IMPERIAL ARMY

In the course of the 17th century, the Habsburg armies took part in numerous armed conflicts, such as the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), the war with Louis XIV or the war with Turkey (1683-1699). Of course, the army in the course of the 17th century underwent almost constant changes, and its cavalry changed along with the changes in the army. During the Thirty Years' War, the Austrian cavalry - like the infantry - consisted primarily of a mercenary soldier. In the 1730s, the main types of Austrian cavalry were cuirassiers, horse arquebusiers, dragoons and Kroaci (Croats). Typical heavy cavalry units were cuirassiers, but also horse arquebusiers. The Dragons could be classified as medium cavalry, although they only occasionally fought on horseback. The Croats, on the other hand, are typical light cavalry intended for reconnaissance and insurance of marches. Applying a considerable simplification, it can be assumed that the hussars will take over the tradition of kroats in the Austrian army. At the end of the 17th century, the main types of Austrian cavalry were cuirassiers, dragoons and hussars. During the war with Turkey (1683-1699), the Austrian cavalry regiment numbered from 800 to 1000 people (depending on the formation), and one regiment was divided into five squadrons. The "permanent" introduction of a squadron in the Austrian cavalry also resulted from the experience of the Thirty Years' War. It is worth adding that the Austrian heavy cavalry fought in three ranks against the Turks, but when fighting, for example, against the French army, it most often used a 2-rank formation.In the course of the 17th century, the Habsburg armies took part in numerous armed conflicts, such as the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), the war with Louis XIV or the war with Turkey (1683-1699). Of course, the army in the course of the 17th century underwent almost constant changes, and its artillery changed along with the changes in the army. In the 1730s, the measurements of the Austrian field artillery were to some extent standardized and mainly 24-, 12- and 6-pounder cannons were used. However, there were still 10, 14 or 16 pound cannons. In 1631, regiment cannons began to be introduced, and from 1633 efforts were made to ensure that two light guns were assigned to an infantry regiment (by the way, about 2,000 men). However, it should be remembered that the Austrian artillery was not very numerous in the field and, for example, near Lützen, it had only 19 or 21 guns. As a curiosity, it can be added that the Austrian guns of that time were considered to be one of the best and most beautifully made in Europe. After 1648, many changes introduced during the Thirty Years' War were retained, and at the same time the training of artillerymen was significantly improved. At the beginning of the war with Turkey (1683-1699), Austrian artillery (field and siege) had 12 main types of guns, ranging from heavy 48-pound howitzers to light 0.5-pound cannons. Light cannons were still assigned to regiments, and later also battalions, to line infantry.In the course of the 17th century, the Habsburg armies took part in numerous armed conflicts, such as the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), the war with Louis XIV or the war with Turkey (1683-1699). Of course, in the course of the 17th century, this army was changing almost constantly, and its infantry changed along with the changes in the army. During the Thirty Years' War, the Austrian infantry was primarily a mercenary army, often mercenary, divided - as in many other armies of the time - into pikemen and musketeers. The Austrian infantry regiment in the 1730s consisted of about 2,000 people, divided into 10 companies, and on the battlefield it was divided into two battalions of about 1,000 soldiers. Of course, this was not a rule, and there were regiments of much fewer people. They also did their own combat losses and losses caused, for example, by diseases. As an interesting fact, it is often assumed that Austrian pikemen were most often better armored than their Swedish counterparts. At that time, great leaders in the Austrian service were, for example, Wallenstein, Pappenheim and Montecuccoli. After 1648, however, the Austrian infantry underwent considerable changes. First of all, it was slowly becoming a permanent and better trained military. The regiments numbered about 2040 people, then it was divided into 10 companies, but the company consisted mainly of musketeers of which there were 88 in the company, rather than pikemen - of whom there were 48. This was clearly shown by the emphasis placed primarily on firearms. It is worth adding that the Austrian infantry was completely re-equipped with flintlock rifles only during the Spanish Succession War (1701-1713 / 1714). On the other hand, its greatest success in the second half of the 17th century - apart from the Battle of Vienna in 1683, where the Polish hussars played the main role - was the Battle of Zenta in 1697, in which the great commander of the Austrian army at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, Eugeniusz of Savoy, was in command.