Country Kingdom of Denmark Type Cavalry | Branch Royal Danish Army Size Five battalions | |
 | ||
Active 17 November 1614 – present
(402 years, 3 months) Role 1st Battalion – Armoured Infantry
2nd Battalion – Armoured Infantry
3rd Battalion – Reconnaissance
4th Battalion – Armoured Infantry
5th Battalion - Basic Training | ||
The Guard Hussar Regiment (Danish: Gardehusarregimentet, GHR) is a special cavalry unit of the Royal Danish Army, the primary task is to train the Guard Hussars for various functions in the mobilisation force. The Guard Hussars are one of two active cavalry regiments of the Danish Army, and was formed in 2001 through the amalgamation of the original Guard Hussars regiment, Zealand Life Regiment and Danish Life Regiment
History
Although the Guard Hussars themselves date from 10 February 1762, the Danish Army takes the date of the founding of a regiment from its oldest part, in this case the Zealand Life Regiment, which was founded in 1614. This makes the Guard Hussars one of the oldest regiment of hussars in the world still operational, it is also the only hussars in mounted parade uniform to still wear the slung and braided pelisse which was formerly characteristic of this class of cavalry. In addition to its operational role, the Guard Hussar Regiment is one of two regiments in the Danish Army (along with the Den Kongelige Livgarde) to be classed as 'Guards'; in this case, the Mounted Squadron perform the same role as the Household Cavalry do in the British Army.
The motto of the regiment is in Latin: In actis esto volucris, which translates to Be swift in action.
From 1961 to 1972 the regiment was responsible for two armoured battalions, one recon battalion and three infantry battalions. From 1972–2000 the regiment was responsible for one armoured, one mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and two infantry battalions. From 2000–2004 the regiment was responsible for two armoured, two mechanised infantry, one reconnaissance and two infantry battalions. From 1992–2004 the regiment also had to form two light Reconnaissance Squadrons assigned to the Brigades.
Today the Gardehusarregiment is classed as a cavalry regiment, it is in fact a mixed armoured and infantry unit, with four battalions: