🚩 Thanks to Established Titles for sponsoring this video! Get 10% off on any purchase with code MARCHE10. Go to establishedtitles.com/MARCHE10 and help support the channel! Clicking that link helps us make these videos.
Bitwa pod Hodowem In June 1694, Muslim Tatar troops invaded Polish territory with the intention of plundering the countryside for loot and capturing prisoners for ransom. Polish troops sent to stop them consisted of seven hussar banners and armored ones from the fortress of Okopy Holy Trinity and the Lair of the Virgin Mary, about 400 men in total; [9] historian Mirosław Nagielski estimates 100 hussars and 300 tankmen. [10] Tatar numbers have been estimated at 25,000 to 70,000, of which 40,000 is the most cited number. [11] About 40,000 [12]
@@raigarmullerson4838 Russia more. Poland celebrates on 11 of November as a symbolic end of the IWW which brought country independence after 123 years. Russia has so huge complex of Poland that the quite new holiday was established by Stalinist Putin in 2004 to replace 7th of November official (but wrong) start of Bolshevik revolution. I am taking that as a complement on the Muscovite side.
In fact Russia havet celebrate that 1612 liberation until recent. Putin estabilished this day as national holyday. Day of hatred nothing less. Russion through the centuries made Polish occupation of Moscoq their justification of few cruel butcheries perpetrated on civilian Polish population. Another difference is that Polish occupation was for 2 years. Russian (+Prussian and Aaustrian) occupation was almost 150 years long. Another one, soviwt occupation after WW2 was for more than 40 years.
@Z80 From what I know England doesn't have an independents day. France never conquered England and never really held land in the British isles. And no, the Normans don't count as French. England however was very close to concurring all of France, but was saved twice, first by Philip II (Augustus) and later by Joan of arc. France does commemorate Joan of arc. I don't know about Philip.
@@gregszy8575, Unity Day was originally a holiday commemorated in the Russian Empire and later revived by Putin's Russia (technically, Yeltsin revived commemorating Russian independence from Poland but it was Putin who moved it to November 4), so that's not exactly accurate.
I'm Pole, just only for info. That's true, the problem was they were extremly expensive, I do not remember numbers, but remember when I red in good history book cost of equippment of 1 Husar, I was in shock. They like were like F35 of present days and Poland, due to many circumstances, was not able to "produce" enough number of them. Pity.
Hussars were not only deadly but were one of the most beautiful cavalry in the world. Wearing tiger, wild or bear skin with golden plates around vital organs. Horses were exceptionally strong and well trained. I hope that one day all Slavs could live in peace and in harmony.
We will once Russia stops attacking us and stops to pretend they are the "best and strongest" when in reality they are the least developed Slavic country and places like Slovenia or Czechia or Poland have so much to show compared to Russia.
3k vs 23.300 people don't understand how much Polish forces were outnumbered and still Stanisław Żółkiewski prevailed, attacking well defended position, he was true mastermind of Polish military at this time. Check out his life story and Karol Chodkiewicz life too, it's worth it. Karol defeated Swedish forces at Kircholm 3.6k vs 11k Swedish. Loses 200 vs up to 9k swedish. Those 2 were best comanders at that time presenting a Polish-Lithuanian art of war.
Żółkiewski being a mastermind is one thing, but Polish cavaliers being the best equipped and best trained in the region - is another thing. The same hussars army managed to prevent the Turkish expansion on Europe in the battle of Vienna, 1683. And the much larger Turkish army was back then much better motivated and trained than the Russian during their 'Troubles'.
I still don't understand how the difference in the number of troops is that much, but still able to win the battle. many cases like this, can someone explain it to me. if this is a sword vs gun battle I can understand.
@@paulie_one_eye He's probably from the USA. Europe, and perhaps even more so Poland, are considerably safer than the USA. I like to think about America as the wild West.
Battle of Klushino is an example of superiority of Polish cavalry in Europe at that time. Poles showed everyone that western style of fighting could be very ineffective when faced fast, well planned and relentless cavalry attacks. That's why Gustav II Adolf adopted "Polish" style of cavalry fighting with a big successes (also against Poles on the few occasions). PS. There was no moment in the battle when hussars were "demoralised". "Frustrated" more likely - they couldn't unfold a proper full scale charge because of the fence. Some banners attacked 8 - 10 times!! No way that "demoralised" soldiers would do something like that! Pissed off? Definitely, but not "demoralised".
@@RedRocket4000 repeated charges were normal tactic by winged hussars and in an ideal situation they would grab a new lances from the camp and attack again and again and again, no cavalry could do anything like that
@@RedRocket4000 Eh NO, it shows their superior organization and maneuver capabilities, which is a fact echoed by many then contemporary observers. And after they’ve charged and didn’t achieve a breakthrough then they needed to return back to their supply wagons and resupply with new lances which break after impaling enemies during a charge.
Poles were fighting in the 'western" style. Simply the "western" style of several centuries past. It worked very well until they suffered casualties that they couldn't replenish.
@@Oppetsismiimsitsitc In medieval days that was true, although it later developed into an original style of tactic called "the old Polish arrangement" but that is a different subject. Polish style it was always a hybrid of original style with Western elements. My comment was about classic Western style arranged by Maurice of Nassau which was replaced within less than 50 years by King Bathory of Poland and Jan Zamoyski (cavarly) and Gustav Adolf (infantry and artillery). Which losses you are taking about? In the 16th century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth haven't lost too many battles. The biggest disaster during old style of fighting being battle of Cosmin Forest 1497, but this had no impact on the fighting style till Bathory reforms from which a classic form of winged hussars emerged. Which battles you have in mind?
@@OCTAVIANVS_AVGVSTVS_CAESAR Suvorov? He was a good commander, a slighty primitive man but not a politician. The partitions of Poland were carried out by the Germans. After all, it was Germans that ruled Russia then. Who was Catherine II if not a Prussian princess? The initiative came fromPrussia, an artificial state and a former vassal of the Polish Kingdom until the second half of the 17th century. Polish kingdom literally nourished a viper snake in its bosom. A Prussian viper that poisoned and killed the polish crowned Republic. And Prussia was supported discreetly by the City of London. Interestingly, earlier in the 18th century, the Habsburg empire had almost been partitioned, it was so weak, and it was the Austrian chancellor Kaunitz who, in order to distract Prussia, proposed the partitions of Poland instead of Austria. The Russians themselves were the last to wish for complete partitions of the Republic of Poland. One needs to study the subject to begin to see these matters more deeply.
@@cetus4449 Russia won majority of battles and annexed greatest part of Poland during paritions. Austria and Prussia got their parts just to ensure they wont join Poland. Catheriea was of Prussian origin but also waged war against Prussia? Suvorov being primitve man who beat Poland so hard that Warsaw became part of Russia for 2 centuries.
@@OCTAVIANVS_AVGVSTVS_CAESAR Sry but u confused Empress Elizabeth with that whore Catherine II? Let me clarify: Suvorov was perceived as primitive in the sense of "crude". This was how he was judged even at the tsarina's court. He presented mentality of a soldier who was interested only in the war and was submissive to the tsarina like a faithful dog. Let's compare your Suworow with the protagonist of the video material: Grand Crown Hetman Żółkiewski - a highly educated magnate, writer, caring for his estate and subjects. A loving husband and father of family. He is not only an competent commander, but also a skilled politician. Although loyal to the throne, did not hesitate to criticize the policies of his monarch. It was Żólkiewski who stabilized the situation in Moscow, effectively ending the Great Sorrow. The Muscovy peasants themselves supplied his army because he maintained high discipline and ordered his soldiers to pay for food and punished looting. He chased the impostor away and disciplined numerous Polish adventurers harrasing Moscow from the Steppes to the White Sea. And above it all he was a supporter of the Trinity Union idea, i.e. the joining of the Grand Duchy of Moscow to the PLC union - and granting of rights and privileges to Moscow boyars to end of despotic rule. He had the support of "Семибоярщину" and as long as he was present in Moscow he stabilized the situation..
Lie!? Its more than 1 to 10! We attack! And funny fact. We get Smoleńsk from Russia many times. Once even from Moscow side and commander said "From this side we never conquered this city". Its said many thing how Russians lost to us.
We are stronger, we have 2k hussars :) There is famous quote from Jan Karol Chodkiewicz - when they say to him about countless enemies, he said "we count them after battle/we will count them with a saber. And i think it is beautiful.
Just a small note, the maps of Eastern Europe in the video are of modern day because you can see the massive reservoirs on the Dniepr (see north of Kiev), Don and Volga. These were created by (mostly) 20th century dam constructions. If it was a 17th century map, the rivers would be much more thin line. It's a small detail, but just thought you might want to know.
In Poland we have to be cerful with bringing about an old story of our Empire now. The Anglo Sax , America ,Gremany for WWII ,Russia or France and particuraly Jewish have wast intrest use Poland now into making as fight not our battle. First 70 years history after WWII is twisted and distorted around the world about Polish forgoten been victim of the WWII genacide for first us and secondly Jewish occupay by Gremany (NAZI) here in Poland. The WWII started in Poland by Nazi Germany agains Polish not Jewish we wear the target not Jewish the war was in Poland with us resisting partition from WWI all ready. Smolensk 10 April 2010 air plane crash killed the whole Polish establishment president and 96 high ranking most important officials killed not accident but order from Putin set by petrader German and Russian papet Donald Tusk he recive order "Charles Charlemagne The Emperor of The Holy Roman Empire". Few weeks after and later position in EU deputy. We keep in mind to change the curse of the future by been aware and create a new stranghthenet aliance lead the filed without those parasites.
Before the battle Stanisław Zółkiewski didnt have much time to give speech to his soldiers. He realised that Polish army is heavily outnumbered and also tired. To encourage soldiers Żółkiewski was riding from one regiment to another and saying just one sentence in latin language: "Necessitas in loco, spes in virtute, salus in victoria" what in english means: necessity (to fight) in place, hope in courage, salvation in victory
23,000 vs 3500; the disparity is almost comical considering the Poles were attacking a fortified position. Tenacity, experience and motivation made up the difference.
Polish cavalrymen were mainly nobility with military rigor, money, good horses and service. On the other side was an undisciplined mob. Most of the wars of the 17th century were won by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, taking advantage of the weaknesses of the Turks, Cossacks, Muscovites, Tatars, Swedes and Brandenburg. What plunged Poland and Lithuania was the desire to convert everyone around to Catholicism.
@@pije_whiskey Yeah, no need to convert anyone ever, on my part. Still, those were some odd numbers if you're fighting a battle; how are you going to throw your few men against a wall of humanity like that? Nuts.
@@pije_whiskey acording to my knowledge Poland was tolerant of other religions - 28.01.1573 konfederation of varsowie. Due to this befor ww2 we had bigest jews communites im europ. Just they prefered the higher ups to be catholic. If you look for downfall it is clearly the magnats wich become to powerful. There is a saing "aristocrat on farm equal to voivode" and they rly created kingdoms in kingdom. There is a movie "potop" - flood, very long and preaty old. But its got arguably best - most realistic sword fight scen in all of movies.
@@pije_whiskey Not exactly, Russians were trained heavily in Western style of fighting. For example they were broken while preforming karakole which was classic western manoeuvre. To be honest Poles from time to time also were preforming karakole, but Polish karakole were preformed differently. It was deadly and quite insane enterprise. 🙂
First of all Poland is located in the CENTRAL Europe not Eastern. Now there you go something more Russia always has allied to beat Poland because they have never succed doing that alone. Partitions of Poland were partioned by Russia,Prussia and Austra so that was 3 VS 1. Russo-Polish War (1919-1920) POLISH VICTORY even after partition of Poland in the best when new Polish army was reborn and still kicked ass of the commies. Not to mention russians had over 2 million more soldiers than Polish and were better advanced. When WW2 started Russia and Germany had a Pact called Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact between those two countries about no agression just to take over Poland together.
@@urano_0241 There were more factors. The most important was the "Swedish Deluge", which destroyed the First Republic more than the Second World War. Another reason was the backward economy, which did not take part in the agricultural revolution and thus the country stopped earning money from its main export commodity - grain.
the Union of Poland and Lithuania was unique not because it was the largest in Europe and poured skin on its neighbors - but because it was a country of free people. Poles, Lithuanians, Czechs, Ruthenians, Tatars, Germans, Cossacs, Catholics and Protestants, Orthodox and Jews, Armenians and Greek Catholics, Uniates and Arians, Muslims lived side by side freely and without harassment. They had the same rights, and the Jews even had exceptional rights - hence so many of them settled here. He was a king, but he could not kill anyone without the approval of the nobility. He ruled together with his subjects. And they wanted to join the Commonwealth, not MUST, as it was in the neighboring countries.
Napoleon: He attacked Russia in June with his mighty army which froze in the winter Hitler: He attacked Russia in June with his powerful army that suffered its first defeat in the winter. Poland: We attack in October with several thousand soldiers and we win xD
The aftermath of Poland's vicory - disappeared twice from the map of Europe. Maybe they would have had been better off attacking in June and then, after the commonly occuring defeat, maybe had the chance to keep their country more or less independent? 😆
DUDE! WHAT A VICTORY FOR THE POLISH HUSSARS! I am really impressed with their cavalary tatics and cohesion. I see battles videos a lot, and it's not everyday that you see such military prowess
The Polish winged hussars were one of the most effective military forces in the world history. The Hussars were undefeated over a period of over 100 years and are therefore the most effective cavalry in world history. Usually, a Hussars attack caused complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Hussar charge. These were the elite of the Polish army being a unique, highly trained, extremely disciplined, manoeuvrable, hard-hitting, heavy cavalry. The ultimate shock cavalry. The hussars were individually well skilled in horsemanship and the use of their arms through a lifetime of practice and a major part of their training was to combine these individuals into a single unit. But even more important than these factors I have listed was the special kopia lance of the Polish hussars. The main offensive weapon was a over 5-6 m long hollow composite lance, much longer than the old knights lances as well as being much lighter due to their hollow construction. This extraordinary length was achieved by boring out the core of the lance from the point up to the handle so the hollow construction allowed the extreme length. At the attack, the lances are held in the position of "halfway up the horse's ear. The much longer reach was especially useful against pikemen with always a lot shorter pikes. The Hussars were the only cavalry who successfully attacked Pike Formations head-on! Of course they would rather flank them. Useful was also the gałka a wooden ball at the gravity point protecting the hand and helped balance the lance. An approx. 2.5 silk pennon was attached to the kopia below the point. Besides being beautiful decoration, these had several functions. They served as a distinctive sign. By the sound they made like wings they could also panic their opponents' horses, if they were not used to the dramatic sight and sounds. The same goes for some opposing soldiers. The lance point was of course from steel. The point was supported with additional metal reinforcing straps running down the shaft, which also helped protect the wood below the point from a saber cut. The production of this lances was state secret that was never broken! The Hussars actually had 2 types of lances at their disposal. The one just described extra length Kopia and the 3-3,5 m long not hollow demi-lance kopijka that was used against light cavalry especially of Cossacks, Tatars and Turks. For long marches, the lances were transported in wagons but during in combat formation, the base of the lance was place in a metal cup attached by leather straps to the saddle. Polish hussars trained also by targeting with their lances, at full gallop small rings. Through this kind of training the lance attacks of the hussars were amazingly precise. So the hussars were able to hit specific unprotected body parts of the enemy or to kill the horses of the cavalry. As a rule, extra length Kopia broke on impact so it was a one-use weapon that broke in the attack. For this reason, and because it was a very expensive weapon, it was the only weapon furnished by the military authorities. Not infrequently two enemies of a very dense combat formation were pierced on impact, sometimes even three or more. A Hussar once killed six musketeers in one thrust in battle of Klushino. Mostly, panic arose after the impact and the remaining fleeing enemies were cut down with close combat weapon. The unique part of the hussars was also their battle field tactics which gave the Polish army a powerful striking force, superior to all other European cavalry for over two century. The hussar's armor was relatively light in comparison to the heavy cavalry of the West and this allowed them to charge as the horses maximum speed, while Western heavy cavalry depended more on the actual weight of their troops rather than speed. This also allowed the hussars to move form standing to charge speed relatively quickly. In addition to the long lance was this quick change of speed and or direction and their ease of movement that led to much of their success. The charge started at a slow pace and in a relatively loose formation. to minimize losses by firearms. It was not until the last few meters that the riders joined together to form a line, practically knee to knee, and hit the enemy like a wall with lances! The ultimate shock cavalry! More specifically, the attack looked like this! Riders slowly passed the first 50-60 meters. Lances were lifted up. During next 150 meters Hussars increased their speed to trot. 150 meters in front of the opponent, the lances were lowered to combat position and the trot went into a gallop. At 50-60 m before the enemy line, the horses were running gallop (the maximum speed was 60 km/h). With a loud cry. The Winged Hussars hammered into the ranks of the enemy. The sough of the wings, the thunder of the horses' hooves, and the roar of the hussars produced a frightening thunder. The enemy was hit by a spiked thunderous wall. It was possible to repeat the charge several times until the enemy formation broke (they had supply wagons with spare lances). But the attack caused often complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Polish Hussar charge. For this reason, some armies did not even try to confront them face to face. Instead of risking an immediate defeat, certain opponents have become entrenched. The Poles then usually besieged them. By the way, the hussars have always modified their combat tactics based on the opponent with which they were to measure up to. For example, when fighting the Tatars, they often left their lances behind and were more likely to use firearms - Tatars were a fast-paced, but poorly armored cavalry, so the Hussars were prone to fire pistols. On the other hand, when the Hussars fought with the Swedish army (which comprised mostly of infantry), the lances were their primary weapon. Wings: The hussars are of course famous for their legendary wings, though these were not always worn. They consisted of wooden or steel bars with feathers, which protruded above the rider's head. Originally they were attached to the saddle and then to the armor. Eagle feathers, ostrich feathers or colored goose feathers were used. Various proposals have been put forward for the reasons for their use. Such as! The Wings made a rushing sound together with the pennon in the charge. It was a thundering wall with long spikes that hit the enemy. The absolute shock! More shock cavalry is not possible.The wings should prevent Tatar lasso attacks and to defend the backs against saber attacks. Combined with the wild animal skins and lance pennons, their effect was also psychological. By increasing the size and magnificence of the horse and rider they made them look more fearsome and troubled the enemy's horses.. In addition, the enemy units recognized from far the wings, therefore they knew that there are these really tough opponents who will fight hard! So even before the battle, the enemy was afraid by recognizing the hussars.
Here are some of the Hussars' victories, in most of this battles they were clearly outnumbered! Hundreds of of battles in the entire Polish history were epic and out of those, at least dozens were absolutely unique, especially the battles of the Hussars! All these battles of polish Hussars were victorious! The polish Hussars were undefeated for over 100 years! The attacks by the hussars in all these battles were mostly decisive for the Polish victories in these battles. All the numbers are historically verified! No exaggeration here! 1577 Battle of Lubieszów: Polish empire 1,450 cavalry (1135 hussars) and the transylvanian vassal 1,050 infantry vs. Gdansk 12,000. The hussars attacked flank, with this, the entire Gdansk army broke and fled, and the hussars kept up the chase right to the Gdansk city gates. Losses: Gdansk 4400 dead and 5,000 taken prisoner, Poland and the vassal 100 wounded, 88 deaths. 1581 Battle of Mogilev (battle and siege): Less than 1,000 Poles (including 200 hussars, ca. 150 medium cavalry and ca. 150 cossack light- as well as armed civilians of the city of Mogilev) - defeated 30,000 Russians and Tatars. Polish fcasualties were minimal. Defenders of the city lost only 2 wounded people, nobody out of 200 hussars was killed (even though many were wounded) 1588 The Battle of Byczyna: 6,000 Poles vs. 6,500 Austrian! A Polish hussar counterattack on the left flank mauled Austrian cavalry and forced his army to start giving ground. The bloody retreat quickly turned into a general wild escape. The entire battle lasted approximately one to two hours. The Poles took control of Austrian artillery and turned the guns on the town. Before the Polish forces began their assault, Maximilian surrendered and was taken prisoner. Casualties: Poland 1,000 Austria 2,000 1600 Battle of Curtea de Argeș: Polish army of 1450, including 950 Hussars, defeated more than 7,000 Wallachians. Since the Hussars bore the brunt of the battle, one can find out that they have defeated 7 times the number! 1601 Battle of Wenden: The battle is significant as the first encounter between Swedish riders and Polish hussars. 700 Poles (including 350 Polish hussars) vs. more than 3,000 Swedish. Wiki quote: "The Swedish riders attempting to use Caracole tactics were faced with the charge of the hussars, commonly used on battlefields by the Polish armies. The fight did not last long, and the Swedish cavalry run away. When the retreating Swedish cavalry rode through the frozen river Gauja ice broke under the weight of the horses, causing further losses to the Swedish forces." Losses: Poland 10 dead 60 wounded , Sweden 1,900 dead and wounded, 100 captured. 1601 Battle of Kokenhausen: Polish empire 300 infantry and 2,700 cavalry vs. Sweden 900 infantry 4,000 cavalry! Polish cavalry first broke the Swedish left flank. The Swedish counterattack on the right flank, which while initially successful, was in turn broken by the Polish hussar counterattack. Poland 200 losses and Sweden 2,000-3,000 losses. 1604 Battle of Weissenstein: Polish empire 2300 vs. Sweden 5000! The Swedish army was pushed to the swamp by the Hussars. Losses: Sweden 3000 killed and wounded Poland: 50 killed, 100 wounded 1604 Battle of Novgorod-Seversky: Polish empire 15,000 vs. Russia 40,000 and 1500 in garrison of Novhorod-Siverskyi. The hussars decide the battle by smashing the right wing of the Russian army and by throwing the center into chaos. 1605 Battle of Kircholm: Polish empire and the vassal Duchy of Courland 3,440 (1,750 hussars, 200 riders, 450 light Cossacks and Tatars, 1,040 Haiduk-style infantry) vs. Sweden supported by Scottish, Dutch and German, mercenaries. 8,358 pike and shot formations, 2,500 riders and 11 cannons so a total of 10,868! The Hussars launched a devastating charge against the enemy which ended the battle in the decisive victory of the Polish forces. The battle was decided in all of 20 minutes! Losses: Poland 100 killed and 200 wounded, Sweden 7,600-8,000 killed and captured! 1610 Battle of Klushino: The enemies outnumbered the Polish army 5 to 1. The crushing victory of Polish army 6,800 including about 5,600 Hussars against 35,000 Russian and Swedish troops. The size of the enemy made that the hussar have to charge even 10 times. The battle opened the way for Poles to Moscow, where Polish prince Władysław became the tsar. Losses: Poland 400 , Russia 5,000. 1621 Battle of Khotyn: Polish empire 25,000 and 20,000 Cossaks vs. 120,000-160,000 Ottoman troops. Around 10,000 Ottomans moved to attack, but then three squadrons of hussars counterattacked with 650 men. The Sipahi could not withstand the charge and they retreated chaotically. The Polish charge inflicted heavy casualties and had a huge impact on the morale of the Ottoman army. Losses: Ottomans ca. 40,000, Poland ca. 14,000 1624 Battle of Martynów: 5,000 Poles and Cossacks (600 hussars) vs. 15,000 Crimean Tatars! The counterattack of only 600 hussars in connection with a Polish faked withdrawal was crucial to the battle. Polish forces pursued the fleeing Tatars to capture or kill them. 1629 Battle of Trzciana: Polish empire 1,300 hussars and 1,200 light cavalry and 2,000 Habsburg riders vs. Sweden 5,500 cavalry and 1,300 infantry. The enemy was rout by a decisive, devastating attack by the hussars. Poland and Habsburg 300 losses and Sweden 600 killed and 200 captured! 1651 Battle of Berestechko: For the Polish empire a total of 80,000 men army fought. Which consisted of 30,000 Pospolite ruszenie militias, a large number of loyal to Poland Cossacks Hungarian, Tatar and from the German lands mercenaries, Polish heavy Pancerni cavalry and Winged Hussars vs. 100,000 Cossacks 50,000 Crimean Tatars and several thousands Turks, and Vlachs so in total 200,000. So a Polish 80,000 army against a 200,000 Ottoman army. On first day of the battle Polish cavalry pancerni and Hussars repulsed the Tatars, who suffered heavy losses. This victory spurred the rest of the Polish troops on! The Poles scoffed the Poles were victorious "since their army sustained that first attack cheerfully and in high spirits". The battle was then decided in favor of the Poles due to the overwhelming firepower of the artillery and infantry! Losses: Poland 700, Crimean Tatars and Cossacks 40,000 to 80,000! 1660 Battle of Kutyszcze: 140 Polish Hussars vs. 3,500 Russians and Cossacks! Two incomplete Hussar banners of the Polish forces operating in the east of the empire, caught up the retreating Russian-Cossacks army. 140 Polish horsemen devastated 3,500 Russian cavalry and Cossack infantry, gaining an enemy stock. In this encounter Hussars did not suffer any losses. The power relation was thus: 25:1! 1660 Battle of Polonka: 13,000 on the Polish side vs, 9,000 Russians! The Polish hussars and pancerni cavalry made the crucial attacks. On the Polish side were 300 killed and on the Russian side were 4,200 killed. 1672 Battle of Komarno: 2,500 Poles (1,500 hussars) vs. a marauding horde of 10,000 Tatars. The slaughter of the invaders continued until nighttime, and only 1,500 Tatars managed to cross the Dniester, and return to their homeland. Polish forces also freed some 20,000 civilians, captured by the hordes. The Polish losses were low! 1672 Battle of Kałusz: 1,500 Polish Hussars against 8,000 Ottomans, Cossacks and Tatars. Losses: The Hussars had only a few wounded, the enemies of the Poles had 6000 fallen! 1673 Battle of Khotyn: Polish empire 29,000-30,000 and 65 cannons vs. Ottomans, 35,000. The 1670 hussars have won an important victory against the Ottoman Sipahi cavalry! Poland: 2,000 killed and wounded, Ottomans 20,000 killed and wounded 1675 Battle of Lwów: Polish empire 6,000 vs. Ottomans 20,000! According to Wikipedia, the Hussars pursuit of the Ottoman cavalry lasted until the dusk. 1694 Battle of Hodów: Polish victory because the enemy was repulsed! Known also as one of Polish Thermopylae. 300 Polish Pancerni heavy cavalry and 100 Polish hussars charged in first encounter the 700-strong Tatar vanguard and made them withdraw. Due to overwhelming enemy numbers Polish forces retreated to Hodów village and fortified the position with everything they found. The impact lasted 6 hours. When the Poles ran out of ammunition, they fired at their enemies by putting arrows into pistols. Unable to defeat the Poles, the Tatars sent Polish-speaking Lipka Tatars who defected to the enemy to convince the Polish troops to surrender. The Polish commander replied "Come and get us if you can". Thereupon the Tatars withdrew and gave up on the entire raid. This example reflects the knightly spirit of the Polish hussars but also of the Pancerni. Honor, bravery, and sacrafice for the homeland were valued the most amongst by them. So 100 hussars and 300 Pancerni successfully repelled the attack of about 40,000 Crimean Tatars and forced the enemy to retreat. Incredible that 400 against 40,000 have prevailed but really true! What is the difference betwen 300 Spartans of the Thermopylae and 400 Hussars and Pancerni of Hodów? Hussars won their fight. 1683 Battle of Vienna: The most famous battle of the hussars! Hussars’s charge of Polish king Jan III Sobieski broke the siege of Vienna and forced the Ottoman army to retreat.
