Régiment De Penthièvre

''For the 8th Dragoons in the British Army, see 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars.''

The 8th Dragoon Regiment (''8e régiment de dragons'' or ''8e RD'') was a cavalry regiment in the French Army created under the ''Ancien Régime'' in 1674 by the Marquis of Heudicourt.

History

Original article in French:

Under the ''Ancien Règime''

In 1674, a new regiment was created by the Marquis of Heudicourt, named the Heudicourt Regiment. It was renamed multiple times under the command of the Ancien Règime:

• Choiseul-Praslin Regiment (1688)

• Toulouse Regiment (1693)

• Penthievre Regiment (1737), later also "Penthievre Regiment Dragoons"(1776)

This regiment would initially first serve in the Dutch Wars, and the Siege of Luxembourg, playing minor roles. They would enter combat at numerous points in the War of the League of Augsburg, the Battle of Neerwinden, the early bombardment of Brussels, and the War of the Spanish Succession, proving effective in most of these encounters. Following more Succession crisis in Europe, with the Penthievre Regiment serving in most of these wars, ( War of the Spanish Succession, War of the Polish Succession, War of the Austrian Succession) the Penthievre Regiment lost its commander in the Seven Years War, and took no further action in following events.

Revolutionary Wars

In the Revolutionary Wars, the Penthievre Regiment was renamed, the 8th Dragoon Regiment. Moving from Army of the Alps to Army of the Rhine, they took part in multiple probing attacks on Coalition Forces at Mainz, and Wissembourg. Then, moved to the Army of the Moselle. In the Army of Italy, they took part in the Siege of Mantua, and the Battle of Rivoli.

After serving for more years on the Rhine (1799), in 1800, this Regiment was one of three regiments that participated in the coup of 18' Brumaire, and won distinction in the Battle of Marengo.

Napoleonic Wars

The 8th Dragoons were part of the occupation force in Naples and were sent to the coast for the 'Invasion' of Britain. But in 1805, they joined the Grand Armèè, participating in their early victories at Austerlitz and Jena. They were devastated at Elyau like most cavalry units and missed the Battle of Friedland.

From 1808 to 1811, the 8th Dragoons would operate entirely in the Iberian Peninsula in the Peninsular Wars. Summoned to modern day Germany in 1813, they took part in the Battle of Leipzig, in which they would be defeated. They will not take further action in the defense of France.

Following Napoleon's return from exile, the 8th Dragoons once again joined the Grande Armèè, becoming part of I Corp. Missing the Battle of Ligny, the 8th Dragoons would play a role in the Battle of Waterloo, also defeated.

1815 - 1914

Bourbon Restoration

Following Napoleon's defeat, the 8th Dragoon Regiment was reduced to just a garrison. 1823 saw it active in Spain, and from 1825, they would be stationed at Nevers. They will not be affected by the changes in leadership, with the Bourbons overthrown, following two more republics.

Franco-Prussian War

In the Franco-Prussian War, the 8th Dragoons would be highly active, following their reinstatement as a regiment, serving in the Battles of Borny and Gravelotte. They were part of the force that tried to relieve forces participating in the siege in Metz along with the Army of the Rhine. It would be followed by skirmishes in Lorcy. Following an uprising in Paris by the French Communes, the 8th Dragoons were put under the command of the Army of Versailles, participating in the Bloody Week, acts of reprisal against the rebellion.

Before 1914

After the end of the Franco-Prussian War, the 8th Dragoons were at patrol in Luneville, starting from 1877. They would take no military actions as they were on garrison duty.

World War I

After World War I began, the 8th Dragoons were sent to the frontline trenches. They later participated in the Battle of the Marne, and after 3 years in the trenches, the Germans tried desperately to break the stalemate. The 8th Dragoons were part of the counter offensive in 1918, first arriving at Amiens, then to the mountainous terrain of Southern Flanders, and by the end of the attack, were at Aisne

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