Napoleon’s Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard

Napoleon’s Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard cover

Napoleon’s Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard

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Description

Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Guard were unique in their appearance and in their loyalty. This book reveals their varied and colorful uniforms as well as their long and loyal service for the Bonaparte cause during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815). The Poles were the only foreign contingent never to defect from Napoleon's cause, staying faithful to the end - a squadron even accompanied Napoleon into exile on Elba, and the Guard reformed in 1815 to charge at Waterloo. In 1808, when Napoleon was smashing his way through the Spanish armies to get at British forces in the Peninsular, the Poles astounded observers with their extreme acts of courage and military daring. In one memorable instance the Poles captured a defended mountain pass at Somosierra, overrunning four batteries of cannons in the process. It was they who introduced the use of the lance to the French army, adding a new tactical dimension to the use of the cavalry on the battlefield and demonstrated its deadly effects in all of Napoleon's most famous victories - particularly Wagram in 1809. Brave and ruthless in equal measures, this is a fascinating insight into the fighting lives of the legendary Polish Lancers.

Table of Contents

Poland 1806–07 · Formation as Light Horse 1807 · Spain 1808 · Complete conversion to Lancers 1809 – Wagram – organization and uniforms · 1812 – the vain hope of a restored Polish kingdom – the Russian campaign – enlargement to two regiments · The 1813–14 campaigns – Leipzig, and the death of Prince Poniatowski · Elba – the squadron of honour · 1815

Product details

Published Aug 21 2007
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781846032561
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 40 b/w; 8 col
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Men-at-Arms
Short code MAA 440
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

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