Swedish Regiments of

the Allotment System -

Infantry (6)

Infantry Regiments:

Swedish name: Livgardet till

fot/Svea livgarde, I1

King Gustav Vasa raised a unit called Garde du Corps (Drabanterna) in 1523. They were lifeguards to the king. The unit were later organized as a regiment and in 1618 they carried the name "The Royal Court Regiment" (Hovregementet) or "The Garde du Corps Regiment" (Drabantregementet). The purpose of this unit changed from a personal lifeguard of the king to an elite unit. During the Thirty-Year War in Europe (1618 - 1648) this regiment was called the Yellow Regiment (Gula regementet) due to the colors of the regiment's uniforms. The major part of the regiment got killed in the battle of Lützen, Germany in 1632. The Swedish King, Gustav II Adolf, was also killed in the battle. In 1649 the regiment carried the name His Majesty's Guard and Life Regiment (Kungliga Maj:ts garde och livregemente) and in 1655 His Majesty's Mounted and Life Guards of Foot (Kungliga Maj:ts livgarde till häst och fot). At the outbreak of The Great Nordic War in 1700 the regiment carried the name "His Majesty's Life Guards of Foot" (Kungliga Maj:ts livgarde till fots). In 1791 they received the name 1st Life Guards (Första livgardet), in 1792 Svea Life Guards (Svea Livgarde ) and in 1806 Life Guards of Foot (Livgardet till fots), 1808 Fleetwood Regiment (Fleetwoodska regementet) and in 1809 once again Svea Life Guards (Svea Livgarde ). During the 16th century there were both the Garde du Corps (Royal Life Gurads) and a "fänika" (old unit of foot soldiers) called The Stockholm "Fänika" (Stockholmsfänikan ) or the 1st "Fänika" (Första fänikan) garrisoned in Stockholm. Both the Garde du Corps and the fänika were enlisted units. The two units, the Garde du Corps and the Stockholm "Fänika", together became a Royal Guard. The history of the Life Guards originates from this Royal Guard. In 1527 it was decided that there were to be a garrison in Stockholm numbering 800 soldiers. In 1523 Stockholm had a population of about 3000. In relation to the population the number of soldier in Stockholm were quite large. A mounted Garde du Corps company wasn't established until 1655 during the regime of King Karl X. At the same time a similar unit was raised in the Swedish provinces of Northern Germany (Pomerania) called His Majesty's Mounted Life Company (Kungliga Maj:ts livCompany till häst). This unit is sometimes referred to as the Horse Guards but shouldn't be mixed with a unit carrying the same name but established in Sweden in the 1770's. Both of these mounted companies established in 1655 were subordinated the commander of the Life Guards of Foot (Livgardet till fot). The companies had 140 respectively 180 horsemen and were each under command of a lieutenant Colonel. Both companies were transferred to the Life Guards of Foot in 1657 and the regiment received the name His Majesty's Mounted and Life Guards of Foot (Kungliga Maj:ts livgarde till häst och fot.). The regiment had three mounted companies. One of these companies was called the Garde du Corps Company (DrabantCompanyet ), another The Mounted Guards (Gardet till häst). These mounted companies were reduced to one company in 1675 and this remaining company received the name His Majesty's Garde du Corps (Kungliga Maj:ts drabantgarde). The company was garrisoned in two towns, Arboga and Köping. King Karl spent a lot of time in Kungsör and both Arboga and Köping are nearby. Stockholm hereby lost mounted units for a long time. In 1699 His Majesty's Garde du Corps received a status of an independent unit and later became the famous and feared Garde du Corps (Drabantkår) of King Karl XII. The Garde du Corps was supposed to be garrisoned in Stockholm in 1700. Barracks were built at Skeppsholmen. However, the outbreak of the Great Nordic War (1700 - 1721) took place before the Corps had time move into the new quarters and both the King and his Corps were never to return to Stockholm. The Life Guards was not an allotted regiment but an enlisted regiment (värvat regemente). Both the officers and the soldiers had cash wages paid by the Crown. The Life Guards was an elite unit and His Majesty's own Guard. They were a well trained and disciplined unit and the officers very skilled. The officers from the Guards were often appointed to the provincial regiments as instructors. Hereby the Life Guards also acted as an officer's training ground before the War Academy was founded. In 1781, King Gustav III issued a new regimental ranking which stated that the officers of the Life Guard of Foot (I1) and the Mounted Life Guard (K1) (at that time called the Light Dragoons) had the right (in all situations) to command officers in other regiments even if those officers had a higher rank. The I1 and the K1 regiments were called Rank Regiments. Even Non Commissioned Officers (NCO) in those two regiments had higher ranks than then NCO:s in other regiments. The Rank Regiments did not have to participate in other assignments than the ones commanded by generals or by officers of the Guards. During the Swedish - Russian war 1808 - 1809, when Sweden had to surrender Finland to Russia, the Life Guards of Foot (I1) was degraded to the lowest rank among the regiments and also lost the right to carry the name Life Guards. The reason was that the King was disappointed with the regiment's efforts during the war. Instead they were given the name "The Fleetwood Regiment" (Fleetwoodska regementet) in 1808. The following year, 1809, the regiment once again retrieved their rightful rank. However the officers of the Life Guard regiments (I1, I2 and K1) only received the same ranks as officers in other regiments. The regiment once again received status as a Guard regiment. However, with the name Svea Life Guards (Svea Livgarde). Until 1940, only officers of noble birth could serve in the Life Guards. The Svea Life Guards wore Bearskin hats (björnskinnsmössor) as a Grenadier Company. Location of the primary Garrison of the Regiment: The Life Guards was an enlisted regiment garrisoned in Stockholm. From 1803 at Fredrikshov, from 1888 Linnégatan 87, from 1947 Sörentorp, Ulriksdal, from 1970 Kungsängen (all of these places are in Stockholm). Training camp: Ladugårdsgärde, Stockholm. Official Regimental Colors of the Life Guards: Yellow. Regimental Motto: Possunt nec posse videntur (De kunna göra det som inte ser ut att kunna göras). Victorious Battle Campaigns (segernamn): • Befrielsekriget 1521 • Rehn 1631 • Lützen 1632 • Warszawa 1656 • Tåget över Bält 1658 • Halmstad 1676 • Lund 1676 • Landskrona 1677 • Narva 1700 • Düna 1701 • Kliszow 1702 • Holovczyn 1708 • Svensksund 1790 King Karl XII were personally the commander of the Life Guards in the battle of Holovczyn in 1708.

