Osprey Men-at-Arms 181 : Austrian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2) : Cavalry

The mounted troops of the Hapsburg Empire comprised one of the most powerful forces of the Napoleonic Wars: the field army in March 1809, for example, included no less than 44,940 cavalrymen and 42,791 horses. However, from the outset the higher command in the cavalry was far less capable than its infantry counterpart: appointments were influenced by nepotism and politics, which resulted in commands often being given to those who lacked experience of active service. The cavalry underwent numerous re-organisations and expansions in the course of the wars that attempted to redress these matters, and to modernise the force as a whole. Philip Haythornwaite examines these processes and documents in detail the tactics, uniforms and equipment of the Austrian cavalry, covering Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Chevauxlegers, Hussars, Uhlan (lancer) and auxiliary units accompanied by illustrations by Bryan Fosten.

Contents

• Organisation
• Tactics
• Uniforms - German Cavalry
• Hussars
• Uhlans
• The Plates