Swedish Army Regiments

Text Mats Persson


Artillery

It seems like some kind of artillery have been used in Sweden in the ending of the 14:th century. In 1395 "ene grote busse" 'a big gun' was used to protect Stockholm.

In his campaign of 1452 in Skåne, Karl Knutsson used 20 mobile guns against the Danes.

At the battle of Haraker in 1464 the Danish king Christian I - king of the Kalmar Union (the whole Scandinavia) - were trapped in an ambush were Swedish rebellions used some kind of guns hidden in the edge of the wood. The king then yelled:

"Guds död - de skjuta mig till döds"
'By the death of God - they are going to shoot me dead'

In 1537 king Gustav Vasa formed the Swedish artillery. All artillerymen were enlisted - unlike infantrymen that were conscripted. In peace time the Swedish artillery were posted in garrisons.
The first use of this 'field artillery' was in the Russian war of 1555.

Beginning in 1623 Gustav II Adolf created a light artillery which could accompany and support the infantry in the field. After the Thirty Year War (1618-48) the Swedish field artillery were organized in three "Fältstater", one in Stockholm, one in Jönköping and one in Swedish Pomerania (northern Germany).

In 1689 all artillery units in the whole kingdom were organized in one regiment "Kongl. Artilleriregementet". The whole regiment was lost at the battle of Poltava (1709), an had to be reorganized for the defence against the Danish attack of 1710, and for the 1718 (unsuccessful) campaign against Norway.

"Artilleriregementet" was a rather large regiment posted at 40 to 50 different places, so in 1794 it was split in four parts, named after the four major provinces; Svea, Göta, Wendes and Finska Artilleriregementet.

In the beginning of the 19:th century trials were made with Horse Artillery. These units were capable of keeping the same speed as the Cavalry on the battle field and proved to be quite successful during the Napoleon wars of 1806 and 1813, in Pomerania.

In the defeat against Russia in 1809, the Finnish Artillery Regiment was lost.

In 1902 some parts of the Artillery formed the Coastal Artillery "Kustartilleriet".

In 1942 some parts of the Artillery formed the Anti Aircraft Artillery "Luftvärnet".


A table over Swedish artillery units.


 

 

 

Svea Artilleriregemente
A1
1794 - 1994
Linköping
descendant of: (Artilleriregementet (founded in 1689))

 

Göta Artilleriregemente
A2
1794 - 1962
Göteborg
descendant of: (Artilleriregementet (founded in 1689))

 

Wendes Artilleriregemente
A3
1794 -
Kristianstad - 1993, Hässleholm 1994 -
descendant of: (Artilleriregementet (founded in 1689))

 

Finska Artilleriregementet
 
1794 - 1809
? (Finland)
descendant of: (Artilleriregementet (founded in 1689))
lost in 1809

 

Norrlands Artilleriregemente
A4
1893 -
Östersund

 

Upplands Artilleriregemente
A5
1894 - 1927
Uppsala

 

Norrbottens Artillerikår
A5
1928 - 1951
Boden

 

Smålands Artilleriregemente
A6
1895 - 1985
Jönköping

 

Gotlands Artilleriregemente
A4 (1887 - 1892), A7 (1893 - )
1887 -
Visby

 

Vaxholms Artillerikår
A8
1892 - 1901
Vaxholm
descendant of: (Svea Artilleriregemente & Göta Artilleriregemente)
became: Vaxholms kustartilleriregemente KA1 (Coastal Artillery)

 

Bodens Artilleriregemente
A8
1919 -
Boden

 

Bergslagens Artilleriregemente
A9
1943 -
Kristinehamn

Mats Persson 981230
Last modified: December 30, 1998.
 

