1st (Silesian) Life Cuirassiers "Great Elector"

The 1st (Silesian) Life Cuirassiers "Great Elector" was a heavy cavalry regiment of the Prussian Army, existing under various names and organizational structures from the mid-17th century to the end of World War I. Its lineage traced back to the Leibgarde zu Ross (Life Guard on Horse), formed around the person of the Great Elector, Frederick William of Brandenburg.

As a cuirassier regiment, it was traditionally equipped with breastplates (cuirasses), helmets, and straight swords, representing the elite heavy cavalry of its time. Over the centuries, the regiment participated in numerous Prussian military campaigns, including the Silesian Wars, Napoleonic Wars, and the Franco-Prussian War.

The honorific title "Great Elector" specifically linked the regiment to its historical founder and highlighted its role as a prestigious unit within the Prussian military hierarchy. The regiment's name reflected not only its regional origin in Silesia but also its status as a "Life" regiment, signifying its close association with the ruling monarch.

Throughout its history, the 1st (Silesian) Life Cuirassiers "Great Elector" underwent various reforms and reorganizations, adapting to changing military doctrines and technological advancements. However, it retained its core identity as a heavy cavalry unit until the widespread adoption of mechanized warfare during and after World War I rendered such formations obsolete. The regiment was ultimately disbanded following the end of World War I.