I really love how this channel gives me insights on events Ihad never even heard before, and even though those battles do not "concern" my country of origin, I watch those videos with an immense interest, and don't want to lose one bit of it. Super interesting.
With the Internet we have TikTok, Instagram and other things that fuel narcists and allows other degeneracy to thrive. We also have things that standard TV would not expose you to.
@@bycmoze999 You are wright, I forgot Napoleon, maybe couse he was for very short time. And he was with polish solgiers as well, so we were there 2 times.
Poland never lost a war with Russia, only when it was attacked by three countries at the same time, such as during the partitions of Poland in 1795, Russia, Prussia and Austria, then during World War II, Germany and Russia. No country in the world would stand a chance against two or three powerful invaders. The facts are that Stalin took revenge for the lost Polish-Russian war of 1919-1921, in which he himself took part on the southern front where the huge, invincible Russia was stopped and completely destroyed, giving Poland most of the lands seized from the partitions of today's Ukraine and Belarus, and it was similar during 1610-1612 where Poland completely destroyed Russia and the son of Władysław Vasa sat on the Russian throne and all of Russia was under Polish rule. There is no country in the world that has won practically all possible wars against Russia so many times, I do not count the partitions by three superpowers and the Second World War by the two largest powers in the world. These are the facts. Russia has broken its teeth on Poland and more than once! Peace to all countries in the world.
Why don't the Poles rule Russia today, although they put their prince here in Moscow? Why was Sigismund Vasa, at the same time the best king of Poland and at the same time the stupidest, unable to tolerate Orthodoxy, because then Poland would not have been erased from the world map for several centuries.
There's just one thing. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth has also never defeated Russia 1 on 1. And before the uprising in the Polish kingdom, Russia was 1 on 1 against Poland, Russia won 2 times. And Stalin did not take revenge, but returned the occupied territories, because the recognized border of Poland was the Curzon line.
@@neonpirych1566 because we had Ottomans, Sweden and Germany (Prussia) as our neighbours. All of them were often agressive so we had no quiet time. If we had, Poland would probably take over Russia, or at least its European part. There would be no WW1, WW2, no ColdW. Poland and USA would probably become allies anyway. Finally the world would be much safer place.
With understanding that Lithuania didn't play a huge role in this battle, I still, as a lithuanian, feel a bit butthurt that it got almost completely excluded from this video, especially regarding how powerful was Grand Duchy of Lithuania in those days. Still happy that Poland can add one more to the asses that they've kicked. There's definitely not enough content about Polish and Baltic achievements on youtube. Keep on keeping on Poland!
I hope they one day cover the Battle of Blue Waters, that's a pretty shinning moment that hardly ever gets mentioned and that's an 100% Lithuanian victory.
On the other hand, Kirholm was a "pure Lithuanian" victory. Remember brother that whole "dymitriady" was a joint operation of Polish and Lithuanian magnates
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was powerfull union, lasted few hundred years. Won many battles (check out also Battle of Kircholm (1605) and Battle of Khotyn (1621)). Most of the time enemy outnumber them. Polish hussars take what was best from western europe and eastern europe - good horses, best quality armors. Basically, mobile Phalanx.
@@Johnny3Batony it was necessary. They needed mobile units, that can move great distance, and kill every enemy (including pikes like under Kircholm). But hussars were extremely expansive, best equipment, horses, and there was only few of them. Biggest battle with hussars was Battle of Vienna 1683, and Sobieski had only ~3k of them.
The attack of the Hussars was reminiscent of the attack of German tanks during the Blitzkrieg of the last war, settling the battles to their own advantage
Fun fact - Tsar Ivan the Terrible was called by Poles as Ivan the Cowardous - for a lots of reasons. During war beetwen Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russia, Commonwealth citizens often comments situation like below: “Even a hen defends its pen better when it is attacked by a falcon. The Tsar himself will hide behind the two-headed Moscow eagle " Polish King, Stefan Batory, challenged Ivan to a duel: “Take your arms Ivan, and mount on your horse. Let's set a place and time for the meeting. Show courage and faith in the rightness of your cause. Let's cross our swords. In this way, much Christian blood will be spared. If you deny me this satisfaction, you will reaffirm your condemnation and prove that deep in your soul there is no truth, no sense of royal dignity, how do you maintain male or even female dignity. " Ivan the Cowardous refused, ofcourse. Russia lost the war in 1582.
@@DAS63 and the U.S. felt Iraq like I feel a speedbump in 2003. Sibir and Kazan were ripe targets because of the wide power disparity between Muskovy and the relative backwaters.
These Video's and Commentary and Channel are so awesome Thank you for bringing us history, on another level. Best channel on TH-cam by far in my opinion! ty guys
@@toomaskotkas4467 I love my country Russia and I will always love but that doesn’t mean I need to hate other countries cause of political situation and yea i know that some poles are really russophobic but there are good people amongst them
Being a Ukrainian I am proud our Cossacks contributed to the success of the forces of Rzeczpospolita! Winged hussars is just a total admiration!…just needed more lances in that given battle. I adore Polish language and culture, I have eternal gratitude for what our Polish brothers and sisters do for us in these critical times. Lithuanian support and spirit is just awesome too! Personally I would love these three great nations to stand always together and united against any threats coming from any side of the world. There were tragical pages in our mutual history, but when we were united - it was always a glorious and victorious time! Glory to Poland, Lithuania and my native Ukraine!
Im descendant of Zaporozhian Cossack my great grandfather was Cossack of Chernigov regiment. We are not your Cossack yebalo. Cossacks fought always for Russia and Tsars with few exceptions. Ukrainian nation was invented in 19th century Austrian Galitsia, far from Cossacks. Stop your delusional ukronationalist dreaming. Majority of descendants of Cossacks live in today Krasnodar and they consider themselves Russian.
@@OCTAVIANVS_AVGVSTVS_CAESAR The current war has confirmed the cohesion and national identity of Ukraine, you can write whatever you want, but you will not change the facts. You should read about Zaporozhian Cossacks if you want find the beginnings of Ukrainian identity.
There is no Cohesion of Ukrainian identity except Western Ukraine. Ukrainian Gestapo SBU arrested tens of thousands of people for Russian sympathies. Are are beoing delusional. Other part of Ukraine whole Donbass is fighting against Ukrainian pseudostate since 2014.
I want to say that i loved this channel, so much information pure quality. Was not aware of the clashes happened in europe against ottoman empire. Looking forward for more.
Even more amazing is the series of battles between Swedes and Poles in Livonia in 1601-1605. It always looked the same: Swedish armies outnumbered by 3-4 times over the Polish troops, but after the attack of the winged hussars, which lasted about 20 minutes, fled in panic. The ratio of the dead amounted to 60-100 to 1. It is interesting to compare entries to Polish and Swedish wikipedia: while in the former there are extensive descriptions of these battles, the Swedish wiki says only that "there was a battle and that the Poles won".
Swedes don't have a great interest in that period because of the losses, just as Poles don't have a great interest in the Great Northern War despite being fought in Poland for many years - because of the losses. I took a quick look at the Wikipedia articles of the Livonian battles in 1601-05, and it's obvious many important Swedish sources are missing. For example, the Swedes themselves estimates a few hundred Swedish losses at the Battle of Kokenhusen 1601, not 2,000-3,000 dead as the article currently says - and that's just one article. So yes: More Swedish sources are needed here (and I might add them sometimes later).
Losses in the battle: Poland 100 Hussars and probably 200 common soldiers (Hussars were noblemen usually from wealthy families) . Sources give different numbers for Swedes: 500, 700 or 1300, Russians: from 2000 to 16500 (as some sources give a total SW and R of 17000, it would give between 15700 and 16500). Also, the Polish side lost around 400 horses. Hussars took 5 horses each on a campaign: 1 riding horse and 4 battle horses. They would change them between charges. These were specially trained to not panic when near gunfire or laud sounds in general. The Hussars were armored and had a breastplate especially thick at the center - this stopped musket hits from the front. The biggest target was the horse, so most shots hit the animal. Even so, a wounded horse would usually carry the rider to the back line. Also, the Hussars used long lances and the pikes used by the Swedes were short (2m). When placed on the ground in a defensive formation, they gave the foot soldiers maybe a meter of pike in front of them. The Hussars could hit them from much further away. In one battle, one Hussar found his lance after the battle and counted 6 dead opponents on it.
I raised and developed a Swedish Warmblood whose lineage went all the way back to the Prussian stud in 1743. Several of her line were Olymic competitors in jumping, dressage, AND other events. Feet trimmed like cold butter, nothing fazed her, and she loved to JUMP. Military horses also had strong gaskins: they plowed and mowed in peace time as well as pulling cannon carriages and ammunition and supplies.
This battle is like when a Bannerlord player chooses to attack the largest enemy force without the help of the main royal army campaigning alongside him.
Kind of. 'Poland invades Russia' is a huge overestatement. It was more like a private enterprise of the king, the parliament was against. That's why the Polish forces were so tiny. The nobles had no obligation to pay taxes or participate in an offensive war if they didn't want to, and they didn't want this war.
No wonder. They have respect to Poles - they received wpierdol from Poland several times. Poles do not give a fck. In 1920 they kicked russian ass back to Asia. In 1989 they demolished soviet block.
@@okakokakiev787 Both battles ended in tactical victory for the Russians. They managed to repel the Commonwealth army, and the garrison of the Kremlin, which had run out of supplies, capitulated on November 7, 1612. News of the capitulation reached Polish King Sigismund III on December 8 at Volokolamsk, less than 30 kilometers away. Upon finding out about this, the king, who was on his way to help the garrison, decided to halt the march and head back to Poland.
Here is my sacrifice to the algorithm. Thank you so much for making these so detailed and intriguing. I knew nothing about this before i pressed play and now I can't wait for more on this series.
A special operation was carried in 1795. Here there was an episode of toothless Polish imperialism that angered the Russians. And now the offended Poles are busy complaining.
Let me add a little bit of aftermath, because this great video ends when the best part is about to happen. It took Żółkiewski a year to return to the Polish capitol with the captured captives, among whom were Russian Tsar Vasily IV Shuiski, his brother and army commander Dmitry Shuiski, Tsar's wife, the heir to the throne, Tsar's son, the great prince Ivan, and many other "high rank officers". On October 29, 1611 they were taken to the Royal Castle of Warsaw, which was also the seat of the Polish Parliament at the time. A large triumphal arch was built in front of the castle, under which the entire victorious army passed, and at the end the captives walked underneath it on foot. At the Royal Castle there was a ceremonial meeting of the Polish Parliament at which, of course, King Sigismund III was present. The ceremony looked like this: Tsar of Russia Vasily IV had to kneel down and while kneeling he had to touch the floor (Polish soil) with his right hand, then he had to kiss the center of his palm, then he had to kiss all his fingertips, then he took an oath that Russia would never again invade Poland first, and then he begged for mercy for himself and his family. After that, King Sigismund gave him three fingers of his right hand to kiss. Next in line was the commander of the Russian army, Dmitry Shuiski, who had to hit his forehead once against the floor and took an oath similar to the Tsar's, then the Tsar's son had to hit his forehead three times against the floor, took an oath that Russia would never invade Poland and then he burst into tears. The event is known as the Ruski tribute or Shuiski's tribute. Tsar and his entourage were prisoners of state, but they were given one of the castles in Poland, not far from Warsaw, for exclusive use. A few months later, Tsar and his entire close family were murdered in that castle by Polish mercenaries paid by rich Russian families, who could not choose a new Tsar from among themselves if the old Tsar was still alive (there was also puppet Tsar placed in Moscow by Sigismund, he didn't last long). Russian have been trying hide the truth and wipe October 29, 1611 from the history for more than 300 years now. Fun fact: In 1644 Sigismund's son built the famous monument Sigismund's Column, which after strong perturbations still stands today in Warsaw in almost the same place where there was Żółkiewski's triumphal arch. On the monument on four sides in Latin are inscribed merits of the King, among them the capture of the Tsar of Russia. Before the war many Russians came to Warsaw and since they don't know their own history they were always very eager to take pictures with the cool monument of the man whose army conquered Moscow :)
*Yes, indeed, all the most interesting was later, Poland, after its stupidity and a campaign against Russia, lost its statehood three times and was a vassal of the Russian Empire!)))*
@@UltraTotenkopf yeah ur still living in these days 200-100 years ago. not only in your mind but in your country in reality too. pity such a great territory and such poverty in russia. economy smaller than most of little european countries. Guess what that means? not gonna talk about stupidity etc cuz i saw how ur lifes there look like for 95% of people...sad sad sad
Amazing that these guys make these great videos with no money at all, and History Channel that has millions just makes videos about truckers driving on ice.
Love all this baltic/balkan/slavic history, haven't heard much about it. But I do still really wanna see that detailed documentary on William the Bastard. Also, no wonder there's such a great song on these guys, the Winged Hussars are fucking awesome.
