The 4th Infantry Regiment "Hoch- und Deutschmeister" (German: Infanterieregiment "Hoch- und Deutschmeister" Nr. 4) and shortened IR 4 was an infantry regiment of the Habsburg monarchy from 1696 until the end of the Habsburg Monarchy in 1918. It was one of the most prestigious and historically significant regiments in the Army of the Holy Roman Empire and subsequently Imperial-Royal (later Imperial and Royal) Army, serving in conflicts from the Great Turkish War up until World War I.
Chiefly known for its popular military band and its , the regiment's tradition was adopted at first by the new Bundesheer of the First Austrian Republic, then by the Wehrmacht's 44th Infantry Division in 1943 and today is maintained by the Vienna 1st Jäger Battalion "Hoch- und Deutschmeister". Its honorary title "Hoch- und Deutschmeister" derives from its association with the Grand Master (Hochmeister) of the Teutonic Order, who served as its regimental proprietor (Inhaber).
The regiment was originally known as Pfalz-Neuburg-Teutschmeister zu Fuß after its formation in 1696. It received the numerical designation No. 4 in 1769, and the official regimental title "Hoch- und Deutschmeister" was adopted in 1814. This title was later on dropped in 1915.
Background The Habsburg Monarchy, often finding itself at war with enemies, especially with France and the Ottoman Empire, had to rely on other electoral princes of the Holy Roman Empire to make up for its manpower shortages and establish regiments. In early 1695, the structure and planning of the regiment were made and not too soon after it was established. The regiment with about 2000 men was established on January 21 1696 by an agreement between Emperor Leopold I and the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, Franz Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg.
It was initially named Pfalz-Neuburg-Teutschmeister zu Fuß (Pfalz-Neuburg-Teutschmeister on Foot) after its patron, but was soon referred to simply as "Teutschmeister" (later "Deutschmeister"). The regiment was recruited in the and then assembled and mustered in Donauwörth, before being accepted into imperial service on June 3 1696.
The regiment's success was largely due to massive funding from the first regimental proprietor, Francis Louis of Palatinate-Neuburg. As a result, it became a well-equipped and disciplined unit within the Habsburg army.
Early recruits were drawn mostly from the southern and north-western areas of the Holy Roman Empire, including Franconia, Rhineland-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. This would change later on, eventually transforming the unit into a Lower Austrian regiment with a strong Viennese identity. Early Ottoman-Habsburg wars
Great Turkish War Later in June 1696, the regiment was shipped down the Danube from Donauwörth to Hungary, eventually reaching Transylvania. On the way, it was repeatedly ambushed by Ottoman cavalry. During one such ambush on 6 September 1697, it distinguished itself for the first time when the Leib-Bataillon, the regiment's elite battalion, on the Szegedi Heath along the Tisza rapidly formed square and fired into the charging Ottoman cavalry, forcing the attackers to retreat.
The regiment continued its advance along the Tisza through swampy terrain and steppes around Petrovaradin, where it received reports that Ottoman forces had crossed the river near Zenta (now Senta), north of the town. A Pasha that was captured by the vanguard informed them that the Sultan was advancing across a strongly fortified pontoon bridge with his entire army, and that this crossing point was to be attacked. At sunset, the regiment marched in combat readiness toward Senta to meet the enemy, its mission, together with other infantry units, being to storm the well-fortified enemy line of entrenchments.
The regiment soon saw its baptism of fire at the Battle of Zenta on 11 September 1697 under the leadership of Prince Eugene of Savoy, where it drove back Ottoman forces from their positions and then attacked the enemy from the rear, preventing their retreat across the bridge and forcing them into the waters of the Tisza, resulting in the Ottoman army being completely annihilated.
It distinguished itself so highly in this battle that upon receiving Prince Eugene's report of victory, Emperor Leopold I issued a letter of thanks and recognition to the regiment's commander at the time, .
The regiment remained in garrison in Hungary and Transylvania until 1711, where it took part in Rákóczi's War of Independence, fighting in the battles of Smolenice, Koroncó, and Trenčín, as well as in the sieges of the Castle of Arva (now Orava) and Érsekújvár (now Nové Zámky). During this period, it was considered one of the most motivated and best-equipped units, partly due to substantial wartime funding. It was later sent on garrison duty across all places within the Holy Roman Empire, even as far as the Spanish Netherlands (later the Austrian Netherlands, now Belgium). Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718) The unit fought in the Battle of Petrovaradin, a major engagement that ultimately opened the way up to Belgrade after it was won. It then took part in the subsequent Siege of Belgrade (1717), where it helped capture the city. The regiment's commander, , was killed during the siege.
The following year, the Treaty of Passarowitz was signed, concluding the war in a Habsburg victory.
War of the Polish Succession After serving on garrison duty in the Austrian Netherlands for 16 years, the regiment was ordered in December 1731 to cross the Rhine back into Habsburg lands. It reached Silesia and Moravia in March 1732, where it was stationed to guard against a potential invasion by the other great powers of the conflict or a possible Prussian entry into the war.It later marched from Wrocław across the Oder through Bohemia and Bavaria, before reaching the Württemberg city of Ettlingen, south of Karlsruhe, where it remained for a year, engaging in minor skirmishes against French forces. In February 1734, the regiment moved into northern Italy and was stationed at Mori before advancing to Mantua. Facing superior Franco-Spanish and Sardinian forces, it was forced to retreat, soon withdrawing across the Po river.
