AUSTRIAN INFANTRY 1798-1815

A Line infantry regiment consisted of 3 battalions, each of 6 companies of 140 men. Each battalion theoretically numbered 1340, but campaign losses mean that this was rarely achieved and sustained.

The regimental grenadiers were normally separated and brigaded into composite grenadier battalions.

Each regiment had a Colonel in Chief, (Inhaber). While he was in charge, the regiment bore his name. This changed when he was replaced, resulting in a certain degree if difficulty in identifying regiments from OBs.

The uniform coat was of white cloth, single breasted with small, plain cuffs and turnbacks. German regiments wore white trousers and black gaiters. Hungarian regiments had pointed cuffs and wore light blue trousers with the outer seam piped in yellow and black braid. These were worn without gaiters and tucked into ankle boots. Waistcoats and equipment belts were white, cartridge box black and the rucksack of brown cowhide.

Regiments were distinguished by distinctive facing colours displayed on the turnbacks, cuffs, collars and edging to shoulder straps.

The crested helmet was introduced in 1798. It was officially replaced by a black shako in 1806, but continued to be worn in numbers until 1809. Hungarian regiments were issued with the shako in advance of the German units.

Officers normally wore a grey coat, (‘uberrock’) on campaign. A gold/black waist sash and a gold band on the shako were also distinctions of rank. Grenadiers wore the same uniform as their line counterparts , but replaced the helmet or shako with a distinctive black fur cap. The large front plate was of brass, while the cloth rear was normally of facing colour laced white. Drummers wore the same uniform with the distinctions of ‘swallows nests’ in regimental facing on the shoulders. Drums were brass with striped black and yellow drum hoops.

Equipment belts were white. The cartridge box was of black leather. The rucksack was brown cowhide with a grey greatcoat strapped to the top.

The above illustration shows the single breasted coat common to all Line Infantry. The Helmet was universal issue for all Line infantry from 1792 onwards but was progressively replaced from 1806 onwards. The Grenadier bonnet was also common to both German and Hungarian regiments.

>>>German Regiments>>>

>>>Hungarian Regiments>>>

>>>Light Infantry Regiments>>>