Gardehusarregimentet
Encyclopedia
The Guard Hussars abbreviated GHR, is a special cavalry unit, the primary task of which is to place mounted escorts and commando forces at the service of the regent, and to train the guard hussars for various functions in the mobilisation force. The Guard Hussars is one of two cavalry regiment
s of the Danish Army, and was formed in 2001 through the amalgamation of the original Guard Hussars with two infantry regiments:
Although the Guard Hussars themselves date from 1762, the Danish Army takes the date of the founding of a regiment from its oldest part, in this case the Zealand Life Regiment, which was founded in 1614. This makes the Guard Hussars the oldest regiment of hussar
s in the world still operational, it is also the only hussars in mounted parade uniform to still wear the slung and braided pelisse
which was formerly characteristic of this class of cavalry. In addition to its operational role, the Guard Hussar Regiment is one of two regiments in the Danish Army (along with the Den Kongelige Livgarde
) to be classed as 'Guards'; in this case, the Guard Hussars perform the same role as the Household Cavalry
do in the British Army
. The ceremonial uniform of the Guard Hussar Regiment dates from 1860.
The motto
of the regiment is in Latin
: In actis esto volucris, which translates to Be swift in action.
From 1961 to 1972 the regiment was responsible for two armoured battalions, one recon battalion and three infantry battalions. From 1972-2000 the regiment was responsible for one armoured, one mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and two infantry battalions. From 2000-2004 the regiment was responsible for two armoured, two mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and two infantry battalions. From 1992-2004 the regiment also had to form two light Reconnaissance Squadrons assigned to the Brigades.
Today the Gardehusarregiment is classed as a cavalry regiment, it is in fact a mixed armoured and infantry unit, with four battalions:
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s of the Danish Army, and was formed in 2001 through the amalgamation of the original Guard Hussars with two infantry regiments:
- Zealand Life RegimentSjællandske LivregimentThe Sjællandske Livregiment was a Danish Army infantry regiment. On January 1, 2001 it was closed and replaced by the Gardehusarregimentet which was moved from Næstved to Slagelse.-History:Sjællandske Livregiment can trace its history back to 1614...
- Danish Life RegimentDanske LivregimentDanske Livregiment was a Danish Army infantry regiment. On January 1, 2001 it was merged, together with Sjællandske Livregiment, into Gardehusarregimentet.-History:...
Although the Guard Hussars themselves date from 1762, the Danish Army takes the date of the founding of a regiment from its oldest part, in this case the Zealand Life Regiment, which was founded in 1614. This makes the Guard Hussars the oldest regiment of hussar
Hussar
Hussar refers to a number of types of light cavalry which originated in Hungary in the 14th century, tracing its roots from Serbian medieval cavalry tradition, brought to Hungary in the course of the Serb migrations, which began in the late 14th century....
s in the world still operational, it is also the only hussars in mounted parade uniform to still wear the slung and braided pelisse
Pelisse
A pelisse was originally a short fur lined or fur trimmed jacket that was usually worn hanging loose over the left shoulder of hussar light cavalry soldiers, ostensibly to prevent sword cuts. It was fastened there using a lanyard...
which was formerly characteristic of this class of cavalry. In addition to its operational role, the Guard Hussar Regiment is one of two regiments in the Danish Army (along with the Den Kongelige Livgarde
Den Kongelige Livgarde
The Royal Life Guards is an infantry regiment of the Danish Army, founded in 1658 by King Frederik III. It serves in two roles: as a front line combat unit, and as a guard/ceremonial unit to the Danish monarchy...
) to be classed as 'Guards'; in this case, the Guard Hussars perform the same role as the Household Cavalry
Household Cavalry
The term Household Cavalry is used across the Commonwealth to describe the cavalry of the Household Divisions, a country’s most elite or historically senior military groupings or those military groupings that provide functions associated directly with the Head of state.Canada's Governor General's...
do in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. The ceremonial uniform of the Guard Hussar Regiment dates from 1860.
The motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
of the regiment is in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
: In actis esto volucris, which translates to Be swift in action.
From 1961 to 1972 the regiment was responsible for two armoured battalions, one recon battalion and three infantry battalions. From 1972-2000 the regiment was responsible for one armoured, one mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and two infantry battalions. From 2000-2004 the regiment was responsible for two armoured, two mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and two infantry battalions. From 1992-2004 the regiment also had to form two light Reconnaissance Squadrons assigned to the Brigades.
Today the Gardehusarregiment is classed as a cavalry regiment, it is in fact a mixed armoured and infantry unit, with four battalions:
- 1st Battalion - Armoured Infantry
- 2nd Battalion - Armoured Infantry
- 3rd Battalion - Reconnaissance
- 4th Battalion - INTOPS Traning
- 5th Battalion - Basic Traning