@@SaxSith Oh, someone is trying to spread the mendacious legend of the Polish cavalry allegedly attacked German tanks. But that's a lie and it never happened.
Yes fucking awesome! The Polish winged hussars were one of the most effective military forces in the world history. The Hussars were undefeated over a period of over 100 years and are therefore the most effective cavalry in world history. Usually, a Hussars attack caused complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Hussar charge. These were the elite of the Polish army being a unique, highly trained, extremely disciplined, manoeuvrable, hard-hitting, heavy cavalry. The ultimate shock cavalry. The hussars were individually well skilled in horsemanship and the use of their arms through a lifetime of practice and a major part of their training was to combine these individuals into a single unit. But even more important than these factors I have listed was the special kopia lance of the Polish hussars. The main offensive weapon was a over 5-6 m long hollow composite lance, much longer than the old knights lances as well as being much lighter due to their hollow construction. This extraordinary length was achieved by boring out the core of the lance from the point up to the handle so the hollow construction allowed the extreme length. At the attack, the lances are held in the position of "halfway up the horse's ear. The much longer reach was especially useful against pikemen with always a lot shorter pikes. The Hussars were the only cavalry who successfully attacked Pike Formations head-on! Of course they would rather flank them. Useful was also the gałka a wooden ball at the gravity point protecting the hand and helped balance the lance. An approx. 2.5 silk pennon was attached to the kopia below the point. Besides being beautiful decoration, these had several functions. They served as a distinctive sign. By the sound they made like wings they could also panic their opponents' horses, if they were not used to the dramatic sight and sounds. The same goes for some opposing soldiers. The lance point was of course from steel. The point was supported with additional metal reinforcing straps running down the shaft, which also helped protect the wood below the point from a saber cut. The production of this lances was state secret that was never broken! The Hussars actually had 2 types of lances at their disposal. The one just described extra length Kopia and the 3-3,5 m long not hollow demi-lance kopijka that was used against light cavalry especially of Cossacks, Tatars and Turks. For long marches, the lances were transported in wagons but during in combat formation, the base of the lance was place in a metal cup attached by leather straps to the saddle. Polish hussars trained also by targeting with their lances, at full gallop small rings. Through this kind of training the lance attacks of the hussars were amazingly precise. So the hussars were able to hit specific unprotected body parts of the enemy or to kill the horses of the cavalry. As a rule, extra length Kopia broke on impact so it was a one-use weapon that broke in the attack. For this reason, and because it was a very expensive weapon, it was the only weapon furnished by the military authorities. Not infrequently two enemies of a very dense combat formation were pierced on impact, sometimes even three or more. A Hussar once killed six musketeers in one thrust in battle of Klushino. Mostly, panic arose after the impact and the remaining fleeing enemies were cut down with close combat weapon. The unique part of the hussars was also their battle field tactics which gave the Polish army a powerful striking force, superior to all other European cavalry for over two century. The hussar's armor was relatively light in comparison to the heavy cavalry of the West and this allowed them to charge as the horses maximum speed, while Western heavy cavalry depended more on the actual weight of their troops rather than speed. This also allowed the hussars to move form standing to charge speed relatively quickly. In addition to the long lance was this quick change of speed and or direction and their ease of movement that led to much of their success. The charge started at a slow pace and in a relatively loose formation. to minimize losses by firearms. It was not until the last few meters that the riders joined together to form a line, practically knee to knee, and hit the enemy like a wall with lances! The ultimate shock cavalry! More specifically, the attack looked like this! Riders slowly passed the first 50-60 meters. Lances were lifted up. During next 150 meters Hussars increased their speed to trot. 150 meters in front of the opponent, the lances were lowered to combat position and the trot went into a gallop. At 50-60 m before the enemy line, the horses were running gallop (the maximum speed was 60 km/h). With a loud cry. The Winged Hussars hammered into the ranks of the enemy. The sough of the wings, the thunder of the horses' hooves, and the roar of the hussars produced a frightening thunder. The enemy was hit by a spiked thunderous wall. It was possible to repeat the charge several times until the enemy formation broke (they had supply wagons with spare lances). But the attack caused often complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Polish Hussar charge. For this reason, some armies did not even try to confront them face to face. Instead of risking an immediate defeat, certain opponents have become entrenched. The Poles then usually besieged them. By the way, the hussars have always modified their combat tactics based on the opponent with which they were to measure up to. For example, when fighting the Tatars, they often left their lances behind and were more likely to use firearms - Tatars were a fast-paced, but poorly armored cavalry, so the Hussars were prone to fire pistols. On the other hand, when the Hussars fought with the Swedish army (which comprised mostly of infantry), the lances were their primary weapon. Wings: The hussars are of course famous for their legendary wings, though these were not always worn. They consisted of wooden or steel bars with feathers, which protruded above the rider's head. Originally they were attached to the saddle and then to the armor. Eagle feathers, ostrich feathers or colored goose feathers were used. Various proposals have been put forward for the reasons for their use. Such as! The Wings made a rushing sound together with the pennon in the charge. It was a thundering wall with long spikes that hit the enemy. The absolute shock! More shock cavalry is not possible.The wings should prevent Tatar lasso attacks and to defend the backs against saber attacks. Combined with the wild animal skins and lance pennons, their effect was also psychological. By increasing the size and magnificence of the horse and rider they made them look more fearsome and troubled the enemy's horses.. In addition, the enemy units recognized from far the wings, therefore they knew that there are these really tough opponents who will fight hard! So even before the battle, the enemy was afraid by recognizing the hussars.
Imagine polish-lithuanian-Muscovite union.Could be also named north slavic confederation(despite lithuanians not being slavic but atleast close to them).Europe would shit its pants with that
Such a state would then have to fight Sweden, the Ottoman Empire and the steppe peoples simultaneously. Sigismund III Vasa was a Swede so he would certainly have focused on taking power in his country. If he had succeeded he would have created a huge empire. The Ottoman Empire would then have remained the main challenge. These were in competition with Germany, Italy, Spain and Persia. Of course, this is already a fantasy, as Sigismund III Vasa would not have been able to maintain such a huge state.
Earlier in 1581, over thirty thousand Russian soldiers of Ivan the Terrible attacked the outskirts of Mogilev in present-day Belarus. The city's defenders found themselves in a critical situation. At that time, there was a two hundred Polish hussar squadron under the command of Marcin Kazanowski nearby and they came to help. The hussars fought the enemy for seven hours, charging again 12 times. Later, about three hundred light cavalrymen appeared on the battlefield to help the hussars. The Russians thought it was the entire royal army and fled in panic. Several thousand Russians died, but not a single hussar was killed.
@@EternalKhokhol Faktem jest, że kilkadziesiąt tysięcy Moskali uciekło przed kilkusetosobową Polską jazdą. Musisz wiedzieć, iż w ówczesnych czasach w Polsce liczono wyłącznie poległych Polaków, a Ci wywodzili się wyłącznie ze szlachty. Widocznie nie zginął ani jeden husarz pochodzenia szlacheckiego ale to nie znaczy, że nikt nie zginął po polskiej stronie. Takie były zasady braci szlacheckiej w Rzeczpospolitej.
Aren't you tired of these fakes? If you are such brave warriors, then why did the Russians constantly have you in the ass? And today Russians have the largest state. The Russians were the first to go into space, and you keep fantasizing.
The hussars did not come from nothing. It was planned as a half-lane riding on small, durable horses intended for quick movement through the vast, forested and wetlands of the Republic of Poland. It was very heavily armed - each hussar had three lances (lances), two pistols, a 2-meter long straight sword and a curved saber of the Turkish pattern. The hussars' tactic was based on the so-called "softening" of the opponent by just another 3 charges - until the copy was broken or lost - and then firing 2 pistols located at the saddle. Only after that was there a direct break-through attack. Against the infantry, the hussars used a 2-meter sword (koncerz) and in the fight against cavalry and in pursuit of a handy short saber (batorówka). The cover was an iron breastplate with epaulettes, a helmet and a wolf skin or in the case of richer leopards. It is also worth knowing that each hussar had 2-3 horses. Historical sources provide the number of Polish hussars - the nobility - not to mention the accompanying servants, and usually there were 2 helpers for each hussar (taking turns guarding the horse, backup). Therefore, the real Polish forces should be estimated at around 6,500 people.
The Polish winged hussars were one of the most effective military forces in the world history. The Hussars were undefeated over a period of over 100 years and are therefore the most effective cavalry in world history. Usually, a Hussars attack caused complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Hussar charge. These were the elite of the Polish army being a unique, highly trained, extremely disciplined, manoeuvrable, hard-hitting, heavy cavalry. The ultimate shock cavalry. The hussars were individually well skilled in horsemanship and the use of their arms through a lifetime of practice and a major part of their training was to combine these individuals into a single unit. But even more important than these factors I have listed was the special kopia lance of the Polish hussars. The main offensive weapon was a over 5-6 m long hollow composite lance, much longer than the old knights lances as well as being much lighter due to their hollow construction. This extraordinary length was achieved by boring out the core of the lance from the point up to the handle so the hollow construction allowed the extreme length. At the attack, the lances are held in the position of "halfway up the horse's ear. The much longer reach was especially useful against pikemen with always a lot shorter pikes. The Hussars were the only cavalry who successfully attacked Pike Formations head-on! Of course they would rather flank them. Useful was also the gałka a wooden ball at the gravity point protecting the hand and helped balance the lance. An approx. 2.5 silk pennon was attached to the kopia below the point. Besides being beautiful decoration, these had several functions. They served as a distinctive sign. By the sound they made like wings they could also panic their opponents' horses, if they were not used to the dramatic sight and sounds. The same goes for some opposing soldiers. The lance point was of course from steel. The point was supported with additional metal reinforcing straps running down the shaft, which also helped protect the wood below the point from a saber cut. The production of this lances was state secret that was never broken! The Hussars actually had 2 types of lances at their disposal. The one just described extra length Kopia and the 3-3,5 m long not hollow demi-lance kopijka that was used against light cavalry especially of Cossacks, Tatars and Turks. For long marches, the lances were transported in wagons but during in combat formation, the base of the lance was place in a metal cup attached by leather straps to the saddle. Polish hussars trained also by targeting with their lances, at full gallop small rings. Through this kind of training the lance attacks of the hussars were amazingly precise. So the hussars were able to hit specific unprotected body parts of the enemy or to kill the horses of the cavalry. As a rule, extra length Kopia broke on impact so it was a one-use weapon that broke in the attack. For this reason, and because it was a very expensive weapon, it was the only weapon furnished by the military authorities. Not infrequently two enemies of a very dense combat formation were pierced on impact, sometimes even three or more. A Hussar once killed six musketeers in one thrust in battle of Klushino. Mostly, panic arose after the impact and the remaining fleeing enemies were cut down with close combat weapon. The unique part of the hussars was also their battle field tactics which gave the Polish army a powerful striking force, superior to all other European cavalry for over two century. The hussar's armor was relatively light in comparison to the heavy cavalry of the West and this allowed them to charge as the horses maximum speed, while Western heavy cavalry depended more on the actual weight of their troops rather than speed. This also allowed the hussars to move form standing to charge speed relatively quickly. In addition to the long lance was this quick change of speed and or direction and their ease of movement that led to much of their success. The charge started at a slow pace and in a relatively loose formation. to minimize losses by firearms. It was not until the last few meters that the riders joined together to form a line, practically knee to knee, and hit the enemy like a wall with lances! The ultimate shock cavalry! More specifically, the attack looked like this! Riders slowly passed the first 50-60 meters. Lances were lifted up. During next 150 meters Hussars increased their speed to trot. 150 meters in front of the opponent, the lances were lowered to combat position and the trot went into a gallop. At 50-60 m before the enemy line, the horses were running gallop (the maximum speed was 60 km/h). With a loud cry. The Winged Hussars hammered into the ranks of the enemy. The sough of the wings, the thunder of the horses' hooves, and the roar of the hussars produced a frightening thunder. The enemy was hit by a spiked thunderous wall. It was possible to repeat the charge several times until the enemy formation broke (they had supply wagons with spare lances). But the attack caused often complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Polish Hussar charge. For this reason, some armies did not even try to confront them face to face. Instead of risking an immediate defeat, certain opponents have become entrenched. The Poles then usually besieged them. By the way, the hussars have always modified their combat tactics based on the opponent with which they were to measure up to. For example, when fighting the Tatars, they often left their lances behind and were more likely to use firearms - Tatars were a fast-paced, but poorly armored cavalry, so the Hussars were prone to fire pistols. On the other hand, when the Hussars fought with the Swedish army (which comprised mostly of infantry), the lances were their primary weapon. Wings: The hussars are of course famous for their legendary wings, though these were not always worn. They consisted of wooden or steel bars with feathers, which protruded above the rider's head. Originally they were attached to the saddle and then to the armor. Eagle feathers, ostrich feathers or colored goose feathers were used. Various proposals have been put forward for the reasons for their use. Such as! The Wings made a rushing sound together with the pennon in the charge. It was a thundering wall with long spikes that hit the enemy. The absolute shock! More shock cavalry is not possible.The wings should prevent Tatar lasso attacks and to defend the backs against saber attacks. Combined with the wild animal skins and lance pennons, their effect was also psychological. By increasing the size and magnificence of the horse and rider they made them look more fearsome and troubled the enemy's horses.. In addition, the enemy units recognized from far the wings, therefore they knew that there are these really tough opponents who will fight hard! So even before the battle, the enemy was afraid by recognizing the hussars.
