3rd Dragoon Regiment (France)
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The 3rd Dragoon Regiment (''3e régiment de dragons'' or ''3e RD'') was a cavalry regiment in the
French Army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (, , ), is the principal Army, land warfare force of France, and the largest component of the French Armed Forces; it is responsible to the Government of France, alongside the French Navy, Fren ...
, it was active in various forms from 1649 to 1997.


History


Ancien Règime

It was raised as an ordinary cavalry unit under the
Ancien Régime ''Ancien'' may refer to * the French word for " ancient, old" ** Société des anciens textes français * the French for "former, senior" ** Virelai ancien ** Ancien Régime ** Ancien Régime in France {{disambig ...
in 1649 for the duc d'Enghien, son of the
grand Condé Grand may refer to: People with the name * Grand (surname) * Grand L. Bush (born 1955), American actor Places * Grand, Oklahoma, USA * Grand, Vosges, village and commune in France with Gallo-Roman amphitheatre * Grand County (disambiguation), ...
. It was first named Enghien-Cavalry Regiment serving first in the
Fronde The Fronde () was a series of civil wars in the Kingdom of France between 1648 and 1653, occurring in the midst of the Franco-Spanish War, which had begun in 1635. The government of the young King Louis XIV confronted the combined opposition ...
against anti Bourbon forces. After valiantly serving in the
War of Devolution The War of Devolution took place from May 1667 to May 1668. In the course of the war, Kingdom of France, France occupied large parts of the Spanish Netherlands and County of Burgundy, Franche-Comté, both then provinces of the Holy Roman Empire ...
, and the Dutch War, it was renamed the Bourbon-cavalerie in recognition for their service. As Bourbon-Cavalry Regiment, this unit served in all of the wars below: •
War of the League of Augsburg The Nine Years' War was a European great power conflict from 1688 to 1697 between Kingdom of France, France and the Grand Alliance (League of Augsburg), Grand Alliance. Although largely concentrated in Europe, fighting spread to colonial poss ...
(1688- 1697) •
War of the Spanish Succession The War of the Spanish Succession was a European great power conflict fought between 1701 and 1714. The immediate cause was the death of the childless Charles II of Spain in November 1700, which led to a struggle for control of the Spanish E ...
(1701- 1713) •
War of the Polish Succession The War of the Polish Succession (; 1733–35) was a major European conflict sparked by a civil war in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth over the succession to Augustus II the Strong, which the other European powers widened in pursuit of ...
(1733- 1735) •
War of the Austrian Succession The War of the Austrian Succession was a European conflict fought between 1740 and 1748, primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italian Peninsula, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Related conflicts include King Ge ...
(1740- 1748) •
Battle of Corbach The Battle of Corbach, or Korbach, a Hanseatic town of Waldeck-Frankenberg in northern Hesse, Germany, was fought on 10 July 1760 during the Seven Years' War. Corbach was the first battle of the campaign of 1760 and was a victory for the French ...
(
Seven Years' War The Seven Years' War, 1756 to 1763, was a Great Power conflict fought primarily in Europe, with significant subsidiary campaigns in North America and South Asia. The protagonists were Kingdom of Great Britain, Great Britain and Kingdom of Prus ...
1756- 1763) • Corsican War (1769) The Regiment was soon elevated to become a dragoon. Their new title was " Bourbon Dragoon Regiment." Another regiment, the Clermont-Tonnerre Regiment (Noah's Regiment) was incorporated into the regiment, recently pulled out of the War of the Austrian Succession, now reentering combat. The royal decree of January 1791, reorganized the Cavalry of the French Army. The Bourbon Dragoon Regiment was renamed the Bourbon Regiment of Dragoons.


