Austrian cavalry, from the collection of Paul Armont (www.flats-zinnfiguren.com)
From left to right: chevauleger, hussar, uhlan, cuirassier and dragoon.

. The Austrian cavalrymen "were as superior to us as we were to the trained-bands in the city." - Le Marchant, leader of British cavalry The Austrian Cavalry. At Borghetto Bonaparte fled before Austrian cavalry by climbing over a wall and lost his boot in the process. The Austrian cavalry consisted of cuirassiers, dragoons, chevaulegeres (light dragoons), hussars and uhlans. They were excellent swordsman and horsemen, well-trained and well-mounted and enjoyed great reputation in Europe. For French cavalry officer, de Brack, the Hungarian hussars were some of "the best European cavalry." Sir Wilson wrote about the Austrian cavalry: "... both cuirassiers and hussars are superb". Anoher British observer described their cuirassiers in 1814 in Paris as "outstanding". According to "The Armies of Europe": "The [Austrian] cavalry is excellent. The heavy or "German" cavalry, consisting of Germans and Bohemians is well horsed, well armed, and always efficient. The light cavalry has, perhaps, lost by mixing up the German chevau-légers with the Polish lancers, but its Hungarian hussars will always remain the models of all light cavalry." ("The Armies of Europe" in Putnam's Monthly, No. XXXII, published in 1855) Exploits of Austrian cavalry during the Napoleonic wars: In 1796 (?) at Borghetto, Bonaparte was lunching with generals Massena and Murat when the Austrian light cavalry (hussars ?) surprised them. Bonaparte fled by climbing over a wall and lost his boot in the process. Murat and Massena followed him. This episode resulted in Bonaparte forming his escort, the Guides, who were the ancestors of the legendary horse chasseurs of Imperial Guard. In 1809 at Wagram regiments of French light cavalry under Sahuc discharged their carbines and pistols at 10 paces at Austrian hussars ('Hessen-Homburg' Hussar Regiment) and regiment of chevaulegers. Despite the volley the hussars closed and fought hand to hand. It didn't take long before two French colonels and numerous troopers went down with wounds. In 1809 "The [French] cuirassier division arrived, with the brigade of carabiniers at its head. ... Soon an uhlan regiment in six squadrons trotted up to within 200 paces of the carabiniers and launched a charge at full tilt. It reached their line but could not break it, as the second regiment of carabiniers was right behind the first, and behind it the rest of the cuirassier division. I saw a great many carabiniers with lance wounds, but a dozen or so uhlans had also fallen. Among our prisoners was a warrant officer, a fine looking man. A carabinier had cut him to the bone from his ear to his eye, and his blood flowed over his green uniform and onto the ground. ... The Emperor, learning the Austrian uhlans were Poles, bede me ask this man if he did not know that the Emperor wished to take Poland from those who had dismembered it and give it back to us. He answered bravely: 'I do know this, and if a Polish officer had approached our regiment we would have all followed him. But when we are ordered to charge we have to get on and doit, so nobody can say Poles are bad fighters." (Chlapowski - "Memoirs of a Polish Lancer" p 60) The Blankenstein Hussar Regiment took advantage of some screening trees before they launched all out charge into the flank of French cavalry under Jacquinot. At the instant the French were sent packing and it was not before Grouchy's dragoons intervened the pursuit was halted. Hungarian hussars from another regiment reached the position where Massena and his carriage stood. They swarmed around before were shot by Massena's devoted officers. On 14-15th September 1813 at Lipa (Lippa) the Austrian infantry began a gradual withdrawal to a second position. During the withdrawal, the Italian cavalry (French allies) took advantage of this situation and launched an attack. However, half squadron of the Austrian Radetzky hussars pushed through the intervals in the withdrawing Austrian infantry and furiously drove back six (?) squadrons of the Italian cavalry (chasseurs-s-cheval) under General Perreimond. (Nafziger and Gioannini - "The Defense of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Northern Italy 1813-1814" pp 52 and 265) On 8th February 1814 at Pozzolo FML Merville urged his cavalry to remain ready for a charge from behind the earthen embarkment when squadron of uhlans (of Erzherzog Karl Uhlan Regiment) returned and announced being pursued by the French cavalry. As soon as the French came within sight, GM Wrede's dragoon brigade and "Erzherzog Karl" Uhlan Regiment (4 sq.) were sent forward. In the head of the French force advanced 2 sq. of the 1st Hussar Regiment. The French instead of counter-charging received the Austrians at the standstill and were routed. Then the Austrian Savoy Dragoon Regiment attacked the remaining French cavalry frontally, while the Hohenlohe Dragoon Regiment attacked their flank. The French cavalry and supporting them Italian Queen's Dragoon Regiment were overthrown. The Austrians also captured horse battery. The disorder of the cavalry spread to the adjacent troops ... The French-Italian cavalry brigade was hors de combat and for the rest of the battle, was in no condition to deploy