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History of the Formation

The winged hussars were the pride of the Pol-
ish army and the elite of European cavalry. These
units, which were frst developed in Serbia, ap-
peared in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth at
the beginning of the 16th century. Throughout the
17th century they were a heavy cavalry formation.
The winged hussars were shock cavalry that fron-
tally charged their enemies. The winged hussars
consisted of the crme de la crme of Polish nobil-
ity and had excellent weapons, training, horses
and uniforms. The costs associated with equipping
and maintaining these units were very high. As a
result only wealthy nobles, those who owned sev-
eral or more villages, could become winged hussar
companions. In the second half of the 17th cen-
tury, however, more and more non-nobles served
in these formations. Winged hussar companions,
not to mention lieutenants and rotamasters, en-
joyed a great reputation and often participated in
war councils or represented the army in political
and treasury matters. Numerous in the frst half of
the 17th century (making up to 46% of the cavalry
in 1648), winged hussars decreased signifcantly
during the Polish-Swedish wars and were reduced
to several banners (5-6% of the cavalry). Although
winged hussars were strengthened during the
times of Sobieski, they did not regain their numeric
presence (in 1683 winged hussars constituted 22%
of all cavalry). Nevertheless, winged hussars al-
ways played a key role in pitched battles and often
tipped the balance to achieve great victories (Kir-
cholm, Kuszyn, Vienna). The use of wings by the
hussars in battle is controversial, as some believe
that were used only on parades, while others argue
that these rode to glory with their wings futtering
in the wind behind them.
Organization
Winged hussar banners were usually larger than
other cavalry formations. Their units numbered
120, 150 and even 200 horses. Banners of three to
four hundred horses were very rare. During times of
peace, however, these banners were not dismissed
but were reduced in size to save money. It should be
noted that the actual number of winged hussars in
service was about 12% lower than recorded. The ro-
tamasters would often record the presence of four
men, but since only one man was actually physi-
cally present, the rotamasters would collect their
pay a policy known as empty pay rates.
Equipment
Winged hussars companions were armed with long
lances. Hollow on the inside, these lances measured
between 5 to 5.5 meters in length and were lighter
than those used during the Middle Ages. The lances
allowed the winged hussars to charge home and
break an enemy formation. Depending on the situ-
ation and enemy, however, the hussars could enter
combat without their lances, When fghting against
the Tatars, for example, the winged hussars did not
depend upon their lances and used their secondary
weapons. Most commonly, however, the hussars
would charge against an enemy with their lances
and after breaking their lances in the frst round
of melee, the hussars drew their long, straight
swords (estoc), backswords or sabers. An
estoc was a thrusting weapon, up to 1.6
meters long, and was ideal for splitting
chainmail. Winged hussars also used
horsemans picks, maces, musketoons
and pistols. The companions wore vari-
ous types of armor. At frst, the winged
hussars wore a amalgamation of plate
armor combined with chainmail but
by the times of Jan III Sobieski
they used a special type of
scale armor (karacena).
The hussars also wore
lobster pot helmets.
Each suit of armor was
unique and troops in the
same banner wore difer-
ent patterns of armor. Re-
tainers wore a similar style
of armor, but it was much
less decorated.
Tactics
There were several elements that contributed to the
success of the winged hussars. Their ability was
based of traits found in both Eastern and Western
cavalry. The hussars could charge and maneuver,
fght in both close and open order, had good disci-
pline, received individual training, and rode excel-
lent combat horses. Winged hussars were usually
used for breaking through an enemys front line.
Their training in formation allowed them to open
up or close ranks depending on the immediate tac-
tical need, such as to minimize losses from enemy
fre. A winged hussar banner was usually formed in
three ranks, with companions in front and retain-
ers behind them.
1. The winged hussar lances should be left uncut or cut to the
length of 4-4.5cm. The set also includes silver balls that sho-
uld be glued about 8-10mm from the rear end of the lance.
Winged Hussars
Pormation Move Armor MoraIe 8kiII CIose Comhat 8hooting Weapons Eectiveness Bange 8peciaI BuIes
WINGED HU88AB8 8ANNEB
Cavalry
Hussars zc/+zc / o z J Hand weapons c CC EIite CavaIry
PistoIs c Companions
Wingedhussar c/1 CC 8carce Ammunition
Estoc c/J CC
Iance
J
For a period of time in 1635 prince Jan Kazimierz commanded
a cuirassier regiment in the Imperial army during the Thirty Years War.