Revolutionary Wars

Joining the Northern Army in 1792, the Bourbon Regiment was reclassified as the 3rd Dragoon Regiment. This regiment will serve in the ensuing battles of Valmy and
Jemappes Jemappes (; in older texts also: ''Jemmapes''; ; ) is a sub-municipality of the city of Mons located in the province of Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium. It was a separate municipality until 1977. On 8 June 1870, Flénu was detached from Jemappes, an ...
. In 1794, the 3rd Dragoons were still fighting with the Army of the North, fighting at
Sprimont Sprimont (; ) is a municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Liège, Belgium. The municipality consists of the following districts: Dolembreux, Gomzé-Andoumont, Louveigné, Rouvreux, and Sprimont. Other villages: Banneux, Damré, ...
, and attended Complementary day festivals. In 1796, the 3rd Dragoons were sent to the Army of Italy, crossing the Arcole Bridge and defeating Austrian/Coalition forces. The Dragoons were also part of the expedition to Egypt, fighting against local Ottoman forces, distinguishing themselves at the Battle of Aboukir. Returning from the expedition, the 3rd Dragoons rejoined the Army of Italy, becoming part of the reserve.


Napoleonic Wars {{Infobox military conflict , conflict = Napoleonic Wars , partof = the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars , image = Napoleonic Wars (revision).jpg , caption = Left to right, top to bottom:Battl ...

In 1805, the 3rd Dragoon Regiment was reorganized along with the rest of the army, and was placed under I Corps. In the same year, they would participate in the
Battle of Austerlitz The Battle of Austerlitz (2 December 1805/11 Frimaire An XIV French Republican calendar, FRC), also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors, was one of the most important military engagements of the Napoleonic Wars. The battle occurred near t ...
, another victory. In 1806, they were put under the 6th Cavalry Reserve Corp, clashing against Prussian forces at
Jena Jena (; ) is a List of cities and towns in Germany, city in Germany and the second largest city in Thuringia. Together with the nearby cities of Erfurt and Weimar, it forms the central metropolitan area of Thuringia with approximately 500,000 in ...
, then against Russian forces at Elyau, and again at Friedland, before joining an observation Corp. In 1808, the 3rd Dragoons were part of the Army of Portugal, and after an invasion of Portugal failed, became part of the Army of Spain, and joined the Grande Armèè in the invasion of Spain. After a year, the 3rd Dragoons were reorganized into the 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers ''(2ème Régiment de Chevaulégers Lanciers)'' ( :fr:2e_r%C3%A9giment_de_chevau-l%C3%A9gers_lanciers). This regiment would be very active in the following battles and invasions:
Russian Campaign The French invasion of Russia, also known as the Russian campaign (), the Second Polish War, and in Russia as the Patriotic War of 1812 (), was initiated by Napoleon with the aim of compelling the Russian Empire to comply with the continent ...
Battle of the Moskva River
Battle of Berezina The Battle of (the) Berezina (or Beresina) took place from 26 to 29 November 1812, between Napoleon's and the Imperial Russian Army under Field Marshal Peter Wittgenstein, Wittgenstein and Admiral Pavel Chichagov, Chichagov. Napoleon was retre ...
German Campaign
Battle of Katzbach The Battle of the Katzbach on 26 August 1813, was a major battle of the Napoleonic Wars between the forces of the First French Empire under Marshal MacDonald and a Russo- Prussian army of the Sixth Coalition under Prussian Marshal Graf (Coun ...
Battle of Hanau The Battle of Hanau was fought from 30 to 31 October 1813 between Karl Philipp von Wrede's Austro-Bavarian corps and Napoleon's retreating French during the War of the Sixth Coalition. Following Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Leipzig ...
Campaign in France
Battle of La Rothière The Battle of La Rothière (1 February 1814) saw the Coalition forces of the Austrian Empire, Russian Empire, Kingdom of Prussia, Kingdom of Bavaria, and Kingdom of Württemberg attack a French army led by Emperor Napoleon. The main Coalitio ...
Battle of Montmirail The Battle of Montmirail (11 February 1814) was fought between a French force led by Emperor Napoleon and two Allied corps commanded by Fabian Wilhelm von Osten-Sacken and Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg. In hard fighting that lasted until even ...
Battle of Vauchamps The Battle of Vauchamps (14 February 1814) was the final major engagement of the Six Days Campaign of the War of the Sixth Coalition. It resulted in a part of the under Napoleon I defeating a superior Prussian and Russian force of the Army o ...
Battle of Bar-sur-Aube The Battle of Bar-sur-Aube was fought on 27 February 1814, between the First French Empire and the Austrian Empire. French forces were led by Jacques MacDonald, while the Austrians and their Bavarian allies, forming the Army of Bohemia, were ...
Battle of Fère Reinforced with elements of 7th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers, the 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers was renamed Queen's Regiment of Lancers ''(Régiment Lanciers de La Reine)''. After the Bourbons returned to France, the 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers was reintegrated into the 3rd Dragoon Regiment. Then, Napoleon returned from exile and the 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers was the title again. Serving the Belgian Campaign, they fought at the
Battle of Waterloo The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday 18 June 1815, near Waterloo, Belgium, Waterloo (then in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, now in Belgium), marking the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The French Imperial Army (1804–1815), Frenc ...
, but were repulsed.


