The Dancing Hussars of Krefeld

The 2nd Westphalian Hussar Regiment began life in 1806 when Murat raised the Cheveau-legers of the Duchy of Berg as a part of the Confederation of the Rhine. The regiment was later converted to a lancer regiment in the Imperial Guard, the Lanciers de Berg. They saw action in Russia and at Leipzig.

When Berg was annexed by Prussia in late 1813 they were absorbed into the Prussian Army, converted to hussars and renamed 2nd Westphalian Hussar Regiment, Number 11. They fought at Ligny in 1815 and were engaged in counter revolutionary action in 1848-49 in Baden and Bavaria. In 1866 they served in the 14th Cavalry Brigade, Elbe Army. Four years later in France it formed part of von Redern’s brigade. At Mars-La-Tour it went forward to cover von Bredow’s wrecked regiments returning from their “Death Ride” and their presence may well have contributed to the decision of the French cavalry not to press their pursuit further.

Their greatest claim to fame came in 1906 when Kaiser Wilhelm I responded to a petition from the citizens of Krefeld that there were not enough bachelors to dance at the balls and ordered that the Regiment relocate their garrison from Düsseldorf to Krefeld. The Kaiser’s order was at first considered a joke, but later that day it was confirmed by the district commander and the garrison was moved. That is how they became the “Dancing Hussars of Krefeld”.

The Regiment served in the 9th Cavalry Division in 1914 on the Western Front. Later it transferred to the Eastern Front where it was dismounted in 1916 and disbanded in March 1918.

This completes von Redern’s Hussar Brigade and also completes the 6th Cavalry Division.  I think a divisional parade is called for, when time permits.