Imperial German Army Uniforms 1900-14

	Hessian Infantry 115th-118th and 168th Regiments

	Of the 217 infantry regiments in the Imperial German Army in 1914, five were formed from the Grand Duchy of Hessen. In the early 19th Century the Central South Western German state was known as Hessen-Darmstadt after its capital, to avoid confusion with the Electorate of Hessen-Cassel and the Landgraviate of Hessen-Homburg. Both the latter states were annexed by Prussia in 1866 and Hessen-Darmstadt was officially re-titled Hessen und bei Rhein but was often still referred to as Hessen-Darmstadt or simply the Grand Duchy of Hessen. The Grand-Duchy of Hessen had its origins in the Landgraviate of Hesse under Philip the Magnanimous. When he died in 1567 he left the Hessian lands separately to his four sons. Hesse-Darmstadt was the inheritance of his fourth son, Georg I. The oldest Hessen-Darmstadt Regiments traced their history back to the 17th Century. Since then they had fought in the Thirty Years War, the War of Spanish Succession, the Seven Years War, the War of American Independence (where they served as mercenaries hired by the British) and the French Revolutionary Wars. Hessen-Darmstadt joined the Confederation of the Rhine and was promoted to a Grand Duchy in 1806. They fought as Napoleon's allies until after the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 then fought against the French on the allied invasion of France. Hessian troops fought alongside the Prussians in 1848-49 in the First Schleswig War and the Revolution in Baden. But Hessen-Darmstadt sided with Austria and Bavaria in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and was defeated by Prussians at the Battles of Frohnhofen and Gerchsheim. After the war, the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt retained its independence but in 1867 signed a military convention with Prussia whereby its army was incorporated into the Prussian system, the infantry taking the regimental numbers 115-118 as the 25th Division. The other two Hessian states were annexed by Prussia and their armies fully incorporated into the Prussian army. The Hesse-Cassel infantry became the 80th-83rd Prussian Electoral Hessian regiments. The Hesse-Homburg infantry made up part of the 87th Prussian Nassau Regiment. The Grand Ducal Hessian army, as the 25th German Division, fought alongside Prussia and the other German states in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. In 1899 the division was incorporated into the XVIII Army Corps. The Hessian Division served on the Western Front in the First World War.




115th Grand Ducal Hessian Life Guard Infantry Leibgarde-Infanterie-Regt. (1. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr.115	116th Grand Ducal Hessian Infantry Infanterie-Regt. Kaiser Wilhelm (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr.116	117th Grand Ducal Hessian Life Infantry Infanterie-Leib Regt. Großherzogin (3. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr.117	118th Grand Ducal Hessian Infantry Infanterie-Regt. Prinz Carl (4. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr.118	168th Grand Ducal Hessian Infantry 5. Großherzoglich-Hessisches Infanterie-Regt. Nr.168

Notes on the Hessian Infantry Regiments and their Uniforms

The uniforms of the Hessian army were similar to those of the Prussian army prior to 1867 (dark blue tunic with pointed cuffs and a tall Pickelhaube). From 1867 they wore Prussian uniforms with Hessian insignia, white metal buttons and a notably different Pickelhaube design.

The Hessian Pickelhaube had a hexagonal fluted spike, cruciform spike base and rounded chinscales. The Lion of Hesse between laurel and oak leaves was the front plate with a Hessian cockade on the left side. The Hessian Pickelhaube cockade was white with two stripes of red.
Hessian Colours (white/red) were also used on insignia such as cockades on field caps, trumpet cords, marksmanship lanyards, one-year-volunteer shoulder straps, officers' belts and on other uniform items when the Prussian army had black and white.
The Hessian Lion also replaced the Prussian Eagle or Crown on NCO collar buttons and other insignia while the other ranks belt buckle bore the Grand Ducal crown.

115th Life-Guard Infantry Regiment (1st Grand Ducal Hessian)
The Leibgarde-Infanterie-Regt. (1. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr.115 was originally formed on 1st March 1621 as the Kompanie Dreßler.and therefore had the honour of being the oldest regiment in the German army. In 1630 they became the Fürstliche Leib-Kompanie.

The unit fought in almost every European war of the 17th and 18th Centuries- the Thirty Years War 1616-48, the Franco-Dutch War 1677-78, the War of the League of Augsburg 1689-96, the War of Spanish Succession 1702-13, the War of Polish Succession 1734-35, the War of Austrian Succession 1747-49, the Seven Years War 1756-63, the American War of Independence 1776-83 and the French Revolutionary Wars 1792-99.

Hesse-Darmstadt allied with France in the Confederation of the Rhine and the regiment fought against Prussia in 1806-07, against Austria in 1809, against Britain in the Peninsular Campaign 1809-12, against Russia in the Invasion of Russia in 1812 and against the Sixth Coalition at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. After the Battle of Leipzig they fought against the French during the Allied Invasion of France in 1814-15.

In 1848-49 the regiment was deployed to fight revolutionaries in Baden, while at the same time the IV Btn fought against Denmark in the First Schleswig War. In the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the regiment fought the Prussians at Frohnhofen and Gerchsheim. In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 the regiment fought at the Battles of Mars-la-Tour and Gravelotte-St.Privat.

