The Halland Regiment ( sv, Hallands regemente), designations I 16 and I 16/Fo 31, was a

Swedish Army The Swedish Army ( sv, svenska armén) is the land force of the Swedish Armed Forces. History Svea Life Guards dates back to the year 1521, when the men of Dalarna chose 16 young able men as body guards for the insurgent nobleman Gustav Vas ...

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and marine i ...

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...

that traced its origins back to the 16th century. The regiment's soldiers were originally recruited from the provinces of

Västergötland Västergötland (), also known as West Gothland or the Latinized version Westrogothia in older literature, is one of the 25 traditional non-administrative provinces of Sweden (''landskap'' in Swedish), situated in the southwest of Sweden. Väs ...

and

Dalsland Dalsland () is a Swedish traditional province, or ''landskap'', situated in Götaland in southern Sweden. Lying to the west of Lake Vänern, it is bordered by Värmland to the north, Västergötland to the southeast, Bohuslän to the west, and ...

, but it was later garrisoned in

Halland Halland () is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden (''landskap''), on the western coast of Götaland, southern Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Småland, Scania and the sea of Kattegat. Until 1645 and the Second Treaty of Brömsebro ...

. The unit was disbanded as a result of the disarmament policies set forward in the Defence Act of 2000.

History

The regiment has its origins in fänikor (companies) raised in Västergötland and Dalsland in the 16th century. In 1615, these units were organised by

Gustav II Adolf Gustavus Adolphus (9 December ld Style and New Style dates, N.S 19 December15946 November ld Style and New Style dates, N.S 16 November1632), also known in English as Gustav II Adolf or Gustav II Adolph, was King of Sweden from 1611 to ...

into

Västergötlands storregemente ''Västergötlands storregemente'' or ''Landsregementet i Västergötland'' (Västergötland Grand Regiment, Regiment of the Land in Västergötland) was one of the nine grand regiments organized by Gustavus Adolphus in the late 1610s and split ...

. Västergötlands storregemente consisted of three field regiments, of which Västgöta-Dals Regiment was one. Sometime between 1621 and 1624, the grand regiment was permanently split into three smaller regiments, of which Västgöta-Dals Regiment was one. Västgöta-Dals Regiment was one of the original 20 Swedish infantry regiments mentioned in the Swedish

constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of Legal entity, entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When ...

of 1634. The regiment's first commander was

Wilhelm von Salzburg Wilhelm may refer to: People and fictional characters * William Charles John Pitcher, costume designer known professionally as "Wilhelm" * Wilhelm (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or surname Other uses * Moun ...

. It was allotted in 1685. The regiment was given the designation I 16 (16th Infantry Regiment) in a

general order A general order, in military and paramilitary organizations, is a published directive, originated by a commander and binding upon all personnel under his or her command. Its purpose is to enforce a policy or procedure unique to the unit's situatio ...

in 1816. In 1902 the regiment changed recruitment area to

and was garrisoned in

Halmstad Halmstad () is a port, university, industrial and recreational city A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Socia ...

. The name was changed to Halland Regiment to reflect this. In 1975, the regiment gained the new designation I 16/Fo 31 as a consequence of a merge with the local defence district Fo 31. The regiment was disbanded in 2000.

Campaigns

*The Polish War (1600–1629) *The

Thirty Years' War The Thirty Years' War was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: prehistoric Europe (prior to about 800 BC), classical antiquity (80 ...

(1630–1648) *The

Northern Wars "Northern Wars" is a term used for a series of wars fought in northern and northeastern Europe from the 16th to the 18th century. An internationally agreed-on nomenclature for these wars has not yet been devised. While the Great Northern War is gen ...

(1655–1661) *The

Scanian War The Scanian War ( da, Skånske Krig, , sv, Skånska kriget, german: Schonischer Krieg) was a part of the Northern Wars involving the union of Denmark–Norway, Brandenburg and Sweden. It was fought from 1675 to 1679 mainly on Scanian soil, ...

(1674–1679) *The

Great Northern War The Great Northern War (1700–1721) was a conflict in which a coalition led by the Tsardom of Russia successfully contested the supremacy of the Swedish Empire in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. The initial leaders of the anti-Swedi ...

(1700–1721) *The

Seven Years' War The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) was a global conflict that involved most of the European Great Powers, and was fought primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Other concurrent conflicts include the French and Indian War (1754� ...

(1757–1762) *The

Gustav III's Russian War Gustav, Gustaf or Gustave may refer to: *Gustav (name), a male given name of Old Swedish origin Art, entertainment, and media * ''Primeval'' (film), a 2007 American horror film * ''Gustav'' (film series), a Hungarian series of animated short cart ...

(1788–1790) *The

Franco-Swedish War The Franco-Swedish War or Pomeranian War was the first involvement by Sweden in the Napoleonic Wars. The country joined the Third Coalition in an effort to defeat France under Napoleon Bonaparte. Background In 1803, the United Kingdom had decla ...