Here are some of the Hussars' victories, in most of this battles they were clearly outnumbered! Hundreds of of battles in the entire Polish history were epic and out of those, at least dozens were absolutely unique, especially the battles of the Hussars! All these battles of polish Hussars were victorious! The polish Hussars were undefeated for over 100 years! The attacks by the hussars in all these battles were mostly decisive for the Polish victories in these battles. All the numbers are historically verified! No exaggeration here! 1577 Battle of Lubieszów: Polish empire 1,450 cavalry (1135 hussars) and the transylvanian vassal 1,050 infantry vs. Gdansk 12,000. The hussars attacked flank, with this, the entire Gdansk army broke and fled, and the hussars kept up the chase right to the Gdansk city gates. Losses: Gdansk 4400 dead and 5,000 taken prisoner, Poland and the vassal 100 wounded, 88 deaths. 1581 Battle of Mogilev (battle and siege): Less than 1,000 Poles (including 200 hussars, ca. 150 medium cavalry and ca. 150 cossack light- as well as armed civilians of the city of Mogilev) - defeated 30,000 Russians and Tatars. Polish fcasualties were minimal. Defenders of the city lost only 2 wounded people, nobody out of 200 hussars was killed (even though many were wounded) 1588 The Battle of Byczyna: 6,000 Poles vs. 6,500 Austrian! A Polish hussar counterattack on the left flank mauled Austrian cavalry and forced his army to start giving ground. The bloody retreat quickly turned into a general wild escape. The entire battle lasted approximately one to two hours. The Poles took control of Austrian artillery and turned the guns on the town. Before the Polish forces began their assault, Maximilian surrendered and was taken prisoner. Casualties: Poland 1,000 Austria 2,000 1600 Battle of Curtea de Argeș: Polish army of 1450, including 950 Hussars, defeated more than 7,000 Wallachians. Since the Hussars bore the brunt of the battle, one can find out that they have defeated 7 times the number! 1601 Battle of Wenden: The battle is significant as the first encounter between Swedish riders and Polish hussars. 700 Poles (including 350 Polish hussars) vs. more than 3,000 Swedish. Wiki quote: "The Swedish riders attempting to use Caracole tactics were faced with the charge of the hussars, commonly used on battlefields by the Polish armies. The fight did not last long, and the Swedish cavalry run away. When the retreating Swedish cavalry rode through the frozen river Gauja ice broke under the weight of the horses, causing further losses to the Swedish forces." Losses: Poland 10 dead 60 wounded , Sweden 1,900 dead and wounded, 100 captured. 1601 Battle of Kokenhausen: Polish empire 300 infantry and 2,700 cavalry vs. Sweden 900 infantry 4,000 cavalry! Polish cavalry first broke the Swedish left flank. The Swedish counterattack on the right flank, which while initially successful, was in turn broken by the Polish hussar counterattack. Poland 200 losses and Sweden 2,000-3,000 losses. 1604 Battle of Weissenstein: Polish empire 2300 vs. Sweden 5000! The Swedish army was pushed to the swamp by the Hussars. Losses: Sweden 3000 killed and wounded Poland: 50 killed, 100 wounded 1604 Battle of Novgorod-Seversky: Polish empire 15,000 vs. Russia 40,000 and 1500 in garrison of Novhorod-Siverskyi. The hussars decide the battle by smashing the right wing of the Russian army and by throwing the center into chaos. 1605 Battle of Kircholm: Polish empire and the vassal Duchy of Courland 3,440 (1,750 hussars, 200 riders, 450 light Cossacks and Tatars, 1,040 Haiduk-style infantry) vs. Sweden supported by Scottish, Dutch and German, mercenaries. 8,358 pike and shot formations, 2,500 riders and 11 cannons so a total of 10,868! The Hussars launched a devastating charge against the enemy which ended the battle in the decisive victory of the Polish forces. The battle was decided in all of 20 minutes! Losses: Poland 100 killed and 200 wounded, Sweden 7,600-8,000 killed and captured! 1610 Battle of Klushino: The enemies outnumbered the Polish army 5 to 1. The crushing victory of Polish army 6,800 including about 5,600 Hussars against 35,000 Russian and Swedish troops. The size of the enemy made that the hussar have to charge even 10 times. The battle opened the way for Poles to Moscow, where Polish prince Władysław became the tsar. Losses: Poland 400 , Russia 5,000. 1621 Battle of Khotyn: Polish empire 25,000 and 20,000 Cossaks vs. 120,000-160,000 Ottoman troops. Around 10,000 Ottomans moved to attack, but then three squadrons of hussars counterattacked with 650 men. The Sipahi could not withstand the charge and they retreated chaotically. The Polish charge inflicted heavy casualties and had a huge impact on the morale of the Ottoman army. Losses: Ottomans ca. 40,000, Poland ca. 14,000 1624 Battle of Martynów: 5,000 Poles and Cossacks (600 hussars) vs. 15,000 Crimean Tatars! The counterattack of only 600 hussars in connection with a Polish faked withdrawal was crucial to the battle. Polish forces pursued the fleeing Tatars to capture or kill them. 1629 Battle of Trzciana: Polish empire 1,300 hussars and 1,200 light cavalry and 2,000 Habsburg riders vs. Sweden 5,500 cavalry and 1,300 infantry. The enemy was rout by a decisive, devastating attack by the hussars. Poland and Habsburg 300 losses and Sweden 600 killed and 200 captured! 1651 Battle of Berestechko: For the Polish empire a total of 80,000 men army fought. Which consisted of 30,000 Pospolite ruszenie militias, a large number of loyal to Poland Cossacks Hungarian, Tatar and from the German lands mercenaries, Polish heavy Pancerni cavalry and Winged Hussars vs. 100,000 Cossacks 50,000 Crimean Tatars and several thousands Turks, and Vlachs so in total 200,000. So a Polish 80,000 army against a 200,000 Ottoman army. On first day of the battle Polish cavalry pancerni and Hussars repulsed the Tatars, who suffered heavy losses. This victory spurred the rest of the Polish troops on! The Poles scoffed the Poles were victorious "since their army sustained that first attack cheerfully and in high spirits". The battle was then decided in favor of the Poles due to the overwhelming firepower of the artillery and infantry! Losses: Poland 700, Crimean Tatars and Cossacks 40,000 to 80,000! 1660 Battle of Kutyszcze: 140 Polish Hussars vs. 3,500 Russians and Cossacks! Two incomplete Hussar banners of the Polish forces operating in the east of the empire, caught up the retreating Russian-Cossacks army. 140 Polish horsemen devastated 3,500 Russian cavalry and Cossack infantry, gaining an enemy stock. In this encounter Hussars did not suffer any losses. The power relation was thus: 25:1! 1660 Battle of Polonka: 13,000 on the Polish side vs, 9,000 Russians! The Polish hussars and pancerni cavalry made the crucial attacks. On the Polish side were 300 killed and on the Russian side were 4,200 killed. 1672 Battle of Komarno: 2,500 Poles (1,500 hussars) vs. a marauding horde of 10,000 Tatars. The slaughter of the invaders continued until nighttime, and only 1,500 Tatars managed to cross the Dniester, and return to their homeland. Polish forces also freed some 20,000 civilians, captured by the hordes. The Polish losses were low! 1672 Battle of Kałusz: 1,500 Polish Hussars against 8,000 Ottomans, Cossacks and Tatars. Losses: The Hussars had only a few wounded, the enemies of the Poles had 6000 fallen! 1673 Battle of Khotyn: Polish empire 29,000-30,000 and 65 cannons vs. Ottomans, 35,000. The 1670 hussars have won an important victory against the Ottoman Sipahi cavalry! Poland: 2,000 killed and wounded, Ottomans 20,000 killed and wounded 1675 Battle of Lwów: Polish empire 6,000 vs. Ottomans 20,000! According to Wikipedia, the Hussars pursuit of the Ottoman cavalry lasted until the dusk. 1694 Battle of Hodów: Polish victory because the enemy was repulsed! Known also as one of Polish Thermopylae. 300 Polish Pancerni heavy cavalry and 100 Polish hussars charged in first encounter the 700-strong Tatar vanguard and made them withdraw. Due to overwhelming enemy numbers Polish forces retreated to Hodów village and fortified the position with everything they found. The impact lasted 6 hours. When the Poles ran out of ammunition, they fired at their enemies by putting arrows into pistols. Unable to defeat the Poles, the Tatars sent Polish-speaking Lipka Tatars who defected to the enemy to convince the Polish troops to surrender. The Polish commander replied "Come and get us if you can". Thereupon the Tatars withdrew and gave up on the entire raid. This example reflects the knightly spirit of the Polish hussars but also of the Pancerni. Honor, bravery, and sacrafice for the homeland were valued the most amongst by them. So 100 hussars and 300 Pancerni successfully repelled the attack of about 40,000 Crimean Tatars and forced the enemy to retreat. Incredible that 400 against 40,000 have prevailed but really true! What is the difference betwen 300 Spartans of the Thermopylae and 400 Hussars and Pancerni of Hodów? Hussars won their fight. 1683 Battle of Vienna: The most famous battle of the hussars! Hussars’s charge of Polish king Jan III Sobieski broke the siege of Vienna and forced the Ottoman army to retreat.
According to Samuel Maskiewicz Hussar himself living at the time of this battle he writes in his dieries that there were 8 to 10 charges. Almost all polish cavarly soldiers were nobels at the time (it is estimatet even 10% of poluation was nobel in PLC) so they were mostly educated and writing diaries from war was very popular among soldiers. Thats why we have many good sources to find information about this period of polish lithuanian history. Also I think important information not mentioned in video, losses are estimated at 8000 on russian side and 300 on Polish
@@okonsky3522 Thanks for the interesting information! But where did you get that information from that almost all polish cavalry soldiers were nobles at the time? Because as far as I know, there were not only few Polish non-noble cavalry! These were not quite a few non-noble cavalrymen in Polish armies. For example, in the Pospolite ruszenie (mass mobilizatio) there was plenty of non-noble cavalry. Because the nobles were obliged to fight themselves or to provide fighters instead of themselves. Which Polish nobles often did, so cavalrymen were also delegated by Polish nobles to the Pospolite ruszenie. In the wojsko prywatne (private army) of the magnates there were also non-noble cavalry. The army protecting the southern borders, the so-called wojsko kwarciane ("Quarter Army"), also had non-noble cavalry. Not only nobles served in the heavy Polish Pancerni Cavalry either.
let me just remind you that this was no "invasion" but a "special operation" to reclaim Smolensk (seriously - Zygmunt III wanted to reclaim Smolensk; the city was lost by Polish-Lithuanian state to Moscow in 1514)
Fantastic video covering the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the early 17th century. The Battle of Klushino & later the Siege of Vienna in 1683, would solidify the legacy of the Polish Winged Hussars in shaping European history & increasing the rivalries we see today in Eastern Europe. It's a shame the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth couldn't maintain its power when surrounded by many opponents.
What? This is child's play compared to the war between the Russians and the Germans in the 1940s. It was the largest front in history, the size of several countries and more than 20 million soldiers and 100.000 tanks on each side.
@@swe1733 Yep, but one must consider that Poland and Russia in XVII century had only few milion people, so armies numbered 30-50k soldiers were rather huge for that times.
@@greatsarmatae there was no Muscovy then. The state was then called Russia (essentially the Greek name for Russia) or the Russian kingdom. Stop screwing up history.
@@АртёмРоманенков-о4х it was Muscovy. Rus existed where it always was - between Carpathians and Don, never stopped existing there, and it itself considered Muscovy completely different environment, opposite to oneself. Muscovian "Russia" is a political project of Muscovian monarchs, not ethnic or cultural one (as it's different from Rus itself), Muscovian orthodox church also was named "Russian", that's the second reason for such interpretation of names, even though since 15-th century that church got illegal, and anti-Rus phenomena, as Rus church stayed located in Kyiv. It's good that TH-cam isn't blocked for you yet, i see you love watching English content?
@@greatsarmatae Can you please sources on the basis of which you operate with these facts. Why did you decide that Russia was from the Carpathians to the Don, if Russia itself came from Ladoga and Novgorod (the modern territory of the Russian Federation) and captured Kyiv, transferring the metropolis there until the 12th century. Then the role of Kyiv was reduced to the usual specific principality for which none of the neighboring principalities did not want to fight. From the 12th century, there was an elevation near the Vladimir-Suzdal principality and Galicia-Volyn (not counting the Novgorod Republic, which was economically dependent on the Vladimir principality and the Suzdal princes ruled there), as well as Smolensk and Chernigov. Then, after the Mongol invasion, the center shifted to Vladimir, just as the residence of the metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church moved precisely to the northeast, that is, the status of Vladimir (and then Moscow as an heir) rose to the center of Russia. The Grand Duke of Vladimir now began to be called the "prince of all Russia" without the simultaneous possession of Kyiv. Of course, the status of the chief Russian prince was largely nominal: in reality, the Vladimir prince had no influence on events, say, in Volhynia. But later, with the strengthening of the Moscow princes, who by the end of the 14th century made the great reign of Vladimir (that is, the "prince of all Russia") their hereditary property, the status of the main Russian prince began to really act, giving grounds to claim the entire ancient Russian territory. As a result, it was in the North-East of Russia in the XIV century that the process of unification of Russian lands into a single state began. p.s Sometimes I watch English-language content, but through the Yandex browser, so there is a built-in voice translator. TH-cam is not blocked thank God. I think it won't.
