IMPERIAL DRAGOONS TYW

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.