Gardehusarregimentet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gardehusarregimentet (English: Guard Hussar Regiment) is one of two cavalry regiments of the Royal Danish Army. It was formed in 2001 through the amalgamation of the original Guard Hussars with two infantry regiments:

• Sjællandske Livregiment (Zealand Life Regiment)
• Danske Livregiment (Danish Life Regiment)

Although the Guard Hussars themselves date from 1774, 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 hussars in the world still operational. 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 not in Danish but in Latin and it is In actis esto volucris which translates to Be swift in action.

Although the Gardehusarregiment is classed as a cavalry regiment, it is in fact a mixed armour/infantry unit, with seven battalions:

• 1st Battalion - Armoured
• 2nd Battalion - Armoured Infantry
• 3rd Battalion - Reconnaissance
• 4th Battalion - Armoured Infantry
• 5th Battalion - Armoured
• 6th Battalion - Mechanised Infantry
• 7th Battalion - Mechanised Infantry