Page "Luxembourg Army" Paragraph 3

On 8 January 1817, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, William I published a constitutional law governing the organization of a Militia, the main provisions of which were to remain in force until the Militia was abolished in 1881.

Up until 1840, Luxembourg ’ s militiamen served in units of the Royal Netherlands Army.

In 1839 William I became a party to the Treaty of London.

Under the terms of the Treaty, Luxembourg and the newly formed Duchy of Limburg, both members of the Germanic Confederation, were together required to provide a Federal Contingent distributed among a Light Infantry Battalion garrisoned in Echternach, a Cavalry Squadron in Diekirch, and an Artillery detachment in Ettelbruck.

In 1846 the Cavalry and Artillery units where disbanded and the Luxembourg Contingent was separated from the Limburg Contingent.

The establishment was now two Light Infantry Battalions, the first Battalion in Echternach and the second in Diekirch, two reserve Companies and a depot Company.

In 1866, the Austro-Prussian war resulted in the dissolution of the Germanic Confederation and Luxembourg was declared neutral in perpetuity.

A new military organization was established in 1867 with two Battalions known as the Corps des Chasseurs Luxembourgeois.

In 1868 the contingent became one Light Infantry Battalion of 4 Companies.

On 16 February 1881, the Light Infantry Battalion was disbanded with the abolition of the militia-based system.