Hussar cavalry Germany in a military exercise in 1912
Member Cossack Cavalry Division , Russian Caucasus volunteers who joined the German Nazi regime against Stalin
General der Kavallerie Georg Stumme (1886-1942) , whose pioneering career in general cavalry unit . The general died of a heart attack in the battle of El - Alamein , when the car he was traveling stray into the area so that the enemy gets heavy fire !
German artillery was riding across the bridge in the summer in Russia . Note the soldier on the right : it turns out sunglasses have been popular since the days of the Nazis !
If that is the cavalry troops were protecting the German supply line leading to the front in Russia
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Das Reiterabzeichen ( Horse Medal ) from the given since 1930 to the best German rider , who later most of them joined the Wehrmacht as a trooper . In fact , a Rittmeister ( cavalry captain ) are required to have this medal
German cavalry victory parade at the Arc de Triomphe , Paris , after the fall of the city dated June 18, 1940
This is the profile of a horse saddle ( Sitzkissen ) 1937 models used by cavalry riders Germany
Memperlihatkann painting Wehrmacht cavalry was doing one of the tasks entrusted to him : reconnaissance !
Troops of horsemen Cavalry Division 8th SS " Florian Geyer " in Russian battlefield
Contrary to public opinion , so the heavy reliance on the use of horses Nazi Blitzkrieg in World War II so that the recorded approximately 1.1 million horses ' serve ' the Wehrmacht ! Of the 322 division Heer ( Army ) and the SS 's in the month of November 1943 , only 52 which is an armored division or motor vehicles . In November 1944 a total of 264 divisions , only 42 which is an armored division or motor vehicles , the other largely supported by the classical method that relies on an advanced infantry into battle rely on the strength of their legs , arms and other supplies carried by troops legged four , aka horse . Lightweight division and Gebirgsjäger ( mountain troops ) the comparison is even greater in the use of animals , while the cavalry division was clearly highly dependent on the presence of their horses .
German infantry division in the early days of the war usually consisted of 5,300 horses , 1,100 horse-drawn wagon , 950 engine vehicles , and 430 motorcycles . In 1943, due to the great difficulty in the supply chain and the gap distance is common in a futile attempt to follow its speed mechanical German forces on the Eastern Front , the number was reduced to just over 400 vehicles and 400 motorcycle engine , while the number of horses actually ballooned to 6,300 !
Divisions in 1944 typically have 4,600 horses , 1,400 horse-drawn carts , motorized vehicles 600 and 150 motorcycles . The only unit that has been fully mechanized divisions that are part of the old model is infantry anti-tank battalion . Most vehicles carrying supplies for division supplies rely on horses as pullers , while the motorized vehicle used for traffic fuels and also for the company 's workshop . Comparison of the motor vehicle to be larger in the German GHQ troops , who typically supply unit is largely a motorized forces . It is considered necessary to remember this unit typically consists of , among other things, heavy artillery which was not possible when I have drawn by horses . GHQ motor is incorporated into the division , corps and army group in accordance with their needs .
While the horse plays an important role in regular infantry division , the Germans did not put great confidence in his cavalry unit as an effective and strategic weapons . The use of cavalry units are stand-alone depends on luck Germany on the battlefield . During the first 3 years of World War II , when Nazi troops had the upper hand and always win on many fronts , the cavalry was almost abandoned , and even strength never reached a full division . In contrast , from 1943 onwards , the new cavalry units to appear, so in early 1945 Germany has had 6 cavalry divisions and two cavalry corps . Extraordinary development of independent cavalry unit before the end of this battle should not be interpreted as a fundamental change of theory and Hitler's military strategy . The new units are needed primarily for secure communication paths in the Balkan region in which they operate in small groups, stand-alone , or to protect the side of the larger forces during a massive withdrawal from East battlefield . In both cases , the use of cavalry only made to cover the shortage of motor transport vehicles .
In late 1943 and early 1944 , the German war needs have exceeded the ability of its production capacity . This period was also marked by the more diligently carry out the Allied strategic bombing which makes the German war factories unable to meet production targets . On the other hand , large farms that raise horses Prussia was never the target of bombing from B - 17 and Lancaster , and therefore continues to supply large quantities of horses were sent to the battlefield to be used by the Wehrmacht . Greater use of cavalry units at the end of the war was also justified from the perspective of a military strategy . The Balkans and Russia are still far from modernization to support the use of equestrian units . Balkan region is dominated by mountainous regions , while Russia has barely paved road that can facilitate motorized and armored forces of Germany in its movement , just filled with swamps and forests . Steppes , ideal to be a cross-country crossing of the German motor vehicle in the summer because it is flat and smooth , into a mound of mud in the rainy season when . Where there is a paved road , then the road is usually in a miserable condition and immediately shambles so the two panzer through . The German generals did not realize this instead , so digalakkanlah light units ( Jäger ) and mountain ( Gebirgsjäger ) to handle this sort of conditions , so that the cavalry is not the only element that does not experience difficulty when it must pass through the mud and the area another difficult to pass a regular motor vehicle .
