The 3rd Lancers-Parachutists Regiment

Organisation

The 3rd Lancers-Parachutists Regiment has a classic structure comprising:

• a headquarters
• a headquarters and services squadron
• two squadrons of recce each of them including
  • three recce platoons
  • an anti-tank platoon

Missions

In the setting of classic or airborne operations, the 3rd Lancers-Parachutists can be called upon to perform:

• missions of securing territory
• reconnaissance missions
• combat missions

Equipment

Globally, the regiment disposes of different types of equipment:

• 12 Milan
• 100 machine guns
• 76 jeeps
• 18 trucks
• 14 Unimogs

Every platoon is constituted of seven Jeeps ILTIS:

• the jeep of the platoon leader and three sections of two Jeeps. The jeeps of the recce platoons are equipped with a MAG machine gun and a MINIMI. There is one sniper per platoon.
• The jeeps of the anti-tank platoon are equipped with the MILAN anti-tank missile. The close protection of these vehicles is assured with the help of a MINIMI.

Participation in peace support operations

History

Created in Brussels by a Royal decree of 7 September 1814, the Regiment of «Belgian Carabiniers» is the forerunner of the 3rd Lancers. On 5 May 1815, the Minister of War imposes a numbering system on all Cavalry regiments. The Belgian Carabiniers thus become “Carabinier regiment N°2” and under this appellation participate in the battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815 where from a total strength of 399 men they count 88 killed and 68 injured.

On 16 July 1816, the Carabiniers are endowed with breastplates and become "Afdeeling Kurassiers n°2". An orange Standard is confided to them in 1820. The Regiment moves from garrison to garrison, to finally   end up in Maastricht in 1830. By this time, the recruitment is no longer exclusively Belgian. At the time of the Belgian declaration of independence, a substantial number of cuirassiers leave the Regiment and rejoin the newly born Belgian army.

On 24 October 1830, the Temporary Government decides to form four regiments of cavalry. The 1st Regiment of Cuirassiers is born from a core of officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the Afdeeling Kurassiers N°2. The 1st Regiment of Cuirassiers takes part in the "10 days" campaign within the army of the Meuse. It takes part in the battles of Kermt and Houthaelen and leads a valiant charge at Cortessem on 8 August 1831.  In 1863, the Cavalry is reorganised and regiments are transformed into Lancers. This is how on 1 April 1836, the 1st Regiment of Cuirassiers takes the name of 3rd Regiment of Lancers following the 1st and 2nd Regiments, which had already been created.

The 3rd Lancers participates in the campaign of 1914-1918 and the defence of Antwerpen. It fights as an infantry regiment in the trenches of the Yser front. The motorisation of the Cavalry is decided in 1935 and will be effective for the 3 Th Lancers in 1938. The Regiment is equipped with motorcycles and with small tracked vehicles. During the 2nd World War the regiment distinguishes itself on different battle fields.

From April 1950 onward, the Regiment is recreated as a tank Regiment initially equipped with Sherman M4A3E8, and from 1952 onward with Patton M47. The Regiment is successively stationed at Leopoldsburg, Vogelsang, and Altenrath. In January 1969, during another Army restructuring, a number of tank battalions are suppressed, among which figures 3rd Lancers.

But on 1 July 1969, the school of Armoured Troops is reorganised and includes a battalion of instruction that takes the denomination, traditions and the standard of the 3rd Regiment of Lancers. The Regiment exists for one year and subsequently passes to the Reserve strengths as Light Regiment of the Province of Luxembourg. A new restructuring of our Army permits the reactivation of the 3rd Lancers as of 1 October 1973. Equipped with LEOPARD MBT’s, it is transferred to Düren in Germany. In 1978, the structure of the active Brigades is revised. The 3rd Lancers comes under the Command of Recce Troops and moves to Spich in August of the same year. In 1989, the Berlin wall collapses.  Armed forces are reduced considerably. On 30 April 1992, the 3rd Regiment of Lancers disappears as an armoured battalion.

The Para Commando Reconnaissance Squadron.
In the beginning of the 70’s the Belgian army decides to equip its units with light tracked armoured recce vehicles of the CVR-T type. In order to make the best possible use of this new material, the Para Commando Regiment regroups the reconnaissance platoons of its infantry battalions and creates a new unit. Thus the Para-Commando Reconnaissance squadron is established on 1 September 1975.

The Para-Commando Antitank Company
The Para-Commando Antitank Company  is created in Flawinne on 1 March 1963. It is equipped with the ENTAC missile on WILLY Jeep. In July 1979 the unit receives the new MILAN. The Company participated in the same operations as the Recce squadron of the Para-Commando Regiment.

The 3rd Regiment of Lancers-Parachutists
On 1 November 1991, the Para-Commando Regiment is elevated to Brigade level. The following year, the Reconnaissance squadron takes the name, the standard and the traditions of the 3rd Regiment of Lancers, dissolved as armoured regiment. In 1994, it merges with the Para Commando Anti-tank Company and forms a new battalion: the 3rd Regiment of Lancers Parachutists. This Battalion thus becomes the "cavalry" component of the Para Commando Brigade.

Standard

On 1 December 1831, in the royal square in Brussels , the Regiment receives its Standard from the hands of King Léopold 1st. At present it is the oldest Standard of the Belgian cavalry.

The 3rd Lancers participates in the campaign of 1914-1918. On 10 August 1914 it distinguishes itself by containing German cavalry at the Small Gete River. This action causes the Regiment 29 killed and 32 wounded. It endows the regiment with the first quote embroidered on its Standard (ORSMAEL - GUSSENHOVEN) and with the slogan on the badge of the beret: "As in Orsmael I hold". The Regiment distinguishes itself again at the Pellenberg, close to Leuven during the defence of Antwerp (- second quote on the standard -) and during the time in the trenches at the Yser river line, where the Regiment abandons its spears and fights as infantry, clothed in khaki.

On 12 and 13 May 1940, the Regiment fights on a front from Tienen, to Goetsenhoven and Drieslinter. Because of this action the Regiment is mentioned in Army dispatches and earns another quote: “DE GETE” to it’s standard. On 24 May, reorganised in only one group following its losses, it receives various elements of other units in reinforcement. It is in this new configuration that from 25 to 27 May, in the region of Geluwe, it undergoes  attacks by German armoured units who are advancing on Dunkirk. Deploring 71 killed and a considerable number of injured and prisoners, the 3rd Lancers embroiders the quote "La LYS 1940" on its Standard that is hidden in the abbey of Saint-André-the-Bruges and never falls into enemy hands.

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