Osprey Men-at-Arms 329 : The Austrian Army (2) 1836-1866 : Cavalry

The Imperial cavalry of the Austrian Army between 1836-66 was divided into a German and a Hungarian component in the same way as the Line Infantry. However, while the designation of an infantry regiment as Austrian/German or Hungarian only indicated the style of its uniform, that of a mounted regiment also defined the branch of cavalry to which it belonged. The German cavalry consisted of Kurassiers ['heavy' troops intended for shock action in battle]; Dragoons [also classed as heavy troops, but in practice employed as 'medium' cavalry]; and Chevauxlegers [regarded as the 'light' German cavalry, but in practice more akin to the Dragoons]. The Hungarian cavalry was entirely composed of Hussars, genuine light cavalry recruited from among the Hungarians and South Slavs, who possessed an almost inborn ability to skirmish and raid. Only the Uhlans [lancers, classed as light cavalry] were separate from these groupings, but even they were territorially exclusive in the first part of the period, being recruited only from Galicia until 1851. In this second of two books looking at the Austrian army from 1836-66, Darko Pavlovic examines the organisation, uniform and equipment of the Austrian cavalry provides detailed tables of regimental distinctions and is backed by numerous illustrations including eight full page colour plates by the author himself. A companion book to Men-at-Arms 323 : The Austrian Army (1) 1836-1866 : Infantry.

Contents

• Organization
• Uniform and Equipment - German Cavalry
• Uniforms and Equipment - Hussars
• Uniforms and Equipment - Uhlans
• Bibliography
• The Plates