@@АртёмРоманенков-о4х Because Rus never came from Novgorod and later Novgorod never was Rus as well. Kyiv and Rus in middle-Dnipro existed long before Rurik legend, Norsemen (Rus) settled in Kyiv region specifically, Rus as a state was born there. Next key points. 1) Novgorod didn't exist till 10th century, that's firm fact of "Russian" archeology (Novgorodian chronicle affirms it). You can find details in works about excavations. Russians just wish not to admit it specifically. 2) Chronicle narrates clearly fictional story (analogical to Saxo Grammatikus), but regardless it neither geographically nor politically far Kyiv and early Novgorod are comparable. 3) Same way no statehood or nation concept could be derived from one another, that's physically nonsense. 4) Along with it, it's proven persistently that "Holmgard" of northern sagas is located in Smolensk area, by L.Voitovich. Next, to your knowledge, nothing but Kyiv region was considered Rus (by internal division) until the mid 13-th cent. (decay point), at all. Common info. And that was decentralized "empire" with no common folk or language of them. There existed 4 major compact areas, which could be divided into Rus people (southern Slavic territory), Kryvychy, Novgorod folk and Woodland, all of different nature, languages and ethnicity. Next, it's ridiculous nonsense to write about decline of the South with Mongols and transition of power to farlands of Vlad-Suzdal, as there was strong and completely straight heritage of statehood between Carpathians and Dnipro, ran by the eldest branch of old dynasty, (king Daniels family particularly), Regnum Ruscia. It was fighting tatars for more than a century and lived through huge prosperity in times from king Leo (Lev) to Yuri I. (You can read that altogether both in chronicles and many works dedicated to it). After dynastical changes, eventually Gedymin's son Lübart legally inherited throne of Rus by marriage, and his family (like Olgierd, nephews and other brothers) helped to free all rest of Rus from Tatar impact, Kyiv got big rise up till the end of 15-th century again. Since, Rus prosperously existed on (with church in Kyiv btw), especially under Jaggiellons, who were legal monarchs so far. Muscovian "Russia" project is of political nature, not ethno-cultural one. Rusins/Ruthenians between Don and Carpathians considered Muscovites alien folk. Muscovites used Church like a tool for claims, and the Church had name of "Rus church" (not orthodox particularly), and Muscovian state needed to identifie own self in such a way, that's how name existed. But it's all about a core, not names surely (there are many similar cases in history). Getting back to the first sentence, Novgorodian Republic was clearly independent ("democratic", btw, unlike very despotic Muscovy) community, and Muscovites genocided them after conquering, so things are quite eloquent 🤷 Besides, don't call Rus kings "princes", that's very big misinterpretation, as high monarchs always were recognized "kings" (Rex) in the West, then and now.
Remember that in the east they fought virtually constantly and almost always against a larger enemy. They knew their worth, it wasn't risk or bravado. You know what they used to say? "If the sky were to fall on us, we would hold it up with our trees (lances)." Look for materials about the Battle of Kircholm. Numbering 3,600 (including 2,500 cavalry, less than half of which were hussars), Hetman Chodkiewicz's army crushed the 11,000-strong Swedish army. Losses - Swedes 6-9 thousand, Polish-Liewski troops approximately 100 killed and 200 wounded. Hussars were killed... 13. Thirteen. They really had gigantic breaking power.
@@sranmirkov4458 Kosovo IS Serbian and many of Poles dont agree with our government saying that Kosovo is indepentent. We really respect Serbs due to our history and culture. Free and United Serbia!!!!
A Polish renegade nobleman once trained Muscovites in the art of Polish hussars, but it was a failed project. Muscovites broke their lances passing through the city gate. Quite embarrassing. The Turks had their own excellent cavalry of Sipahi. Their champions called "Deli"( "the crazy ones" ) used similar equipment and horses like polish hussars and wore bird wings and leopard skins. But in the battle of Chocim 1621, 800 Polish hussars defeated and chased 10,000 such Turkish cavalrymen from the battlefield! Why? What made the Polish hussars so special and nobody managed to create its counterpart? People. Horses. Equipment. Training. Tactics. Morale. Logistic. Even...a unique culture of polish nobility. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Polish hussars were the only cavalry capable of breaking infantry pike&shot formations in direct charge. Hussar lances were longer than pikes and hussar was trained to hit the eye or the navel of the enemy with the greatest speed of the charge. (most pikemen in the 17th century no longer used breastplate.)The impact was so powerful that lance that didn't break could pierce several enemy soldiers at once. The sheer mass of a horse in its momentum is a devastating force. Havoc! If the pikemen formation was not broken - the hussars repeated their charges until they were successful. In the battle of Klushino1610, some hussar units charged even ten times! It was possible thanks to specially selected and trained horses, which each hussar tried to have several for a change. Each of these mounts cost a fortune. A specially devoted servant was to provide his master with a spare horse even in the heat of battle. Hussar formation acted like a gigantic fist, which smashed the enemy formations, and destroyed the broken one in pursuit. Sometimes the impact of the hussars' the charge pushed some units of the enemy army onto others. For example, the enemy cavalry may collided with the infantry and as a result, the cohesion of the enemy army was immediately disturbed. In close combat, Winged Hussar had a whole arsenal of effective tools to reach the enemy, and the armor and tactics of the fight protected them against enemy blows. Generally, surprisingly few hussars was killed in battles. However, horses died in considerable numbers. Extremely expensive and exceptionally trained horses of which Poles regretted no less than their fallen comrades. One of the exercises they praticed was "knee to knee" synchronous horse riding. They practiced complex maneuvers on horseback touching their knees, and for greater motivation, they tried to keep the gold coin between them and not lose it. The hussars, with their discipline and ability to maintain their formation during complex maneuvers on the battlefield, were equal to those of the Roman legionnaires. A few anecdotes: In one of the battles in Moldova, when the enemy noticed a hussars in the Polish army, he decided to give up without a fight. King Sobieski, defended once city of Lwów against the Tatars raiders under the command of Safa Girey using a trick: the Tatars were completely confused by the view of the literraly a forest of rised Hussar lances which they noticed on the hill occupied by the army of the Polish king. The long for 6m lances, already visible from afar, were part of a royal ruse intended to confuse the opponent. Before the fight started, king gave backup lances to the camp servants, who simulated an extra winged cavalry unit, while the other lances was simply stuck into the ground. In this way, the Tatars were confused and surprised because they knew that the king should have only a small hussar forces. Seeing a king much more powerful than they expected the Tatars departed in fear. City was saved. Once the Grand Vizier, telling the Sultan about the hussars, pointed to the walls of Istanbul and said with intentional exaggeration: "Those madmen on their winged steeds are ready to strike these walls with lances and I don't know if they would not move them." The hussars among themselves had a saying that if Heaven fell, they would support it with their lances. However, the fate of wars does not depend on even the best single military formations and not often the hussars only by themselves won battles...sometimes they even lost...War and battles are a complex issue - hussars created opportunities that should be exploited by the rest of the army. Sometimes it was wasted by the quality of the command as in the Battle of Warsaw in 1656.
@@alexboyko154 wow, with 2 another powerful states, Russians must be proud to fight 3 vs 1, what about 1920? :) Muscovites are cowardly and weak, winning only with German or Anglo-Saxon help.
@@alexboyko154 Nothing to celebrate. A successful conspiracy of three empires against an economically collapsed and politically ruined country, once powerful? A revenge of a coward.
Polish army in this clip is divided on 26 icons/units which means that each of them is about 120 soldiers. Russian-Swedish army is 23.000 soldiers is didvided on 38 icons/units so each is for about 605 soldiers. It means that 1 Russo/Swedish unit outnumber each Polish unit 5 to 1.
It does not really surprise me. Polish winged hussars were well trained, well equipped heavy cavalry. Going up against Russian trash, underequipped underpaid Russian peasants and conscripts. Only the Swedes put up a fight there. Russians were used as a meat shield. As always in history.
Most of Polish comanders of that time would tell you 5:1 is not an "outnumbering". Quality units and highly developed tactics - it was the core for that army. Pozdrawiam rodaka.
Najważniejsze w husarii było morale. Ich wiara we własne umiejętności, siłę oręża, wyszkolenie umiejętność pracy jako chorągiew najlepij oddaje motto: choćby i niebo runęło kopiami zatrzymamy! Poza tym tajemnicą były specjalne szybkie i ciężkie jednocześnie konie specjalnie trenowane piecio metrowe piki drążone wewnątr, by się nie wyginały w trakcie szarży a jednocześnie były lekke. Kopie piechoty były msx 3,5 metrowe i umiejętność zmiany kierunku szarży w galopie całych formacji tak, że strzemię nie odstępowało strzemienia było czyms kosmicznym. Zołnierze niemieccy i austraccy pod Wiedniem zatrzymali swój atak kiedy usłyszeli w zgielku bitwy szarżę Polskiej Husarii. Ponoć widok i ogłuszający tentent był jedym swego rodzaju widokiem. To była największa i ostatnia taka szarża. Uderzenie husarii był jak przedłużone piorun miażdżący wszystko na swojej drodze. Pod Kłuszunen niektórzy husarze atakowalipo kilkanaście razy za kazdym razem łamiac kolejne kopie aż sprzymierzone siły szwedzko-rosyjskie pękły. I zaczęła się rzeź. Co ciekawe straty husarii nigdy niebyły duże. Straty wroga to przeważnie miazga. Nawet broń palna i artyleria w owym czasie nie była stanie zatrzymać szarży która zaczynała się tak naprawdę od 300 -400 metrów od linni obrony. Wtedy z kłusy na sygnał przechodzono w najszybszy galop i rozpędzona jazda wbijała się w obronę jak gorący nóż w masło. Łamano kopie potem strzelano z bandoletów potem szable husarskie i buzdrygany szły w ruch. Husar miał wiele argumentew i każdym władał doskonale.
For some reason, the author forgot to add that the losses of the "Swedes" (although there were Germans, English, Swedes, Finns and many other nationalities in the mercenary camp) amounted to 1,000-1,500 dead. On the Russian side, losses amounted to 12,000-15,000 people. On the Polish-Lithuanian side there were 120 only.
From the history of Poland, I also recommend the Battle of Hodowem. In June 1694, there was an invasion of Polish lands by the Tatars, carried out in order to obtain gassy. Two cavalry groups were directed to repel them - the first from the Holy Trinity Trenches under the command of Konstanty Zahorowski and the second from the Lair of the Virgin Mary under the command of Mikołaj Tyszkowski. These were groups of 100 hussars and 300 armored men. The first clash took place in the fields near the village of Hodów, where the Polish cavalry attacked the Tatar vanguard, numbering about 500-600 horses. The Poles captured two mirzów. After this clash, the Poles, realizing that the main forces of the enemy were yet to come and that they had no chance against the overwhelming superiority of the Tatars, withdrew to the village of Hodów. There, the armored and hussars dismounted from their horses and used caravans, koblen, fences, tables, barrels and the like for defense. The attacks of the Tatars, on foot and with the help of firearms, were repulsed by about 300 armored and 100 hussars for five to six hours. When the ammunition ran out, the defenders fired Tatar arrows that were inserted into the barrels instead of bullets. According to various estimates, there were 25,000 to 70,000 Tatars, but King Jan III Sobieski gave 40,000 in an interview with Mikołaj Złotnicki, which would give a force ratio of 100: 1. Unable to defeat the defenders, the Tatars sent Lipków, i.e. Polish Tatars, demanding surrender. The Poles refused, so due to significant losses, the Tatars retreated to Kamieniec Podolski, which they occupied at that time. Thanks to the effective defense, the further Tatar invasion was stopped. Most of the defenders were wounded in the battle, and several dozen were killed, including a dozen flag comrades. Konstanty Zahorowski, the commander of one of the hussars, died of his wounds three days after the battle. Mikołaj Tyszkowski was taken captive by the Tatar and later bought from it.
Ale zdajesz sobie sprawę że obraz tej bitwy to propaganda dwory Sobieskiego i w rzeczywistości Polacy mogli walczyć z około 3000 Tatarów bo posyłanie całych 40000 na tak małą grupę to zwykła głupota?
@@idtkztzjwiiwibajau1110 Jeżeli weźmiemy pod uwagę definicje propagandy, czyli że to przedstawienie siebie w dobrym światle, to tak, zgadzam się. Zawsze każdy sobie przycukruje, coś doda czegoś ujmie, tym bardziej że od tej tej bitwy minęło ponad 300 lat, resztę zrobią historycy i ich interpretacje. Ale ujmowanie temu wydarzeniu wyjątkowości, i cech wielkiego czynu, wpisuje się w tzw. pedagogikę wstydu naszej polskiej historii, która była zabiegiem sowieckiej polityki historycznej prowadzonej na terenie Polski. Dziwne, bo Ty się w nią właśnie wpisujesz.... W PRL albo o Hodowie nie mówiło się wcale, albo że to bzdura, albo jak już nie dało się tej bitwy wymazać i wyśmiać, to mówiło się że to bzdura i z igły widły
There is a long story about this guy 'Dmitry,' but it was not something unique during this time. In Russia, we are still surprised how the hell the guy pulled everything through with his plan. There was even a second false Dmitry. During those times, with the proper funding and backup, it was probably possible to be a pretender. It is also interesting to see the Polish-Lithuanian-Moscowite commonwealth idea. I have never heard of it despite being a historical nerd. I also like that you mentioned his washed being fired. It's a common joke when we learn about this part of history. Whose idea was that... It was a truly disastrous time for Russia. But the time of opportunity for Poland. So, it's predictable Poland will exploit it. It is also not commonly mentioned that Swedish helped at some point. Though, knowing the period it was clear Swedish didn't want Polish increasing influence. Thank you!
