The exact strength of the
coalition army is unclear. If the participating regiments were at full
strength then it would have counted 20 404 men (14 234 infantry and 6 180
cavalry). But the real strength was considerably lower. The fleet which
transported the army to Rügen had only been ordered to make room for 17 219
men and 5 183 horses. These numbers also include more than just privates but
also officers, baggage train and other non-combatives. This means that the
number of privates should not have exceeded 3 500 for the cavalry and 11 000
for the infantry. In other words, an average battalion would have about 75 %
of its nominal strength and an average squadron about 50 %. Also when the
battle of Stresow was being fought, all the infantry but only 5 of 35 squadrons
had landed on Rügen. So the combined strength in the battle was no more than 11
500 men.
The official order of battle
for the coalition army is shown below. If the whole army would have fought
in a pitched battle on Rügen then this is the order in which they would have
stood on the battle field. The reported strength is based on nominal
strength and is not matched by the actual condition.
Saxon regiments have their names written in green text, Prussian in
blue and Danish-Norwegian regiments in red text.
I have in an attempt to ease identification of the Prussian regiments also added
(in parenthesis) the official regimental numbers which they got during the
reign of Frederick the Great.
The Danish cavalry regiments wore in battle buff coats and black cuirasses.
On this page however they are depicted with their ordinary red coats since
they were still on the ships when the battle of Stresow was fought.
