In sharp contrast to their heavy involvement in the First Schleswig War the Guards played only a small part in the War against Prussia and Austria. Despite this their story is an interesting one. Although some elements of the Guard were present at the front almost from the commencement of hostilities the Foot Guards did not enter the fray until early March when two companies was involved in a most unlikely enterprise.

Despite the fact (or perhaps because of it) that the Danes were beating a somewhat hasty retreat in Jutland it was decided that a raid should be made on the Baltic coast of Holstein to the east of Kiel in the vicinity of Hohwacht. Consequently on the 6th of March the steamship "Freja" and the Steam corvette "Dagmar" sailed from Zealand down the coast of Schleswig Holstein with the 1st and 4th companies of the Foot Guards on board.

From the beginning nothing went according to plan, bad weather prevented the proposed landing at Hohwacht and although a landing did go ahead in the area between the forests of Schassau and Weinberg no more than fifty men had gone ashore before it was discovered that there were no enemy troops in the area. Indeed it soon became apparent that, not only was there no hostile forces in the immediate area, there were no enemy troops anywhere in north eastern Holstein!

All the Guards had to fight was the difficult weather conditions. Another landing was planned at Hohwacht but again the weather intervened and, with the time allowed for the operation fast running out, the whole exercise was abandoned. Within a few days the Guards found themselves back in Zealand, their only casualties caused by sea sickness and exposure. All in all a most inauspicious start for the Foot Guards in the war with the Germans.

By April the Foot Guards had joined the defenders of the Dybbol position where their arrival was witnessed by a Mr Gallenga, a British correspondent, who wrote of their appearance in glowing terms. The unit became part of the reserve which was located in the area around Sonderborg, opposite the Dybbol position. It was still occupied in this role on the fateful day of April 18th when the Prussians launched their assault.

With the battle raging on the opposite side of the Sound the Guards were ordered to form up and march over the northern pontoon bridge and into the battle, What happened next is graphically described by Second Lieutenant S.C. Knudtzon (who would himself latter join the Guards) who witnessed the Guard advance.

"In the heavy fire the Life Guards were seen in marching order.... advancing over the northern pontoon bridge. The ranks were close, the beat of the march and the firm and ordinary cadence, the rifles were shouldered firmly, everything was just like on the parade ground at home. In front of the column four officers were marching.... The grenades were whirling up the water on both sides of the bridge, the battalion of Guards continued marching.

When the head of the column had reached about two thirds of the length of the bridge, the battalion was ordered to withdraw; the noise from the artillery was now so loud that from my position close to the western end of the bridge it was impossible to hear any shouting of commands; however, suddenly I noticed that the rifles were drawn down to a vertical position.... and the whole column almost instantly.... turned round and calmly.... marched back to Sonderborg"...

Following this splendid display of discipline and courage the Guards took up positions between the "Kirkebatteriet" (Church Battery) and the Sonderborg Slot (castle) where they were under fire from Prussian guns. Considering the fact that they had not come in direct contact with the enemy their casualties for the day were high with 13 men killed including the commanding officer, Colonel Henrik Lasson and 20 wounded out of a total strength of 10 officers and 712 other ranks.

On the 19th April the battalion was relieved by the 3rd regiment at about 7pm. The unit then marched to Hørup Hav and, after spending the night in the open, boarded ships and sailed to Faaborg on the Island of Fyn. So ended the Foot Guards involvement in the war. All in all the war must have been very frustrating for the Guards as, despite their best efforts, they never had opportunity to prove their fighting prowess against the enemy. Despite this, the Guards had displayed the courage and discipline that had been always been their halmark. It was, therefore, appropriate that the word Dybbol be added, a second time, to the long list of battle honors adorning the regimental flags.