Artillery

1689 Kungliga Artilleriregementet        
1794 Svea artilleri- regemente A1 Göta artilleri- regemente A2 Wendes artilleri- regemente A3 Finlands artilleri- regemente
1809 Lost in 1809
1887/89 Gotlands artillerikår A4 Vaxholms artillerikår A5
1893/95 Gotlands artillerikår A7 Vaxholms artillerikår A8 Norrlands artilleri- regemente A4 Andra Svea artilleri- regemente A5 Andra Göta artilleri- regemente A6 Karlsborgs artillerikår A9
1901/05 Disbanded in 1902, parts were used to form Boden- Karlsborgs artilleri- regemente A8 Upplands artilleri- regemente A5 Smålands artilleri- regemente A6 Transferred to the Coastal Artillery 1901 as KA1 Boden- Karlsborgs artilleri- regemente A8 Positions- artilleri- regementet A9
1919/20 Bodens artilleri- regemente A8 Karlsborgs artillerikår A10
1927/28 Norrlands artilleri- regemente A4 Norrbottens artillerikår A5 Disbanded in 1927 Karlsborgs artilleri- regemente A9 Disbanded in 1927
1943 Transferred to the Anti-aircraft artillery in 1942 as Lv1 Bergslagens artilleri- regemente A9
1951 Disbanded in 1951
1962 Disbanded in 1962
1975 Gotlands artilleri- regemente A7
1985 Disbanded in 1985
1994 Disbanded in 1994
1998

Mats Persson 981230
Last modified: January 01, 1999.
 

 

 

Swedish Army Regiments


Infantry

In medieval time Swedish kings used both temporary armys of free men, raised and assembled for a special campaign, as well as German mercenaries. Foreign mercenaries were good but expensive and unreliable. Domestic peasants were loyal and tough but badly trained and badly equipped, and they all wanted to get home in time for harvest. The later could actually be an advantige, since they were eager to get home they sometimes tended to be both aggressive and offensive to get the fighting over with. Hired soldiers on the other hand did not mind if the war lasted.

The first Swedish infantry units were called "Fänikor". In the beginning of the 17:th century they were put together in larger units, "Storregementen" or "Landsregementen". Each province or duchy was obligated to raise one Landsregemente in the event of war. In the 1620's king Gustav II Adolf organized the army in smaler "Landskapsregementen".

Grenadjärer (grenadiers) were foot soldiers specialized in using grenades they should be at least 6 foot tall, later it became a honorary title.

Fältjägare or Jägare were formerly lightly armed sharpshooters. They were the first units to get uniforms in neutral colours.


A table over Swedish Infantry units.


 

 

 

Svea Livgarde
I1
1523 -
Stockholm

 

Göta Livgarde
I2 ( - 1939)
1741 - 1939
Stockholm

 

Första Livgrenadjärregementet
I4 ( - 1927)
1791 - 1927
Linköping
descendant of: (Östgöta Infanteriregemente (raised in 1636))
subsequently: (Livgrenadjärregementet)

 

Andra Livgrenadjärregementet
I5 ( - 1927)
1791 - 1927
Linköping
descendant of: (Östgöta Kavalleriregemente (raised in 1636))
subsequently: (Livgrenadjärregementet)

 

Livgrenadjärregementet
I4 (1928 - )
1928 -
Linköping - 1993, Kvarn 1994 -
created by the merger between: (Första Livgrenadjärregementet & Andra Livgrenadjärregementet)

 

Livregementets Grenadjärer
I3 (1893 - 1992)
1893 - 1992
Örebro
created by the merger between: (Livregementets Grenadjärkår (founded in 1791) & Närkes regemente (founded in 1812))

 

Bohusläns regemente
I17
1720 - 1992
Uddevalla
created by the merger between: (Riksänkedrottningens livregemente till häst (founded in 1670) & Bohusläns Dragonbataljon (founded in 1679))

 

Dalregementet
I13
1625 -
Falun

 

Gotlands regemente
I27 ( - 1927), I18 (1928 - 1963), P18 (1963 - )
1887 -
Visby
Armored in 1963
descendant of: (Gotlands nationalbeväring (raised in 1811))

 

Hallands regemente
I16
1902 -
Halmstad ( 1901 - )
descendant of: (Västgötadals regemente (raised in 1624))

 

Hälsinge regemente
I14
1630 - 1994
Gävle

 

Jämtlands Fältjägarregemente
I23 ( - 1927), I5 (1928 - )
1660 -
Östersund
descendant of: (Ångermanlands, Medelpads och Jämtlands regemente (raised in 1646))