in the front again. (Nafziger and Gioannini - "The Defense of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Northern Italy 1813-1814" pp 165-166) In 1805 at Austerlitz "The Hussars, excellent ones of Hessen-Homburg, had many men and horses killed by the French skirmishers, but the enemy did not succeed in making them yield." (Amon von Treuenfest - "Geschichte des k.k. 11 Huszaren-Regimentes" p 233) At Austerlitz when two regiments of French dragoons got to within a 100 paces of eight squadrons of 'O'Reilly' chevauxlegers the Austrians unmasked a horse battery and opened fire. The attackers fell back in disorder. The Kronprinz Erzherzog Cuirassier Regiment dashed in a howling charge against the front of 8.000 strong column of French infantry led by MdE Macdonald and protected by artillery ! It was truly incredible sight, a handful of heavy cavalry charging against the immense masses of infantry and tens of cannons. In 1809 at Alt Eglofshein a single Austrian cuirassier regiment charged to within 100 paces, not failing to notice that the French carabiniers and cuirassiers overlapped his line on both flanks. The carabiniers delivered a salvo at 40 paces and attacked from the front while in the same time the French cuirassiers attacked on both flanks. During the 3rd day of the battle of Leipzig, the Poles and French strongly defended Dolitz with artillery and infantry. Nafziger writes: "Although the French strongly held Dolitz ... Simonyi [with 3 sq. of Hessen-Homburg hussars and 2 horse guns] resolved to march as quickly as possible to the other side of the village, so as not to lose the least time in striking the French ... This movement was barely begun when the French first line struck at the Austrian hussars. Simonyi sounded the charge, and drove back not only the French infantry assault, but completely broke through the second French line and threw that back Twice more the hussars charged forward in order to give the Austrian infantry time to arrive." At Leipzig the Sommariva Cuirassiers went into action against Berkheim's French lancers. The lancers broke and fled closely followed by the Austrians. A Saxon officer recalled the event as follow: "When we [Saxon cuirassiers, not the Garde du Corps] reached Berckheim, his men were mixed up with the enemy in individual squadrons, so that there were Austrian units to the north of the French lancers. We Saxons had only just come up wwhen Berckheim rallied his men to face the ever-increasing enemy pressure. But they could not stand even though Berckheim - bareheaded, as his hat had been knocked off - threw himself into the thick of the melee. He was also swept back in the flood of fugitives ... Despite this chaos, we stood fast and hacked away at the Austrians. Shortly before they charged us, the Austrians had shouted to us to come over to them; we ignored them. However, we were overpowered and broken. The chase now went on at speed, friend and foe all mixed up together, racing over the plain." Weaknessess of Austrian Cavalry The Austrian cavalry however had also serious shortcomings: tactical doctrine, they seldom operated effectively in multi-regimental formations weak strength, they were often outnumbered by the French, Russians or Turks Battle of Alt-Eglofsheim, 1809 French Carabiniers and Cuirassiers vs Austrian Cuirassiers and Hussars

. "... during the Napoleonic Wars, 4 Hussars wanted to attack 40 enemy light cavalrymen. Their Oberleutenant ordered them to fall back as they were so outnumbered. 'Eh ?' grumbled unhappy Gemeiner, 'I have never heard that we have to count the enemy before we attack." - Hollins "Hungarian Hussar 1756-1815" Tactics of Austrian Cavalry "Austrian cavalry was well mounted and generally good but seldom operated effectively in mass." - John Elting John Elting wrote: "Austrian cavalry was well mounted and generally good but seldom operated effectively in mass. It seems that with the exception of Liechtenstein and Nostitz the French generals better operated the multiregimental formations. Only in few cases the Austrians used such multiregimental formations. For example in 1809 at Aspern-Essling General Liechtenstein sent nine cavalry regiments against French light cavalry under Lasalle. Four regiments attacked from the front and five attacked Lasalle's flank. The Austrians drove off the French. There was lack of precise instructions for multi-regiment formations and large scale exercises. The consequences of this practice of scattering their cavalry in small bodies were very serious. It greatly reduced the combat effectiveness, often single regiments and brigades were defeated by French brigades and divisions. One of the reasons for such careful use of cavalry was their relative low numbers. Austria was mountainous country and had low ratio of cavalry to infantry. For example in 1809 the ratio between cavalry and infantry (line infantry, jagers, Grenzers) was only 1 to 7.5 (or sometimes even lower, 1 to 10). In comparison France had ratio 1 to 6, while in the flat and open Russia was 1 to 5 (+ masses of Cossacks !) and in Poland (Duchy of Warsaw) was probably the highest, 1 to 4. At Wagram the Austrians had 113.830 infantrymen and 15.130 cavalrymen, ratio of 1 to 7.5. In comparison in several battles (especially when Napoleon was present) the French reached a very high ratio of 1 to 3.

