MINDEN DAY 1759
1 August
Through the seven year war 1759 was heralded as the ‘Year of Victories’ with the Battle of Minden standing out as one of the most astonishing.
The Hampshire Regiment’s 37th Foot were sent; with give other British infantry regiment battalions, to serve with Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick at his headquarters near Munster. Ferdinand’s plan was to tempt the French from their strong position by placing infantry battalions in a place called Todtenhousen, half a mile below Minden. The plan worked and in the early hours of August 1st the French began to advance. The British cavalry had not yet arrived to support the attack and battalion numbers were low compared to those of the enemy. However, with the odds stacked against them, an advance was made towards the French. This advance would have been a great surprise to the French cavalry, as they had never witnessed an unsupported infantry advance against mass squadrons of cavalry. The battalions suffered heavy fire, but the advance continued and the French could do nothing but charge them. Enemy squadrons swiftly moved towards the British infantry who waited until the horsemen were less than ten paces away and then unleashed their fire. This took devastating effect on the French squadrons, who then retreated as fast as possible. More horsemen began to hurl themselves at the damaged British battalions, but even in their wounded state they stood as strong as a wall and beat the French back again.
French infantry were then sent in to attack but the British battalions stood fast and showed another strong front; another surprise for the French as this was a manoeuvre unexpected for troops already engaged in combat. From here a fire-fight lasted around ten minutes, the superiority of British musketry and fire discipline showing through, resulting in many being killed and the rest retreating. But the British infantry’s troubles were still not over; their next targets were the Grenadiers of France, described as ‘fine and terrible fellows’. The infantry managed to beat them back to a distance. But as this distance their fire could not reach them, so another advance was made and the Grenadiers quickly ran away. The astounding achievements from this battle were down to the highest state of coolness, courage and military discipline every displayed. For these acts Minden was placed on the Colours of the Regiment, making it a most prized battle honour.
As the British infantry soldiers returned from the battle they picked roses and placed them in their hats in memory of their fellow infantry men who had fallen in battle. It is now customary for men of the Royal Hampshire Regiment to wear a small red rose behind the cap Badge in the headdress, every year on the 1st August, to commemorate Minden Day.