2nd Lancers Regiment
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| Regimento de Lanceiros Nº 2 2nd Lancers Regiment |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1834 — current |
| Country | Portugal |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Military police |
| Headquarters | Quartel da Guarda de Corpo na Ajuda, Lisbon |
The 2nd Lancers Regiment (Portuguese: Regimento de Lanceiros Nº 2, RL2) its a unit of the Portuguese Army responsible for the instruction, organization and maintenance of the Polícia do Exército (Army Police) operational units.
[edit] History
The 2nd Lancers Regiment origins dates back to the creation of the Queen's Lancers Regiment, in 1833, by the constitutional Army during the Liberal Wars. The idea for the creation of the regiment came from the observation of the success that resulted from the lancers during the Napoleonic Wars. Since its creation the regiment became an elite unit, responsible for the escort of the royal family, being most of its force composed of aristocratic officers.
Two lancer regiments are created by the 1834 Army organization, the 2nd of which will have the following designations during its history:
- 1834 - 2nd Cavalry Lancers Regiment;
- 1844 - 2nd Cavalry Lancers Regiment of the Queen;
- 1884 - 2nd Cavalry Regiment;
- 1888 - 2nd Cavalry Regiment of Prince D. Carlos;
- 1890 - 2nd Cavalry Lancers Regiment d'El-Rei;
- 1911 - 2nd Cavalry Regiment;
- 1948 - 2nd Lancers Regiment;
- 1975 - Military Police Regiment;
- 1976 - Lisbon Lancers Regiment;
- 1993 - 2nd Lancers Regiment.
Until World War I, the regiment continued to make use of the lance as combat weapon, after the war its use was restricted only as a ceremonial weapon. At the beginning of World War II the unit is modernized and is equipped with armoured cars and light tanks. In 1953, with the creation of the Military Police, the regiment assumes the function of organizing, training and maintaining the forces of this speciality. In 1976]], the speciality is renamed to Army Police.