In 1914 the regiment was garrisoned at Darmstadt as part of the 25th Hessian Division of the XVIII Army Corps. During the First World War they served with the rest of the Hessian Division on the Western Front, seeing action at the Battles of the Marne, Verdun and the Somme.

Uniform Distinctions
Helmet Plate:	From 1897 a white metal Hessian Lion with laurel and oak leaves on either side. A scroll above the lion bore the date of the regiment's formation, 1621 and on the lion's chest was the Star of the Order of Ludwig with the motto "GOTT EHRE VATERLAND", or God, Honour (and) Fatherland. Officers had an enamelled centre to the star and a yellow metal ring around it. Prior to 1897 the same helmet plate had been worn in yellow metal.
State Cockade:	Hessian (white/red/white) with a double red stripe on the Pickelhaube cockade
Parade Plume:	Black
Capband and piping:	Red
Tunic Buttons:	White metal
Shoulder Straps:	Red with a white crowned L monogram for Grand Duke Ludwig VI of Hessen was worn until 1909, then EL for Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig.
Collar:	Red piped along the upper edge in dark blue with white single Litzen
Cuffs:	Brandenburg style in red with white Litzen
Other Distinctions:	The company number on the shoulder strap button for the 1st Life-Company (Großherzogs Leibkompanie) was replaced by the letter L.

116th Infantry Regiment "Emperor Wilhelm" (2nd Grand Ducal Hessian)
The Infanterie-Regt. Kaiser Wilhelm (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr.116 was formed on 17th June 1813 as the Garde-Füsilier Regiment being named the 2. Garde Regiment in 1820. They originally fought for Napoleon in the War of Liberation including the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, then against the French during the Allied Invasion of France in 1813-14.

In the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the regiment fought the Prussians at Frohnhofen and Gerchsheim. In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 the regiment fought alongside the Prussians at the Battles of Mars la Tour and Gravelotte-St.Privat and the Siege of Metz.

In 1914 the regiment was garrisoned at Gießen as part of the 25th Hessian Division of the XVIII Army Corps. During the First World War they served with the rest of the Hessian Division on the Western Front.

Uniform Distinctions
Helmet Plate:	Yellow metal Hessian Lion with laurel and oak leaves on either side
State Cockade:	Hessian (white/red/white) with a double red stripe on the Pickelhaube cockade
Parade Plume:	Black
Capband and piping:	Red
Tunic Buttons:	White metal
Shoulder Straps:	White with a red crowned W II monogram for Kaiser Wilhelm II
Collar:	Red piped along the upper edge in dark blue
Cuffs:	Brandenburg style in red with vertical panel in white

117th Life Infantry Regiment "Grand Duchess" (3rd Grand Ducal Hessian)
The Infanterie-Leib Regt. Großherzogin (3. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr.117 was originally formed on 10th June 1697 as the Kreis-Regiment. They saw action in the war of Spanish Succession, the Seven Years War (including the Battle of Rossbach), the American War of Independence 1776-83 and the French Revolutionary Wars 1792-99.

In 1806 they were awarded the tile Leib-Regiment and formed part of Hesse-Darmstadt's contingent in the Confederation of the Rhine. Allied with France, the regiment fought against Prussia in 1806-07, against Austria in 1809, against Britain in the Peninsular Campaign 1809-12, against Russia in the Invasion of Russia in 1812 and against the Sixth Coalition at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. After the Battle of Leipzig they fought against the French during the Allied Invasion of France in 1814-15.

In the Austro-Prussian War they fought the Prussians at the Battle of Frohnhofen. In the Franco-Prussian War they fought the French at the Battle of Gravelotte-St.Privat.

The Füsilier Battalion of the 117th Regiment was formed on 1 January 1872 with personnel from the other Grand Ducal Hessian Infantry Regiments and the former Großherzoglich Hessisches Pionierkompanie (which became the 117th Regiment's 9th Company). Consequently from this date onwards 9. Kompanie of the 117th wore the Pioneers' anchor, axe and pick device on the helmet plate.

In 1897 Grand Duchess Victoria Melitta, wife of Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hessen was given the title of Colonel in Chief. This title was withdrawn in 1902, the year after the couple's divorce. Instead from that year, the regiment was awarded the title Großherzogin in memory of Grand Duchess Alice of Hessen (1843-78), daughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, husband of Grand Duke Ludwig IV of Hessen and mother of the reigning Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig.

In 1914 the regiment was garrisoned at Mainz as part of the 25th Hessian Division of the XVIII Army Corps. During the First World War they served with the rest of the Hessian Division on the Western Front, seeing action at the Battles of the Marne and Verdun.

