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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
Wow! that is a great photo Atlantia!! and your title 'last charge of the lancers' pretty stirring!!
It seems amazing that lances were used this late, but they indeed were, and this brings back memories of my obsession with lances and lancers back in the 80's. I found that the German uhlans in WWI used incredibly long lances made with steel rather than wood shafts, but did not realize the French had units as well.
The famed Bengal Lancers in India used lances well into the 20th century, and in ceremonial capacity, I think some mounted troops may still be used in Pakistan possibly. I recall back in the 80's I did see a performance of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (mounties  riding in drill formation with lances and it was incredible to see these movements in unison with red and white pennons fluttering as they rode!
Thank you so much for posting this, and bringing to mind the great pageantry these anachronisms of the days of chivalry.
All the best,
Jim |
Hi Buddy,
'Anachronisms' is surely the right word for these combat cavalry regiments. Especially the French ones as they were fielded early in the war in pretty substantial numbers, long before and really hard lessons had even began to be learned. As you so rightly point out, these were truly a leftover from the age of chivalry, often the sons of nobility, the 'cream' of the French military.
The suffering of these men and animals was almost beyond imagining.
The French Lancer looks to be about 20-22, his big smile always fills me with sadness.
It certainly was the end of an era.