What was the last battle in history where the cavalry was used in combat?

queproblema

Probably this question should be changed to "Which was the most recent...," since I don't think we've seen the last one yet. The Cossacks are rising again. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cossack#Modern_times National Geographic published "A Comeback for the Cossacks" in their November, 1998 magazine. May 03 08, 1:03 PM

star_gazer

Although not the "last battle" this is a very interesting piece of information concerning cavalry use in WWII. The most infamous myth is the fantasy that the Polish cavalry charged at German tanks. These units were thought to be the best horsemen in Europe, but were relied upon mainly for their cost-effectiveness, since few vehicles were available. Despite their antiquated means of travel, Polish cavalry were used primarily as heavy infantry for break-outs or surprise attacks. They carried machine guns, 7.92mm anti-tank rifles, and 37mm anti-tank guns which could easily take out German armor. Cavalry charges were not a standard tactic, but on the first day of the war a Polish cavalry regiment discovered a battalion of Germans in a field and led a charge against them. The Germans were caught off guard and suffered severe casualties, but were rescued by the advancing panzers, who opened fire on the exposed cavalry. The Poles fled, but only lost 20 men, including the commanding officer, Colonel Kazimierz Mastelarz. However, when Italian journalists visited the battlefield the following day, the Germans told them that the cavalry had charged against their tanks and were wiped out. This fabrication was put into print and the Nazi propaganda made sure it was widely publicized, and therefore widely believed. http://www.angelfire.com/ct/ww2europe/1939.html May 03 08, 5:58 PM

queproblema

The most recent battle where horses were used seems to have been Sept. 26, 1939, when the Polish cavalry attacked German infantry in Morañce, which seems to be in France. It would have had to be in Poland at the time, though, since this was the Invasion of Poland. (Author??) They won. Wiki says there were 16 charges made, most successful, but also points out they weren't cavalry units like the Light Brigade in Crimea. These were mounted infantry who used their horses as transportation and then dismounted to fight. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_cavalry#20th_century:_After_World_War_II So, with the changing definitions of "cavalry," the United States has cavalry in the field right now: the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. http://www.hood.army.mil/3d_acr/ May 03 08, 6:27 PM

author

Or maybe we have to go to Russia. Quote: Eastern front, World War II, (August 23, 1942): The last cavalry charge in history is mounted against a Soviet artillery position along the River Don by 600 men of the Italian Savoia Cavalry regiment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_%28warfare%29 May 03 08, 7:45 PM

star_gazer

There is also the US Air Cavalry that uses helicopters. http://wapedia.mobi/en/1st_Cavalry_Division_%28United_States%29?t=6.#6. May 04 08, 1:53 AM

queproblema

According to this, horse cavalry is still being used by China, although no battle is mentioned. http://www.china-defense.com/orbat/pla_orbat/pla_orbat_02.html And says the French and Swiss Armies had horse cavalries after WWII, that China sent mounted troops into battle in border clashes with Viet Nam, and that Portugal and Rhodesia used them in the 60's and 70's. Most interestingly, it says the United States is presently using them in Afghanistan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalry#Post_World_War_II_to_present_day http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/issues/2002/Feb/Special_Ops_Equipment.htm May 04 08, 2:41 AM