| 23rd Dragoon Regiment | |
|---|---|
| 23e régiment de dragons | |
| Active | 1670–1814 1873–1928 |
| Country |  France |
| Branch |  French Army |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Nickname(s) | Royal Piémont |
| Motto(s) | Noli irritare leonem (Do not irritate the lion) |
| Engagements | French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars World War I |
| Decorations | Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 with 1 palm |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Col. Paul de Bazelaire (1919) |
The 23rd Dragoon Regiment (French: 23e Régiment de dragons, 23e RD) was a French cavalry unit created in 1670 in Turin as Prince-de-Piemont it was transferred to French service in 1671. It became Royal Piémont in 1690, 14e Regiment de Cavalerie in 1791 and finally 23e Regiment de Dragons in 1803. It was dissolved in 1928.
History
The regiment was established in 1690 by the Kingdom of France as the Royal-Piémont. Before that it used to be a cavalry regiment established by the Duke of Savoy in 1670 as Prince-de-Piemont.[1]
It became the 14th cavalry regiment in 1791 during Napoleon First Empire then was named 23rd Dragoon Regiment on 24 September 1803. It was disbanded on 14 May 1814 with the end of the Empire before being reactivated on 29 September 1873. In 1900 it was based in Vincennes.[2]
The regiment served as horse cavalry during the First World War before being finally disbanded in 1928.[3]
Combat
Notable involvements from 1672 to 1918:[2][3]
French Kingdom
French First Republic
French Empire
First World War
Banner
It bears, sewed in golden letters in its layers, the following inscriptions:[3]
Decorations
Its tie is decorated:[3]
- With the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945, with 1 palm.
- Fourragère, with the colours of the Croix de Guerre ribbon, 1914–1918.
References
- ↑ Susane 1874, p. 67.
- 1 2 France. Ministère de la guerre 1900, p. 24.
- 1 2 3 4 Andolenko 1968, p. 21.
Sources
- France. Ministère de la guerre (1900). Historiques des corps de troupe de l'armee française (1569-1900) (in French). Berger-Levrault & cie.
- Andolenko, S. (1968). Recueil d'historiques de l'arme blindée et de la cavalerie (in French). Eurimprim.
- Susane, L. (1874). Histoire de la cavalerie française (in French). J. Hetzel et Cie.
- Journal de marche du 23e Régiment de Dragons pendant la Campagne 1914-1918