Swedish name: Göta livgarde, I2

The origin of the regiment goes back to the following two regiments: • The 2nd Guard Regiment The regiment was established in 1745 as the Hamilton Regiment (Hamiltonska regementet). In 1772 the regiment received the name "the Queen Dowager's Life Regiment" (Änkedrottningens livregemente). The 3rd battalion was separated from the regiment this year and was transferred to the Life Regiment Brigade (Livregementsbrigaden). The battalion received the name "The Enlisted Battalion of the Light Infantry of the Life Regiment Brigade” (Värvade bataljonen av Livregementsbrigadens lätta infanteri). In 1803 the regiment received the name "The Finnish Guard Regiment" (Finska gardesregementet). In 1808 the regiment lost its rights as a Guard regiment and received the name "the af Palén's Regiment" (af Palénska regementet) - see Svea Life Guards above for more information. In 1809 they once again became a Guard Regiment and received the name "the 2nd Guard Regiment". • The Swedish Guard Regiment (Andra gardesregementet) The regiment was established in 1790 as the 2nd Guard Regiment with the soldiers from Sandel's Rifle Corps (Sandels fotjägare ) and Marines from the Grand Admiral's Regiment (Storamiralens regemente). The regiment received the name His Majesty's Göta Guard Regiment (Konungens Göta gardesregemente) and from 1806 Swedish Guard Regiment (Svenska gardesregementet). Disestablished in 1808. The two regiments mentioned above were merged in 1809 and received the name "2nd Guard Regiment (Andra gardesregementet), in 1818 2nd Life Guards (Andra livgardet) and 1894 Göta Life Guards (Göta livgarde). In 1928 the regiment was extended with the Waxholm Grenadier Regiment (Waxholms grenadjärregemente, I26) who formed the first battalion of the Göta Life Gurads. The Göta Life Gurads was disestablished in 1939. However the regiment was reestablished in 1944 but now as an armored (tank) regiment and received the name Göta Armored Life Guards (Göta pansarlivgarde , P1). They were garrisoned in the city of Enköping. In 1963 the name was changed to Göta Life Guards (Göta livgarde). The regiment was disestablished in 1980. Every armored tank regiment in Sweden wears the black beret except for the Göta Life Guards. Location of the primary Garrison of the Regiment: Göta Life Guards was an enlisted regiment garrisoned in Stockholm. From 1809 Stockholm, from 1890 Linnégatan 89. (all of these places are in Stockholm). Training camp: Ladugårdsgärde, later Järvafältet. Location of the primary Garrison of the Göta Armored Life Guards: from 1944 Enköping. The Official Regimental Colors of the Göta Life Guards: Red. Victorious Battle Campaigns (segernamn): • Svensksund 1790

