The Cavalry - Organisation & Tactics
Despite successive changes in organisation (and the usual change in title when a new Inhaber was appointed, as each regiment bore the name of its 'proprietor', certain features of the regiments remained reasonably standard. As with the infantry, distinct differences existed between regiments formed in 'German and 'Hungarian' areas of the Empire; the former included all non-Hungarians such as 'Walloons' and 'Italians', and the latter 'Croatians', 'Slovenians' and 'Transylvanians'. Without exception the Hungarian cavalry were all Hussars, the army's light cavalry, and all other regiments were 'German' and classed either as 'heavy' or 'medium', only the Cheveauxlegers were regarded as 'light' troops in the German cavalry, though in effect they were more akin to the 'medium' Dragoons; all but the Uhlans of Galicia conformed to these basic groupings. As a result of the extra time required to train a cavalryman, there existed only minor differences between a unit's wartime and peacetime establishments with units being kept near full strength at all times. A cadre was also maintained to enable a 'Reserve Division' to be assembled in wartime.
Right:
Carabinier, pre-1798. The uniform is virtually identical to that of the Cuirassiers, even to the Pavoli on the collar, though the hatlace is indicative of the Carabiniers.
(Print after R. von Ottenfeld)
At the outbreak of the French Wars, the cavalry was in the process of reorganisation. In 1792 it was approximately 40,000 strong, comprising two regiments of carabiniers, nine of Cuirassiers, six of Dragoons, seven of Cheveauxlegers, a 'Staff -Dragoon' regiment (Stabs-Dragoner-Regiment), nine 'National' light regiments of Hungarian Hussars, one regiment of Szekler Grenz (border) Hussars, and a newly-formed regiment of Uhlans (lancers). The main tactical element for all regiemnts was the 'Division', commanded by a field officer, which comprised two squadrons, each squadron consisting of two 'wings' (Flugel) of two platoons (Zugen) each. In the heaviest regiemnts__the Carabiniers and Cuirassiers__each squadron numbered approximately 150 men of all ranks; in the Dragoons and light regiments, between 170 and 180. For the Carabiniers and Hussars, each regiment comprised four 'Divisions' (8 squadrons); the remainder each had three 'Divisions' (except the Szekler Grenz Hussars which had five and the Uhlan regiment with two). The standard-escort comprised of 24 men in the Carabiniers and Hussars, and 18 men in the others.
A major reform was instituted in 1798, affecting pricipally the German regiments. The Cuirassier arm was increased to 12 regiments, by the conversion of both Carabinier corps (the Emperor and Albert regiments) and by the formation of a new 12th Cuirassiers. This was formed from elements of the Carabiniers plus the cavalry of the Anhalt-Zerbst contingent (absorbed into the Austrian army, with the infantry going to the new 11th Light Battalion.) and the survivors of the old French guard cavalry corps of 'Royal-Allemand' Dragoons. The Dragoons and Cheveauxlegers were merged into a single list of 15 Light Dragoon regiments, the old 'Staff-Dragoons' going into the 9th Light Dragoons, and the 13th Regiment being newly-raised. The Hussars were enlarged to 12 regiments, a second Uhlan regiment formed, and a new corps of Mounted Jagers (Jager Regt. zu Pferd 'Bussy') created from the mounted elements of various Frei-Corps. From this date regiments ceased to be numbered consecutively, irrespective of type.
