23rd Dragoon Regiment (France)

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.

23rd Dragoon Regiment
23e régiment de dragons
Active1670–1814
1873–1928
Country France
Branch French Army
TypeCavalry
SizeRegiment
Nickname(s)Royal Piémont
Motto(s)Noli irritare leonem
(Do not irritate the lion)
EngagementsFrench Revolutionary Wars
Napoleonic Wars
World War I
DecorationsCroix de Guerre 1914–1918
with 1 palm
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Col. Paul de Bazelaire (1919)

History

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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

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Riders in the courtyard, Vincennes. c.1914
 
The stables, south side, Vincennes

Notable involvements from 1672 to 1918:[2][3]

French Kingdom

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French First Republic

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French Empire

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First World War

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It bears, sewed in golden letters in its layers, the following inscriptions:[3]

Decorations

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Its tie is decorated:[3]

References

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Sources

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  • 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
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