. "One tall, 1.8 m recruit [hussar] faced a short Korporal. 'Stand upright and keep your head up !" - shouted the Korporal 'In that case', came the reply, 'I will have to say goodbye to you, Korporal, because I'll never see you again." - Hollins "Hungarian Hussar 1756-1815" Organization and Strength of Austrian Cavalry Regiments and Squadrons The Austrian cavalry regiment consisted of 2-4 divisions, each of 2 squadrons. The division and not the squadron was considered as "the main tactical element." In March 1809 were: 8 cuirassier regiments - each of 975 men and 1031 horses in 6 squadrons. 6 dragoon regiments - each of 975 men and 1031 horses in 6 sq. 3 uhlan regiments - each of 1.479 men and 1.414 horses in 8 sq. 6 chevaulegers regiments - each of 1.479 men and 1.414 horses in 8 sq. 11 hussar regiments - each of 1.481 men and 1.414 horses in 8 sq. 1 Szekler hussar regiment - of 1.478 men and 1.408 horses in 8 sq. In 1812-1813 the cuirassier and dragoon regiment had 4 sq. of 144 men each, while the chevaulegere, uhlan and hussar regiment consisted of 6 sq. of 180 men each In 1814 were formed 7th Chevaulegers Regiment and 4th Uhlan Regiment. Austria also had one dragoon regiment (of 10 independent "wings") for the guard duties and escort of staffs. They were called Staff Dragoons (Stabs Dragoons) and were formed before campaign by detaching the most reliable men from every dragoon regiment. For this reason they can be considered as being elite troop. The Staff Dragoons helped to keep the baggage in order, but it had a more active police role than did the Staff Infantry and also augmented the generals' escort on reconnaissances. The unit was formed in 1758. Organization of cavalry regiment: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Musical Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In 1813 at Hanau the cavalry regimental bands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . serenaded the Austrian cuirassiers as they waited for action. . . . . . . . . . . . . I 'Division' . . . . . . . . under Oberst (Colonel) . . . Squadron . . . . . . . . Squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . II 'Division' . . . . . . . . under Oberst-Lieutenant . . . Squadron . . . . . . . . Squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . III 'Division' . . . . . . . . under Second-Major . . . Squadron . . . . . . . . Squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . IV 'Division' . . . . only in light cavalry regiments . . . Squadron . . . . . . . . Squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . Reserve (Depot) Squadron. Organization of squadron in 1806-1815 (according to Bernhard Woykowitsch): . . . . 6 Officers: 2 Rittmeisters, 2 Oberlieutenants, 2 Unterlieutenants . . . . The Rittmeisters were equivalent to the infantry Hauptmann (captain) . . . . 2 Wachtmeisters . . . . 1 Trompeter . . . . Until 1806 were 2 trumpeters . . . . afterwards there was a divisional trumpeter with the regimental staff. . . . . 12 Korporale . . . . 144 Gemeine (privates) in heavy cavalry, and 156 in light cavalry. . . . . 1 Fourierschütz (officer servant for 1st Rittmeister) . . . . 5 Privatdiener (officer servants, not even a Gemeiner . . . . 3 Non-combatants: Unterchirurg, Sattler (saddler) and Schmied (blacksmith) Hussar squadron of 4 Zuge (Troops) (This is the left side squadron of a division formed on the standard) R hhhhhhhhhh k . . U hhhhhhhhhh U . . k hhhhhhhhhh k . . O hhhhhhhhhh O k hhhhhhhhhh k . . . k hhhhhhhhhh k . . k hhhhhhhhhh k . . . k hhhhhhhhhh k W . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W R - Rittmeister (Captain) O - Oberleutenant (First-lieutenant) U - Unterleutenant (Second-lieutenant) w - Wachtmeister k - korporal h - hussar

. "...most Hungarians learned to ride in childhood and when out riding soon acquired a natural sense of direction, making them the ideal recruits for light cavalry duties." - Hollins "Hungarian Hussar 1756-1815" Horses. Horses were acquired from 3 sources: from Imperial breeding ranches established in Hungary and Bukovina from Germany (for heavy cavalry) from Ukraine and Poland (for light cavalry). The Hungarian horse Lipizzaner (ext.link) was used by the Austrian cavalry. It came from Yugoslav town Lipice. This horse was bigger than Arabian and was well known in the Austrian army. The horse enjoyed a great reputation and even Napoleon obtained one Lipizzaner for himself. The French troops plundered much of the brood-stock from Lipizza and Piber. The purchased mounts were aged between 4 and 7 years old and 14-15 hands high. In 1807 a 10-years use of the horse was rewarded with three dukats with one more dukat for each year thereafter. The horse was branded with Imperial cipher and a number. The cleaning and feeding of horse was often emphasized, in rain the tail was tied up or bound to half of its length. All horse harness was brown in every cavalry regiment. The lambskin on saddle was either white or black, and the big shabraques were red. The minimum height of horses in Austrian cavalry: cuirassiers and dragoons - at least 15 hands 1 inch tall hussars, uhlans and chevaulegers - at least 14 hands 1 inch tall. This is what Dave Hollins had to say about horses for the hussars; "The Hussars preferred Hungarian and Transylvanian horses or Polish ponies between 4 and 7 years old, standing 14-15 hands ... usually colored wholly dark bay, brown or black, although each squadron tried to maintain as little variation in color as possible... Each officer on the buying party would carry a horse measure ('Hippometer'), more than 18 Faust' high and a finger-thickness in width."

