Explained: How Cavalry Disappeared From The Military (Think World War I)

[Disir]

Cavalry had been a crucial part of armies since antiquity, beginning soon after the domestication of the horse. The Greeks and Romans were skilled horsemen centuries before the invention of the stirrup. Horses played a crucial role during the age of chivalry during the Middle Ages, and proved crucial in the Mongol's expansion from Asia to Europe, and later with the Spanish exploration and conquest of the Americas.


In countless wars around the world over the centuries, cavalry was a flexible multipurpose force that offered greater mobility than infantry, while it performed long-range reconnaissance and security for commanders. During battle, cavalry secured and protected the flanks and rear of the infantry line, and could be used to counter enemy cavalry or counter an enemy infantry attack.

Explained: How Cavalry Disappeared From The Military (Think World War I)

In a single generation the traditional cavalry all but disappeared from the battlefield, and the reason was that warfare changed in unexpected ways.

nationalinterest.org

That's an interesting article right up till the end when the author says tanks go the wayside due to millennials not driving.

 

[WinterBorn]

Horses all but disappeared as a mean of transportation in a generation.

 

[Hossfly]

Cavalry had been a crucial part of armies since antiquity, beginning soon after the domestication of the horse. The Greeks and Romans were skilled horsemen centuries before the invention of the stirrup. Horses played a crucial role during the age of chivalry during the Middle Ages, and proved crucial in the Mongol's expansion from Asia to Europe, and later with the Spanish exploration and conquest of the Americas.


In countless wars around the world over the centuries, cavalry was a flexible multipurpose force that offered greater mobility than infantry, while it performed long-range reconnaissance and security for commanders. During battle, cavalry secured and protected the flanks and rear of the infantry line, and could be used to counter enemy cavalry or counter an enemy infantry attack.

Explained: How Cavalry Disappeared From The Military (Think World War I)

In a single generation the traditional cavalry all but disappeared from the battlefield, and the reason was that warfare changed in unexpected ways.

nationalinterest.org

That's an interesting article right up till the end when the author says tanks go the wayside due to millennials not driving.

Helicopters have been the Cavalry since 1965.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Cavalry had been a crucial part of armies since antiquity, beginning soon after the domestication of the horse. The Greeks and Romans were skilled horsemen centuries before the invention of the stirrup. Horses played a crucial role during the age of chivalry during the Middle Ages, and proved crucial in the Mongol's expansion from Asia to Europe, and later with the Spanish exploration and conquest of the Americas.


In countless wars around the world over the centuries, cavalry was a flexible multipurpose force that offered greater mobility than infantry, while it performed long-range reconnaissance and security for commanders. During battle, cavalry secured and protected the flanks and rear of the infantry line, and could be used to counter enemy cavalry or counter an enemy infantry attack.

Explained: How Cavalry Disappeared From The Military (Think World War I)

In a single generation the traditional cavalry all but disappeared from the battlefield, and the reason was that warfare changed in unexpected ways.

nationalinterest.org

That's an interesting article right up till the end when the author says tanks go the wayside due to millennials not driving.

Helicopters have been the Cavalry since 1965.

My daughter's cavalry unit used Strykers.

 

[WinterBorn]

The horse cavalry started being replaced in WWII. But I was still used a great deal.

In WWII we think of Hitler's Blitzkrieg as being fast and mechanized. But 119 out of the 135 divisions that invaded France (and Poland) used cavalry (horse cavalry).

 

[Picaro]

When the U.S. killed its armor experiments Patton had to return to being a Cavalry officer in the late 1920's-early 1930's. Mostly he played polo in Hawaii until Roosevelt revived research into armored warfare again, due to British influence and intel about Germany's 'black armies'.

 

[fncceo]

Cavalry had been a crucial part of armies since antiquity, beginning soon after the domestication of the horse. The Greeks and Romans were skilled horsemen centuries before the invention of the stirrup. Horses played a crucial role during the age of chivalry during the Middle Ages, and proved crucial in the Mongol's expansion from Asia to Europe, and later with the Spanish exploration and conquest of the Americas.


In countless wars around the world over the centuries, cavalry was a flexible multipurpose force that offered greater mobility than infantry, while it performed long-range reconnaissance and security for commanders. During battle, cavalry secured and protected the flanks and rear of the infantry line, and could be used to counter enemy cavalry or counter an enemy infantry attack.

Explained: How Cavalry Disappeared From The Military (Think World War I)

In a single generation the traditional cavalry all but disappeared from the battlefield, and the reason was that warfare changed in unexpected ways.

nationalinterest.org

That's an interesting article right up till the end when the author says tanks go the wayside due to millennials not driving.

Helicopters have been the Cavalry since 1965.

 

[fncceo]

We have cav until the fat lady sings!

 

[gipper]

Like government, the horse became obsolete and eliminated as a tool for war. Too bad government hasn’t also been eliminated.

 

[there4eyeM]

Muscle power held sway from year zero until the industrial revolution. Then it became mechanical power. It is evolving into the virtual.

 

[gipper]

Muscle power held sway from year zero until the industrial revolution. Then it became mechanical power. It is evolving into the virtual.

Agreed. Now if only we could get government to advance.

 

[there4eyeM]

Muscle power held sway from year zero until the industrial revolution. Then it became mechanical power. It is evolving into the virtual.

Agreed. Now if only we could get government to advance.

...especially to the virtuous!

 

[harmonica]

...the Germans used horses a LOT in WW2
..the Allies used mules a LOT in Italy WW2

 

[there4eyeM]

...the Germans used horses a LOT in WW2
..the Allies used mules a LOT in Italy WW2

It is seldom realized just how essential and present animal power was to the Werhmacht.
As for Italy, asses work well in the mountains.
Not so well in the swamps of the eastern U.S.

 

[harmonica]

...the Germans used horses a LOT in WW2
..the Allies used mules a LOT in Italy WW2

It is seldom realized just how essential and present animal power was to the Werhmacht.
As for Italy, asses work well in the mountains.
Not so well in the swamps of the eastern U.S.

....used in the Pacific, Philippines, and Burma----non--''industrialized''/without a lot of paved roads--jungle/tough terrain:

Army Mules: The Beast of Burden in War

Mules served in large numbers with U.S. Army forces during World War II.

warfarehistorynetwork.com

 

[harmonica]

says Burma

 

[harmonica]

horses used in Afghanistan--I would think this is a true story

No Cookies | Daily Telegraph

No Cookies

www.dailytelegraph.com.au

 

[WinterBorn]

There is also the fact that we can ramp up manufacturing to some pretty impressive levels, if needed. During the years of WWII, the US produced tens of thousands of vehicles. Whereas a horse gestation takes 12 months or so, and the offspring will not be ready for use for use for another 18 months or so. In 2.5 years we can manufacture a metric shit-ton of vehicles.

Also, when not needed the mechanized units can be stored with only minimal maintenance.

 

[Picaro]

The Marine Corp should have disappeared by the 1890's, too, but they have a massive propaganda and lobbying machine so they're still here, inventing missions for themselves, long after sailing ships did away with snipers. Every time they feel threatened they can run to Hollywood and have them crank out yet another De Jarheads Save Da Woild!!! fantasy action flick showing dumbasses mowing down assorted 'foreignerz n stuff' in ridiculous numbers and vehicles with small gas tanks blowing up like the magazines full of 8 inch Navy gun ammo.

 

[petro]

My grandfather who passed away back in 1993 was in the 7th Calvary during WW1, hunting Pancho Villa in forays into Mexico.

Pancho Villa Expedition - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org