 

Jönköpings regemente
I12 ( - 1927)
1623 - 1927
Jönköping
subsequently: (Norra Smålands regemente)

 

Kalmar regemente
I20 ( - 1892), I21 (1893 - 1927)
1623 - 1927
Eksjö
subsequently: (Norra Smålands regemente)

 

Karlskrona Grenadjärregemente
I7 ( - 1927)
1902 - 1927
Karlskrona
created by the merger between: (Smålands Genadjärkår (founded in 1812) & Blekinge bataljon (raised in 1887))

 

Kronobergs regemente
I11
1623 - 1992
Växjö

 

Lapplands Jägarregemente
I22 ( 1975 - )
1975 -
Kiruna
descendant of: (Arméns jägarskola JS (founded in 1945))

 

Norra Skånska regementet
I24 ( - 1928), I6 (1929 - 1963), P6 (1963 - 1994)
1812 - 1994
Kristianstad
Armored in 1963

 

Norra Smålands regemente
I12
1928 -
Eksjö
created by the merger between: (Jönköpings regemente (raised in 1623) & Kalmar regemente (raised in 1623))

 

Norrbottens regemente
I19
1841 -
Boden
descendant of: (Västerbottens regemente (raised in 1624))

 

Närkes regemente
I21 ( - 1892)
(1624) 1812 - 1892
Örebro

 

Skaraborgs regemente
I9 ( - 1942), P4 (1942 - )
1626 -
Skövde

 

Smålands Genadjärkår
I7 ( - 1901)
1812 - 1901
Eksjö
created from the split of: (Smålands Husarregementet K4 (raised in 1543)) in 1812
subsequently: (Karlskrona Grenadjärregemente)

 

Södermanlands regemente
I10 ( - 1942), P3 (1942 - 1957), I10 (1957 - 1963), P10 (1963 - )
1627 -
Strängnäs
Armored in 1963

 

Södra Skånska regementet
I25 ( - 1927), I7 (1928 - 1963), P7 (1963 - )
1812 -
Revingehed/Ystad
Armored in 1963

 

Upplands regemente
I8 ( - 1957)
1626 - 1957
Uppsala

 

Vaxholms Genadjärregemente
I26 ( - 1928)
1902 - 1928
Vaxholm
created by the merger between: (Värmlands fältjägarkår (raised in 1790) & Hallands bataljon (raised in 1813))

 

Värmlands regemente
I22 ( - 1939), I2 (1939 - )
1812 -
Karlstad - 1993, Kristinehamn 1994 -
created from the split of: (Närke- Värmlands regemente (raised in 1624)) in 1812

 

Västerbottens regemente
I20
1624 -
Umeå
split in; Västerbottens regemente & (Norrbottens regemente) in 1841

 

Västernorrlands regemente
I29 ( - 1902), I28 (1902 - 1928), I21 (1928 - )
1854 -
Sollefteå

 

Västgöta regemente
I6 ( - 1927)
1628 - 1927
Vänersborg

 

Västgötadals regemente
I16 ( - 1902)
1624 - 1902
Vänersborg

 

Västmanlands regemente
I18 ( - 1927)
1628 - 1927
Västerås

 

Älvsborgs regemente
I15
1624 - 1998
Borås

Mats Persson 980530
Last modified: December 29, 1998.
 

Swedish Infantry Regiments


Sweden

- 1600 Hovregementet
(Gula regementet)
Brahe
Upplands storregemente Södermanlands, Närkes och Värmlands storregemente Created by the splitt of Livregementet till häst [Cavalry] Västergötlands storregemente Smålands storregemente Östergötlands storregemente Östgöta kavalleri- regemente [Cavalry] Norrlands storregemente      
1620 Dalregementet

I13

Västmanlands regemente

I18

Upplands regemente Södermanlands regemente

I10

Närke-Värmlands regemente Skaraborgs regemente

I9

Elfsborgs regemente

I15

Västgöta- Dals regemente
Hård

I16

Kronobergs regemente
Drake
G. Stenbock
Muschamp
Lilliehöök
Cronman
Hästesko
Hederstierna

