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The Great Turkish War had the famous Battle of Vienna. The Ottomans had Vienna under siege until the Polish Hussars showed up. They were the elite fighters, selected from nobility, they had the money for the best gear and best training. They had very flashy outfits, banners, and wings!
Three thousand Hussars lead a group of 18,000 mounted cavalry to swarm the Ottomans, breaking the siege, saving Vienna, and started the string of defeats for the Ottoman Empire losing much of Hungary to the Holy Roman Empire.
I can’t begin to imagine the sound of 18,000 charging horses, what shock that would put into a soldier that thought they had almost won a great victory, and how frightening it would be to see 3,000 winged special forces in heavy armor bearing down on you.
Here is a historic representation of a Hussar and a modern reenactor.
Other than that, World War I came at such an intriguing time. All kinds of new weapons appeared from gas weapons to tanks and real machine guns and automatic rifles and pistols. Meanwhile, people are still trained in cavalry charges, bayonet fighting, carrying swords, and firing single shots. It began the world’s change to modern warfare. So much became outdated in the course of a few years, and where we are today really began here.
Did you know that an American soldier died in the literal last thirty seconds of the war? He was trying to restore his honor, sadly. (And both sides were yelling for him to stop, but he charged.)
I don’t think I’ve heard this story. Found this Time article and read it quick though.
It sounds like politics and propaganda did this fellow in as much as the machine gun. The effects of war beyond the actual combat interest me more. Watching borders and leaders change, societies adjusting their values, new technology and tactics…
Especially for someone drafted to go to a war they had no desire to participate in. How you’re going to shame someone for not wanting to be there seems morally wrong. After a few years of being in the thick of things, all while having “your side” hate on you too, it’s hardly any wonder if he didn’t feel he had anything to return to after the war was over.
Not an expert, but just a casual history fan…
The Great Turkish War had the famous Battle of Vienna. The Ottomans had Vienna under siege until the Polish Hussars showed up. They were the elite fighters, selected from nobility, they had the money for the best gear and best training. They had very flashy outfits, banners, and wings!
Three thousand Hussars lead a group of 18,000 mounted cavalry to swarm the Ottomans, breaking the siege, saving Vienna, and started the string of defeats for the Ottoman Empire losing much of Hungary to the Holy Roman Empire.
I can’t begin to imagine the sound of 18,000 charging horses, what shock that would put into a soldier that thought they had almost won a great victory, and how frightening it would be to see 3,000 winged special forces in heavy armor bearing down on you.
Here is a historic representation of a Hussar and a modern reenactor.
Other than that, World War I came at such an intriguing time. All kinds of new weapons appeared from gas weapons to tanks and real machine guns and automatic rifles and pistols. Meanwhile, people are still trained in cavalry charges, bayonet fighting, carrying swords, and firing single shots. It began the world’s change to modern warfare. So much became outdated in the course of a few years, and where we are today really began here.
Did you know that an American soldier died in the literal last thirty seconds of the war? He was trying to restore his honor, sadly. (And both sides were yelling for him to stop, but he charged.)
I don’t think I’ve heard this story. Found this Time article and read it quick though.
It sounds like politics and propaganda did this fellow in as much as the machine gun. The effects of war beyond the actual combat interest me more. Watching borders and leaders change, societies adjusting their values, new technology and tactics…
Yup. Stupid societal expectations.
Especially for someone drafted to go to a war they had no desire to participate in. How you’re going to shame someone for not wanting to be there seems morally wrong. After a few years of being in the thick of things, all while having “your side” hate on you too, it’s hardly any wonder if he didn’t feel he had anything to return to after the war was over.
Agreed. It’s an incredibly sad story.