Pavlovsky Life Guards Regiment

Pavlovsky Guard Regiment () was a Russian Imperial Guard infantry regiment. It was formed out of two battalions of the Moscow Grenadiers on November 19, 1796. They were given the title of Pavlovsky Life-Guard (: from German , ; from Italian 'guard') on April 13, 1813, for their deeds during the French invasion of Russia.

History

1796–1813

The Pavlovsky Grenadiers were formed from two detached battalions of the Moscow Grenadiers in November 19, 1796. The basis of their formation was the 77th Tengisky infantry regiment who possessed a similar uniform. They were sent as part of the expedition to Holland in 1799. They were sent to Hanover as part of the Hanover Expedition in 1805 and participated in the War of the Fourth Coalition as well. They took part in the Battle of Czarnowo, where they repulsed the second French attack and under the command of Major Palibin and Lieutenant Colonel Lokhov recaptured a height on the Russian left, dislodging the French in hand-to-hand fighting and recapturing a light battery. The battle of Czarnowo is also where the regiment is known to have distinguished themselves in the fighting.

Their participation in the Battle of Eylau included flanking the French under Major Makhov and Captain Panov, utilising a battalion and two companies respectively. They turned back a cavalry charge from Murat's horsemen and captured multiple prisoners, and went on to repulse attacks from Moran, Saint-Illaire and Gudin's divisions.

With the regiment's battalions effectively dispersed across the 3rd Infantry corps under Tuchkov's 1st Western Army and the 32nd infantry division, they fought in numerous battles.

The Battle of Klyastitsy is among their distinguishing moments. Under Captain Kyrlov, the 2nd battalion pursued the dislodged French, who had set fire to the only bridge across the Nischu river. They stormed the bridge regardless and continued a pursuit of the French infantry, routing them off the field at bayonet point.

Their contributions to the Battle of Borodino were made in the fight against V Corps, initially repulsing them from the Utitska village and heavily damaging a French column in the fighting.

On the day of April 13, 1813, they were given the title of Pavlovsky Life-Guard for the courage rendered in the Patriotic war.

Campaigns

;1799–1813
:Napoleonic Wars
;1828–1829
:Russo-Turkish War
;1831
:Polish campaign
;1863–1864
:Polish campaign
;1877–1878
:Russo-Turkish War
;1914–1917
:First World War

Commanders

* Dmitry Neverovsky
* Richard Troyanovich Meves

Memorials

There is a memorial to the Pavlovsky regiment at Borodino's fields.

References

{{Reflist, refs=https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/103072/Memorial-Pavlovsky-Grenadiers.htm, liststyle=circle

Sources

* Gorokhoff, Gerard. ''Russian Imperial Guard''. 2002.
* ''Handbook of the Russian Army 1914'' by the British General Staff. Battery Press reprint edition, 1996.
* Govault, O. X. ''History of the Life-Guard Pavlovsky Regiment.'' 1852.

Russian Imperial Guard
Infantry regiments of the Russian Empire
Saint Petersburg Governorate
Guards regiments of the Russian Empire
Grenadier regiments
February Revolution