Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI
Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI
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.
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.
Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI
" The right to believe is the right of those who don't know "
Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI
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
Hans
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
Hans
The paradise of the successful lends itself perfectly to a hell for the unsuccessful. (Bertold Brecht on Hollywood)
Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI
The British also made extensive use of the lance as a cavalry weapon.
This is David Kenyon's PhD Thesis
https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/bits ... sequence=1
This is David Kenyon's PhD Thesis
https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/bits ... sequence=1
Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI
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/
Of Course there was also german Lance vs French sabre cavalry vs Cavalry August 1914
https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/499 ... gust-1914/
Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI
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
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
Also note that the Russian cavalry carried lances
Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI
Russian cossack
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Re: Use of the Lance by Cavalry in WWI
German Cavalry used lances to Guard POWS April 1918-no Joke!
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=261256&p=2379414&h ... 8#p2379414
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=261256&p=2379414&h ... 8#p2379414