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WSS French Dragoons

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:58 pm
by Bernhard
I am looking at the order of Battle of the Battle of Ramiles which consistently shows French Dragoon regiments to contain 3 squadrons while other line cavalry regiments are limited to 2 squadrons. Were French Dragoons regiments during this era larger than their line cavalry counterparts?

Re: WSS French Dragoons

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 12:32 am
by SteveRCR
You mean like the ex below from the osprey book on Ramillies.

Leib Dragoons (Cologne) 2 sqns
Acquaviva Dragoons (Spanish) 3 sqns
Dragons du Roi (French) 3 sqns

Re: WSS French Dragoons

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 1:49 am
by Arthur
All French dragoon regiments had a consistent field strength of three squadrons during the WSS. The older ones had had as many as four during the Dutch war in the 1670's, but that number was reduced to three after 1680.

Most French line cavalry regiments had two squadrons but some - usually the older and most prestigious units - had three.