The use of cavalry riding in the old way limited offensive in the early campaigns , when the Germans enjoyed air superiority . even though later revealed to any , only on a small scale only. This indicates that the German High Command did not intend to use cavalry in large numbers as the spearhead of revolt , even when victory is in sight , then the cavalry used to scan the surrounding area and reconnaissance activities ( Reconnaissance ) , especially in Eastern Europe and Far East .
Consideration of costs and materials should be provided to supply troops and armored motor may play a role in this decision , as well as the flexibility of the cavalry to pass through the territories ' hick ' , especially in agricultural areas .
HISTORY OF THE GERMAN CAVALRY FORCES
A little flashback to the history of German cavalry in the country can provide important background to study its action in World War II . Prussian cavalry , which had grown from just 1,000 armed horsemen swords in the early 17th century to 6,000 people in 1740 , reached the peak of his fame as well use the most successful and extensively under the leadership of Friedrich the Great . During the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) , cavalry played a key role in a number of Prussian victories on the battlefield , which is mainly supported by a bold attack and also circular motion / outflank . Even when used in a defensive role , the same forces were able to prevent the destruction of the Prussian army as a whole to protect the retreat of the infantry . As years went to war with Austria and Prussia in 1866, the cavalry no longer plays an important role . At that time they mimic the shape of Napoleon's cavalry corps , which turned out to be too heavy and inflexible . Lessons learned , and soon this form immediately reorganized again with amazing speed and proven to have important , again led by the brilliant added , the French - Prussian War .
At the beginning of the 20th century the German Army consisted of 46 cavalry brigades , each consisting of two regiments each of them measuring five forces , with a total of 69,000 soldiers . In 1914 there were 110 regiments with 87,000 soldiers , and there was no further development although then World War I broke out . In the war , the German cavalry used successfully in the invasion of the West , Poland , and Romania . In these campaigns , the cavalry is mainly used in reconnaissance operations and scanning . In a smaller role , the cavalry was also adapted its use in trench warfare and for protection when operating a large-scale German retreat in 1918 . Usually , after they rode in the pace of movements to critical sectors , cavalry plunged into the battlefield without put on his horse and so ordinary infantrymen . After the defeat in World War I , the German General Staff organized the Reichswehr ( army of 100,000 people ) as efficiently as possible so hopefully when it finally allowed back Germany has a large army , conversion can occur quickly . Reichswehr itself consists of seven divisions of infantry and three cavalry divisions . Each division consisted of 5,500 cavalry soldiers and six regiments , each consisting of five forces , also riding an artillery battalion . The strength of this cavalry was made in order to adjust quickly if at any time be upgraded to an armored unit or motor
Between 1934 to 1939, the German Army developed rapidly into 52 divisions : 35 infantry , panzer 5 , 4 light ( cavalry mechanical ) , 4 motor , and 4 mountain troops . The only independent cavalry unit that belongs to Germany when World War II broke out was the 1st Cavalry Brigade . Dated 19 September 1939 cavalry unit is eliminated and " fast forces " ( Schnelle Truppen ) was created which includes cavalry units , reconnaissance , tanks , anti - tank , bicycle , motorcycle and armored infantry of the GHQ . In April 1943 the use of " force quickly " abandoned and instead created a new term , " panzer forces " ( panzertruppen ) which includes units of tanks , anti - tank , heavy assault guns , armored reconnaissance , armored infantry and motorized infantry . What about the cavalry ? The good, the unit is no longer discriminated against and even restored its function as a stand-alone unit . Previously they were classified as part of the infantry , cavalry units even though the former members are still allowed to wear their traditional golden yellow piping , and a former cavalry officer still allowed to call each of them as cavalrymen .
GHQ CAVALRY IN WORLD WAR II
The development of a stand-alone unit cavalry in World War II, is best explained by looking at the operations of the four classifications : first army unit (1939-1941) , units of the Waffen - SS (1941-1945) , Cossack units (1943-1945) , and army units later ( 1944-1945 ) .
1st Cavalry Brigade , which is the only cavalry unit that belongs to Germany when the war broke out in 1939 , consisting of two regiments of cavalry riding , a mix of ( mostly mechanical ) regiment of cavalry , artillery battalion riding , mechanical reconnaissance battalion , and the battalion bike . Total strength was 6,200 soldiers and 4,200 horses .
