Does this statue of a proud horse and rider resonate with you? This is the Kriegsdenkmal Reiterregiment 13. It stands as a solemn reminder of the Reiterregiment 13’s history.
Formed in 1920 within Wehrkreis VI, the regiment was assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Division. Its foundation rested on the Reich War Ministry’s directives of February 23, 1920. The Reichswehr Ministry officially recognized December 18, 1919, as the regiment’s founding day.
Initially, the Reiterregiment 13 comprised five squadrons. These squadrons were drawn from esteemed regiments of the former Prussian Army. They included the Husaren-Regiment 17, Ulanen-Regiment 13, and others. Even as the Reichswehr was forming its 100,000-man force, the regiment remained under the 3rd Cavalry Division.
The regimental staff and the first, second, and fifth squadrons were stationed in Hanover. The third and fourth squadrons found their home in Lüneburg. The regiment consisted of four squadrons, a training squadron, and an MG platoon. It lacked any artillery support.
In 1921, the regiment was renamed the 13th Prussian Reiterregiment. It remained part of the 3rd Cavalry Division. That same year, the 5th Squadron became the training squadron. The regiment’s first training exercise at the Sennelager training grounds also occurred in 1921. Here, the soldiers practiced live firing for the first time.
The traditions within the Reiterregiment 13 were distributed among its squadrons. The 1st Squadron carried on the traditions of the 1st Hanoverian King’s Uhlan Regiment No. 13. The 2nd Squadron honored the 1st Hanoverian Dragoon Regiment “King Karl I of Romania” No. 9.
In September 1921, the Reiterregiment 13 returned to its garrisons. Training continued at Sennelager in 1923. In 1925, the regiment trained with the 10th Prussian Reiterregiment at Döberitz. They conducted shooting and regimental exercises.
A cavalry gun platoon was formed in May 1926. Since the regiment still lacked artillery, the gunners trained with wooden replicas. In June 1926, the regiment moved to the Munster training area. Squadron and regimental shooting exercises took place. Brigade exercises followed with the 15th Prussian Reiterregiment.
The lance, a symbol of the cavalry, was retired in autumn 1927. In May 1928, the regiment joined the 7th Cavalry Brigade. Exercises with aircraft and tank mock-ups occurred at the Altengrabow training area. The reconnaissance squadron disbanded in late 1928.
In October 1934, the regiment was renamed Reiterregiment Hannover. This was done to conceal the expansion of the Reichswehr into the Wehrmacht. The regiment was renamed Reiterregiment 13 when the units were unmasked in October 1935.
By July 1936, the Reiterregiment 13 was fully reorganized. It included a regimental staff, four mounted squadrons, and other specialized units. On October 6, 1936, the regiment became Kavallerie-Regiment 13. It was placed under the X. Army Corps. The regiment then occupied the Schlieffen Barracks in Lüneburg.
Further restructuring occurred in autumn 1937. The regiment consisted of two battalions. During the occupation of the Sudetenland, the regiment deployed the 2nd Squadron. The squadron served as a reconnaissance unit with the 30th Infantry Division. It returned to its garrison by October 17, 1938.
At the mobilization for World War II, the Kavallerie-Regiment 13 was disbanded in late August 1939. Its squadrons were dispersed among various reconnaissance detachments. The remaining personnel formed Cavalry Replacement Battalion 13.
The Kriegsdenkmal Reiterregiment 13, erected in 1927, serves as a tangible reminder. It honors the service and sacrifices of the men who served in this storied regiment. May this memorial stand as a testament to their bravery and dedication.