. In 1809 Napoleon noticed that the French carabiniers suffered badly in the hands of Austrian uhlans [armed with lances] and ordered to give them armor. Weapons. On picture: Austrian Ulanen-Regiment Fürst Schwarzenberg Nr. 2 Firearms of cavalry: Carbine for hussars M 1798 - 84.5 cm long, 2.45 kg heavy Carbine for dragoons M 1798 - 123.5 cm long, 3.25 kg heavy Rifle for cavalry M 1798 - 71 cm long, 2.65 kg heavy The big cuirassier carried 2 pistols and straight broadsword. The British heavy cavalry sword was entirely modeled on this weapon. The Austrian cuirassier was protected with amor (front-plate only). Each squadron of cuirassiers had 8 men armed with rifles and 8 with carbines. (Before the helmets were introduced the cuirassiers wore protective iron crosses inside their tricorn hats.) The dragoon was armed with carbine and straight and heavy pallash. Each squadron of dragoons had 16 men armed with rifles. The uhlan carried 2 pistols, curved saber and a lance. Each squadron of uhlans had 8 men armed with rifles and 8 with carbines. In uhlan regiment of 4 divisions, the central 2 divisions were armed with lances, the 2 flank divisions with carbines. The chevauleger (lighthorseman) carried a carbine and saber (until 1802 heavy pallash). From 1804 all caried the longer carbines. Each squadron of chevaulegers had 16 men armed with rifles. The hussar carried 1803-pattern saber (84 cm long blade), with iron scabbard. The hussar carbine was 1798-pattern weapon, 85 cm long and weighing 2.45 kg with disproportionately large butt. The short ramrod was carried on the cartridge box crossbelt and was also used for the pistol. The 1815-pattern hussar carbine had an even shorter barrel (75.7 cm). Six sharpshooters per squadron were designated to be issued with rifles. The rifle was heavy (4.4 kg) and was replaced by the shorter 1789-pattern modelled on a Prussian design.

Uniforms of Austrian Cavalry. The Austrian cavalry, except the hussars, wore simple dress. The hussars wore strikingly beautiful outfits. Uniforms of hussars The 1798 regulation allowed the hussars wore grey overalls with buttons for use on campaign. They were stiffened with leather on the sabre side. The standard long boots were cut in the national style with strong, durable decoration on top. The 1811 pattern reintroduced the yellow/black edging, which was twisted to form a simple rosette at the top front. The overalls were without red stripes. For service in the field the plume was replaced by a pompon and pelisse was usually worn over the dolman. The greatcoat was strapped across the pommel. The lambskin over the saddle was generally black. ~ Hussar Regiments ~ Regiment Dolman Pelisse Breeches Shako Buttons 1. Emperor Francis [Kaiser Franz] dark blue dark blue dark blue black yellow 2. Archduke Joseph [Erzherzog Josef] light blue light blue light blue red yellow 3. Ferdinand d'Este dark blue dark blue dark blue grey yellow 4. Hessen-Homburg light green light green poppy red light blue white 5. Ott dark green dark green crimson red white 6. Blankenstein light blue light blue light blue black yellow 7. Liechtenstein light blue light blue light blue green white 8. Kienmayer light green light green poppy red black yellow 9. Frimont dark green dark green crimson black yellow 10. Stipsich light blue light blue light blue green yellow 11. Szekler dark blue dark blue dark blue black white 12. Palatinat grey grey light blue black white Uniforms of Uhlans The jacket was green with red lapels for all regiments. The pennons on lances were black over yellow. All wore green trousers with red stipes and strengthened with black leather on the bottom. On campaign they wore grey