Bourbon Restoration

Following the Bourbon Restoration, the 3rd Dragoon Regiment was reinstalled in the place of the 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers.


French Republic


Chatou Station

In 1848, protesting insurgency in Paris resulted in the fire of Chatou Railway Bridge, and destroyed the Chatou train station. They in turn were driven out by the guard of the 3rd Dragoons. The 3rd Dragoon Regiment would stay as reserve for the French Army until 1914.


World War I

At the start of
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, the 3rd Dragoon Regiment was stationed at
Nantes Nantes (, ; ; or ; ) is a city in the Loire-Atlantique department of France on the Loire, from the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast. The city is the List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, sixth largest in France, with a pop ...
, blocking the German advance in 1914.


= 1914-1917

= The 3rd Dragoons fought at the
First Battle of the Marne The First Battle of the Marne or known in France as the Miracle on the Marne () was a battle of the First World War fought from the 5th to the 12th September 1914. The German army invaded France with a plan for winning the war in 40 days by oc ...
, probing German attacks. The Germans cannot break through. For most of the War, the 8th Dragoons will be stationed there.


= 1918

= • Battle of Château ThierrySecond Battle of the Marne


Peacetime

The 3rd Dragoons are assigned the occupation of the German Saarland, and was temporarily renamed 3rd Battalion Dragoons.


World War II


= 1939

= The 3rd Dragoon Regiment begins mobilization.


= 1940

= After attack by the Germans, the 3rd Dragoons split into two groups. They were pushed from the Ardennes to the Luxembourg-French Border. In the ensuing retreat, the 3rd Dragoon Regiment was wiped out by the German armored units rushing through the gap. The regiment will not be reformed, but the remainder will eventually join the resistance.


1976- 1997

In 1976, the 3rd Dragoon Regiment was reestablished from units of 5th Hussar Regiment, taking over their role in
West Germany West Germany was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from its formation on 23 May 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with East Germany on 3 October 1990. It is sometimes known as the Bonn Republi ...
. At the time, the 3rd Dragoons numbered around 793 combat troops, 65 AMX, and 13 ATV. They will be also reinforced with the 294th Panzer battalion, which in turn will be deployed at Hueberg. The 3rd Dragoons will see no actual combat action, and was dissolved in 1997.


