Guard Hussar Regiment (Denmark)

Guard Hussar Regiment
Gardehusarregimentet
File:Gardehusar.jpg Cap badge of the Guard Hussars
Active	November 18, 1614–present
Country	Denmark
Branch	Royal Danish Army
Type	Cavalry
Role	1st Battalion – Armoured Infantry 2nd Battalion – Armoured Infantry 3rd Battalion – Reconnaissance 4th Battalion – Armoured Infantry 5th Battalion - Basic Training
Size	Five battalions
Part of	Hærens Operative Kommando
Garrison/HQ	I.Bataljon – Slagelse II.Bataljon – Slagelse III.Bataljon – Bornholm IV.Bataljon – Slagelse V.Bataljon – Slagelse
Motto(s)	In Actis Esto Volucris (Be swift in action)
Colors	Red, White and Blue
March	Garderhusarregimentets Signalmarch
Engagements	Thirty Years War Torstenson War Second Nordic War Scanian War Nine Years' War War of the Spanish Succession Great Nordic War Napoleonic Wars First Schleswig War Second Schleswig War Operation Weserübung War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Post-invasion Iraq (2003–2011)
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Tommy M. Paulsen
Ceremonial chief	HM The Queen of Denmark
Notable commanders	Peder Aalborg

The Guard Hussar Regiment (Danish language: Gardehusarregimentet, GHR ) is a special cavalry unit of the Royal Danish Army, the primary tasks of which are to provide mounted escorts and commando forces, and to train the Guard Hussars for various functions in the mobilisation force. The Guard Hussars are one of two active cavalry regiments of the Danish Army, and was formed in 2001 through the amalgamation of the original Guard Hussars with two infantry regiments: Zealand Life Regiment and Danish Life Regiment

History

Although the Guard Hussars themselves date from 10 February 1762, 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, it is also the only hussars in mounted parade uniform to still wear the slung and braided pelisse which was formerly characteristic of this class of cavalry. 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 current ceremonial uniform of the Guard Hussar Regiment dates from 1860.

The motto of the regiment is in Latin: In actis esto volucris, which translates to Be swift in action.

From 1961 to 1972 the regiment was responsible for two armoured battalions, one recon battalion and three infantry battalions. From 1972–2000 the regiment was responsible for one armoured, one mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and two infantry battalions. From 2000–2004 the regiment was responsible for two armoured, two mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and two infantry battalions. From 1992–2004 the regiment also had to form two light Reconnaissance Squadrons assigned to the Brigades.

A Guard Hussar soldier interacts with the local population in Helmand, Afghanistan.

Today the Gardehusarregiment is classed as a cavalry regiment, it is in fact a mixed armoured and infantry unit, with four battalions:

• 1st Battalion – Armoured Infantry (part of 2nd Brigade)
• 2nd Battalion – Armoured Infantry (part of 2nd Brigade)
• 3rd Battalion – Reconnaissance (part of 1st Brigade)
• 4th Battalion – INTOPS Training (in active)
• 5th Battalion – Basic Training (part of 2nd Brigade)

Mounted Squadron

Overview

The Gardehusarregiment also commands a 'Mounted Squadron' (Danish language: Hesteskadronen ). The purpose of the squadron is to provide mounted escorts for the Royal family and carry ceremonial services for the Royal Danish Army. The squadron commands 75 horses, 18 officers and NCOs, and 75-100 conscripts. It furthermore has a saddler, music-teacher, veterinarian and a farrier.

Conscription

The conscripts serve 1 year of service, the longest time for a conscript in Denmark. They will normally have 3–4 months of basic military training, before moving on to stable duty, where they learn basic stable duty, basic horseback riding, escort and show training, and music lessons.

Uniform

File:The Hussar.jpg

A Guard Hussar in mounted parade uniform, including the pelisse (jacket), sabretache (pouch) and shabraque (saddlecloth)

The current ceremonial uniform of the Guard Hussar Regiment dates from 1860. It contains:

• A Pelisse (jacket): The red pelisse had originally been removed from the uniform, but Edward VII donated more than 100 to regiment. It is the only hussar regiment in the world to still use it.
• A sabretache (pouch): In the colors of the regiment, with the royal monogram.
• A shabraque (saddlecloth): In the colors of the regiment, with the royal monogram.
• A Blue Dolman.
• Blue Riding Breeches.
• Bridle: The bridle has cowries woven into it. It was meant to make the horse look like a skeleton, but also to signify wealth.
• A shako with a pompom made of tail hairs