The unit participated in the campaign in Poland on the first day with a fairly proud achievement , though , almost drowned when compared to operating the new panzer divisions were more spectacular , " unsightly " and become the center of attention of Kriegsberichter ( war correspondent ) . The brigade was under the Army's 3rd Corps but not included . On 1 September , the 1st Cavalry Brigade move quickly from the starting point at the north Mlawa ( Prussia ) to the river Narew . Took part in the crossing of the river and also Bug , continue to eliminate powerful enemies facing the defense , and made it to the east of Warsaw on the 12th day . As the wings of a giant circular motion to encircle the Polish capital , 1st Cavalry Brigade repeatedly attacked both frontally and from the edge , and sometimes to get ahead of the main force with the task to destroy enemy lines of communication . This is the only time in the war which the German riding cavalry units operate with success against a persistent enemy , pure function of cavalry offensive way " traditional " .
After the campaign in Poland , the 1st Cavalry Brigade was developed into the 1st Cavalry Division , which is a division of cavalry supplemented by conservative type with motor and motor half reconnaissance , signal , engineer , and anti - tank battalion .
1st Cavalry Division took part in the invasion of the West in May 1940 in Aachen sector under the 18th Army . they are in the right wing of the main offensive movement across the western and northern Belgium , and then northern France . At first , this division did not experience any significant battles , until the second phase of the campaign in which they participated together in the armored forces cross the Somme and the Seine river , and then reached the Loire near Saumur .
In the second phase of this operation , they play an important role in the hit enemy who tried to hinder the efforts of the German troops crossing . Not only that , as a result, thousands of French troops ( the moral already collapsed ) successfully made captives . 1st Cavalry Division was able to move as far as 45 to 60 miles per day , and on one occasion got credit ( in the German report ) by smashing 34 from a total of 40 enemy tanks trying to attack .
In the first two months of the campaign in Russia when the Germans moved forward so rapidly , the 1st Cavalry Division fought continuously in the middle sector . The amount itself has now grown to six regiments , which are organized into three brigades . But there is something different ( not Vagetoz ! ) This time . The strategy has been implemented with success in previous campaigns , where the Germans enjoyed air superiority and weaponry , it did not quite successfully practiced in the Russian conditions . Before long , this division was withdrawn from the front just when Germany was at the peak of success offensively Russia , was sent to France ( which has now been occupied ) , and converted into the 24th Panzer Division ( later destroyed at Stalingrad , though later reconstituted in French ) . There will be no cavalry unit the size of a squadron that was formed until the end of 1943 !
CAVALRY UNIT Waffen - SS
Waffen - SS , called Himmler as a military organization " elite " in its competition with the Army ( Heer ) , was very keen to establish his own cavalry unit . 1941 Allgemeine SS ( SS branch of " non - military " ) has had 23 regiments of cavalry troops with five to eight each. But this is only intended as a training unit and part of the political course . Shortly after the campaign in Russia , an SS brigade with two regiments were sent to the front . They operate mainly in the forefront of the central and southern sectors , also chimed in dealing with partisans behind the lines . Mid- 1942, the SS brigade was enlarged again to level divisions ( SS Cavalry Division 8 ' Florian Geyer ' ) . This division is involved in the rescue effort 6th Army vain at Stalingrad , also in protecting the wing German forces in his resignation from Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk . In late 1943, they were withdrawn from the front line and then sent to Poland continues to Yugoslavia . In March 1944 the SS cavalry division ' Florian Geyer ' entered Hungary as part of the main German force which intends to ensure the country remains joining the Axis powers . When I was there , they have had one regiment and also supplies cadres to form two additional regiments riding ( which later formed into the SS Cavalry Division - 22 ' Maria Theresa ' ) .