About Polish-Lithuanian-Russian Union it discussed from 1572 to 1600, after Jagiellon dynasty die-out both in Poland and Lithuania. It was about free trade, tolerance of religion etd. Main aim was to use both countrys resources to destroy Crimea Khanate and free Christians in Balkans&Constaninopol from Ottomans in similar way how both Poland and Lithuania merged to destroy Teutonic Order 200 years before. But this plan failed couse of distrust and antagonism between Catholics and Orthodox
Yes, some of the boyars saw this as an opportunity to avoid paying taxes to the Tzar, so it didn't matter that they knew that this Dimitry wasn't real. It was politically viable, so they took that chance.
This war is of some interest in Swedish military history. On one hand we won some victories and took Moscow, which has been celebrated by many historians, but on the other hand, this battle was a terrible defeat. Jacob De la Gardie later became the military teacher of Gustav II Adolf, who would make the Swedish army into one of the most modern, effective and successful of its time only 20 years later. Great video! 👍🏻
To nie była straszliwą porażka Szwedów. Hetman Żółkiewski nie chciał atakować ich pozycji, wiedząc że to będzie trudne i kosztowne. Wydzielił niewielka część swoich sił, by jakoś absorbowały skrzydło szwedzkie. Wbrew temu co jest powiedziane w tym filmie, nie dokonywano frontalnych ataków, kawaleria manewrował, podjeżdżała pod szwedzkie pozycję strzelając z pistoletów, podchodziła piechota z muszkietami i strzelano z dział, chodziło o to żeby ich zająć, sprawa rozstrzygnęła się na skrzydle rosyjskim, po jego załamaniu wynik był przesądzony. Dalsze negocjacje że szwedzkim najemnikami nie miały już większego znaczenia.
@@pbart7474 He won at Mewe and achieved a tactical victory at Dirschau. I think Gustavus Adolphus and Koniecpolski were equals in the Polish-Swedish war, but the Gustav II Adolf of 1630-1632 was better.
Imagine being a frontline russian soldier with a sword standing still seeing the incoming charge of winged hussars. Should had been absolute terror for those soldiers.
@@romchik6952At Smolensk 1633-1634 these hussars forced the Russians to surrender and beg Władysław IV for mercy. Unless you mean the Siege of Smolensk of 1654, where the invading Russian army of 60,000+, was chasing a 10,000+ Grand Duchy detachment of Grand Hetman Janusz Radiwił , as the rest of the Polish-Lithuanian army was fighting the Cossacks...
@@aleksandersokal5279 It’s probably cool to brag about the exploits of people we are not. Oh my God... The Slavs really suck in terms of friendship among themselves...
@@neonpirych1566 What are you even talking about? Poles did defeat the Russians and it is certainly a point of national pride. Moreover, I agree Russians suck at not attacking neighbours, especially those they signed "an eternal peace" with.
By the way... Shuysky tribute to the Polish king Sigismund 3 Vasa was the act of homage of the deposed Mickail Shuysky of Russia and his retinue to the Polish King Sigismund III Vasa and teenage prince Władysław (the then-candidate to the Russian throne) on October 29, 1611, in the Senate Hall of the Royal Castle in Warsaw.
A prime example of the proper way to use cavalry, we here too many stories of commanders comtting their cavalry to slogs with infantry but here the polish show the same skill as the mongols in those devestating repeated charges.
Mongols fought in different way. They had light cavalery with bows. Husaria was heavy cavalery with lances. Mongols avoided clinch. Husaria hoped for one.
@@ukaszkowalski725 Yeah, they are distinctly different. But both shared the same idea with republican Romans: new assault by fresh wave after wave of troops in good organisation. To me it has always been weird we don't hear more people at least trying to imitate the multiple wave approach. I am sure it was not the best and superior all mighty all winning system, but you would think more people would try it. I guess its just too easy for 2 lines of troops to get stuck and mixed together as they try to give room to second line.
@@stormshadow5283 Then we have to know difrent history. During battle of Legnica, Mongols won, cuz they let havy Polish cavalery into their ranks, they pretended retreat, surrounded polish knights, and attacked them with bows. When Poles fought against Tatars - who fought in mongol style - husaria did not use lances, mostly guns, bows, and sabres, and sometimes they used to get out of horse, to fight like rajtary in trenches...
🚩 Thanks to Established Titles for sponsoring this video! Get 10% off on any purchase with code MARCHE10. Go to establishedtitles.com/MARCHE10 and help support the channel! Clicking that link helps us make these videos.
Make more videos on polish wars with its neighbours the Russians the Swedes and the ottomans
nah, that's a Scam site just stealing your money, it doesn't make you anything. we need to normalize youtubers not selling out to Scams
Bitwa pod Hodowem In June 1694, Muslim Tatar troops invaded Polish territory with the intention of plundering the countryside for loot and capturing prisoners for ransom. Polish troops sent to stop them consisted of seven hussar banners and armored ones from the fortress of Okopy Holy Trinity and the Lair of the Virgin Mary, about 400 men in total; [9] historian Mirosław Nagielski estimates 100 hussars and 300 tankmen. [10] Tatar numbers have been estimated at 25,000 to 70,000, of which 40,000 is the most cited number. [11] About 40,000 [12]
make more videos on second punic war
I get the feeling were eventually going to see more video's on this conflict. Am I right?
Fun fact: Russia and Poland are notable for being the only two countries which celebrate their independence days from each other
@@raigarmullerson4838 Ruskie more...
@@raigarmullerson4838 Russia more. Poland celebrates on 11 of November as a symbolic end of the IWW which brought country independence after 123 years. Russia has so huge complex of Poland that the quite new holiday was established by Stalinist Putin in 2004 to replace 7th of November official (but wrong) start of Bolshevik revolution. I am taking that as a complement on the Muscovite side.
In fact Russia havet celebrate that 1612 liberation until recent.
Putin estabilished this day as national holyday. Day of hatred nothing less.
Russion through the centuries made Polish occupation of Moscoq their justification of few cruel butcheries perpetrated on civilian Polish population.
Another difference is that Polish occupation was for 2 years. Russian (+Prussian and Aaustrian) occupation was almost 150 years long.
Another one, soviwt occupation after WW2 was for more than 40 years.
@Z80 From what I know England doesn't have an independents day. France never conquered England and never really held land in the British isles. And no, the Normans don't count as French.
England however was very close to concurring all of France, but was saved twice, first by Philip II (Augustus) and later by Joan of arc. France does commemorate Joan of arc. I don't know about Philip.
@@gregszy8575, Unity Day was originally a holiday commemorated in the Russian Empire and later revived by Putin's Russia (technically, Yeltsin revived commemorating Russian independence from Poland but it was Putin who moved it to November 4), so that's not exactly accurate.
The fact that the Polish cavalry attacked and withdrew numerous times in perfect order shows the high level of training and discipline
I'm Pole, just only for info.
That's true, the problem was they were extremly expensive, I do not remember numbers, but remember when I red in good history book cost of equippment of 1 Husar, I was in shock.
They like were like F35 of present days and Poland, due to many circumstances, was not able to "produce" enough number of them.
Pity.
Po to są konie , kto staje w miejscu i walczy na koniu ? Kawaleria ma uderzać i niszczyć ! Cofnąć się i uderzyć ponownie zmiatajac przeciwników .
You are masters of backstabbing and torturing prisoners. Here you have no equal.
In reality, horses were trained to stomp on enemies. The training lasted at least 2 years
@@tvr538 po rozbiciu formacji przeciwnika to się właśnie robi, stoi w miejscu i bije z góry
Greetings to the brave Poles who fought against a much larger army in fortified positions. Pozdrawiam z Turcie
Pozdrawiamy z Lechistanu. :)
Pozdrowienia dla dzielnych Turkow 👍
Türkiye'ye selamlar. cCc
Polonya'nın bölünmesini yalnızca Osmanlı İmparatorluğu tanımadı.
Hussars were not only deadly but were one of the most beautiful cavalry in the world. Wearing tiger, wild or bear skin with golden plates around vital organs. Horses were exceptionally strong and well trained. I hope that one day all Slavs could live in peace and in harmony.
We will We just need to get rid of politicians!
We will once Russia stops attacking us and stops to pretend they are the "best and strongest" when in reality they are the least developed Slavic country and places like Slovenia or Czechia or Poland have so much to show compared to Russia.
its funny to watch this. and WHERE WERE the 11 Russian cannons throughout the battle???
its funny to look at these inventions.
@@fyurerys ?
@@fyurerys Well i guess famous russian corruption already has been a thing back then, lol
3k vs 23.300 people don't understand how much Polish forces were outnumbered and still Stanisław Żółkiewski prevailed, attacking well defended position, he was true mastermind of Polish military at this time. Check out his life story and Karol Chodkiewicz life too, it's worth it. Karol defeated Swedish forces at Kircholm 3.6k vs 11k Swedish. Loses 200 vs up to 9k swedish. Those 2 were best comanders at that time presenting a Polish-Lithuanian art of war.
Żółkiewski being a mastermind is one thing, but Polish cavaliers being the best equipped and best trained in the region - is another thing. The same hussars army managed to prevent the Turkish expansion on Europe in the battle of Vienna, 1683. And the much larger Turkish army was back then much better motivated and trained than the Russian during their 'Troubles'.
So why was poland conquered by Russia if they had such military giniuses
@@malmalachy5331 so why did Russia conquer Poland than guess they were better trained
@@tonyjoka2346 Poland Wasn't conquered, it was partitioned. If we back then haved better political system that time Poland would never be partitioned.
I still don't understand how the difference in the number of troops is that much, but still able to win the battle. many cases like this, can someone explain it to me.
if this is a sword vs gun battle I can understand.
Poles very good soldiers served with them in Afganistan. Went to krakow last month absolutely amazing city and safe
Thank you so much!
All cool bro, but why would you emphasize that it’s safe? Like… when it was not safe? What is this, Zimbabwe or EU?
@@paulie_one_eye He's probably from the USA. Europe, and perhaps even more so Poland, are considerably safer than the USA. I like to think about America as the wild West.
@@paulie_one_eye probably to compare with domek other EU countries
@@paulie_one_eye because usa and uk are shift- holes with cartels and gangsters roaming streets so being in a safe city is something exotic to them
Battle of Klushino is an example of superiority of Polish cavalry in Europe at that time. Poles showed everyone that western style of fighting could be very ineffective when faced fast, well planned and relentless cavalry attacks. That's why Gustav II Adolf adopted "Polish" style of cavalry fighting with a big successes (also against Poles on the few occasions). PS. There was no moment in the battle when hussars were "demoralised". "Frustrated" more likely - they couldn't unfold a proper full scale charge because of the fence. Some banners attacked 8 - 10 times!! No way that "demoralised" soldiers would do something like that! Pissed off? Definitely, but not "demoralised".
More like disorginized(in a minor not major way) and winded they needed to get orginized and ready to attack again.
@@RedRocket4000 repeated charges were normal tactic by winged hussars and in an ideal situation they would grab a new lances from the camp and attack again and again and again, no cavalry could do anything like that
@@RedRocket4000 Eh NO, it shows their superior organization and maneuver capabilities, which is a fact echoed by many then contemporary observers. And after they’ve charged and didn’t achieve a breakthrough then they needed to return back to their supply wagons and resupply with new lances which break after impaling enemies during a charge.
Poles were fighting in the 'western" style. Simply the "western" style of several centuries past. It worked very well until they suffered casualties that they couldn't replenish.
@@Oppetsismiimsitsitc In medieval days that was true, although it later developed into an original style of tactic called "the old Polish arrangement" but that is a different subject. Polish style it was always a hybrid of original style with Western elements. My comment was about classic Western style arranged by Maurice of Nassau which was replaced within less than 50 years by King Bathory of Poland and Jan Zamoyski (cavarly) and Gustav Adolf (infantry and artillery). Which losses you are taking about? In the 16th century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth haven't lost too many battles. The biggest disaster during old style of fighting being battle of Cosmin Forest 1497, but this had no impact on the fighting style till Bathory reforms from which a classic form of winged hussars emerged. Which battles you have in mind?
It's mindblowing how many brilliant tacticians Poland had in XVI and XVII century.
And how little they are known in the history of the world, apart from Sobieski.
Ever heard of Suvorov Russian general? He is the reason why Poland suffered 2 partitions out of 3.
@@OCTAVIANVS_AVGVSTVS_CAESAR Suvorov? He was a good commander, a slighty primitive man but not a politician. The partitions of Poland were carried out by the Germans. After all, it was Germans that ruled Russia then. Who was Catherine II if not a Prussian princess? The initiative came fromPrussia, an artificial state and a former vassal of the Polish Kingdom until the second half of the 17th century. Polish kingdom literally nourished a viper snake in its bosom. A Prussian viper that poisoned and killed the polish crowned Republic.
And Prussia was supported discreetly by the City of London. Interestingly, earlier in the 18th century, the Habsburg empire had almost been partitioned, it was so weak, and it was the Austrian chancellor Kaunitz who, in order to distract Prussia, proposed the partitions of Poland instead of Austria.
The Russians themselves were the last to wish for complete partitions of the Republic of Poland. One needs to study the subject to begin to see these matters more deeply.
@@cetus4449 Russia won majority of battles and annexed greatest part of Poland during paritions. Austria and Prussia got their parts just to ensure they wont join Poland.
Catheriea was of Prussian origin but also waged war against Prussia? Suvorov being primitve man who beat Poland so hard that Warsaw became part of Russia for 2 centuries.
@@OCTAVIANVS_AVGVSTVS_CAESAR Sry but u confused Empress Elizabeth with that whore Catherine II?
