Régiment de Royal-Allemand

The Régiment de Royal-Allemand cavalry was a regiment in the French Royal army, composed of German-speakers (both French-born and immigrants from German states). In 1791 it became the "15e régiment de cavalerie" (15th Cavalry Regiment), and in 1792 it was disbanded.

Between its establishment under Louis XIV in 1672 and 1760, the Royal-Allemande saw extensive active service in Flanders and various German states It was subsequently employed in garrison duties.

In June 1789 the Royal-Allemand was one of the regiments of the Royal Army summoned to Paris to suppress the growing disturbances in the city, that preceded the outbreak of the French Revolution. About half of this force was made up of Swiss and German mercenaries who were considered more dependable in a time of civil unrest than the rank and file of the French regular regiments.

While the Royal-Allemand was recruited within the borders of France, its German speaking troopers proved willing to act against the Paris population when ordered. On 12 July 1789, the regiment under the command of Charles Eugene charged a crowd of demonstrators in the Tuileries Garden killing one and injuring others. A detachment of the French Guards, who formed the permanent garrison of Paris and had strong local ties, then fired on the cavalrymen of the Royal-Allemand. The regiment was subsequently withdrawn from Paris and returned to its frontier garrison. While desertions from both French and foreign regiments were running at a high rate during the revolutionary disorders of 1789, the Royal-Allemand lost only three men during this period. In part this appears to have because of the widespread hostility that developed towards this unit following its clashes with civilians in Paris on 12 July.

After the overthrow of Louis XVI in August 1792, the bulk of the regiment, led by its officers, defected and took service with the army of royalist emigres being raised by the Prince de Condé at Coblenz. The remnants of the Royal-Allemand fought in the Battle of Aldenhoven beside the Austrian Army, before being finally disbanded.

General Jabłonowski served as Lieutenant in the regiment before losing his commission after failing to return from leave.

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Wikipedia