Guides Regiment
The 1st Guides Regiment (French: 1e Régiment des Guides, Dutch: 1e Regiment Gidsen) was an armoured regiment of the Belgian Army. Previously amalgamated with the 1st Regiment Chasseurs à cheval (2004), in 2011 the regiment was amalgamated with 2/4 Regiment of Chasseurs à cheval to form the "Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance (ISTAR) battalion of the Chasseurs à cheval".
Cavalry regiment
The two historic Guides regiments of the Belgian Army were created respectively in 1833 and 1874. They formed part of the light cavalry and came to correspond to the Guard cavalry of other nations, providing mounted escorts for the monarchy prior to World War I. Both regiments were mechanized in October 1937, subsequently forming armored battalions in the post-war Belgian Army.
Amalgamations
The modern regiment was formed in 1994 by the amalgamation of the (Francophone) 1er Régiment des Guides and the (Dutch-speaking) 2de Regiment Gidsen, following a reorganization of the army. The amalgamation saw both regiments withdrawn as operational units, with the name of the new unit, together with the combined battle honours of its antecedents, assigned to the Cavalry Training School (L’école de cavalerie/Pantsercavalerieschool). In addition to this role, the regiment had a reserve role as an armoured regiment, attached to 17th Mechanised Brigade, which was Belgium's main force stationed in Germany. This role ended in 2002.
The following year, the regiment was reduced to a single squadron and reactivated as an operational unit. The Eskadron Gidsen was formed as a reconnaissance unit to be attached to the army's Para-Commando Brigade, replacing 3 Regiment Lanciers-Parachutisten. In 2004, the squadron was merged with the 1st Regiment Jagers the Paard, under the combined regimental title of 1ste Regiment Jagers te Paard/Gidsen.
In 2011 the regiment was again amalgamated with 2/4 Regiment to form the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance' (ISTAR) battalion of the Chasseurs à cheval".
Battle Honours
- Halen/Haelen, Charge of Burkel, Antwerpen/Anvers, Maldegem, Gete/Gette, Winterbeek, Zelzate, Campagne 1914–1918
Uniform
The two Guides regiments of the Belgian Army wore distinctive uniforms comprising a plumed busby, green dolman braided in yellow, and crimson breeches until the early stages of World War I. A modernized green and crimson uniform was introduced for officers' ceremonial dress in the 1930s and continues to be worn by the Guides band and orchestra.
Band and Orchestra
Forming part of the modern regiment is the military band of the Guides. It includes a Corps of Trumpeters numbering 23 players. The band was founded in 1832 from that of the 1st Line Regiment, on the orders of Leopold I of Belgium. Under the title of Musique Particulière du Roi the band subsequently played at numerous royal occasions. During the period between the two World Wars, the Band of the Guides achieved an international reputation. The orchestra now consists of 85 professional musicians, all winners of first prizes from a musical conservatory.
