Pandurs

Pandurs were a non-linear (irregular) army made out of mainly Croats from the town of Pandur that was deployed primarily to raid behind enemy lines, attack baggage and supply trains, conduct guerrilla warfare, and to fight in extended formations. They were formed in the Habsburg army in the 18th century, but were not deployed in large-scale conflicts (due to their specialized nature). This unit was first mustered by Baron Franz von der Trenck.

Background

In 1740. Austria found itself in the War of the Austrian Succession against the King Frederick II of Prussia. The war eventually embroiled most of Europe, and Queen Maria Theresa of Austria needed the help supplied by Baron Trenk, who offered to equip 1000 soldiers to engage in war for the queen.

Pandurs also existed in other countries - Tudor Vladimirescu (aprox. 1780 - 1821), the Romanian revolutionary hero, led an army of Pandours in the Wallachian uprising of 1821. They most likely originated in the period of Austrian administration in Oltenia (1716/1718-1739).

Composition

The first formation of Trenk's pandurs numbered about 1030 soldiers and had the following officer positions:

* One commander, major (oberstwachtmeister Trenk)
* Two captains (kapetan)
* One overlieutenant (oberleutnant)
* Five lieutenants (leutnant)
* One billet (kvartir)

Equipment and clothing

The standard armament of the pandurs was as follows:

* 2 pairs of old-fashioned pistols
* Yatagan
* Sabre
* Rifle

The clothing of the pandurs was very similar to the Turkish military uniform. Turkish influence on the culture of the region was heavy, since the Turks had been driven out of Slavonia only 30 years before.

Pandur Tactics

* Pandurs were used as irregulars, and specialized in behind-the-lines disruptions. They were well-known for their ferocity in such combat.
* They also tended to put plunder before engagement, which caused no end of grief to their superior officers.

War actions

* June 18th 1741. Pandurs in their first action take the fortress of Zoptenberg

Modern Impact

Today the word "pandur" in Croatian and simillar languages is a derogatory term for a police officer akin the "cop" in English.

There is also an Armoured Fighting Vehicle called Pandur, which is produced by the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug (formerly part of Steyr-Daimler-Puch).