Hi, can anyone tell me the last Cavalry Charge ever in WW2 or since, I have three nominees. The Polish Lancers 1939 The Italian Savoia Cavalleria 1942 Some British Colonel in India with about 100 men in 1945 maybe there is more I dont know ?. Regards Yan.
Several examples: Keru (Eritrea), 21 January 1941 - two charges of Italian cavalry Morong (Luzon), 16 January 1942 - a charge of U.S. 26th Cavalry Regiment Burma, March 1942 - a British cavalry charge (Capt. Arthur Sandeman and 60 Sikh horsemen) Isbuschenskji (Russia), 18 August 1942 - a charge of Italian Savoia Cavalleria Poloj (Croatia), 17 October 1942 - a charge of Italian 14th Alessandria Cavalleggeri Wlodawa (Poland), 22 July 1944 - a charge of Soviet cavalry (but with support of SP guns) Marki (Poland), September 1944 - a charge of Hungarian cavalry from 1st Hussar Division Kielce (Poland), 17 January 1945 - a charge of Kalmyken Kavallerie Korps of the Waffen SS Schonfeld (Germany), 1 March 1945 - a charge of Polish cavalry from 1st Cavalry Brigade The last successful cavalry charge in WW2 was probably that of I./4. Kuban-Kosaken-Regiment of the Waffen SS on 23 March 1943. Cossacks charged ("eine Attacke mit blanker Waffe") against Bulgarian artillery and captured 450 prisoners. Germany, 8 May 1945 - 4. Kuban-Kosaken-Regiment carries out another charge (failed this time). On the Eastern Front the Red Army had numerous cavalry units and they charged on many occasions: http://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=30939 ========================================== And the last cavalry charge in history? The "last" charge didn't happen. It is yet to come: Horse Soldiers: The 21st Century Cavalry Charge
Also for your consideration From Cavalry (United States) I'll run a search but I seem to remember a discussion a while ago on the 10th mountain.
It must have been quite an ordeal charging machine guns ect, maybe some of them were against troops retreating and in a disorganised state.
If the enemy had no MGs but just bolt-action rifles or in instances when he was surprised, retreating and/or disorganised cavalry charge could be a good idea. There were also instances when charges were successful even against entrenched infantry with machine guns, artillery, etc. For example this charge from 1917: Battle of Beersheba - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - the 1917 one (the charge of Australian cavalry) YouTube - beersheba, australian cavalry charge‏ - movie scene showing this charge
That was the focus of the climatic sequence from The Light Horsemen as I recall (the event I haven't looked at the video yet but suspect it is from the movie) a very worthwhile movie if you haven't seen it.
While it might not have been a "Cavalry Charge" as mentioned above the 10th Mountain Division can still ride! Afghanistan 2001/2002 The United States Army in Afghanistan: Operation Enduring Freedom
I have the film on DVD, I might fish it out for a second veiwing, loved the photo Biak, I am just in the middle of a site on the Battle of the Little Big Horn, sent a few questions in, I am a great fan of the US Cavalry. Regards Yan.
