Cavalry.

This is coolbert:

“To horse lancers, to horse” - - Sergeant Garcia - - “Zorro”.

Horse miscellany:

Re-read yesterday the chapter in the Lucas book “War on the Eastern Front” entitled - - “To Moscow by Horse”.

[as I have said before, this book by Lucas is outstanding. One of the best military history books I have ever read. I recommend it highly!]

Contrary to what most folks believe, the German Army during World War Two [WW2], was HIGHLY dependent on horses to act as PRIME MOVERS.

"prime mover"

"(DOD) A vehicle [horses in this case], including heavy construction equipment, possessing military characteristics, designed primarily for towing heavy, wheeled weapons and frequently providing facilities for the transportation of the crew of, and ammunition for, the weapon."

According to Lucas:

"At the outbreak of the Second World War the British Army was the only completely mechanized force in the world . . . In every other army there was a great dependence upon the horse . . the German leaders, anxious to impress the world with the degree of mechanisation that their own force had achieved, displayed their handful of steel grey, half-tracked vehicles on every possible occasion and thus convinced the world that their regiments were equipped with armoured carriers and prime movers. The truth was completely the opposite; there was an absolute dependence upon the horse for over eighty per cent [80 %] of the motive power . . . . How great was the reliance of the German war machine upon horses can best be appreciated by the fact that two and a half million beasts served on the Eastern Front and that more than three quarters of a million were used in the opening battles of 'Barbarossa'."

[how many people remember Gert Frobe in the movie “The Longest Day”? Delivering rations to German Normandy defensive positions while riding a horse. Even the Frenchman observing this spectacle commented on how the “master race” was reliant on delivering food to it’s troops via horse.]

* Both the German and the Soviet DID make extensive use of cavalry on the Eastern Front during WW2. Cossack units fought with BOTH sides, and did quite well. There existed other German cavalry in addition to the SS Florian Geyer division. Were quite useful in certain terrain, such as the Pripet marsh region of Byelorussia. Fegelein twice commanded the “Florian Geyer” SS cavalry division. “Florian Geyer” was NOTED for it’s brutality and ruthlessness [it was a SS unit], accused of indiscriminate killings of Jews and partisans both.

"August 1941 - - 14,000 Jews dead, Pripet area."

"August 1941 - - 7,800 Jews dead, Minsk."

* Lone Cossack riders, scouts, would be an integral part of every Soviet Front during WW2. Single horsemen ranging far in front [100 miles or more] of the forward line of troops [FLOT], locating German units and reporting same to higher headquarters.

* Surprisingly so, Gulf War One [1991] was the ONLY war where mules have not been employed by the U.S. Army. [thanks here to Al Nofi of CIC.]

* U.S. Special Forces units in Afghanistan did ride horses into combat. One SF commander is reputed to have said, “one moment I am directing an old-fashioned cavalry charge, the next moment I am ordering B-52 bombers to bomb Taliban positions using JADAMS from 40,000 feet!!”

I am not sure about this now, but until recently the Chinese DID still have active cavalry units, patrolling on the Russian-Chinese border. There also existed Tibetan mounted militia. Platoon size unit, lightly armed with AK, moving cross-country in road less and desolate terrain.

[if you want to see a depressing movie, rent and see “Mountain Patrol”. Tibetan game wardens/rangers attempting to protect a species of Tibetan antelope whose pelt is highly prized by poachers. Entire herds of these antelope being mowed down by massed automatic AK fire of the poachers. Again, the para-military nature of the game warden unit arrayed against the ruthless and well armed poachers. Like I said, depressing.]

* When the Chinese exploded their first atomic bomb [1964], I recall seeing a film of Chinese cavalry executing a charge near ground zero as a demonstration of fearlessness and resolve. Both men and horses were shown wearing gas masks!!

The British Admiral that predicted a breakdown of the world order beginning on or around 2012 has suggested that WORLD POWERS may once again resort to the cavalry as part of their war making potential. This IS plausible. A break down of the world order may well entail a severe interruption to the oil supply, fuel for internal combustion engines becoming scarce or non-existent. Horse mounted troops will be an alternative?!

"The competition for resources, Parry argues, may lead to a return to 'industrial warfare' as countries with large and growing male populations mobilise armies, even including cavalry, while acquiring high-technology weaponry from the West."

[the use of cavalry surely would be a sign of desperation and an indication of how dire things have become, would it not??!!]

Long rides are still an active competition among modern horse enthusiasts. There was an interesting long ride competition from Denver to Chicago during the World’s Fair of 1892. A 1000 mile competition that was keenly watched by European observers. For some reason, American competitors excel at this “sport”??!!

“To horse lancers, to horse”! Will it become a reality again??!! Who knows??!!

coolbert.