Swedish name: Drabanterna

Garde du Corps was in the 16th century the title of princely lifeguard. During the Swedish Liberation War in the beginning of the 16th century, King Gustav Vasa used a personal lifeguard from the province of Dalarna. Gustav Vasa kept the Life Guard even after he was elected King of Sweden in 1523. The lifeguards was organized into a corps - Garde du Corps (Drabantkår). The duty of the Corps was to act as a personal lifeguard for the King and as a guard of the royal castle. See also "Svea Life Guards" above. In the beginning of the 17th century the Corps carried the name "His Majesty's Garde du Corps" (Kungliga Majestäts Drabanter). In 1699 His Majesty's Garde du Corps received a status of an independent unit and later became the famous and feared Garde du Corps (Drabantkår) of King Karl XII. Every soldier in King XII:s Garde du Corps had the rank of an officer. The Corps numbered about 200 men. The soldiers and officers had all been recommended for bravery in other regiments before they were enrolled in the Corps. The Garde du Corps was an elite unit. Their duty was to protect the King in battle and was under the personal command of the King. Ranks: The commander of the Corps had the title Lieutenant Captain (kaptenlöjtnant) but the rank of a Major General. A Lieutenant in the Corps had the rank of a Colonel, Corporals had the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and vice Corporals the rank of Major in the Life Guards and the private soldiers in the Corps had the rank of a Cavalry Captain in the Mounted Life Guards. The Garde du Corps participated in all of the Royal Army's campaigns during the Great Nordic War (1700 - 1721) until the battle of Poltava in 1709. The Corps were reorganized in 1716 and received the name "His Majesty's Garde du Corps and Life Squadron" (Kunglig Majestäts Drabanter och Livskvadron). The new Corps consisted of the remains of the former Corps (the majority of the Corps were lost at Poltava in 1709) plus specially chosen cavalrymen from the cavalry regiments. The Garde du Corps was disestablished in 1718 when the King Karl XII got killed. In 1721 a new Garde du Corps was established and was given the name "Life Garde du Corps" (Livdrabantkåren) and had the duty of a Palace Guard. The majority of the officers and the non- commissioned officers were of noble birth. The Life Garde du Corps was disestablished in 1821.

