Napoleoński 3 Pułk Cudzoziemski (Irlandzki) na Dolnym Śląsku w 1813 roku
The Napoleonic 3rd Foreign Regiment (Irish) in Lower Silesia in 1813

Summary/Abstract: The existence of a unit in the Napoleonic army formed by Irish citizens is a curiosity. The assumption that the unit would be composed entirely of Irish nationals was not realized due to the lack of more recruits coming from the emerald island. Initially, the Legion, and then the Irish Regiment, was divided into battalions that served during operations in Spain and on the coast of the Netherlands. During the first period of its existence, the regiment contained many Poles, who were prisoners of war from the Prussian army. In the following years, Poles continued to flow into the unit, albeit in reduced numbers. The Irish Regiment was then sent to Germany in 1813, where it participated in the spring campaign and later entered Lower Silesia with the rest of the Great Army. The unit stayed in Silesia during the truce and then took part in the autumn battles with the coalition troops. Whilst fighting together with the 17th Infantry Division of General Jacques-Pierre Puthod near Płakowice on 29 August 1813, the regiment was decimated and disbanded shortly after.

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