Potsdam Giants Never Entered Combat

Prussian King Frederick William I created a regiment of exceptionally tall soldiers officially called the Grand Grenadiers of Potsdam, but better known as the Potsdam Giants. Recruits had to stand more than six feet tall, and their pay increased according to their height. Many men were kidnapped or sold into the regiment, while others were produced by pairing its soldiers with tall women in an attempt to breed future giants. Frederick William considered the men too valuable for combat and restricted them to parade-ground duties, but his son Frederick the Great transferred most of them into active units after inheriting the throne in 1740.

Previous Fact Next Fact