Leuthen Prussian Flags Project - Flags of Prussian Infantry Regiment 20 von Zastrow

Chefs: Major General Berend Asmus von Zastrow to 20th May 1757; Major General August Gottlieb von Bornstedt to 7th April 1759; Major General Ludwig Karl von Kalckstein to 2nd April 1778

First raised 1674 [according to Bleckwenn; 1689 according to Dorn and Engelmann] as garrison in Magdeburg

In the Seven Years War:

With the King's army in 1756 the regiment took part in the capture of Teschen Castle in September, and the grenadiers and first battalion distinguished themselves in the final advance on the town of Lobositz on October 1st (according to Duffy Army of Frederick the Great 1st Edition - henceforth AFG1 - the grenadiers lost about 30% casualties). Marching into Bohemia again in 1757 the regiment was at the taking of the city of Aussig and there lost its chef Major General von Zastrow to a Croat attack. Having been at the siege of Prague the regiment then endured the defeat at Kolin on 18th June as part of the Pannewitz Brigade. Having attacked Croats at Chozenitz by the command of General Mannstein the second battalion pursued too far towards the Kamajka Heights and had to be relieved by the first battalion. Losses totaled 800 (around 50% as confirmed by AFG1).The grenadiers went to Rossbach with the King and the regiment itself to the defeat at Breslau under the Duke of Bevern on the 22nd November. Only one battalion remained to fight at Leuthen on December 5th.

In the summer of 1758 the regiment took part in the attack on Olmütz. The grenadiers advanced towards Franconia while the musketeer battalions were at the defeat at Hochkirch on October 14th. Sent by the king to counterattack west of the village they were surrounded by the Austrians and driven back with the loss of 500 men (AFG1 suggests at least 45% casualties).

Summer 1759 was spent in camp at Schmottseiffen. The grenadiers were at Kunersdorf (AFG1 suggests around 45% casualties) and the fight at Korbitz on September 21st, fighting well at both. The Magdeburg area was its main recruiting ground and the regiment was able to replace all losses.

With Prince Heinrich from 1760 (the grenadiers only were at Liegnitz) the regiment fought in the Ramin Brigade at Torgau on November 3rd, losing 600 men in the advance on the Süptitz Heights, being driven back and having to endure many casualties while stationary under fire.

In 1761 the regiment was on the Mulde and in 1762 under its chef Major General von Stutterheim stormed the fortifications in the northern Spittelwald; an abatis was taken by 300 volunteers under Captain Georg Dietrich von Pfuhl, who was awarded the Pour-le-merite.

 And this was the uniform in 1756: