23e Régiment d'Infanterie

The 23e Régiment d'Infanterie was the second regiment in Haca's Brigade and like it sister regiment, 8e Régiment d'Infanterie it had a strong history from the Revolution forward.

The First Battalion

Formed in 1791 from the Régiment du Roi from the Ancien Regime, the 23e fought at numerous actions in in the Revolutionary Wars as the 23e Demi Brigade including Bamberg, Neuwied, Zurich, Engen, Stockach, Moeskirch and Honelinden.

The Second Battalion

Under the Empire it did four years service in Italy fighting in many actions, including Sacile and Piave. It fought at Wagram in 1809 then did three years service in Spain before going to Germany for the 1813 campaign, where it fought at (amongst others) Lutzen, Bautzen, Freiburg and Leipzig and Hanau. A year later it fought in the campaign in France at Briengen, Chambrey, Macon and Limonest. In the 100 Days it fought at Ligny and Wavre.

The Third Battalion

With the rebuild of the army in 1820 it served in Spain in 1823 followed by a period of service in Algeria from 1830-1841. Then based in France two battalions took part in the suppression of the revolts in Paris in 1848 and in 1854 was posted on the northern frontier when there was a risk of a German invasion in response to the French involvement in the Crimea, before returning to Algeria in 1856. Three years later it served in the Italian campaign, fighting at Magenta.

The Whole Regiment

In 1870 it served under Colonel Rolland in 2nd Corps. It was only lightly engaged at Spicheren, coming into the line quite late in the fight and only suffered losses of 75. It was more heavily engaged at Rezonville where it suffered the loss of 18 officers and 385 men. At Gravelotte it participated in the repulse of Steinmetz's attacks, but well positioned the regiment only suffered 61 casualties. It as involved in the failed sortie from Metz at Noisseville. The 4th battalion formed part of the 7e Régiment de Marche and fought in the Loire.

Following the war a battalion was sent to the far East and was in action at Bac-Ninh in Vietnam. In garrison in France until 1914 it fought in multiple theatres in the Western Front. In the Second World War it was served as a fortress regiment near Haugenau and was disbanded in 1940, reformed in 1945, served in Algeria from 1952-62 and was finally disbanded in 1976. On dissolution it's colours bore the honours of:

Zurich 1799

Wagram 1809

Lutzen 1813

Magenta 1859

L'Aisne 1917

Soissonnais 1918

Roulers 1918

L'Escaut 1918

Secteur fortifie d'Haugenau 1940

AFN 1952-1962