Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

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jluetjen
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Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#1

Post by jluetjen » 15 Jan 2022, 20:50

I recently saw some comments about the use of the lance in WWI appear on a thread, and thought that it was a subject that needed a thread.

Popular opinion has it that the lance was an anachronism in WW1, but strangely a bayonet was not. I'm not sure if the conventional opinion is necessarily right in this matter. But if you want to see what a lance is all about, I came across this video from a cavalry re-enactor in Germany who does a really nice introduction into the lance drill, and use of a lance based on the German manuals. Unfortunately for English speakers, it is all in German, but the visuals alone are worth the watch. He's apparently part of a group which does cavalry competitions, which are really cool. Doing a search on "Kavallerie Meisterschaft" will bring up a number of interesting videos showing the different events. In the competitions there are teams modelled after a number of different countries and units. The amount of detail in the uniforms and equipment is outstanding. He also made [urlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e4eWYwN0RM]a really nice video[/url] of a "patrol" from a Reider's view.

>> Shameless plug <<
For those who don't speak German, I investigate the training and use of the lance by the French an the Germans in a video that I made, as well as look at a couple of engagements in 1914 where they were used.

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von thoma
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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#2

Post by von thoma » 16 Jan 2022, 04:59

Sin título.jpg
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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#3

Post by Hans1906 » 18 Jan 2022, 21:20

jluetjen,

the "Deutsche Stahlrohrlanze" was still common in the World War I, as we all know from some antique photos...

Stahlrohrlanze (E): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stahlrohrlanze


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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#4

Post by Sheldrake » 19 Jan 2022, 01:21

The British also made extensive use of the lance as a cavalry weapon.
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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#5

Post by LAstry » 14 Mar 2022, 18:38

I think one of the first clashes in August 1914 was between British horse cavalry and german hussars cavaley both armed with lances...

Of Course there was also german Lance vs French sabre cavalry vs Cavalry August 1914
https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/499 ... gust-1914/

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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#6

Post by jluetjen » 27 Mar 2022, 20:46

Yes, I recently got myself a copy of the history of the LKR. There is like only 1 copy in the US in the NYPL. I was able to get down there last year a make a copy. So far I've only done a rough translation which I've skimmed through. I'm working to finish up a 2nd video covering the 2nd day of the battle of La Garde, which also had a cavalry charge with lances.

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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#7

Post by bltedouard » 28 Jan 2024, 12:43

I have already seen spearmen on the French side until 1918 with their lances and classic poilus field dress for guarding German prisoners or patrols.https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi ... to-license

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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#8

Post by James A Pratt III » 02 Feb 2024, 21:19

Also note that the Russian cavalry carried lances

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carius
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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#9

Post by carius » 09 Feb 2024, 05:31

Russian cossack
COSSACK.jpg
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James A Pratt III wrote:
02 Feb 2024, 21:19
Also note that the Russian cavalry carried lances

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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI

#10

Post by COmentator » 17 Mar 2024, 16:33

German Cavalry used lances to Guard POWS April 1918-no Joke!
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=261256&p=2379414&h ... 8#p2379414

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