overalls. There is some confusion over the color of lambskin on saddle. One version tells that it was white for parade and black for campaign and other version tells that until 1803 the lambskin was white then replaced by black one. ~ Uhlan Regiments ~ Regiment Coat Breeches Czapka Pennon Buttons 1. Merveldt dark green dark green yellow black yellow yellow 2. Schwarzenberg dark green dark green dark green black yellow yellow 3. Archduke Charles [Erzherzog Karl] dark green dark green scarlet black yellow yellow 4. Emperor Francis [Kaiser Franz] dark green dark green white black yellow yellow Uniforms of Cuirassiers The cuirassiers wore white coats and breeches. During campaign they wore grey overalls over or instead of the tight elegant breeches. The boots were below knee. From about 1805 the comb on the black leather helmet of cuirassiers was heightened, with a brass strip up the front for other ranks; the front-plates now bore the cypher 'F.I.' Men's hair had been cut short, with sideburns extending no lower than the bottom of the ear. Moustaches were obligatory for the privates but officers had to be clean shaven. ~ Cuirassier Regiments ~ Regiment Coat Breeches Facings Buttons 1. Emperor Francis [Kaiser Franz] (Bohemian) white white red gray 2. Archduke Francis Joseph de Este [Erzherzog Franz Josef de Este] (Bohemian) white white black gray 3. Albert ze Saschsen-Teschen (Moravian) white white red yellow 4. Archduke Ferdinand [Erzherog Ferdinand] (Austrian) white white green gray 5. Sommariva (Austrian) white white blue gray 6. Wallmoden (Moravian) white white black yellow 7. Lothringen (Moravian) white white dark blue gray 8. Hohenzollern (Bohemian) white white red yellow Uniforms of Dragoons and Chevaulegeres Until 1792 the dragoon reegiments had 2 squadrons of chevaulegers and 6 squadrons of dragoons each. In 1799-1801 there were no longer dragoons and chevaulegers but all were light dragoons. Then was another change and were formed 6 regiments of dragoons and 6 of chevaulegers. Theoretically the dragoons wore white and chevaulegers wore green jackets, but due to frequent changes, lack of money and shortage of uniforms there was some confusion in uniformology. The lambskin was white until 1803 then was changed to black. In 1805 the comb on helmet was heightenet but on campaign the crest was removed. In 1811 : - white jackets were worn in 3rd, 5th and 6th Chevaulegers Regiment - green jacket in 1st, 2nd and 4th Chevaulegers Regiment - the 7th was formed in 1814 and wore green jackets in 1815.

Nationalities. The Hussars Were Hungarians The Uhlans Were Poles The Cuirassiers Were Czechs The Austrian army was multi-national, one could find not only Austrians but also Swedes, Englishmen, Scots, Irishmen, Poles, Russians, Ukrainians, Prussians, Croats, Serbs, and even French royalists. The Bussy Horse Jagers were made of French royalists (emigres) in Austrian service. Ironically this unit participated in the defeat of Bonaparte's grenadiers of Consular Guard at Marengo, 1800. The hussars were almost all Hungarians (the 11th was made of Transylvanians). The uhlans were mainly Poles and Ukrainians from Galicia. The dragoons in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Regiment were Moravians (Czechs), in 1st and 2nd Dragoon Regiment were Austrians. The chevaulegers in 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th Regiment were Bohemians (Czechs), while in 3rd were Poles from Galicia, in 7th were Italians, in 1st Regiment served Austrians. The cuirassiers in 1st Kaiser, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th Regiment were Bohemians and Moravians (Czechs), while in 4th and 5th were Austrians.

