Please don't be offended Nickdfresh, but the point is perhaps, that with very few, statistically invisible exceptions, Polish cavalry always fought dismounted. Put another way, with the exception of heavy weapon's platoons, every platoon of 18 Polish cavalrymen had an anti tank rifle at their disposal. Given that, why on earth would they chose to attack tanks with lances?Nickdfresh wrote: some Polish cav fought dismounted using said antitank rifles...
Did Polish Calvary charge German Panzers with lances?
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Re: Did Polish Calvary charge German Panzers with lances?
gebhk wrote:Ah, hence my confusion. This is not a wz 35 anti-tank rifle, but a 19th century Prussian hunting gun (an 'elephant gun', if you will). The photo is one of a series taken by a commission experimenting with various methods of transporting the wz 35 anti tank rifle. For reasons of security, the wz 35 was substituted with the hunting gun, which was of similar weight, dimensions and shape. The item on the rider's back is a carrying yoke, one of several different gizmo's tried. As the commission's report was not published until 31.8.1939, it's conclusions were never put into practice.
Your point, however, is well made. Why would anyone attack a tank with a lance when you have effective anti-tank weapons available?
Good catch. So we wont even mention what the horse soldier bears at his side, is a spade. As made to dug personnal trenches with, and in a pinch, excellent to fight with, as good as many an battle-axes...
Re: Did Polish Calvary charge German Panzers with lances?
During the Napoleonic times and American civil war, dragoons/light cav could dismount and either form a line or enter house fighting, then remount. They were also used as scouts.
All videos featuring cav with sabers and lances during WW2 are news reel propaganda material, this demonsrates how far the average layman is distanced from understanding actual combat.
They sometimes trained like that because of traditions, spirit and for the mere training effect.
All videos featuring cav with sabers and lances during WW2 are news reel propaganda material, this demonsrates how far the average layman is distanced from understanding actual combat.
They sometimes trained like that because of traditions, spirit and for the mere training effect.
Re: Did Polish Calvary charge German Panzers with lances?
The no-sabers is maybe too far. The trained with sabers extensively, they was their bayonets. But dismounted they left them behind.
I think Soviet cavalry attacked with sabers a few times, when it was justified tactically, and thanks to their speed and the element of surprise with great results.
I think Soviet cavalry attacked with sabers a few times, when it was justified tactically, and thanks to their speed and the element of surprise with great results.
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Most of the times. Polish pre-1939 cavalry was basically mounted infantry, fighting on foot, moving on horseback. Just like motorised infantry barely ever fought from their lorries. Sure, in 1939 the cavalry had its' moments of 19th century-like glory, sabre charges and so on (most of which were actually quite successful BTW), but your average cavalryman fought using the very same tactics as his infantry mate.Nickdfresh wrote:I've read this as well, and that some Polish cav fought dismounted using said antitank rifles...
Re: Did Polish Calvary charge German Panzers with lances?
A college friend introduced me to his father back in the 1970s. He was a Galician and served as an officer in the kuk cavalry in WW1. At the end of the war he discovered he was now Polish and in 1939 served as a trooper. He said that he took part in a cavalry charge against German infantry. He survived by being in the middle of the squadron. The machine guns took the front rank and mortars the rear. His horse was shot but he survived. This discussion took place in the Polish club in Derby with Lancaster bomber propellers on the walls and model aircraft hanging from the ceiling.
Re: Did Polish Calvary charge German Panzers with lances?
Sounds consistent with many other stories of cavalry charges. Casualties tend to be... errr... spectacular, but once the cavalry breaks through, the psychological effect of a huge mountain of meat charging at you kicks in