.svg|25px]] V Training Battalion – assigned to 2nd Brigade; Motto:Terror in Hostes – Vor fjender til frygt
    • [[File:Insigne incognitum.svg|25px]] Staff Company (Inactive)
    • [[File:Emblem for the 1-V-GHR.svg|25px]] 1st Training Company - 8 Month Mobilization Conscription - Motto:Fremad på ny – hurtig og adræt (Forward again - fast and agile)
    • [[File:Emblem for the LIV-V-GHR.svg|25px]] 2nd Training Company (Livkompagniet) - 4 Month Training Conscription - Motto:Fremad på ny – lige på og hårdt (Forward again - head on)
    • [[File:Emblem for the 4-V-GHR.svg|25px]]4th Mechanised Infantry Company (4/V/GHR) 8 Month Training Conscription
  • [[File:HESK logo.svg|25px]] Mounted Squadron – 4 Month Training and 8 months taking care of the regiments horses and public and ceremonial duties

Officially disbanded units

• [[File:GHR Shield 2.svg|25px]] II/GHR Armoured Battalion (1955−1976), Infantry Battalion (1977-2000), Armoured Infantry Battalion (2001-2018)
• [[File:GHR Shield 4.svg|25px]] IV/GHR Infantry Battalion (1983−1996), Armoured Infantry Battalion (1997-2013).
• [[File:Insigne incognitum.svg|25px]] VI/GHR Infantry Battalion (2000-2004).
• [[File:Insigne incognitum.svg|25px]] VII/GHR Infantry Battalion (2000-2004).

Names of the regiment

References

References

1. "The Guard Hussars".
2. "Regimentets historie". Gardehusarregimentet.
3. (17 November 2014). "Dronningen fejrer tvivlsomt jubilæum". Berlingske Media.
4. (November 2016). "Forsvaret går ikke med rygmærker". Værnsfælles Forsvarskommando.
5. (29 April 2002). "Gammelt nag ruster ikke". Berlingske Tidende.
6. (31 May 2014). "Danske militære tab i international tjeneste".
7. (22 April 2014). "Historical Overview of Guard Hussar Regiment".