Draft:The Danish Army during the Great Northern War

• Comment: Though a potentially WP:N subject, some of the sources -- such as military reenactor websites -- are not WP:RS. Chetsford (talk) 05:09, 27 March 2024 (UTC)

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Danish soldiers during the Great Northern war are refering to Danish soldiers in the Royal Danish Army during the regiens of Frederick IV of the Danish-Norwegian Relam. The main danish army consited of about 23.000 Soldiers out of a force of 36.000 soldiers if combiend with the Norwegian army. About 8.000 danish soldiers where killed during the war in Larger battles and campagins between 1709-1719.

Background

The danish army consisted of in total eleven Infantry regiments, thirteen cavalry regiments(of which only three were full time opperative) and two artillery regimets, as of 1699.

Before the danish participation in the Great Northern war, was most of the Danish Regiments rented out to support the Grand Allince in the Nine Years' War, aswell in during The War of Spanish Succesion fighting for anglo-dutch forces, and in the Rákóczi's War of Independence fighting for the Holy roman empire. This was a method used to hold economic stabilty for the army. The army consited of enlisted soldiers, from primarly the german speaking regions in the country. At the time Denmark was very German influenced which caused the command language in the army to be German. National milita regiments were established at the outbreak of the war in 1701 by the king which only consited of ethnic danes.

Equipment

Uniforms

Infantry

Illustration of a danish infantry uniform during the Great Northern War

Before 1711, were the majority of the Danish infantry dressed in light grey colored uniforms, and red uniforms were only preserved for elite regiments such as the Royal Life Gaurds. The uniform consited of a double breasted knee lengthy coat, and collarless until 1709(or 1713, arcording to some sources) with two pockets on the front and large cuffs in the regiments distinctive color. The soldiers wore from 1703 a black tricorn hat with white or colored lineing depending on the regiment. Soldiers would wear a neckcloth, usually white for visual presentation. On October 24th 1711, did the king give out orders that every regiment should be dressed in red colored uniforms.

Cavalry

Calvary units were dressed very similar to other armies in Europe at the time. They were issued tall black leather boots, breeches, waistcoat, a neckcloth and a tricorne hat. A steel chestplate and skull cap were also provided for protection agaist sword strikes and bullets.

Artillery

Artillery men were dressed in very odd colors in comparison to the rest of the army. Most of them were dessed in a green violet lined coat. A leatherbelt of natural buff were issued aswell. Later in the war where redcoats with blue cuffs issued to the artillery.

Gear

Danish infantry men where issued a number of Equipment including, a leather waistbelt to hold the bayonet and sword scabbard, a bullet pouch and a powder horn. A cartridge box were hung over the left shoulder. Equipment varied depending on military rank and role.

Weapons

Danish 19,7mm infantery flintknock musket manufactured in Denmark, 1705

The Danish infantry where equipped with primarly Flint Knock muskets, primarly bought in the netherlands. Soldiers where equipped a Huggert or Kårde that was a type of sword, and a bayonet. Grenadiers was equipped with handgrenades, a bayonet, musket and an axe.