NP-I001 MAJOR OF BRITISH CAVARLY IN WW I - NORTH SOMERSET YEOMANRY

At the outbreak of World War I, the British cavalry consisted of 31 cavalry regiments of approximately 15,000 men. The British cavalry doctrine at that time was largely based on the experiences of the Second Boer War (1899-1902), emphasizing the use of cavalry primarily for reconnaissance and emphasis on its firepower, but not excluding classic cavalry charges. It is worth adding that in the period 1902-1914 the necessity of attacking one's own cavalry with the support of artillery fire and machine guns was emphasized. Already during World War I, cavalry divisions were formed, consisting of a staff, four cavalry brigades, four artillery batteries and other support units - including sappers. In total, the British cavalry division numbered about 9,300 men and about 9,500 horses. Due to the nature of the fighting on the Western Front during World War I, British cavalry was used in this theater of war on a relatively small scale.