Gotland National Conscription Explained

Unit Name:Gotland National Conscription
Native Name:Gotlands nationalbeväring
Dates:1811–1887
Country:Sweden
Allegiance:Swedish Armed Forces
Branch:Swedish Army
Type:Infantry
Garrison:Visby
Colours:-->
Colours Label:-->
Identification Symbol Label:Battalion colour m/1849

The Gotland National Conscription (Swedish: Gotlands nationalbeväring) was a Swedish Army infantry unit that traced its origins back to the 19th century. It was split into two new regiments in 1887. The regiment's soldiers were recruited on the island of Gotland.

History

Gotland National Conscription was raised in 1811 through an agreement, a convention between the people of Gotland and the king. It became Sweden's first military conscript defence with exercise duty even in peacetime. It mobilized nearly 20% of the population and raised four battalions in addition to artillery. The officers were appointed by the King; non-commissioned officers were elected by the men. In 1887, the Gotland National Conscriptio was reformed into two separate units, the Gotland Infantry Regiment and the Gotland Artillery Corps.

Organisation 1861

Northern battalion (which in 1870 consisted of 5,040 men) consisted of the following companies:

Visby battalion (which in 1870 consisted of 1,690 men) consisted of the following companies:

Middle battalion (which in 1870 consisted of 1,730 men) consisted of the following companies:

Southern battalion (which in 1870 consisted of 2,350 men) consisted of the following companies:

The number of conscripts amounted to 8,496 men and the officer corps comprised 111 men. The state cost for the conscripts amounted to 139,562 riksdaler and 92 öre, of which the military accounted for 2,000.

Commanding officers

The Military Commanders of Gotland from 1811 to 1886. After Lennart Reuterskiöld's withdrawal as military commander the post of Military Commander and County Governor came to be united until 1873, then the posts were separated into two. Both Rudolf Cederström and Lennart Reuterskiöld were Military Commander and Deputy County Governor.

See also

References

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