Flag of the Prussian Pioneer Regiment (later converted to a Fusilier Regiment as IR49)

For more on this regiment, see my previous post of the later flags of IR49 (below). I repeat below some of the information I posted there showing where this flag was probably carried by the regiment during the Seven Years War, including at the battle of Zorndorf.

The ground colour of the flags was the same for both this unusual flag and the later flags carried by the fusilier regiment.

Even before conversion to an ordinary infantry regiment, the unit had been used in various ways. After the defeat at Kolin in 1757 its First Battalion was sent to defend the important magazine at Zittau. On July 23rd 150 men of the unit were captured in the burning city with their commander, Colonel von Diericke.

In 1758 it joined the King's Army and was used in the siege and capture of Schweidnitz in April and then at the unsuccessful siege of Olmütz. On August 25th at Zorndorf it performed heroically and attacked two enemy batteries, capturing two howitzers and six powder wagons. (Duffy, Army of Frederick the Great, 1st Edition (henceforth AFG1) shows at least 35% casualties in both battalions.) It was then with the Pomeranian Corps under Dohna, observing the Russians while the King moved away. On November 26th it officially became a fusilier regiment and Major General von Diericke became its chef.