Polish cavalry charges in 1939: Krojanty 01.09.1939 Mokra 01.09.1939 Lasy Krolewskie 01.09.1939 Borowa 02.09.1939 Osuchow 11.09.1939 Kaluszyn 12.09.1939 Minsk Mazowiecki 13.09.1939 Maliszewo 13.09.1939 Brochow 15.09.1939 Demboskie 16.09.1939 Wolka Weglowa 19.09.1939 Lomianki 19.09.1939 Kamionka Strumilowa 21.09.1939 Krasnobrod 23.09.1939 Husynne 24.09.1939 (against the Red Army) Broszki 26.09.1939 Morance 26.09.1939 Lasy Krolewskie (01.09.), Borowa (02.09.) and Krasnobrod (23.09.) were clashes between Polish and German cavalry or mounted German scouts from reconnaissance battalions. The charge near Brochow (15.09.) was a "faked" charge carried out to cause psychological impact, which was halted before reaching the gunshot range. The charge near Kaluszyn (12.09.) was a result of misunderstanding. Infantry commander wanted one cavalry squadron to carry out mounted reconnaissance and said: "Cavalry forward!". Commander of the squadron misunderstood the order and conducted a mounted charge. Cavalry suffered heavy losses but accelerated the success of the ongoing infantry attack. The charge near Maliszewo on 13.09. (in fact two charges) was about chasing the retreating and already beaten enemy infantry. Many charges (Krojanty, Mokra, Osuchow, Wolka Weglowa, Lomianki, Broszki and Morance) were breakthrough attempts or attacks during breakthrough operations. At Broszki (26.09.) one German infantry company surrendered to the charging cavalry probably without much resistance. Psychological effect. The "charge" which took place during the battle of Mokra was carried out by two cavalry squadrons of 19th uhlan regiment which were cut-off behind enemy lines. Since squadrons were around 2,000 meters from the nearest Polish defensive line, and surrounded by enemy forces everywhere, the Polish commander decided that there is no chance to cover this distance dismounted. That's why he ordered a charge on horseback. Germans were so surprised that they didn't even open fire and Polish uhlans safely joined their own defensive lines. Surprise effect allowed the Poles to easily break through - the Polish officer who ordered that charge wrote: After the Poles reached the forest, they were safe. Polish losses during that charge amounted only to several wounded. Noone was killed. German unit which was attacked there was most probably one of divisional supply columns. German sources confirm that in the evening on 01.09.1939 panic started in rear units of 4. Panzer-Division. The largest charge was that near Wolka Weglowa - ca. 1000 men (two regiments) charged. 105 were killed and 100 wounded. But over 800 from these two cavalry regiments broke through to Warsaw at Wolka Weglowa and also opened the way to the capital city for other Polish units advancing behind them. ================================================== I haven't seen the entire movie yet. Only the charge scene. Thanks for this hint!
Domen121... Good informative post. I have a special interest in the Polish troops, they were brave soldiers at Cassino !!
There were some amazing times ! I served in the Forces between October 1st 1942 & March 1947. That's about four and a half years in total. It was inevitable that within that time scale I should experience a vast gamut of experiences ranging from the depth of despair to immense exultation and before I move on to other fields I find myself eager to get as much as possible into print while I am still around to do it. One of the more pleasurable moments springs to light. Picture the scene..... It was during the closing stages of the war in Italy. For the the previous month our Armoured Brigade had been moving relatively slowly through a landscape that consisted of hills and rivers. Suddenly we came to the Argenta Gap and immediately it was 'pierced' we were able to see the plains and nothing seemed to stand in the way of our advance. The order must have been given 'In open order -- Advance !' because all the vehicles in the front (which included my Honey Tank) literally moved forward in one long line and it was the most wonderful sight that I had ever seen in my (then) short life. With coloured pennants flying from our aerial masts and with some of our crews even firing pistol shots into the air (a la the old cowboy films) we moved forward un-obstructed by an enemy who were more interested in getting away from us rather than offering resistance. Simply wonderful, and I was there !* Ron
Mr. Goldstein, I enjoyed your post ! After a long time in battle, it had to be a great feeling knowing your enemy was defeated. Best Regards
A participant of World War 1 wrote this about resistance of horses to fire of even modern firearms: "The fear of infantry was intensified by great resistance of horses to wounds. During a charge only killed horses or those which had crushed leg bones were falling immediately. Other horses, often wounded several times, even mortally, in a zeal of attack continued to run and with their entire mass - under riders or without them - were blindly bumping into the enemy, parting and trampling his lines. From distance this apparent lack of casualties of the charging unit was creating an impression of inefficiency of infantry fire. Infantry was confused enough, that most of bullets were starting to fly too high, and often in a decisive moment infantry was throwing their weapons and commencing a flight, which meant a certain annihilation for them."
Just to give credit where credit is due............in Viet Nam there was the 101st airborne........helicopter gunships with troops aboard.....referred to as "Cavalry" ......... I do realize they were not mounted on horseback however. But if you just say Cavalry they must be included.
Best movie portrayal....Scots Greys ...Battle of Waterloo...21st Lancers Young Winston...Both real..both stupid...The Greys slaughtered sabre against lance...21st lancers more casualties than the enemy..so many horses killed meant the regiment were playing catchup and sent home when it was possible to do so..we had the maxim gun..a famous quote from the time...Churchills romantic description of potting so many could not possibly be true as the mhadis lost so few folk in that charge to go around the supposed kill claims of the regiment...We wont mention....Balaclava...
