Winged hussars

he Winged Hussars were the main type of cavalry of Polish Army and Lithuanian Army between the 16th and 18th centuries. When this cavalry type was first introduced by the Serbian mercenary horsemen, they were serving as light cavalry banners (1500), and by the second half of the 16th century hussars had been transformed into heavy cavalry.

While light hussars were adopted by all European militaries to counter infantry and artillery, the most spectacular were the heavy hussars of the Kingdom of Poland.

The Polish-Lithuanian hussars’ primary battle tactic was the charge. They carried the charge to, and through the enemy. The charge was slow at first and carried in a relatively loose formation. The formation gradually gathered pace and closed ranks while approaching the enemy and reached the highest pace and closest formation right before the attack. They also tended to repeat the charge several times until the enemy formation broke (they had supply wagons with spare lances). The charging attack, and heavy weight of their armour and horses guaranteed victory for nearly two centuries.

Polish Hussars were also famous for the huge ’wings’ worn on their backs or attached to the saddles of their horses. The wings were made of a wooden frame and, most commonly, eagle feathers, although ostrich, swan and goose feathers were also worn.

source: Wikipedia

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