Garrisons

Toulouse Toulouse (, ; ; ) is a city in southern France, the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Haute-Garonne department and of the Occitania (administrative region), Occitania region. The city is on the banks of the Garonne, River Garonne, from ...
Barracks (1816)
Belfort Belfort (; archaic , ) is a city in northeastern France, situated approximately from the Swiss border. It is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Territoire de Belfort. Belfort is from Paris and from Basel. The residents of the city ...
Barracks (1838)
Tour Tour or Tours may refer to: Travel * Tourism, travel for pleasure * Tour of duty, a period of time spent in military service * Campus tour, a journey through a college or university's campus * Guided tour, a journey through a location, directed ...
Barracks (1871)
Nantes Nantes (, ; ; or ; ) is a city in the Loire-Atlantique department of France on the Loire, from the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast. The city is the List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, sixth largest in France, with a pop ...
(1886)
Saarlouis Saarlouis (; , ; formerly Sarre-Libre and Saarlautern) is a town in Saarland, Germany, capital of the district of Saarlouis (district), Saarlouis. In 2020, the town had a population of 34,409. Saarlouis is located on the river Saar (river), Saar. ...
and
Saarbrücken Saarbrücken (; Rhenish Franconian: ''Sabrigge'' ; ; ; ; ) is the capital and largest List of cities and towns in Germany, city of the state of Saarland, Germany. Saarbrücken has 181,959 inhabitants and is Saarland's administrative, commerci ...
(1921) Occupation of Germany
Sarreguemines Sarreguemines (; German: ''Saargemünd'' ; Lorraine Franconian: ''Saargemìnn'') is a commune in the Moselle department of the Grand Est administrative region in north-eastern France. It is the seat of an arrondissement and a canton. As o ...
and
Saint-Avold Saint-Avold (; ; Lorraine Franconian: ''Sänt Avuur'') is a commune in the Moselle department in Grand Est in north-eastern France. It is situated east of Metz, France and southwest of Saarbrücken, Germany. History The Saint-Avold area ha ...
(1927) Lunèville Barracks (1929)
Castres Castres (; ''Castras'' in the Languedocian dialect, Languedocian dialect of Occitan language, Occitan) is the sole Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Tarn (department), Tarn Departments of France, department in the Occitania (adminis ...
(1940) Stetten am Kalten Markt (1976) Sector occupying


Head of Corps (Colonel Generals) of 3rd Dragoon Regiment


Old Règime


Enghien Cavalry Regiment

''Commanders:'' • Henry Jules de Bourbon Condé, Duke of Enghien (1649- 1650) • Jean de Coligny, Count of Saligny (1651) • Count of Romainville (1659) • Hèrard Bouton, Marquis de Chamilly (1659- 1665) • Gaspard de Champagne, Duke of La Suze (1665- 1671) • Marquis de Lanmary (1671- 1681) • Count of Xaintrailles (1681- 1686)


Bourbon Cavalry Regiment

''Head of Corps:'' • Count of Xaintrailles (1686- 1690) • Count of La Chapelle- Balon (1690- 1692) • N. de Choiseul, Marquis de Lanques (1672- 1702) • N. de Royer, Count of Saint Micaud (1702- 1719) • N. de Crussol d'Uzès, Marquis of Montausier (1719- 1730) • François Emmanuel de Crussol d'Uzès, Marquis de Crussol des Salles (1730- 1744) • Louis Joseph Nicolas, Marquis de Cambis (1744- 1761) • Gabriel Augustin de Franquetot, Count of Coigny (1761- 1762) • Louis, Viscount of Noah (1762- 1770) • Amable Charles, Marquis de La Guiche (1770- 1776)


Bourbon Dragoon Regiment

''Dragoon Commander:'' • Amable Charles, Marquis de La Guiche (1776- 1788) • Jean François Lèonor, Baron of Hunolstein (1788- 1789) • Anne Michel Louis, Viscount of Roncherolles (1789- 1791)


Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars


3rd Dragoon Regiment

''Colonel and Brigade leaders:'' • Colonel Renè Pierre Louis (1791- 1792) • Colonel Anne Hyacinthe (1792) • Colonel Paul Alexandre (1792- 1793) • Brigade leader Marie Joseph (1793- 1794) • Leader of Brigade, Paul Guillaume Daunant (1794- 1796) • Head of Brigade, Andrè François Bron de Bailly (1796- 1800) • Leader of Brigade, Edmè Nicolas Fiteau (1800- 1806) • Colonel Joseph Claude Grézard (1806- 1810) • Colonel Pierre Marie-Auguste Berruyer (1810- 1811)


2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers

''Head of Corp:'' • Colonel Pierre Berruyer (1811- 1814) • Colonel Jean Joannès (1814) • Colonel Jean-Baptiste Sourd (1814- 1815)


Bourbon Restoration


Dragoons of the Garonne

''Colonels:'' • Colonel Jean Baptiste Dubessy (1814- 1815) • Colonel Lignyville (1815- 1816) • Colonel Pùsy (1816- 1822) • Colonel Bergeret (1822- 1825)


