The Kronoberg Regiment, designations I 11 and I 11/Fo 16, was a Swedish Armyinfantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was disbanded in 1997. The regiment's soldiers were originally recruited from Kronoberg County, and it was later garrisoned there.
History
The regiment has its origins in fänikor raised in Kronoberg County in the 16th century. In 1616, these units—along with fänikor from the nearby Kalmar County—were organised by Gustav II Adolf into Smålands storregemente, of which twelve of the total 24 companies were recruited in Kronoberg County. Smålands storregemente consisted of three field regiments, of which Kronoberg Regiment was one. Sometime around 1623, the grand regiment was permanently split into three smaller regiments, of which Kronoberg Regiment was one. Kronoberg Regiment was one of the original 20 Swedish infantry regiments mentioned in the Swedish constitution of 1634, although it was mentioned as one of two regiments that should merge to form Småland Regiment, but that regiment was never formed and instead Kronoberg Regiment and Jönköping Regiment were kept separate. The regiment's first commander was Patrick Ruthwen. The regiment was allotted in 1684. The regiment was given the designation I 11 in a general order in 1816. Kronoberg Regiment was garrisoned in Växjö from 1920. In 1974, the regiment gained the new designation I 11/Fo 16 as a consequence of a merge with the localdefence district Fo 16. The regiment was disbanded in 1997.
The regiment has carried a number of different colours over the years. The last colour was presented to the regiment in Växjö by the Chief of the Army, lieutenant general, count Carl August Ehrensvärd on 6 June 1956. The new colour replaced the one from 1893. The new colour was used as regimental colour by I 11/Fo 16 until 1 September 1997. The colour is drawn by Brita Grep and embroidered by hand in insertion technique by Libraria. Blazon: "On yellow cloth the provincial badge of Småland; a red lion rampant with blue arms, in the forepaws a red crossbow with white arrowhead and black bow, string and trigger. On a red border at the upper side of the colour, battle honours in yellow".
Coat of arms
The coat of the arms of the Kronoberg Regiment 1977–1997 and the Kronoberg Group 1997–2004. Blazon: "Or, the provincial badge of Småland, a double-tailed lion rampant gules, armed and langued azure, in the forepaws a crossbow gules, arrow-head argent, bow and string sable. The shield surmounted two muskets in saltire or".
Medals
In 1971, the Kronobergs regementes hedersmedalj in gold/silver/bronze of the 8th size was established. The medal ribbon is divided in yellow, red and yellow moiré. In 1997, the Kronobergs regementes minnesmedalj in silver of the 8th size was established. The medal ribbon is of red moiré with two yellow stripes on each side. The ribbon is attached to a narrow pole carried by two slanting ornaments of leaves.
Heritage
In connection with the disbandment of the regiment through the Defence Act of 1996, its traditions came from 1 December 1998 onwards to be continued by Kronoberg Group. From 1 July 2013, the Kronoberg Battalion, within Kalmar and Kronoberg Group is the traditional keeper of Kronoberg Regiment.
Commanding officers
Regimental commanders active at the regiment during the years 1627–1997.