Both SS cavalry division was formed with the exact same strength , each consisting of one motor supply regiment and three regiments of cavalry riding , one machine gun squad , a heavy weapons troop , and one army base ( which consists of an artillery regiment of three riding light battalions : one battalion bike , one anti-tank battalion , one engineer battalion and a battalion signal ) . Total strength is 10,000 soldiers . Although they operate in small groups in the fight against Yugoslav partisans , the SS Cavalry Division " Florian Geyer ' still equipped with weapons of adequate support , which include: 32 pieces of field artillery with 105mm howitzers and 150mm howitzer 4 pieces ; anti- air attack with artillery guns 20mm and 37mm ; and 35 pieces of anti - tank guns and 88mm 75mm size . To infantrinya also equipped with 30 81mm mortars , 4 120mm mortars spoils of Russia , 213 light machine-guns , and 42 pieces of heavy machine guns . Both SS Cavalry Division then operate together in a defensive battle in the Transylvania region of terrain inadequate . Possible Himmler intends to further develop both divisions to become one corps , but because of a severe shortage of resources in all terrain Germany suffered in the recent war , it never became a reality , and in the end , they are under the control of the Corps IX SS Mountain . Before long , the two SS cavalry division was sent to Budapest and among the German units that encircle the city . Their existence ended in January 1945 when Russian troops destroy much stronger . Remaining troops then combined with reserve forces to form a new SS Cavalry Division - 37 ' Lutzow ' , but it has never reached full strength and did not play a lot in the final battle against the Russians in Austria confusing .
In early 1942 , Germany began to wear the volunteers former Soviet forces ( prisoners of war and deserters ) , including being a Cossack Cavalry squadron stand-alone . The new force was immediately formed and placed under the First Panzer Army in South Russia . With the guidance received from the German commander , these units demonstrate remarkable achievement in their duties as long range reconnaissance and offensive operations deep in enemy territory which is usually located in the Steppes that was in the lowlands Don and North Caucasus . Unfortunately , it is generally known that such forces are not reliable in operation resignation of German soldiers in winter 1942-1943 , so in the end they were all sent to operate in a more " moderate " , Poland .
The first Cossack Division was officially formed on May 1, 1943 . Division is directly delivered to Yugoslavia in October to protect the communication path the Germans , especially the stretch of railroad track that is very important in between Sisak and Brod . The strength of these forces rests solely on his role as horsemen , because limitations in terms of supporting arms . This division was first formed of two brigades , and then into three , with each brigade consists of two regiments . One of the two regiments contained in this brigade usually forces the bike rider ( not horse ! ) , And each squadron had three or four horsemen or cycling , plus a machine gun squad . Each regiment also has a heavy weapons squad . Although the German commanders often complain of the difficulty of regulating the discipline and maintain their loyalty ( not to mention the Yugoslav population protesting hard against the sadism which often made by this division ) , but arguably the First Cossack Division had done his duty satisfactorily , until when Germany should began to withdraw from the Balkans in late 1944 .
After the addition of members , the Cossack Division was divided into Cossack Cavalry Division 1st and 2nd . everything is under the control of the Waffen - SS , the main controller is SS Cossack Cavalry Corps XV . In March 1945 the corps placed Slovenia with a new mission to protect the left flank of Army Group E in the face of the Russian attack . The end of April , Army Group E were pressed hard that is now on the border with Austria , the Cossack corps as its axis . In the last days of the World War , Cossack cavalry corps not only stands out for exceptional mobility , but also fear most of its members when they gave up in the hands of the Soviets ( which is notorious in treating his prisoners , especially those considered traitors of Russia ) . Therefore , they are among the first units to reach Austria and surrendered to the Allied forces West , only to be later handed back to the Red Army !
In early 1944 , the decision makers in the Wehrmacht decided to restore the function of cavalry units that stand alone as a protective withdrawal of German troops on the Eastern Front that long . The old brigade developed into " divisions " in the month of February 1945 and the cavalry corps was formed . Each " division " new cavalry regiment consisted of two cavalry riding with each consisting of two squadrons , one artillery regiment riding with three battalions , one battalion and a half of motor signals , one armored reconnaissance battalion , and an engineer troops .
Artillery equipment itself weaker dibandingkankan with SS cavalry division , since only 24 105mm mortar allocated . The number of its 120mm mortar increased to 24 , with 30 81mm mortars , 71 bazooka ( Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck ) , 39 pieces of 75mm anti-tank gun or 88mm , 347 light machine guns , 29 heavy machine guns , and 19 pieces of anti- air attack weapons or a 20mm automatic cannon . Cavalry corps full control units and mechanical cavalry riding , and they undergo a tough defensive battle during the summer and fall of 1944 on the eastern front . The main achievement of his success lies in protecting the northern flank of the 2nd Army , which controls significant territory in the area of Brest - Litovsk . The corps then transferred to a fairly quiet sector of the battle farther north under the 4th Army and later , in early 1945 , to the western part of Hungary . When the war ended , the corps was in Graz , with the charge of the 2nd Cavalry Division and 4th , 23 Panzer Division and Panzer - Grenadier Division of the SS -6.