Chevaulegeres "... the most useful force of cavalry is presented by the chavaulegers" - General Daun Chevau legere means light horse. For many wargamers in English-speaking countries the chevaulegeres are the most popular of Austrian cavalry. Many military men had a very high opinion about them. Chlapowski of Napoleon's Lancers of Old Guard writes: "... was of the opinion then, as I am still today, that the Austrian light horse is the best trained in this kind of warfare [skirmish]. The Austrians are always the most skilled at placing outposts to guard their army." (Chlapowski/Simmons - "Memoirs of a Polish Lancer" p 15) In late 1750s there was a proposal to convert two regiments of cuirassiers to dragoons but General Daun was against this idea. He claimed that the "distinction between the two, such as it is, amounts just to wearing of the cuirass, but that makes a great impression on the Turks, against whom we will be fighting sooner or later. ... In the war against our present enemy the most useful force of cavalry is presented by the chavaulegers.... The 'chevaulegers' ... were a kind of cavalry which was new to the Austrians, being light dragoons who could serve alongside the cuirassiers and the conventional dragoons on the battlefield. They were also capable of executing raids and other fast-moving enterprises, and doing outpost duty in difficult country at least as effectively as the hussars, and certainly better than the dragoons ... On 17 June the new squadrons surprised and defeated the finest of the Prussian dragoons, the super-large regiment of Bayreuth, (ext.link) and captured their silver drums. It would be difficult to imagine a more spectacular demonstration of the value of the light dragoons ... " (Duffy - "Instrument of War" Vol I p 252-3) In 1788 Austria had 6 regiments of chevaulegeres, in 1791 were 7. In 1798 the seven chevauleger regiments were renamed to light dragoons but few months later they became dragoons. In 1801-1802, five light dragoon regiments and a newly formed dragoon regiment became chevaulegeres. In 1814 seventh regiment of chevaulegeres was formed of Italians. In 1805 at Austerlitz part of French 3rd Dragoon Division (5th, 8th, and 12th Dragoon Regiment) formed in column was outflanked and routed by a single chevaulegeres regiment. The second brigade of the 3rd Dragoon Division was defeated in identical way. But when the 21st Dragoon Regiment (formed in column) charged the chevaulegeres stampeded. In that year the 21st Dragoon Regiment was an excellent unit, it had 50 % veterans of several campaigns and 10-15 years' service. The O'Reilly chevaulegeres rallied but were again routed by the same 21st Dragoon Regiment. This time it was due to support of several guns of horse artillery of Imperial Guard. The chevaulegeres had enough and withdrew from combat zone. But Napoleon watched the cavalry actions and was furious at the commander of 3rd Dragoon Division. Chefs and colonels of chevaulegeres regiments. Regiment and area of recruitment Colonel-in-Chief (Regimentsinhaber) Colonel-Commander (Regimentskommandant) 1st Moravia Kaiser Franz (Emperor Francis) and Heinrich Graf Bellegarde as "Second-Colonel-in-Chief" 1804 - Josef Graf Baillet de Latour 1808 - Karl Graf Raigecourt 1812 - Simon Chevalier Fitzgerald 2nd Moravia 1809 - Bohemia Friedrich Xavier Prinz Hohenzollern-Hechingen 1800 - Karl von Provenchéres 1806 - Leopold Frhr. von Ludwigsdorff 1809 - Theofil von Zechmeister 1810 - Matthias Loederer 1814 - Karl Frhr. von Scheibler 1815 - Franz Frhr. von Fichtel 3rd Lower and Upper Austria 1807 - Bohemia 1813 - Galicia Andreas Graf O`Reilly 1805 - Friedrich Graf Degenfeld-Schonburg 1807 - Leopold Frhr. von Rothkirch 1809 - Simon von Sardagna 1812 - Johann Heinrich Graf Auersperg 4th Lower Austria Karl Frhr. von Vincent 1804 - Ignaz Frhr. von Lederer 1809 - Goswin de Fierland 1812 - Franz Frhr. von Gallois 5th Bohemia Johann Graf Klenau 1801 - Karl Graf Kinsky 1806 - Josef von Mayer 1809 - Raban Frhr. von Spiegel 1812 - Johann von Kopp 6th Bohemia Franz Fürst Rosenberg-Orsini 1800 - Karl Graf Civalart 1808 - Josef Graf Chotek 1809 - Karl Chevalier Latuillerie 1815 - Peter Frhr. von Gasser 7th Lombardia in northern Italy Johann Graf Nostitz-Rieneck 1814 - Bartholomeus Graf Alberti de Poja