Swedish name: Jämtlands

fältjägarregemente I23/I5

The regiment was first established in 1646 as the Ångermanland, Medelpad and Jämtland Regiment. The regiment was also called Thomas Gerfflet's regiment. The regiment was linked to the Allotment System in 1689. The regiment's history goes back to the "fänikor" that was raised in the region of Norrland in the 1550's. King Gustav II Adolf formed a "landsregemente" - a Grand Regiment, from these Norrland "fänikor" in 1615. This Grand Regiment was called The Norrland Grand Regiment (Norrlands storregemente) and numbered 3000 soldiers. In 1623 the Grand Norrland Regiment was divided into two independent regiments, Hälsinge Regiment and Västerbotten Regiment. The Hälsinge Regiment's "rotar" were located in southern Norrland and the Västerbotten Regiment's "rotar" in northern Norrland. The "rotar" in the provinces of Medelpad and Ångermanland (in mid Norrland) belonged to the Västerbotten Regiment. In 1646 the Västerbotten Regiment's "rotar" in the provinces of Medelpad and Ångermanland were transferred to the new regiment; The Ångermanland, Medelpad and Jämtland Regiment. However in 1661 the "rotar" in Medelpad and Ångermanland was transferred to the Navy (båtsmanshållet). Prior to 1645 the province of Jämtland belonged to Denmark. Now being Swedish territory, a regiment was established in Jämtland the following year. However the soldiers were at that time recruited from other provinces. The former Danish subjects wasn't yet trusted to serve in the regiment. "Rotar" wasn't established in Jämtland until 1680. In 1670 the Ångermanland, Medelpad and Jämtland Regiment was consolidated with the new Jämtland Infantry Regiment (Jämtlands regemente till fots). In 1689 when the regiment was linked to the Allotment System the regiment received the name Jämtland Dragon Regiment (Jämtlands dragonregemente). However, this regiment wasn't mounted except for a cavalry company. This company became known as the Jämtland Mounted Rifle Company (Jämtlands hästjägarCompany). However, about a fifth of the dragon regiment (200 soldiers) was actually mounted between 1700 and 1712. In 1770 the name of the regiment was changed to Jämtland Infantry Regiment (Jämtlands infanteriregemente) and in 1820 to Jämtland Rifle Regiment (Jämtlands fältjägarregemente). Between 1853 and 1892 the regiment was reduced to a corps and carried the name the Jämtland Rifle Corps with 525 soldiers organized into 4 companies (1 battalion). The Jämtland Rifle Regiment was allotted with 1048 "rotar". Hence, the Regiment had 1048 soldiers organized into 8 companies. The regiment's "rotar" were located within the province of Jämtland. Names of the Companies making up the Regiment in 1682: The Life Company, The Lieutenant Colonel's Company, The Major's Company, Brunflo Company, Hallens Company, Revsunds Company, Ovikens Company och Bergs Company. Uniform before the standard uniform: Grey coat with green cuffs (1675) and blue coat with yellow cuffs (1683). The regiment received the standard uniform (the blue and yellow Carolean uniform) in 1709. Location of the primary Garrison of the Regiment: From 1910, Östersund. Training camp: From 1682 Frösön. The Official Regimental Colors: Blue Regimental Motto: För Sveriges ära, för Sveriges makt, över berg, över dal, skallar Jämtlands jakt. Companies 1843: 1. Life Company 2. Bergs Company 3. Revsunds Company 4. Hammerdals Company Victorious Battle Campaigns (Segernamn): • Nowodwor 1655

Swedish name: Norrbottens

regemente, I19

The Västerbotten Regiment (Västerbottens regemente) was divided into two corps in 1841; Västerbotten Rifle Corps (Västerbottens fältjägarkår) respectively Norrbotten Rifle Corps (Norrbottens fältjägarkår). In 1892 the Norrbotten Rifle Corps was reorganized into a regiment and received the name Norrbotten Rifle Regiment (Norrbottens fältjägarregemente). In 1910 the regiment was extended with a ski battalion. This battalion was in 1943 quartered in the city of Kiruna in the province of Lappland. As an outcome of the experiences of the ski battalion the Army Ranger School (Arméns Jägarskola) was founded in 1945 in Kiruna. The Ranger School was in 1975 converted into the Lappland Ranger Regiment (Lapplands Jägarregemente, I22). In 1841 the Norrbotten Rifle Regiment was allotted with 483 "rotar". Hence, the Regiment had 483 soldiers organized into 4 companies. Names of the Companies making up the Regiment in 1841: The Life Company, Piteå Company, Kalix Company and Räneå Company. Location of the primary Garrison of the Regiment: From 1907, Boden. Training camp: In the beginning at Piteholms hed, Piteå and Näsby hed, Kalix. From 1883 the Notvikens campsite, Luleå. The Official Regimental Colors: Blue and white Regimental Motto: De hafwa aldrig wikit, eller för egen dehl tappadt Companies 1841: 1. Life Company 2. Piteå Company 3. Kalix Company 4. Räneå Company Victorious Battle Campaigns (Segernamn): • Landskrona 1677 • Düna 1701 • Kliszow 1702 • Fraustadt 1706 • Malatitze 1708 • Strömstad 1717

