NAPOLEONIC FRENCH CAVALRY IN EGYPT

During the revolutionary wars (1792-1799) and - especially - in the Napoleonic period (1799-1815), France probably had the most efficient war machine on the Old Continent, which almost led to its lasting hegemony over Europe. It will be a truism to say that the key element of this machine was the French army. In the same army, however, from 1776 hussars existed as an independent type of cavalry. Shortly before the outbreak of the Great Revolution, the French army had 6 hussar regiments in its ranks, and during the revolutionary wars (1792-1799) their number increased significantly, but in 1803 Napoleon limited the number of hussar regiments to ten. In the period 1810-1813, three more regiments of this type of light cavalry were formed. It can be added that by far the most famous hussar regiments of the French army were the 5th and 7th hussars. The uniform of the French hussars was modeled on that used in the Austrian army, it consisted of a dolman jacket, mantis and tight uniform trousers. The main weapon was a saber - most often AN IV and AN IX. The secondary weapon was the wz. 1766, wz. 1786 or AN IX. Hussars were used primarily in the so-called small war, but also played a great role in reconnaissance, reconnaissance and insuring the marches of their own troops. Undoubtedly, the most famous French hussar of that time was General Lasalle, who distinguished himself during the Italian campaign in 1796-1797 and fought, inter alia, at Auerstädt (1806). He was killed at Wagram in 1809.