. "In 1809, a Hussar had captured 2 French soldiers at Raab. While riding back with the retreating army, he encountered some Grenadiers who attempted to kill the Frenchmen. 'Stop that !' - cried the Hussar 'If you want to kill them you have to capture some for yourself!" - Hollins "Hungarian Hussar 1756-1815" The Hungarian Hussars ! Hussar "Samuel Hemmer... had engaged a large Cossack patrol by himslef in 1812." Hollins - "Hungarian Hussar 1756-1815" The Hungarians were excellent horsemen and serving in infantry was not their first choice. "... they were convinced that they were unsuitable for dismounted service... All the regulations in the world nevertheless failed to shake the convinction among the Hungarians that to be 'stuck among the infantry' was the worst fate that could befall them." (Duffy - "Instrument of War" Vol I p 237) The Hungarians formed light cavalry known as hussars. "The name 'Hussar' derives originally from Latin cursarius, meaning raider, and originally referred to marauders in the northern Balkans. However, it was adopted by the Magyar people of Hungary as the name for irregular light cavalry... The oldest regular regiment [9th Nadasdy] was formed in 1688 and by 1756, with the formation of the Kaiser Hussars and regularisation of a Jagzyier-Kumanier unit in that year as the Seven Years war (1756-1763) began, there were 12 regiments... The wild irregulars of the early 1700s were steadily regularised into army units... While maintaining their reputation for swift movement and unexpected appearances, they became more effective on the battlefield. Six regiments massed for a decisive charge during the first defeat inflicted ob Frederick the Great at Kolin ... Four months later in October, Andreas Hadik raided and ransomed Berlin... He then sat on Frederick the Great's throne ..." (Hollins - "Hungarian Hussar 1756-1815" pp 4-5, 57) The Hungarian hussars serving in the Austrian army had reputation of being excellent horsemen known for quality of their mounts. They had been familiar figures since XVII Century and had been imitated by other armies. Although the Hungarian hussars were not big guys (their height between 165 and 173.5 cm) they were known for dash in combat. They became so known in Europe that their outfit became popular across Europe, including France, Russia, England and Spain. Officer Chlapowski of Napoleon's Guard Cavalry described a combat between the Hungarian hussars and the French cavalry: "The enemy had charged us 3 or 4 times during this engagement. Some of them would break into our ranks, many passed right through and circled back to regain their lines, and after charge they ended in complete disorganization. The French, on the other hand, although they also lost formation after a charge, kept together far more and every time were quicker to regain order. ... although the Hungarians drove home their attacks with determination, they were harder to reform into some sort of order. The French, on the other hand, knew that their own horses lacked the Austrians' speed and endurance, and would launch their attacks from closer range and so retained formation right to the end of the charge, and regained it more quickly afterwards. ... I, too, was wounded on the leg above the ankle by a Hungarian that day, but his sword twisted in his hand and the wound was not deep. But it was quite a blow and I felt it for many years." (Chlapowski, - p 68) The outposts, patrols and pickets were a key role for the light cavalry during war. Any Hungarian hussar found asleep or drunk on such duty was subject to execution. The hussars raided the countryside and even towns were no problem for these dare-devils ! "... during Bonaparte's advance across Italy in 1796, 30 men from the 8th Hussars launched a surprised raid on the French-held city of Brescia on 30 June and quickly chased the guards from the walls. The gates were opened and the rest of the squadron swept in, reaching the town drill square, where the garrison troops were scattered and many taken prisoner. The 1st Hussars adopted a typically resorceful approach when facing the barricaded gates of Bamberg in August 1796. Ordered by the senior command to break it, they simply ripped the hinges from the wall and the gates fell in." (Hollins - "Hungarian Hussar 1756-1815" p 26) Chefs and colonels of hussar regiments. Regiment and area of recruitment Colonel-in-Chief (Regimentsinhaber) Colonel-Commander (Regimentskommandant) 1st Hungary Kaiser Franz (Emperor Francis) and Ignáz Graf Almásy as "Second-Colonel-in-Chief" 1805 - von Graffen 1805 - Graf Neipperg 1809 - Szent-György 1812 - von Jünger 1815 - von Legeditsch 2nd Transilvania Erzherzog Joseph Anton, (Archduke) Palatin of Hungary and Michael Splényi von Miháldy (in 1809-23 Daniel von Mecséry) as "Second-Colonel-in-Chief" 1804 - Ignaz Splényi von Miháldy 1809 - Leopold Geramb 1814 - Emmanuel Bretfeld zu Kronenburg 3rd Hungary Erzherzog Ferdinand Karl d´Este (Archduke) and Adam Albert Graf Neipperg as "Second-Colonel-in-Chief" 1804 - Peter Vécsey Hajnácskeö 1809 - Ferdinand, Prinz zu Sachsen-Coburg 1810 - Stephan Wesselényi 1813 - Josef Gosztonyi 4th Hungary Friedrich Erbprinz zu Hessen-Homburg 1804 - Johann von Mohr 1808 - Severyn Kisielewski 1809 - Gustav Prinz zu Hessen-Homburg 1813 - Raban von Spiegel 1813 - Josef Simony Vitézvár 5th Hungary 1801 - Karl Ott von Bártokéz 1809 - Josef Graf Radetzky von Radetz 1814 - George Prince Regent of England (from 1820 George IV, King of England) and 1809 - Josef Graf Radetzky von Radetz as "Second-Colonel-in-Chief" 1800 - Andreas Szörényi 1808 - Wilhelm von Fulda 1809 - Ludwig