discuss about POLISH WINGED HUSSARS

[O'ETAIPOS]

Again with the unbeatable husaria. Dunno how many times this topic have been covered in various threads in this forum.

The utter defeat at Kirchholm did not stop the Swedes from advancing in the baltic area upon Polands cost. In early 17th century Gustavus II fought them victoriously on a number of occasions.

And refusal of Polish parlament to finace the army any longer followed by rebelion of said army does not have any influence on Swedish recover...

Gustavus Adolphus was also bearly captured by polish horsemen on one ocasion and defeted on number others.
You should also remember that his reform of cavalry was done along polish lines:
1) "Western" tactics of karakol were dropped and cavalry was taught to charge "into the smoke"
2) Melee training was expanded

In mid 17th century Charles X dealt Poland a blow they never came back from.

Big overestimation. Without help of Cossak rebelion that devastated 1/3 of Commonwelth teritory (S-E) and Russians who did the same to N-E 1/3 it would hardly be that serious blow. The other thing is that most of Poland was surrenderd to Charles not won by him. For different reasons polish nobles didnt want to fight. And Crown army, always weak in numbers took serious losses fighting on Ukraine, and major part was stationed there (they also swiched sides).

In fact deadly blows was dealt on Poland during Great Northern War.

What may be interesting that Poland was able to mobilise against Charles Gustavus invasion (in 1656, in 1655 there wasn't any serious fighting) about 1500 hussars - about half of the forces available at Kircholm. Most others were just levy serving in daily clothes and having sabre as only weapon. Not to mention lack of any military training.

And when ETW starts, I.E around 1700 there was most certanly no eastern european cavalry that could match the Swedish cav, Polsih included.

Kalle

that I may agree. But it was more due to social changes in Poland rather than due to some war defeats.

Wars of XVII and begining of XVIIIc destroyed medium nobility, who were the most valuable military manpower. As the result quality of polish cav dropped rapidly, within generation from around battle at Vienna till GN War. Hussar regiments were some of the mostly affected, as they always been few, relying on good quality soliders and serving there was not cheap.