Swedish name: Västernorrlands

regemente, I21

The Västernorrland Conscript Battalion (Västernorrlands beväringsbataljon, I29) was established in 1854. The purpose of the battalion was to train the conscript soldiers (beväringen) in the county of Västernorrland. The conscripts of the county of Västernorrland (provinces of Medelpad and Ångermanland) had prior to 1854 been trained at the Jämtland Rifle regiment. The officers in the new battalion were still employed by the Jämtland Rifle Regiment. Hereby the Västernorrland regiment has a connection to the "fänikor" raised in the region of Norrland during the 1550's. King Gustav II Adolf formed a "landsregemente" - a Grand Regiment, from these Norrland "fänikor" in 1615. This grand regiment was called The Norrland Grand Regiment (Norrlands storregemente) and numbered 3000 soldiers. In 1623 the Grand Norrland Regiment was divided into two independent regiments, The Hälsinge Regiment and The Västerbotten Regiment. The Hälsinge Regiment's "rotar" were located in southern Norrland and the Västerbotten Regiment's "rotar" in northern Norrland. The "rotar" in the provinces of Medelpad and Ångermanland (in mid Norrland) belonged to the Västerbotten Regiment. In 1646 the Västerbotten Regiment's "rotar" located in the provinces of Medelpad and Ångermanland were transferred to the new regiment; The Ångermanland, Medelpad and Jämtland Regiment. However in 1661 the "rotar" in Medelpad and Ångermanland were transferred to the Navy (båtsmanshållet). See also the history of the Jämtland Rifle Regiment. Now, in 1854, the Army returned to the county of Västernorrland when the Conscript Battalion was established in the county. In 1887 the battalion received the name Västernorrland Battalion (Västernorrlands bataljon). In 1893 the battalion was converted into a regiment with the name Västernorrland Regiment (Västernorrlands regemente, I29). Between 1902 and 1928 the regiment carried the unit code I28 and from 1928 I21. Location of the primary Garrison of the Regiment: From 1911, Sollefteå. Training camp: From 1837 Viksmon, between 1848 and1898 Sånga mo, from 1898 Sollefteå läger. The Official Regimental Colors: Green and white Regimental Motto: För ditt land, Din hembygd, Ditt regemente.

Swedish name: Norra skånska

infanteriregementet, I6

In 1811 two new regiments were established in the province of Skåne. One of the regiments received the name North Scanian Infantry Regiment (Norra Skånska Infanteriregementet, I24). The regiment was disestablished in 1994. The first commander was the well-known General George Carl von Döbeln. In 1927 the regiment received the code I6. In 1963 the infantry regiment was converted into an armored (tank) regiment and received the name North Scanian Regiment (Norra skånska regementet, P6). The North Scanian Infantry Regiment was allotted with 522 "rotar" in the county of Kristianstad and 463 "rotar" in the county of Malmö (both in the province of Skåne). Hence, the Regiment had 985 soldiers organized into 8 companies. Location of the primary Garrison of the Regiment: From 1923, Kristianstad. Training camp: From 1812 Kvidinge hed, 1817 Bonarps hed, from 1821 Ljungbyhed The Official Regimental Colors: Yellow and purple Regimental Motto: Ära, skyldighet, vilja. Commemoration Day: September 13 (in memory of General von Döbeln's victory at Jutas, Finland in the Swedish-Russian war 1808-1809) Companies 1854: 1. Life Company 2. Frosta Company 3. Västra Göinge Company 4. Gärds Company 5. Norra Åsbo Company 6. Rönnebergs Company 7. Luggude Company 8. Onsjö Company

Swedish name: Södra skånska

infateriregementet, I7

In 1811 two new regiments were established in the province of Skåne. One of the regiments received the name South Scanian Infantry Regiment (Södra Skånska Infanteriregementet, I25). The regiment was disestablished in 1994. The first commander was Gustav Fredrik Reutercrona. In 1927 the regiment received the code I7. The regiment was motorized in 1942 and in 1949 the regiment was reorganized into armored infantry with the same name. In 1963 the infantry regiment was converted into an armored (tank) regiment and received the name South Scanian Regiment (Södra skånska regementet, P7). The South Scanian Infantry Regiment was allotted with 206 "rotar" in the county of Kristianstad and 769 "rotar" in the county of Malmö (both in the province of Skåne). Hence, the Regiment had 975 soldiers organized into 8 companies. Location of the primary Garrison of the Regiment: From 1928, Ystad. Training camp: From 1812 Veberöd, Lund, 1823 Tvedröra (Revinge), 1827 Lund, 1841 Malmö, 1870 Lund, from 1888 Revinge hed The Official Regimental Colors: Red and yellow Regimental Motto: Slå snabbt - slå hårt. Companies 1854: 1. Life Company 2. Torna Company 3. Skytts Company 4. Vemmenhögs Company 5. Herresta Company 6. Färs Company 7. Ingelsta Company 8. Albo Company

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• The Allotment System • Swedish Wars • The Navy & the Army Fleet • Swedish Military Unit Designations • Swedish Military Branch and Unit Insignias • Uniforms of the Swedish Army • Source References Top of page Infantry Regiments, page: -1- -2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7-