German military doctrine always focuses on the efforts of a strong and aggressive surveillance by all echelons as the basis for the deployment and subsequent operations . This was achieved starting from strategic reconnaissance remotely by the Luftwaffe and large units and motorized cavalry , to patrol the area constantly carried around by a group of four or five people from a rifle platoon . In planning for dealing with World War II , the German High Command allocates full organic reconnaissance battalion to each division , except for coastal security and other static division . Organizing such a battalion which is similar in every German infantry division and did not experience any significant changes until 1943 , only that there is a tendency in certain units to replace their horses with bikes . Basically , each battalion consisted of one cavalry , one bicycle troops , a heavy weapons troop , and one platoon in charge of communications . Horsemen army itself consists of three platoons ( each consisting of three squad ) and a heavy machine gun section . This section is equipped with 21 heavy machine guns , and each squad has one light machine gun . The strength of its resources are 205 people , 213 horses , and three horse-drawn carriages .
In 1943 introduced a new type of infantry division that magnitude smaller than the previous type , and the reconnaissance battalion was replaced by shock infantry unit known as Fusilier Battalion . The company is equipped with a bicycle unit , while the rest by horse . They used to serve both as a division reconnaissance elements , as well as the reserve battalion to three infantry regiments , each of which now only consists of two battalions . It is still not practical enough , the Germans even tried to experiment with the arrangement of the smaller divisions , although the shock infantry unit then returned to the form and strength according to the type of the German division in 1945 , with the removal of the horse so that the entire battalion ( except the element heavy weapons ) to move from one front to another front with the bike . The use of reconnaissance battalion of the division refers to the general principle of the modern cavalry tactics . These units are used skillfully and aggressively to counter reconnaissance , scanning , flank protection , and protective backward motion .
Despite not being part of the cavalry branch itself, but in the equestrian platoon headquarters company in each infantry regiment of the German Army used as the vanguard of the advance regiment , for reconnaissance before and during the battle , and also for the purpose of scanning and protection . This platoon consists of three squads , headquarters section , and a horse-drawn carriage , with personnel as many as 31 people and 31 horses . In the final operations of the war further , some horses platoon replaced by bicycle , and replacement of these took place in all divisions Volksgrenadier in 1945 .
CONCLUSION
Already explained in detail that the real core of the German Army is the vehicle that is pulled by a horse , and this will continue for the unavailability of fuel reserves are sufficient to meet the needs of war machines are driven by it . It continues to be a headache Hitler and his generals , even after the oil fields of the Caucasus successfully controlled by the Wehrmacht . Automotive production capacity also has an influence on the level of motorization German war machine , even without necessarily affected by the war though . Outline , in a country and economy like Germany , it is impossible to be able to match the United States in the provision of scale motorized war machine . Large-scale production with remarkable speed also at an economical cost never appears in Germany , as in America is not unusual .
Economic factors , exacerbated by the effects of aerial bombardment , also plays an important role in the formation of an independent cavalry in the recent war. Horses now plays back in a war, merely for the reason that its availability is not affected by the worsening war situation . The question is : how is the strategic decisions affect the situation on the battlefield ? The answer is still confusing . Termination cavalry school , failure to train new cavalry officer standards-compliant , and the abandonment by naked eye GHQ cavalry riding over the first years were full of triumph , all show that German officials are no longer interested in using cavalry as a stand-alone unit . The situation on the battlefield , as we have seen , then make them change his mind again .
While the Soviet cavalry , who had suffered a severe shock in the early war against Germany , quickly organized back with adjustment doctrine , tactics and techniques to deal with the invaders . Back to the Germans . for the establishment of an independent cavalry unit , the Wehrmacht was helped particularly in the areas of operation of the partisans ( the Balkans and Russia ) . Himmler , in a speech full of confidence in the month of October 1943 , stressed that " border car " can be directly applied immediately after open hostilities ended . The young German will be trained intensively how to treat the colonies plus " the barbarians of them " . Such a situation would require a strong cavalry and stand-alone , for the sake of exploring most areas without adequate road in steppe plains . Himmler also may believe that the horse is more suitable for the young German jobs like this when compared to motor vehicles that frequently strike . It can be seen that Himmler would use the cavalry for passive purposes only, as opposed to function normally as a spearhead in the battle ( the old model ) .
German Lessons learned from the use of horses as a means of transportation and cavalry units is simple. When the mounted unit is present , they will be the foundation that can quickly be developed if economic conditions and certain areas it requires the use of animals in large numbers . It seems there is no clear timing rule where the equestrian units required by the Army , because the estimates are based on economic needs , condition of the area , as well the ability of troops . From the experience gained by the German and other foreign countries , it is evident that the horse can be deployed in any terrain and weather . Its use was never to be a disadvantage for Germany , and also in line with the tradition of the German cavalry with the motto " Heaven is in the back of the horse world " !