Grand Ducal Berg Miltary Colours (Germany)

Großherzoglich Bergische Militärfahnen

Last modified: 2020-07-03 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: berg(grand duchy) | eagle(golden) | lion(red) | demi-escarbuncle |
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• Infantry 1807 Pattern
• Grand Ducal Coat of Arms
• Infantry 1809 Pattern

• Nordrhein-Westfalen
• Germany

Infantry 1807 Pattern

The flag was red with a white octagon in centre, charged with the arms of the Grand Duchy, bordered by golden laurel leaves. In each corner was a golden wreath with the number of the regiment inside. Between the corners were golden bundles of flames or thunderbolts. The octagon displayed the coat of arms of the grand duke and had a white scroll above, reading on its three parts: "DIEU/LA GLOIRE ET LES /DAMES" (God the Glory and the Ladies).
The size of the flags was approx. 90cm of width and height. They had a wooden flag pole with a bronce finial shaped like a spearhead. The cavalry standard of the Light Cavalry had the same pattern, but the size was only 60cm.
According to Alan Pendlebury the 1st Infantry Regiment with four bataillons was raised in April 1806 in Düsseldorf. It was extended to six bataillons in October 1806. In August 1808 it was reorganised and split into two regiments and a third regiment was raised in October 1808. It is known that each bataillon of the 1st Regimet was given its own colour, but it is not known, whether the 2nd and 3rd regiment received poper colours. The Light Cavalry received colours in 1807. According to Terence Wise the cavalry standard seems to have gone to Napoli together with some cavalrymen, who accompanied Joachim Murat, when he had been made King of Napoli. The infantry colours wer lost during a campaign in Spain at Figueres.
Sources:
1) Terence Wise: "Flags of the Napoleonic Wars (3)", Osprey Men-at-Arms Series 115, pp.5-7
2) Alan Pendlebury's webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 27 June 2020

Grand Ducal Coat of Arms

Shield parted per pale by a black anchor; at dexter Argent a lion rampant Gules, crowned and armed Azure; at sinister Gules a sinister demi-escarbuncle Or centred Argent couped per pale. The shield in base is surrounded by an order with golden chain and white cross. Behind the shield are two light blue batons in saltire. The shield is topped by a ducal coronet and surrounded by a mantle Gules lined ermine.
Meaning:
The dexter half displays the arms of the former Duchy of Berg, the sinister half those of former Duchy of Kleve. The Order is referring to Murat's title of a Knight of the Legion of Honour, the batons to his titles of a Marshall of France and a Grand Admiral of the Empire.
Source:
German WIKIPEDIA
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 27 June 2020

Infantry 1809 Pattern

After Napoleon I became regent of Kleve-Berg, there had been three infantry regiments, a fourth was raised in 1811. It is not known, whether the light infantry got new standards too. It is believed that the infantry colours were destroyed or lost by crossing the Beresina River in 1812. In 1813 no flags were issued to the newly raised regiments.
The flags were white with a golden bordure. In the centre was a golden Napoleonic Eagle, standing on a golden bunch of thunderbolts and flames. In all corners were golden laurel wreaths, surrounding on top fly and bottom hoist an initial "N" topped by a crown all gold, on top hoist surrounding the regiment's number, on bottom fly surrounding the bataillon's number, all gold. In central chief was a golden crown surrounded by a French shield with bordure of the same. Above the eagle was an embowed golden scroll with inscription "ET NOS/CESARE/DUCE" (and lead us Emperor). Beneath was another embowed golden scroll with inscription "BRIGADE/D' INFANTERIE DE GRAND DUCHE DE/BERG" (Brigade of the Infantry of the Grand Duchy of Berg).
Sources:
1) Terence Wise: "Flags of the Napoleonic Wars (1)", Osprey Men-at-Arms Series 77, plate E image 1
2) Terence Wise: "Flags of the Napoleonic Wars (3)", Osprey Men-at-Arms Series 115, pp.5-7
3) Alan Pendlebury's webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 27 June 2020

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