(1805–1810) *The

Finnish War The Finnish War ( sv, Finska kriget, russian: Финляндская война, fi, Suomen sota) was fought between the Gustavian era, Kingdom of Sweden and the Russian Empire from 21 February 1808 to 17 September 1809 as part of the Napoleonic ...

(1808–1809) *The

Campaign against Norway Campaign or The Campaign may refer to: Types of campaigns * Campaign, in agriculture, the period during which sugar beets are harvested and processed *Advertising campaign, a series of advertisement messages that share a single idea and theme *Bl ...

(1814)

Organisation

;1685(?) * Livkompaniet *Överstelöjtnantens kompani *Majorens kompani *Sun- och Nordals kompani *Tössbo kompani *Kållands kompani *Vedbo kompani *Kullings kompani ;1814(?) *Livkompaniet *Forssa kompani *Järvsö kompani *Delsbo kompani *Färnebo kompani *Arbrå kompani *Alfta kompani *Ovansjö kompani

Heraldry and traditions

Colours, standards and guidons

On 7 June 1952, the regimentet was presented with the first colour with the provincial badge of Halland. The 1952 colour was presented by

Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland (Bertil Gustaf Oskar Carl Eugén; 28 February 1912 – 5 January 1997), was a member of the Swedish royal family. He was the third son of King Gustaf VI Adolf and his first wife, Princess Margaret of Connaught, ...

. Until 1952, the colours of the regiment had been the colour of

(black and yellow), though the regiment since 1906 was located in province of Halland. When the regiment received the "Hallandian" colour, the colour of Halland (blue and white) was adopted. The last regimental colour was presented to the regiment (I 16/Fo 31) in Halmstad by the Chief of Army Staff, lieutenant general

Åke Sagrén Lieutenant General Karl Åke Sagrén (26 January 1935 – 12 December 2022) was a Swedish Army officer. He was Chief of the Army from 1990 to 1994 and Chief of Army Command from 1994 to 1996. Early life Sagrén was born on 26 January 1935 in ...

on 7 July 1994. It was used as regimental colour by I 16/Fo 31 until 1 July 2000. The colour is drawn by Bengt Olof Kälde and embroidered by machine in insertion technique by the company Libraria.

Blazon In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image. The verb ''to blazon'' means to create such a description. The vis ...

: "On blue cloth the provincial badge of Halland; a white lion rampant, armed red. On a white border at the upper side of the colour, battle honours (

Lützen is a town in the Burgenlandkreis district of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Geography Lützen is situated in the Leipzig Bay, approximately southwest of the Leipzig city limits and northeast of Weißenfels. The town has access to the Bundesstraße 8 ...

1632,

Leipzig Leipzig ( , ; Upper Saxon: ) is the most populous city in the German state of Saxony. Leipzig's population of 605,407 inhabitants (1.1 million in the larger urban zone) as of 2021 places the city as Germany's eighth most populous, as wel ...

1642,

Lund Lund (, , ) is a city in the southern Swedish provinces of Sweden, province of Scania, across the Øresund, Öresund strait from Copenhagen. The town had 91,940 inhabitants out of a municipal total of 121,510 . It is the seat of Lund Municipali ...

1676,

Gadebusch Gadebusch () is a town in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the district of Nordwestmecklenburg. Halfway between Lübeck, Schwerin and Wismar, it is part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. The town is known for two notable monuments: the ''Stad ...

1712) i blue." File:Hallands regemente 04.jpg, 1850 regimental colour. File:Hallands regemente 05.jpg, 1952 regimental colour.

Coat of arms

The coat of the arms of the Halland Regiment (I 16/Fo 31) 1977–1994 and the Halland Brigade (', IB 16) 1994–2000.

: "Azure, the provincial badge of Halland, a double-tailed lion rampant argent, armed and langued gules. The shield surmounted two muskets in saltire or". The coat of arms of the Halland Regiment (I 16/Fo 31) 1994–2000 and the Halland Group (') since 2000. Blazon: "Azure, the provincial badge of Halland, a double-tailed lion rampant argent, armed and langued gules. The shield surmounted two swords in saltire or". File:Hallands regemente vapen.svg, Coat of arms of the Halland Regiment (I 16/Fo 31) 1977–1994 and the Halland Brigade (', IB 16) 1994–2000. File:Hallandsgruppen vapen.svg, Coat of the arms of the Halland Regiment (I 16/Fo 31) 1994–2000 and the Halland Group (') 2000–present.

