Polish Winged Hussars?

Originally posted by Roberts How much are Germans, Russians, Ukrainians and Lithuanians liked in Poland?

Germans 38%

Russians 30%

Ukrainians 34%

Lithuanians 41%

All these data are for January 2009

Yeap. Here is the list of the first 5 the most favourite nations for the Poles. Czechs are nr 2 - 53% of the Poles declare liking for Czechs. 

Italians (54%)
Czechs (53%)
Spaniards (52%)
Slovaks (51%)
Englishmen (51%)

These are 3 battles of so called 'Prussian war' - the war between Poland and Sweden waged in Royal (Polish) Prussia in years 1626-1629.

There were 5 battles in this war, which involved hussars:

• the battle of Gniew (Swedish name Mewe) 1626; it was a drawn; the battle saw a broad use of obstacles by the Swedes, which were stopping hussar charges.

• the battle of Czarne (Hammerstein) 1627; won by the Poles

• the battle of Tczew (Dirschau) 1627; won by the Poles

• the battle of Górzno 1629; won by the Swedes

• the battle of Trzciana (Honigfeld) 1629; won by the Poles

There was also Grudziąc 1628, where both armies met, but Gustaw Adolf didn't want to leave fortified position, while Stanisław Koniecpolski didn't want to attack Swedish earthworks, so both armies dispersed without a battle.

The battle of Górzno happened in winter (on the 12^th of February, 1629). The Polish army was in the worse shape in this war. Its real strength was only 30% of its theoretical strength. Unfortunately most of Polish commanders weren't present too (including main commander – Polish hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski, who left the army and went to proceedings of Sejm to 'fight' for money for his army), what led to a big confusion in the army.

All in all, there were less than 4000 Polish soldiers in the battle (but not less than 2300). Swedish army had 6200 soldiers.

This was an exceptional battle, because the Swedes, knowing fatal conditions of Polish army, risked the open field battle.

The action mentioned by Styrbiorn took place close to Zaborowo village (look at the map http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Battle_of_Gorzno1629.jpg). First of all, Teuffel's squadron of Swedish musketeers shot to Polish cavalry, which provoked a charge of some hussars (their number was lower than 200). Hussars smashed this squadron of musketeers and with partially broken lances involved themselves in the fight against Wrangel's and Streiff's squadrons of cavalry. During the fight, both sides were supported by next units. But total number of Polish cavalrymen didn't exceed 300 (including 200 hussars and at most 100 cossacks).

The rest of Polish army stayed away and tried to make an order in units but the lack of presence of the bulk of commanders made it impossible. Polish army was so confused that Polish artillery (4 pieces) was shooting to Polish soldiers. So the only ones who (in this phase of the battle; there were some encounters between infantry earlier that day) really fought vs entire Swedish army was this small group of at most 300 cavalrymen. They finally withdraw. The rest of Polish army also withdraw without any fight. Polish casualties: 80 killed cavalrymen and 700 captured infantrymen.

About the battle of Trzciana 1629 – look at this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Trzciana

Unfortunately there are number of errors in this description. For example both Polish and Swedish armies were smaller; Polish casualties were smaller too (there were not 300 killed, but 250 wounded and killed), etc.

It was won by allied forces (like the battle of Vienna). Polish cavalry (the same which was smashed in the first day of the battle) fought really hard and effectively.

As far as enemies of Polish cavalry are concerned. Apart from the battle of Cecora 1620, Chocim 1621, Chocim 1673, Vienna 1683 and Parkany 1683, Polish cavalry also fought vs Ottoman cavalry at Kamieniec Podolski (in 1633) and at Bojan (in 1685). Both big battles were won by the Poles. There was also some contingent of Polish cavalry, which supported Hungarians in the battle of Mohacs 1526 (Ottoman victory).

Polish cavalry fought also vs:

• Hungarian cavalry (from Transylvania) – at Humienne in 1619 (Polish victory).

• French, English and Flemish cavalry – at Kłuszyn in 1610 (Polish victory).

There were of course numerous battles vs Tartar, Wallahian, Moldavian, Cossack, Russian and Swedish cavalry.

Generally Hapsburgs in 16-17^th c. were Polish allies, so apart from the battle of Byczyna 1588, I don't know any other battle where Polish and imperial cavalry fought against each other.

Anyway, Polish lisowczyks supported Emperor during TYW, and participated in a couple of battles in that time.

I don't know about any fight between Polish and Spanish cavalrymen in 16-17^th c. Although I know some plan which is relevant to this subject. Spain wanted to hire Polish cavalry (including hussars) in 1639-1640. There were some negotiations, but finally the plan failed.

Habsburgs had a good cavalry because of their Hungarian domains. Hungarians are kind of fathers of European cavalry.