I11

Kalmar regemente

I20

Jönköpings regemente
(Kaggs regemente)
Kagg
Hård
Skytte
von Buchwald
Bergenstråhle

I12

Erik Hands regemente
1630 Östgöta regemente
(Östgöta fotfolk)
Hessenstein
Hälsinge regemente
(Joakim Brahes regemente)
von Knorring
von Bruchner

I14

Västerbottens regemente
(Gustaf Horns regemente)
(Skottes regemente)
1640 Ångermanlands- Medelpads- Jämtlands regemente
(Tomas Gerfelts regemente)
1650 Kunglig Maj:ts livgarde till fot
1660
1670 Jämtlands regemente
1680
1690 Jämtlands dragon- regemente [Infantry]
(Jämtlands lätta infanteri- regemente)
1700 Livgardet till fot
1710
1720
1730
1740
1750
1760
1770
1780
1790 Svea livgarde
(Första livgardet)
(Fleetwoodska regementet)
(Gula gardet)

I1

Livregements- brigadens lätta infanterikår Livgrenadjär regementet
1800 Livregements- brigadens grenadjärkår
1810 Värmlands regemente

I22

Närkes regemente

I21

Livregementets grenadjärkår

I3

Första livgrenadjär regementet

I4

Andra livgrenadjär regementet

I5

Norra Skånska infanteri- regementet
von Döbeln

I33
(later I24)

Södra Skånska infanteri- regementet
Reutercrona

I34
(later I25)

1820 Jämtlands fältjägar- regemente

I23

1830 Västerbottens fältjägar- regemente I19
1840 Västerbottens fältjägarkår

I XIX

1850 Jämtlands fältjägarkår

I23

Jämtlands hästjägarkår

K8 [Cavalry]

1860
1870
1880
1890 Livregementet till fot I3 Kalmar regemente

I21

Västerbottens regemente

I20

Jämtlands fältjägar- regemente

I23

Norrlands dragon- regemente

K8 [Cavalry]

Västernorrlands regemente I29
1900 Upplands infanteri- regemente

I8

Livregementets grenadjärer

I3

Hallands regemente [*]

I16

Västernorrlands regemente

I28

1910
1920 Disbanded in 1927 Upplands regemente

I8

Jönköpings- Kalmar regemente

I12

Livgrenadjär regementet

I4

Jämtlands fältjägar- regemente

I5

Norrlands dragon- regemente

K4 [Cavalry]

Norra Skånska infanteri- regementet

I6

Södra Skånska infanteri- regementet

I7

Västernorrlands regemente

I21

1930
1940 Södermanlands regemente
P3 [Armoured]
Värmlands regemente

I2

Disbanded in 1942

P4 [Armoured]

Norra Smålands regemente

I12

1950 Södermanlands regemente
I10 [Mechanized Infantry]
1960 Södermanlands regemente
P10 [Armoured]
Norra Skånska regementet

P6 [Armoured]

Södra Skånska regementet

P7 [Armoured]

1970
1980
1990 Disbanded in 1992 Disbanded in 1998 Disbanded in 1992 Disbanded in ? 1992 ?
 

Finland

1620
1630 Åbo läns regemente
(Finska regementet)

???

Björneborgs regemente
(Andra Finska regementet)

???

Västra Nylands regemente

???

Östra Nylands regemente

???

Tavastehus regemente

???

Viborgs västra regemente

???

Viborgs östra regemente

???

Savolax regemente

???

Österbottens regemente

???

   
1640
1650 Berendes lätta kavalleri
(Budbergs karelska dragoner
Gotthard von Budberg)
Schwengelms dragoner
1660 Disbanded in 1661
1670
1680 Disbanded in 1679
1690
1700
1710
1720
1730
1740
1750
1760
1770
1780
1790
1800
1810
1820
 

Mats Persson 981230
Last modified: January 01, 1999.
 