3rd Dragoon Regiment

• Colonel Bergeret (1825- 1830) • Colonel Bougainville (1830) • Colonel Desaix (1830- 1831) • Colonel Drémond (1831- 1841) • Colonel Maisonneuvre (1841- 1849)


French Republic


3rd Dragoon Regiment

''Colonels:'' • Colonel Gasten (1849) • Colonel Marion (1850- 1851) • Colonel Estampres (1852- 1861) • Colonel Brauer (1861- 1868) • Colonel Bilhau (1869- 1870) • Colonel Michel-Aloys Ney (1870- 1871) • Colonel Barbut (1873- 1876) • Colonel Barbault (1876) • Colonel Lovencourt (1876- 1882) • Colonel Ouguen (1882) • Colonel Duvivier (1882- 1889) • Colonel Beaumarchais (1889- 1897) • Colonel Seroux (1897- 1903) • Colonel Louvat (1903- 1908) • Colonel Chene (1908- 1909) • Colonel Lechevrel (1909- 1913) • Colonel Schmidt (1914- 1918) • Colonel Motterouge (1918- 1919) • Colonel Chaillou (1919) • Colonel Teillais (1919- 1921) • Colonel Rivain (1921- 1925) • Lieutenant Colonel Baciocchi (1925- 1929)


3rd Dragoon Battalion

''Squadron Leaders:'' • Squadron Leader Ricklin (1929- 1936) • Squadron Leader Renè de Reboul (1936- 1939)


3rd Dragoon Regiment

• Lieutenant Colonel Renè de Reboul (1939- 1940)


Vichy France


3rd Dragoon Division (Armistice Army)

• Colonel Amanrich (1940- 1942)


Liberation of France


3rd Dragoon

• Squadron Leader Audibert Lessan (1942- 1944)


3rd Regiment of Dragoons (Free French)

• Squadron Leader Segonzac (1944- 1945)


5th French Republic


3rd Dragoon Regiment

''Lieutenant Colonels:'' • Lieutenant Colonel Royer (1976- 1977) • Lieutenant Colonel Arlabosse (1977- 1979) • Lieutenant Colonel Ernould (1979- 1981) • Lieutenant Colonel Bizet (1981- 1983) • Lieutenant Colonel Vergé (1983- 1985) • Colonel Elie (1985- 1987) • Colonel Lasserre (1987- 1989) • Colonel Le Roy (1989- 1992) • Lieutenant Colonel Péron (1992- 1994) • Lieutenant Colonel Chevallier-Chantepie (1994- 1996) • Colonel Le Bot (1996- 1997) *Regiment disbanded*


Tradition and Uniforms

Motto: 'He burns and he dares.'


Uniforms


Ancien Règime, Uniform of the Bourbon Cavalry (1757- 1791)


Revolutionary Wars, Uniform of the 3rd Dragoon Regiment (1791)


Napoleonic Wars, Uniform of the 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811)


July Monarchy, 3rd Dragoon Regiment


Standards


Ancien Règime, Condè Cavalry, Bourbon Cavalry Regiment (1740- 1791)


Napoleonic Wars, 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1812)

This is the standard of the 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers, given to them in 1812. It has the following words in order: • Ulm • Austerlitz • Jena • Eylau • Friedland In 1815, a new standard was made, now without the imperial seal, but the same still.


1945- Present

After World War II ended, the standard of the 3rd Dragoon Regiment will not gain another title on its list. This is the standard of the regiment starting from 1997.


Decorations


Badges

The badges of the 3rd Dragoon Regiment have changed over time, with the first made before World War II.


Distinguished honors

''The tie is decorated:'' • From the 1914- 18 war cross, two palm leaves, and 4 vermeil stars. • From the Croix de Guerre 1939- 45, one palm leaf • A foddler in the colors of the 1914- 18 war cross


References


Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dragoon, 3rd Dragoon Regiment (France) Regiments of the Bourbon Restoration Regiments of the French First Republic Regiments of the First French Empire Regiments of the July Monarchy Regiments of France in the French Revolutionary Wars 20th-century regiments of France Military units and formations established in 1649 Military units and formations disestablished in 1997 Dragoon regiments of France 1649 establishments in France Regiments of France in World War I Regiments of France in World War II