Hanseatic Legion Hanseatische Legion | |
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Active | 1813 | –1815
Country | Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck |
Nickname(s) | Hanseaten |
Engagements | Battle of the Göhrde in the Napoleonic Wars |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Karl August Friedrich von Witzleben Sir Neil Campbell |
The Hanseatic Legion was a military unit, first formed of a group of citizens from Hamburg. They had met in 1813 on the instigation of General Friedrich Karl von Tettenborn, in order to fight in the War of the Sixth Coalition. This association of volunteers was joined immediately by volunteers from Hamburg's Hanseatic sister cities Bremen and Lübeck.
The Legion should not be confused with the Hamburger Bürgermilitär (Hamburg Citizen Militia). During their time of coexistence, the militia restricted itself to ejecting the French garrisons stationed in Hamburg and the other two Hanseatic cities, whereas the Legion also participated in the rest of the campaign under Russian overall command.