“Schlesisches Schützen-Bataillon” – did you know that’s what the Kgl. Preus. 5. Jäger Bataillon was first called? This infantry unit of the Prussian Army existed from 1808 to 1919. Its story is one of transformations battles and finally remembrance.
The Kgl. Preus. 5. Jäger Bataillon began on November 21 1808. It started as the Schlesisches Schützen-Bataillon. King Frederick William III himself ordered its creation. The initial troops came from light infantry companies that had shone during the Fourth Coalition War. Reichenbach in Silesia was its first gathering point on March 8 1809.
Major Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg became a special inspector for the battalion in April 1809. After the wars of liberation the unit was renamed 1. Schützen-Bataillon. This name lasted from 1816 to 1821. The unit then split. The 1st and 2nd Companies formed the 1st Schützen-Abteilung. By 1845 it was known as 5. Jäger-Abteilung. With a third company added in 1848 it became the 5. Jäger-Bataillon.
A further change in 1860 led to the name 1. Schlesisches Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 5. The final renaming occurred in 1889. Kaiser Wilhelm II honored General August Wilhelm von Neumann-Cosel. He renamed the unit Jäger-Bataillon “von Neumann” (1. Schlesisches) Nr. 5. This recognized von Neumann-Cosel’s service.
The Kgl. Preus. 5. Jäger Bataillon was stationed in various locations. These included Liegnitz Brieg Aachen and Breslau. It was in Görlitz from 1830 to 1849. Later it moved to Düsseldorf briefly and then Hirschberg.
The Kgl. Preus. 5. Jäger Bataillon saw action in several major conflicts. It fought against France during the Wars of Liberation. Battles included the Battle of Leipzig and Waterloo. They were under the command of Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher.
The battalion helped suppress the Polish uprising in Posen. They fought in the Badische Revolution. The Kgl. Preus. 5. Jäger Bataillon also participated in the German War.
During the Franco-Prussian War the battalion fought in battles. These included Weißenburg Wörth and Sedan. They also took part in the siege of Paris.
In World War I the Kgl. Preus. 5. Jäger Bataillon mobilized in August 1914. It formed Reserve Jäger Battalions Nr. 5 and Nr. 21. They fought on the Western and Eastern Fronts including the battle of Cambrai.
The Kgl. Preus. 5. Jäger Bataillon’s gear included a black felt shako. It had a Prussian cockade and black and white pompom. The cap was hunter green with red trim. Their uniform was also hunter green with brass buttons and red trim. A black neckerchief a black belt and a black ammunition box completed the look. They were armed with the Potsdam rifle.
Today the Kgl. Preus. 5. Jäger Bataillon serves as a reminder of military history. It stands as a testament to battles fought names changed and a legacy forged.