The Polish cavalry can trace its origins back to the days of medieval cavalry knights. Poland is mostly a country of flatlands and fields and mounted forces operate well in this environment. The knights and heavy cavalry gradually evolved into many different types of specialised mounted military formations, some of which heavily influenced western warfare and military science. This article details the evolution of Polish cavalry tactics, traditions and arms from the times of mounted knights and heavy winged hussars, through the times of light uhlans to mounted infantry equipped with ranged and mêlée weapons.
Volunteer Representative Squadron of City of Poznań in uniforms of 15th Poznań Uhlans Regiment
Monument in Warsaw 1000 years of Polish cavalry. "Pancerny" from medieval drużyna of Mieszko I and Polish Uhlan during World War II
Polish-Lithuanian state, late 17th century Towarzysz pancerny
Polish Winged Hussar, wings visible. Painting by Aleksander Orłowski
The Polish hussars, alternatively known as the winged hussars, were a heavy cavalry formation active in Poland and in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1503 to 1702. Their epithet is derived from large rear wings, which were intended to demoralize the enemy during a charge. The hussars ranked as the elite of Polish cavalry until their official disbanding in 1776.
Polish hussars
Entrance of winged Polish hussar delegates in La Rochelle, France, in 1573, following the Siege of La Rochelle (1572–1573) and their offering of the Polish throne to the Duke of Anjou.
A historical reconstruction of a winged hussar, 2013.
Polish hussars during entry into Kraków, detail of so-called Stockholm Roll, 1605.