Medals

In 2000, the ' ("Halland Regiment (I 16) and Halland Brigade (IB 16) Commemorative Medal") in silver (HallregbrigSMM) of the 8th size was established. The

medal ribbon A medal ribbon, service ribbon or ribbon bar is a small ribbon, mounted on a small metal bar equipped with an attaching device, which is generally issued for wear in place of a medal when it is not appropriate to wear the actual medal. Each cou ...

is of blue moiré with a black stripe on the middle followed on each side by a yellow stripe, then a white stripe and last a red line.

Heritage

The Halland Group (') is the traditional keeper of the regimental heritage and traditions, and organizes under the Air Defence Regiment (Lv 6). The Halland Group took over the colour and traditions in connection with the disbandment of the regiment and the brigade on 30 June 2000. From 1 July 2013, the traditions of the regiment will be continued by Halland Battalion ('), part of the Halland Group.

Other

Rudolf Petersson, creator of the comic ' ("A military man's experiences and adventures"), now '' 91:an'', made his military service at Halland Regiment which is the model for Klackamo Heath, where

Mandel Karlsson Mandel Karlsson, also known as 91:an Karlsson or 91:an, is a Sweden, Swedish comic book character and the main protagonist in the comic strip series ''91:an (comic strip), 91:an'' (Eng: ''№ 91''). He was created in 1932 by Rudolf Petersson. Th ...

, 87:an Axelsson and the others in the ''91:an'' comic book did their military service.

Commanding officers

Regimental commanders active at the regiment 1924–2000. Göran Cunnighame was the first to be named regimental commander.

Commanders

*10 March 1624: Welham von Salzburg (acting) *1625–1632: Göran Cunnighame *1632–1651: Nils Kagg *1651–1657: Johan Stake *1657–1660: Gustaf Oxenstierna *1660–1680: Vilhelm Jernsköld *1680–1691: David Macklier *1691–1705: Johan Fägerskiöld *1705–1716: Georg Reinhold Patkull *1710–1712: N Palmfelt (acting) *1713–1716: B C Wulfrath (acting) *1716–1732: Libert Rosenstierna *1732–1735: Johan Fredrik Didron *1735–1745: Karl Ollonberg *1745–1749: Karl Lillie *1749–1766: Erik Lybecker *1766–1769: Ulrik Scheffer *1769–1769: Klaes Kristoffer Ekeblad *1769–1770: Karl Gustav Strömschiöld *1770–1773: Joen Filip Klingspor *1773–1779: Abraham Daniel Schönström *1779–1785: Fredrik Posse *1785–1793: Gustav Cronhielm *1793–1796: Gustav Lewenhaupt *1796–1811: Karl Bunge *1811–1816:

Carl Löwenhielm Count Carl Axel Löwenhielm (3 November 1772 – 9 June 1861) was a Swedish military officer, diplomat, and politician. He was an illegitimate son of King Charles XIII of Sweden and Augusta von Fersen (married to the Chancellor of the Royal Co ...

*1816–1817: Gustav Fredrik Vilhelm Gyllenram *1817–1838: Wilhelm Albrecht Dorchimont *1838–1847: Axel Vilhelm Ehrengranat *1847–1853: Polykarpus Erik Cronhielm *1853–1864: Klaes Samuel Sandels *1864–1871: Lage Evald Posse *1871–1882: Eggert Elers *1882–1890: Otto Taube *1890–1890: Pontus Henrik Vilhelm Reuterswärd *1890–1894: Karl Oskar Unaeus *1894–1902: Otto Vilhelm Löwenborg (namnbyte) *1902–1909: Karl Vilhelm Emanuel Ankarcrona *1909–1917: Emil Mörcke *1917–1926: Peter Hegardt *1926–1932: Reinhold Geijer *1932–1937: Gösta Bratt *1937–1938: Colonel Axel Gyllenkrook *1938–1940: Nils Bildt *1941–1944: Ivar Lindqvist *1944–1947: Henrik Wrede *1947–1951: M Hedenlund *1951–1954: P Lande *1954–1957: Carl Klingenstierna *1957–1959: Colonel Arne Mohlin *1959–1960: Colonel

Tage Olihn Lieutenant General David ''Tage'' Olihn (5 November 1908 – 16 April 1996) was a senior officer of the Swedish Army. Olihn's senior commands include Inspector of the Swedish Armoured Troops and military commander of the I Military District and ...

*1960–1968: Nils Juhlin *1968–1976: Lage Wernstedt *1976–1980: Senior colonel Carl-Gustaf Tiselius *1980–1983: Gustaf Malmström *1983–1988: R Morell *1988–1993: G Wetterlundh *1993–1995: P Källström *1995–1996: P Jonsson *1996–1998: Mats Welff *1998–2000: Arne Hedman

History

Campaigns

Organisation

Heraldry and traditions

Colours, standards and guidons

Coat of arms

Medals

Heritage

Other

Commanding officers

Commanders

Deputy commanders

Names, designations and locations

See also

Footnotes

References

Notes

Print

Further reading