02-18-2013, 03:08 AM
As a matter of interest, do any of the contributors to this thread so far ride at all? (and not just round and round in a riding school).
Has anyone stood on the ground and watched a line of horses galloping towards them? Or experienced the power behind a field of horses as they thunder over the turf; the sound of their approach almost as disconcerting as the squeaking and clanking of a modern tank, the ground shaking as they pass?
It's thrilling and exciting - seriously adrenalin fuelled - for horse and rider and as flight animals the horses get carried along; it's also impressive but nerve racking for those facing it.
If cavalry against infantry was nugatory effort or had no effect, why did if persist across centuries? Tactics and equipment changed, size and weight of horses changed too and cavalry evolved with each new threat until finally replaced by motorised tracked and wheeled vehicles (which still aren't as agile across certain ground and obstacles! And you can't eat a tank in extremis ;-) ).
If it is known that the charging cavalry are quite willing to crash into their enemy cost what it may, it must have a psychological effect on the infantry ranks; and all cavalry need to exploit and roll up a line of infanteers is that first gap. They only have to do it once for the doubt to be in the opposition's mind thereafter.
Not for nothing were the 17th Lancers called the Death or Glory Boys (and still part of the British Army as the Queen's Royal Lancers).
[attachment=6473]17th_Lancers_badge.jpg[/attachment]
Has anyone stood on the ground and watched a line of horses galloping towards them? Or experienced the power behind a field of horses as they thunder over the turf; the sound of their approach almost as disconcerting as the squeaking and clanking of a modern tank, the ground shaking as they pass?
It's thrilling and exciting - seriously adrenalin fuelled - for horse and rider and as flight animals the horses get carried along; it's also impressive but nerve racking for those facing it.
If cavalry against infantry was nugatory effort or had no effect, why did if persist across centuries? Tactics and equipment changed, size and weight of horses changed too and cavalry evolved with each new threat until finally replaced by motorised tracked and wheeled vehicles (which still aren't as agile across certain ground and obstacles! And you can't eat a tank in extremis ;-) ).
If it is known that the charging cavalry are quite willing to crash into their enemy cost what it may, it must have a psychological effect on the infantry ranks; and all cavalry need to exploit and roll up a line of infanteers is that first gap. They only have to do it once for the doubt to be in the opposition's mind thereafter.
Not for nothing were the 17th Lancers called the Death or Glory Boys (and still part of the British Army as the Queen's Royal Lancers).
[attachment=6473]17th_Lancers_badge.jpg[/attachment]
Moi Watson
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
