Royal German Cavalry Regiment

The Régiment Royal-Allemand Cavalerie was a regiment in the French Royal army, composed of German-speakers (both French-born and immigrants from German states).

[1] In June 1789 the Royal-Allemand was one of the regiments of the Royal Army summoned to Paris to suppress the growing disturbances in the city, that preceded the outbreak of the French Revolution.

About half of this force was made up of Swiss and German foreign troops, who were considered more dependable in a time of civil unrest than the native born rank and file of the French regular regiments.

While desertions from both French and foreign regiments were running at a high rate during the revolutionary disorders of 1789, the Royal-Allemand lost only three men during this period.

[4] After the overthrow of Louis XVI in August 1792, part of the regiment, led by its officers, defected and took service with the army of royalist emigres being raised by the Prince de Condé at Coblenz.