Pandurs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (June 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Pandurs were a non-linear (irregular) army made out of mainly Croats, whose main objective was to raid behind enemy lines, attack baggage and supply trains, conduct guerrilla warfare, and to fight in extended formations. They were formed in the Habsburg army in the 18th century, but were not deployed in large-scale conflicts (due to their specialized nature). Among their commanders, Franz Freiherr von der Trenck was one of the most famous.

Pandurs also existed in other countries - Tudor Vladimirescu (aprox. 1780 - 1821), the Romanian revolutionary hero, led an army of Pandours in the Wallachian uprising of 1821. They most likely originated in the period of Austrian administration in Oltenia (1716/1718-1739).

There is also an Armoured Fighting Vehicle called Pandur, which is produced by the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug (formerly part of Steyr-Daimler-Puch).

Today the word "pandur" in Croatian, Serbian and simillar languages is a derogatory term for a police officer akin the "cop" in English. During the period of First Serbian Uprising local guards in villages which were only law enforcement were called Pandur.