Polish Hussars - Tactics

Tactics

The hussars represented the heavy cavalry of the Commonwealth. The Towarzysz husarski or Companion commanded his own poczet (kopia) consisted of several (from 2 to 5) similarly armed retainers and other servants (czeladnicy) caring for his horses, food, supplies, repairs, fodder and often taking part in battle. His 'lance' in turn was part of a larger unit known as a banner. Each banner had between 30 to 60 or more "kopia." The commander, by his contract obligation, was called "rotmistrz" (rotameister), while the commander-in-fact was often "porucznik" (lieutenant). There was also one "chorąży" (ensign) who carried the banner's flag ("znak" or "chorągiew") and could command the banner in case of "porucznik" lack of capacity. Each banner had one "rotmistrz" kopia that was larger than the other lances of each banner, and included trumpeters, and musicians (kettle drummers, more trumpeters etc.). There were other towarzysze with duties (of keeping order, helping with manoeuvres) within the banner during the battle, and their functions are rather poorly understood.

The Polish-Lithuanian hussars' primary battle tactic was the charge. They carried the charge to, and through the enemy. The charge started at a slow pace and in a relatively loose formation. The formation gradually gathered pace and closed ranks while approaching the enemy, and reached its highest pace and closest formation immediately before engagement. They tended to repeat the charge several times until the enemy formation broke (they had supply wagons with spare lances). The tactic of a charge by heavily armoured hussars and horses was usually decisive for nearly two centuries. The hussars fought with a long lance, a koncerz (stabbing sword), a szabla (sabre), one or two pistols, and often with a carbine or arquebus, known in Polish as a bandolet. In addition, there was no West European stigma attached to the use of a bow and arrows, but the more English-like view was held (the English continued to hold archers in high esteem.) It is possible that the projectile weapons were used to weaken the enemy's infantry squares and to create a domino effect. The lighter Turkish-style saddle allowed for more armour to be used by both the horses and the warriors. Moreover, the horses were bred to run very fast with a heavy load and to recover quickly. These were created by mixing old Polish horses blood with eastern horses, usually from Tatar tribes. As a result, a horse could walk hundreds of kilometres loaded with over 100 kilograms (warrior plus armour and weaponry) and instantly charge. Also, hussar horses were very quick and manoeuvrable. This made hussars able to fight with any cavalry or infantry force from western heavy cuirassiers to quick Tatars.