The regiment soon later fought in the Battle of Parma, where they took part in an assault on an entrenched Franco-Sardinian position, and were ultimately repulsed after suffering heavy casualties.
On 15 September, in the early morning, the regiment played a major role in the Raid on Quistello. Advancing in six columns along the Secchia river, the first column to which the Deutschmeister belonged failed to find a ford and was forced to wade across the river in chest-deep water. Despite this, they were the first to reach the French camp and commence the raid.
During the storming of the camp, the Deutschmeisters advanced so rapidly that the enemy was unable to sound the alarm, allowing the French Marshal François de Broglie to escape only narrowly in his nightshirt, while many of his staff were captured. Numerous French regimental standards and valuable possessions, including most of the horses, were also taken.
After the encounter, the combined Franco-Sardinian forces fell back to Guastalla, where the Deutschmeisters took part in the Battle of Guastalla on 19 September. After running low on ammunition, the Austrian forces were ordered to withdraw to Luzzara, ending the battle in defeat.
War of the Austrian Succession
At the start of the war, the regiment was stationed in Pavia, Duchy of Milan, and later moved into Emilia-Romagna, where it then proceeded its advance until it encountered French, Spanish and Genoese forces in multiple engagements. It exclusively fought in the Italian campaigns of the conflict.
The regiment soon advanced south toward the Italian Adriatic coast at Rimini, then further to Ancona, before moving inland toward Macerata and Foligno, with Spoleto serving as a route towards Bourbon Naples. However, plans for the capture of Naples were never realized, as Empress Maria Theresa recalled the regiment for service on the northern Italian front, effectively bringing the Neapolitan campaign to an end.
While the Battle of Campo Santo proved inconclusive, the regiment proved itself again after a Battalion of Deutschmeisters bayonet charged the Spanish lines, where it held out until reinforcements arrived. It was in this battle that the regiment first became associated with military music, as it advanced towards the enemy lines accompanied by Turkish-style march music and the cheering of soldiers.
The Battle of Rottofreddo ended in victory despite heavy losses. During the battle, the regiment stormed Franco-Spanish positions three times, forcing multiple enemy units to retreat, though it recorded the third-highest rate of desertion among the units engaged and having to temporarily retreat three times to recover from its losses.
In the last year of the conflict, the regiment took part in the Siege of Genoa as part of the Siege Corps, helping to halt several Genoese advances. At Rivarolo, north of Genoa, the Deutschmeister grenadiers showed exceptional steadfastness, repelling repeated Genoese attacks before launching a surprise counterattack that forced the enemy to retreat into the surrounding mountains. Shortly afterward, another unit drove them from these positions as well. Following this siege, most fronts would stagnate until the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle would be signed, ending the war.
During the long retreat to the right bank of the Po River, the Deutschmeisters acted as the vanguard until they reached Argentera, where they fought off enemy forces before continuing the withdrawal into Lombardy.
After the war on July 4, 1749, the regiment had the honor of performing a drill in the presence of Empress Maria Theresa and received special praise. Seven Years' War
1750–1757 As of 1750, the regiment counted four battalions (two grenadier companies and 16 fusilier companies) for a total of 2,300 men. This was the administrative organisation of the regiment. However, the tactical organisation differed: two field fusilier battalions, each of six companies; two grenadier companies (usually converged with grenadiers from other regiments into an ad hoc unit); and one garrison battalion of four companies.
At the outbreak of the war in 1756, the regiment was stationed in Buda (now Budapest) before being redeployed to northern Moravia on the Silesian border, where it joined corps assembling at Hradec Králové toward the end of the year against Prussia.
1757–1758 On 18 June 1757, the regiment distinguished itself at the Battle of Kolín, where it was deployed on the left of the second line in Generalmajor Baron Plonquet's Brigade. Together with the Baden-Baden and Botta Infantry Regiments, it helped repulse the initial Prussian attack near Bříství. , commanding a battalion of converged grenadiers, repeatedly led counterattacks despite being wounded by a musket shot to the leg, continuing to command for two hours until he finally fainted. He was carried to the field hospital, but upon being informed that the situation was deteriorating, he returned to the front and led a renewed bayonet charge. In the ensuing fighting, Soro was again severely wounded when a cannonball shattered his right leg.
The regiment suffered very heavy losses, including several staff officers and most of its grenadier leadership, leaving it reduced to a single battalion and one grenadier company. In recognition of its conduct, Empress Maria Theresa awarded the regiment 6,203 guilders, and all wounded soldiers were granted double pay.
Despite being a costly victory, the battle forced Frederick the Great to abandon the Siege of Prague and his planned advance on Vienna, and instead retreat into Saxony. Following the battle, Maria Theresa founded the Military Order of Maria Theresa. The date of the battle later became the regiment's anniversary day.Peter Broucek: Der Geburtstag der Monarchie, p. 135.