 

 

 

Swedish Army Regiments

 


Cavalry

The first cavalry units in Sweden were called "Fanor" (banner), one "Fana" was 300 - 500 cavalrymen.
There were Cavalry of Common "Landsfanor" and Cavalry of Lords "Adelsfanor". The Swedish Cavalry of Lords was instituted by king Magnus Ladulås in 1280, he stated that the aristocracy should provide the Crown with horses and horsemen in the event of war. Actually this was the only way to become a Peer, titles were not hereditary at that time. A Lord or a Knight did not have to pay the basic taxes.
Cavalry of Common was put up by each province, according to an agreement with the King.
As new land were incorporated with Sweden and Finland there were new units put up, and there became Adelsfanor in Estonia, Latvia and Pomerania too.
In time of war the King would often rise temporary cavalry units too. In the early days on his own expense - that was the price you had to pay to be a king.

In the Swedish constitution of 1634 it is said that there should be 4 cavalry regiments in Sweden and 3 in Finland. Each regiment should consist of 8 companys of 125 horsemen.

Cavalry was used to protect the flanks of the center, and to attack the flanks and the rear of the enemys center. The cavalry was also able to pursue a fleeing enemy.

Dragoner (Dragoons) were initially mounted infantry - they used horses for transportation but fought by foot.

Husarer (Hussars) were a Hungarian style light cavalry - their main assets were speed and mobility, and their fancy uniforms.

Kyrassiärer (Cuirassiers) are armoured cavalry. In Sweden all cavalry except hussars and light dragoons were armoured, and the only unit ever named cuirassiers was "Livregementsbrigadens kyrassiärkår" (between 1791 and 1815), the strange thing is that by that time they did not wear cuirasses any longer.

In Sweden, unlike most other countrys, the Cavalry never became armoured. According to some sources the officers of the Swedish Cavalry were to pompous to dismount. Instead they kept their horses for as long as they could and became rangers and reconnaissance troops.
Well - except for Skånska Kavalleriregementet K2 that became Skånska Dragonregementet P2 and joined the Armoured Corps.

The last cavalry regiment to dismount was Norrlands Dragonregemente K4, as late as in 1970.

Nowdays the Cavalry trains MPs and "Jägare" a kind of light infantry that operates behinde the enemy line.


A table over Swedish Cavalry units.


 

 

 

Livgardet till häst
K1 ( - 1927)
1806 - 1927
Stockholm
descendant of: (Finska lätta Dragonkåren (raised in 1770))
subsequently: (Livgardets Dragoner)

 

Livregementets Dragoner
K2 ( - 1927)
1791 - 1927
Stockholm
descendant of: (Livregementet till häst)
subsequently: (Livgardets Dragoner)

 

Livgardets Dragoner
K1 (1928 - )
1928 - 1984
Stockholm
created by the merger between: (Livgardet till häst & Livregementets Dragoner)

 

Livregementets Husarer
K3
1791 -
Örebro, Skövde, Karlsborg
descendant of: (Livregementet till häst)

 

Kronprinsens Husarregemente
K7
1758 - 1927
Ystad, Ängelholm, Helsingborg, Malmö
subsequently: (Skånska Kavalleriregementet)

 

Norrbottens Kavallerikår
K9
1919 - 1919
(Formally founded in 1919 but never raised)

 

Norrlands Dragonregemente
K8 ( - 1927), K4 ( 1928 - )
1853 -
Umeå, Arvidsjaur
descendant of: (Jämtlands Fältjägarregemente I23 (raised in 1670))

 

Skånska Dragonregementet
K6
1676 - 1927
Ystad
subsequently: (Skånska Kavalleriregementet)

 

Skånska Husarregementet
K5 ( - 1927)
1658 - 1927
Helsingborg
subsequently: (Skånska Kavalleriregementet)

 

Skånska Kavalleriregementet
K2 (1928 - 1942) (1945 - 1952)
(1658) 1928 - 1942, 1945 - 1952
Helsingborg
created by the merger between: (Skånska Husarregementet & Skånska Dragonregementet & Kronprinsens Husarregemente)
subsequently: (Skånska Dragonregementet (P2)(Armored))

 

Smålands Husarregemente
K4 ( - 1927)
1543 - 1927
Eksjö

Mats Persson 980530
Last modified: December 29, 1998.
 