Uniform Distinctions
Helmet Plate:	Yellow metal Hessian Lion with laurel and oak leaves on either side. From 1897 a scroll was added across the leaves reading 1697 on the right side and 1897 on the left. The 9th Company had a small white metal anchor and crossed axe and pick badge on the front of the lion.
State Cockade:	Hessian (white/red/white) with a double red stripe on the Pickelhaube cockade
Parade Plume:	Black
Capband and piping:	Red
Tunic Buttons:	White metal
Shoulder Straps:	Prior to 1897, blue with a red number 117. From 1897, blue with a red crowned VM for Grand Duchess Victoria Melitta. From 1902, blue with a red crowned A monogram for Grand Duchess Alice.
Collar:	Red piped along the upper edge in dark blue
Cuffs:	Brandenburg style in red with vertical panel in blue

118th Infantry Regiment "Prince Carl" (4th Grand Ducal Hessian)
The Infanterie-Regt. Prinz Carl (4. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr.118 was formed on 23rd January 1791 as the Regiment Erbprinz and first saw action against France during the Revolutionary War. Along with the rest of the Hessian Contingent of the Confederation of the Rhine they fought as France's allies up until 1813 when they invaded France with the Sixth Coalition.

In 1836 they took the title "Prinz Carl" after their new colonel in chief, Prince Carl of Hessen (1809-77), father of the later Grand Duke Ludwig IV, and retained the title in memory after his death. They were deployed for the Schleswig-Holstein War against Denmark in 1848 but saw no action. Later that year they also served against the Revolutionaries in Baden 1848. During the Austro-Prussian War they clashed with the Prussian army at the Battles of Frohnhofen and Gerchsheim. They also served alongside other Hessian regiments in the Franco-Prussian War.

In 1914 the regiment was garrisoned at Worms as part of the 25th Hessian Division of the XVIII Army Corps. During the First World War they served with the rest of the Hessian Division on the Western Front, seeing action at the Battles of the Marne, Verdun and Vimy Ridge.

Uniform Distinctions
Helmet Plate:	Yellow metal Hessian Lion with laurel and oak leaves on either side
State Cockade:	Hessian (white/red/white) with a double red stripe on the Pickelhaube cockade
Parade Plume:	None
Capband and piping:	Red
Tunic Buttons:	White metal
Shoulder Straps:	Yellow with a red number 118
Collar:	Red piped along the upper edge in dark blue
Cuffs:	Brandenburg style in red with vertical panel in yellow

168th Infantry Regiment (5th Grand Ducal Hessian)
The 5. Großherzoglich-Hessisches Infanterie-Regt. Nr.168 was formed on 31st March 1897. In 1914 the regiment's headquarters and II Btn were garrisoned at Offenbach-am-Main, with the I Btn at Butzbach and the III Btn at Friedberg as part of the 25th Hessian Division of the XVIII Army Corps. During the First World War they served with the rest of the Hessian Division on the Western Front, seeing action at the Battles of the Marne, the Somme and Cambrai.

Uniform Distinctions
Helmet Plate:	Yellow metal Hessian Lion with laurel and oak leaves on either side
State Cockade:	Hessian (white/red/white) with a double red stripe on the Pickelhaube cockade
Parade Plume:	None
Capband and piping:	Red
Tunic Buttons:	White metal
Shoulder Straps:	Red with a yellow number 168
Collar:	Red piped along the upper edge in dark blue
Cuffs:	Brandenburg style in red with vertical panel in red

Websites and Online Sources
Kaiser's Bunker
Pickelhaubes Forum (see Hessian Pickelhaubes Article and 117th Life Guard Infantry Pickelhaubes Article)
Genealogy.de Der Alten Armee

Recommended Reading
"Imperial German Headgear 1888-1914 Field Guide" JD Turinetti & A O'Connor (Kaiser Helmets)

Pre-1867 Hessian Pickelhaube
Note the taller shape, typical of the period, and the lack of laurel and oak leaves around the Lion emblem.
Photo by C Dale at the Military Museum, Rastatt

Musician from the 115th Life-Guard Infantry
Note the regiment's collar and cuff Litzen and the Musicians Swallows Nests on the shoulder.
Photo © Joe Robinson

Other Ranks Pickelhaube for the
115th Life-Guard Infantry
Note the fluted spike, cruciform spike base and 1621 scroll above the lion with a Star of the Order of Ludwig on its chest
Photo by C Dale at the Bavarian Army Museum, Ingolstadt

Shoulder Straps of the 115th Life-Guard Infantry
The strap on the left was worn until 1909, the one on the right was worn from then onwards.
Photo by C Dale at the Military Museum, Rastatt

Other Ranks Pickelhaube for the
115th Life-Infantry
Note the fluted spike, cruciform spike base and 1697-1897 scrolls on either side of the lion.
Photo © KVB Collection,
originally shown on the Pickelhaubes Forum

One-Year Volunteer Shoulder Straps
On the left from the 116th Infantry and on the right from the 117th Infantry 1897-1902.
Photo by C Dale at the Military Museum, Rastatt

Officers Pickelhaube for the
115th Life-Guard Infantry
Note the enamelled centre to the star and a yellow metal ring around it
Photo by C Dale at the Army Museum, Brussels

	www.ImperialGermanUniforms.co.uk website illustrations and text by C Dale © 2012