Boros Rákos 1812 - Anton Gundaker Graf Starhemberg 1813 - Adolph von Prohaska 1815 - Matthias Gavenda 6th Hungary Ernst Graf Blankenstein 1814 - Kronprinz Wilhelm (from 1817 Wilhelm I King of Württemberg) and 1814 - Ernst Graf Blankenstein as "Second-Colonel-in-Chief" 1800 - Joseph von Prohaska 1805 - Ferdinand Graf Wartensleben 1809 - Vincenz von Gillert 1812 - Georg von Wieland 7th Hungary Johannes Fürst Liechtenstein 1801 - Josef Mesko 1807 - Franz von Vlasits 1813 - Ferdinand Graf Zichy 8th Pressburg (today Bratislava in Slovakia) Michael von Kienmayer 1802 - Timoteus Kerekes 1808 - August Vécsey 1809 - Franz Graf Bánffy 1809 - Franz Bubna von Warlich 1812 - Philipp von Lilien 9th Hungary Johann N. Graf Erdedy de Monyorókerek 1806 - Johann Graf Frimont von Palota 1801 - Konstantin von Ettinghausen 1808 - Georg von Wrede 1809 - Friedrich von Bretschneider 1815 -Anton Callot 10th Kaschau (today Košice in Slovakia) 1802 - Josef Stipsicz von Ternova 1814 - Friedrich Wilhelm III., King of Prussia and 1814 - Josef Stipsicz von Ternova as "Second-Colonel-in-Chief" 1800 - Andreas Schneller 1808 - Franz von Frelich 1809 - Anton Gundaker Graf Starhemberg 1811 - Maxmilian von Paumgarten 1812 - Franz Genczy 11th Transilvania - it was Grenzer (Székler) unit 1801 - Gabriel Geringer von Oedenburg 1808 - Martin von Rakovski 1812 - Ernst von Fickweiler 12th Hungary Erzherzog Joseph Anton (Archduke) Palatin of Hungary 1800 - Gabriel Hertelendy 1808- Josef Csanády 1809 - Alexander Illésy 1815 - Ignaz Graf Hoditz und Wolframitz Recruitment Recruitment of hussars was on volunteer basis but "selection was to be strict so that the recruits taken were useable and under no circumstances were they to include dishonorable professions [hangmen and horse butchers], notorious people, gypsies ... The recruits were not to be less than 18 nor more than 30 years old (grey hair was considered an automatic bar) and preferably over 5 Fus 4 Zoll (1.68 m) tall... Western volunteers, especially better-educated southern Germans, were welcomed, including the famous Constantin von Ettingshausen, who had taken a boat trip down the Danube River from his home in near Mainz and presented himself in Vienna to join the 1st Hussars as a Gemeiner." (Hollins - "Hungarian Hussar 1756-1815" pp 8, 10) The Bravest of the Brave In 1789 the Kaiser of Austria introduced the Gold and Silver bravery medals for army-wide recognition. Below is the number of these medals awarded to hussar regiments during the following campaigns; 1805, 1809 and 1812-1815 1st Emperor Regiment - 10 Gold and 63 Silver (total 73) 2nd Regiment - 4 Gold and 36 Silver (total 40) 3rd Regiment - 17 Gold and 36 Silver (total 53) 4th Regiment - 9 Gold and 61 Silver (total 70) 5th Regiment - 19 Gold and 63 Silver (total 82) 6th Regiment - 14 Gold and 47 Silver (total 61) 7th Regiment - 7 Gold and 42 Silver (total 49) 8th Regiment - 7 Gold and 29 Silver (total 36) 9th Regiment - 7 Gold and 34 Silver (total 41) 10th Regiment - 1 Gold and 10 Silver (total 11) 11th Regiment - 1 Gold and 16 Silver (total 17) 12th Regiment - 7 Gold and 41 Silver (total 48) After 30 years of distinguished service, individual soldiers were granted nobility as a Freiherr. The colonel of 4th Hussar Regiment, Josef Simony Vitézvár, was called as the bravest hussar of all times. Rilliet from the French 1er Cuirassiers witnessed the encounter between the horse carabiniers and Hungarian hussars at Leipzig: "We were in column of regiments. The 1er Carabiniers were in front and general Sebastiani was to the right of the regiment: all at once a mass of enemy cavalry, mainly Hungarian hussars, rode furiously down on the carabiniers. 'Bravo!' cried the general, laughing and waving the riding crop which was the only weapon that he designed to use. 'This will be charming; hussars charging the horse carabiniers.' But when the Hungarians were 100 paces away, the 1er Carabiniers turned about and fled leaving behind their brave general ! They hastily rode back on to the 2e Carabiniers and both regiments hooved away. It was such a disgrace that when after battle a group of carabiniers entered a farm seeking quarters, the cuirassiers from the 5e Regiment teased them: "If you want hospitality, try the Hungarian hussars !" :=) On 14-15th September 1813 at Lipa (Lippa) the Austrian infantry began a gradual withdrawal to a second position. During the withdrawal, the Italian cavalry (French allies) took advantage of this situation and launched an attack. However, half squadron of the Austrian Radetzky hussars pushed through the intervals in the withdrawing Austrian infantry and drove back six squadrons of the Italian cavalry (chasseurs-a-cheval) under General Perreimond. Incredible, one vs six squadrons. (Nafziger and Gioannini - "The Defense of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Northern Italy 1813-1814" pp 52 and 265)

Sources and Links.

The Battle of the Nations

Napoleon, His Army and Enemies.