Swedish Cavalry Regiments


To Index


Sweden

1630 Ridderskapets rusttjänst
(Adelsfanan)
Uplands, Wästmanlands, Näriches och Wärmlands ryttare
(Upplands ryttare)
  Wästgöthe och Daals ryttare Smålands och Ölands ryttare Östergötlands och Sudermanlands ryttare          
1640 Östgöta kavalleri- regemente
1650 Västgöta kavalleri- regemente
1660 Skånska kavalleri- regementet
(Skånska regementet till häst)
1670 Livregementet till häst Norra Skånska kavalleri- regementet
(Ramsvärds regemente till häst)
Ridderhjelm
Horn
Düring
Cederström
Blekinge regemente till häst
1680 Smålands kavalleriregemente Södra Skånska kavalleri- regementet
(Gyllenpistols Skånska kavalleri)
(Södra Skånska regementet till häst)
(Prins Carls södra Skånska regemente)
(Skånska karbinjär- regementet)
Gyllenpistol
Strömberg
Örnestedt
Lewenhaupt
1690
1700
1710
1720
1730
1740
1750 Svenska husar- regementet
Wrangel
1760 Blå husar- regementet
Putbus
Gula husar- regementet
Wrangel
1770 Finska lätta dragonkåren
(Lätta dragonerna av livgardet)
Husar- regementet
(Hornska husar- regementet)
(Mörnerska husar- regementet)
(Cederströmska husar- regementet)
1780
1790 Livregements- brigadens lätta infanterikår [Infantry] Livregements- brigadens lätta dragonkår Livregements- brigadens kyrassiärkår Livhusar- regementet
(Lätta livdragon- regementet)
Smålands lätta kavalleri- regemente Livgrenadjär- regementets rusthållsdivision [Infantry]
1800 Livregements- brigadens grenadjärkår
[Infantry]
Livregements- brigadens husarkår Västgöta dragon- regemente Smålands lätta dragon- regemente Skånska linje- dragonregementet
(Lätta dragonregementet)
1810 Disbanded in 1809 Livregementets grenadjärkår

I3 [Infantry]

Livregementets husarkår

K3

Livregementets dragonkår

K2

Livgardet till häst K1 Västgöta regemente I6 [Infantry] Smålands dragon- regemente Smålands dragon- regementes infanteribataljon I7 [Infantry] Skånska husar- regementet
Thott

K5

1820 Smålands husar- regemente K4 Smålands grenadjär- bataljon I7 [Infantry] Andra livgrenadjär- regementet I5 [Infantry] Skånska dragon- regementet K6 Kronprinsens husar- regemente K7
1890 [Merged with Livregementet till fot I21] Livregementets husarer K3 Livregementets dragoner K2 Smålands grenadjärkår I7 [Infantry] Norrlands dragon- regemente K8
1900 Disbanded in 1901
1920 Livregementet till häst K1 Disbanded in 1927 Disbanded in 1927 Disbanded in 1927 Skånska kavalleriregementet K2 Norrlands dragon- regemente K4
1930
1940 Skånska dragonregementet

P2 [Armoured]

Skånska kavalleri- regementet K2
1950 Disbanded in 1952
1960
1970 Livgardets dragoner K1
1980 Disbanded in 1984
1998

Finland

1620
1630 Finlands ryttare
(Åbo och Björneborgs läns regemente
Ture Bielke)

???

Tawastelands och Nylands ryttare
(Nylands och Tavastehus läns regemente
Torsten Stålhandske)

???

Carelske ryttare
(Viborgs och Nyslotts läns regemente
Otto Yxkyll)

???

     
1640
1650 Berendes lätta kavalleri
(Budbergs Karelska dragoner
von Budberg)
Schwengelms dragoner
1660 Disbanded in 1661
1670
1680 Disbanded in 1679
1690
1700
1710
1720
1730
1740
1750
1760
1770
1780
1790
1800 Savolaks ryttare
[Värvade]

???

Karelens ryttare
[Värvade]

???

1810
1820
 

Mats Persson 981230
Last modified: March 17, 2000.
 

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