Вип. 07. Історичні студії

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Special Features of Polish Cavalry in the Fall of 16th - at the Half of 17th cent.
(2001) Pryshchepa, Yaroslav
The main difference between Polish cavalry and the traditional European cavalry of current period lays in preserving its predomination role in Polish military art because of the early transformation of knight caalry into more effective in 16th-17th centuries Hussar units, however supported in combat by the light caalry units, or Cossacks. Out of the tactical peculiarities of their types of weapon and defense armour, Hussars used to play the role of the main striking force in Polish Commonwealth's soldierhood, and the Cossack units had an auxiliary functions. The main special feature of Polish cavalry and the Polish military art in the fall of 16th - at the half of 17th centuries may be represented as making supplement between the heavy and the light types of cavalry by simultaneous or alternate using of shooting-iron and cold steel weapon in the mounted attacks. In comparison with common European military tradition, where the main role in battles though played spearmen and later musketeer infantry units, the Polish cavalry, due to its obvious tactical advantages, must have been one of the most fighting efficient troops in European region.