Let me clarify: Suvorov was perceived as primitive in the sense of "crude". This was how he was judged even at the tsarina's court. He presented mentality of a soldier who was interested only in the war and was submissive to the tsarina like a faithful dog.
Let's compare your Suworow with the protagonist of the video material: Grand Crown Hetman Żółkiewski - a highly educated magnate, writer, caring for his estate and subjects. A loving husband and father of family. He is not only an competent commander, but also a skilled politician. Although loyal to the throne, did not hesitate to criticize the policies of his monarch.
It was Żólkiewski who stabilized the situation in Moscow, effectively ending the Great Sorrow. The Muscovy peasants themselves supplied his army because he maintained high discipline and ordered his soldiers to pay for food and punished looting. He chased the impostor away and disciplined numerous Polish adventurers harrasing Moscow from the Steppes to the White Sea. And above it all he was a supporter of the Trinity Union idea, i.e. the joining of the Grand Duchy of Moscow to the PLC union - and granting of rights and privileges to Moscow boyars to end of despotic rule. He had the support of "Семибоярщину" and as long as he was present in Moscow he stabilized the situation..
- Hey, we are outnumbered 1 to 10, why don't we attack?
- Brilliant idea, le'ts go!
ahaha lie more
@@КириллПерваков-м4э hahaha
Lie!? Its more than 1 to 10! We attack! And funny fact. We get Smoleńsk from Russia many times. Once even from Moscow side and commander said "From this side we never conquered this city". Its said many thing how Russians lost to us.
@@КириллПерваков-м4э Cope more.
We are stronger, we have 2k hussars :) There is famous quote from Jan Karol Chodkiewicz - when they say to him about countless enemies, he said "we count them after battle/we will count them with a saber. And i think it is beautiful.
Just a small note, the maps of Eastern Europe in the video are of modern day because you can see the massive reservoirs on the Dniepr (see north of Kiev), Don and Volga. These were created by (mostly) 20th century dam constructions. If it was a 17th century map, the rivers would be much more thin line.
It's a small detail, but just thought you might want to know.
Same thing close to Danzig
Gothenburg was not built yet in 1610 and Helsingfors/Helsinki is named Stockholm
@@KacperRybicki-v7t its gdańsk not Danzig
Yes, this small detail is still important.🤗💯👍
yea it is small, so st fu
Excellent video again, HistoryMarche. As always. Great topic. Putting it in my playlist to watch again. Cheers.
Awesome, thank you!
Yes, but Polish one is from 1918. So 300 yr. later.
Żółkiewski had ,,only" 2000 Winged Hussars....That's an understatement of the century.
In Poland we have to be cerful with bringing about an old story of our Empire now. The Anglo Sax , America ,Gremany for WWII ,Russia or France and particuraly Jewish have wast intrest use Poland now into making as fight not our battle.
First 70 years history after WWII is twisted and distorted around the world about Polish forgoten been victim of the WWII genacide for first us and secondly Jewish occupay by Gremany (NAZI) here in Poland.
The WWII started in Poland by Nazi Germany agains Polish not Jewish we wear the target not Jewish the war was in Poland with us resisting partition from WWI all ready.
Smolensk 10 April 2010 air plane crash killed the whole Polish establishment president and 96 high ranking most important officials killed not accident but order from Putin set by petrader German and Russian papet Donald Tusk he recive order "Charles Charlemagne The Emperor of The Holy Roman Empire". Few weeks after and later position in EU deputy. We keep in mind to change the curse of the future by been aware and create a new stranghthenet aliance lead the filed without those parasites.
well russian had 30k men, so only is applicable
Żółkiewski hetman miał 12000 tys jazdy
@@marcinde1757 co ty powiesz? a smoki tez mial?
Stanisław Żółkiewski was beheaded by Ottoman soldiers at the Battle of Çuçoro in 1620.
Before the battle Stanisław Zółkiewski didnt have much time to give speech to his soldiers. He realised that Polish army is heavily outnumbered and also tired. To encourage soldiers Żółkiewski was riding from one regiment to another and saying just one sentence in latin language: "Necessitas in loco, spes in virtute, salus in victoria" what in english means: necessity (to fight) in place, hope in courage, salvation in victory
what virtue though?
@@KronStaro Maybe I got it wrong into english. I think he meant "Courage"
@@rafalx1717 yes seems like it translates to "courage" from Latin. The reason why asked though is because there was no virtue in a war of conquest.
@@KronStaro what do you mean, there is always much virtue conquering russia
Stanisław Żółkiewski was beheaded by Ottoman soldiers at the Battle of Çuçoro in 1620.
23,000 vs 3500; the disparity is almost comical considering the Poles were attacking a fortified position. Tenacity, experience and motivation made up the difference.
Polish cavalrymen were mainly nobility with military rigor, money, good horses and service. On the other side was an undisciplined mob. Most of the wars of the 17th century were won by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, taking advantage of the weaknesses of the Turks, Cossacks, Muscovites, Tatars, Swedes and Brandenburg. What plunged Poland and Lithuania was the desire to convert everyone around to Catholicism.
@@pije_whiskey What plunged Poland-Lithuania was the oversized and extremely selfish szlachta.
@@pije_whiskey Yeah, no need to convert anyone ever, on my part. Still, those were some odd numbers if you're fighting a battle; how are you going to throw your few men against a wall of humanity like that? Nuts.
@@pije_whiskey acording to my knowledge Poland was tolerant of other religions - 28.01.1573 konfederation of varsowie. Due to this befor ww2 we had bigest jews communites im europ. Just they prefered the higher ups to be catholic. If you look for downfall it is clearly the magnats wich become to powerful. There is a saing "aristocrat on farm equal to voivode" and they rly created kingdoms in kingdom. There is a movie "potop" - flood, very long and preaty old. But its got arguably best - most realistic sword fight scen in all of movies.
@@pije_whiskey Not exactly, Russians were trained heavily in Western style of fighting. For example they were broken while preforming karakole which was classic western manoeuvre. To be honest Poles from time to time also were preforming karakole, but Polish karakole were preformed differently. It was deadly and quite insane enterprise. 🙂
We need more Eastern European history
First of all Poland is located in the CENTRAL Europe not Eastern.
Now there you go something more Russia always has allied to beat Poland because they have never succed doing that alone. Partitions of Poland were partioned by Russia,Prussia and Austra so that was 3 VS 1. Russo-Polish War (1919-1920) POLISH VICTORY even after partition of Poland in the best when new Polish army was reborn and still kicked ass of the commies. Not to mention russians had over 2 million more soldiers than Polish and were better advanced. When WW2 started Russia and Germany had a Pact called Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact between those two countries about no agression just to take over Poland together.
@@hussar1512 Poland is Eastern Europe. Cope
@@zakariamattu8613 Mightve been more eastern a few hundred years ago... nowadays it is central, just look at the map bro
@@fuzekle No one cares about "central" Europe bullshit. Your inferiority complex is showing.
@@zakariamattu8613 Nah, you are simply delusional.
Wow, I had no idea Poland was once such a power
Because of our arogance and greedy nobility we lost with russia in the end
@@urano_0241 There were more factors. The most important was the "Swedish Deluge", which destroyed the First Republic more than the Second World War. Another reason was the backward economy, which did not take part in the agricultural revolution and thus the country stopped earning money from its main export commodity - grain.
@@urano_0241 with Muscovy*
the Union of Poland and Lithuania was unique not because it was the largest in Europe and poured skin on its neighbors - but because it was a country of free people. Poles, Lithuanians, Czechs, Ruthenians, Tatars, Germans, Cossacs, Catholics and Protestants, Orthodox and Jews, Armenians and Greek Catholics, Uniates and Arians, Muslims lived side by side freely and without harassment. They had the same rights, and the Jews even had exceptional rights - hence so many of them settled here. He was a king, but he could not kill anyone without the approval of the nobility. He ruled together with his subjects. And they wanted to join the Commonwealth, not MUST, as it was in the neighboring countries.
We are on the way up again
Napoleon: He attacked Russia in June with his mighty army which froze in the winter
Hitler: He attacked Russia in June with his powerful army that suffered its first defeat in the winter.
Poland: We attack in October with several thousand soldiers and we win xD
Most of the territories before the unification were Lithuanian. Before the unification Lithuania was a lot larger than Poland.
The aftermath of Poland's vicory - disappeared twice from the map of Europe.
Maybe they would have had been better off attacking in June and then, after the commonly occuring defeat, maybe had the chance to keep their country more or less independent? 😆
@@stanislav7920 I wonder if there were enough smart people to think about it at the time...
Conquering a troubled land with traitors helping the invadors is not to be neglected...
@Alexandre Mendes well every single empire who deatroyed Poland are not on map anymore );
I would love too see more Polish content on this channel, they truly have a unique history
@hafta fakeit the duty of the Polish people
*to
Removing comments doesn't change the truth. Poles are always first to fight and first ones to be discarded later on, like they are nothing.
Did you hear about the Polish rocket, it went to the sun at night
@@johnkeane6086 i just guess this is supposed to be a joke that reflects your realy sad humour , just by that I can tell you are lonely.
DUDE! WHAT A VICTORY FOR THE POLISH HUSSARS! I am really impressed with their cavalary tatics and cohesion. I see battles videos a lot, and it's not everyday that you see such military prowess
Ancient days poland and bulgaria were tough. Then they declined.
The Polish winged hussars were one of the most effective military forces in the world history. The Hussars were undefeated over a period of over 100 years and are therefore the most effective cavalry in world history. Usually, a Hussars attack caused complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Hussar charge. These were the elite of the Polish army being a unique, highly trained, extremely disciplined, manoeuvrable, hard-hitting, heavy cavalry. The ultimate shock cavalry. The hussars were individually well skilled in horsemanship and the use of their arms through a lifetime of practice and a major part of their training was to combine these individuals into a single unit.
But even more important than these factors I have listed was the special kopia lance of the Polish hussars. The main offensive weapon was a over 5-6 m long hollow composite lance, much longer than the old knights lances as well as being much lighter due to their hollow construction. This extraordinary length was achieved by boring out the core of the lance from the point up to the handle so the hollow construction allowed the extreme length. At the attack, the lances are held in the position of "halfway up the horse's ear. The much longer reach was especially useful against pikemen with always a lot shorter pikes. The Hussars were the only cavalry who successfully attacked Pike Formations head-on! Of course they would rather flank them. Useful was also the gałka a wooden ball at the gravity point protecting the hand and helped balance the lance. An approx. 2.5 silk pennon was attached to the kopia below the point. Besides being beautiful decoration, these had several functions. They served as a distinctive sign. By the sound they made like wings they could also panic their opponents' horses, if they were not used to the dramatic sight and sounds.
The same goes for some opposing soldiers. The lance point was of course from steel. The point was supported with additional metal reinforcing straps running down the shaft, which also helped protect the wood below the point from a saber cut. The production of this lances was state secret that was never broken! The Hussars actually had 2 types of lances at their disposal. The one just described extra length Kopia and the 3-3,5 m long not hollow demi-lance kopijka that was used against light cavalry especially of Cossacks, Tatars and Turks. For long marches, the lances were transported in wagons but during in combat formation, the base of the lance was place in a metal cup attached by leather straps to the saddle. Polish hussars trained also by targeting with their lances, at full gallop small rings. Through this kind of training the lance attacks of the hussars were amazingly precise. So the hussars were able to hit specific unprotected body parts of the enemy or to kill the horses of the cavalry. As a rule, extra length Kopia broke on impact so it was a one-use weapon that broke in the attack. For this reason, and because it was a very expensive weapon, it was the only weapon furnished by the military authorities. Not infrequently two enemies of a very dense combat formation were pierced on impact, sometimes even three or more. A Hussar once killed six musketeers in one thrust in battle of Klushino. Mostly, panic arose after the impact and the remaining fleeing enemies were cut down with close combat weapon.
The unique part of the hussars was also their battle field tactics which gave the Polish army a powerful striking force, superior to all other European cavalry for over two century. The hussar's armor was relatively light in comparison to the heavy cavalry of the West and this allowed them to charge as the horses maximum speed, while Western heavy cavalry depended more on the actual weight of their troops rather than speed. This also allowed the hussars to move form standing to charge speed relatively quickly. In addition to the long lance was this quick change of speed and or direction and their ease of movement that led to much of their success. The charge started at a slow pace and in a relatively loose formation. to minimize losses by firearms. It was not until the last few meters that the riders joined together to form a line, practically knee to knee, and hit the enemy like a wall with lances! The ultimate shock cavalry! More specifically, the attack looked like this! Riders slowly passed the first 50-60 meters. Lances were lifted up. During next 150 meters Hussars increased their speed to trot. 150 meters in front of the opponent, the lances were lowered to combat position and the trot went into a gallop. At 50-60 m before the enemy line, the horses were running gallop (the maximum speed was 60 km/h). With a loud cry. The Winged Hussars hammered into the ranks of the enemy. The sough of the wings, the thunder of the horses' hooves, and the roar of the hussars produced a frightening thunder. The enemy was hit by a spiked thunderous wall. It was possible to repeat the charge several times until the enemy formation broke (they had supply wagons with spare lances). But the attack caused often complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Polish Hussar charge. For this reason, some armies did not even try to confront them face to face. Instead of risking an immediate defeat, certain opponents have become entrenched. The Poles then usually besieged them. By the way, the hussars have always modified their combat tactics based on the opponent with which they were to measure up to. For example, when fighting the Tatars, they often left their lances behind and were more likely to use firearms - Tatars were a fast-paced, but poorly armored cavalry, so the Hussars were prone to fire pistols. On the other hand, when the Hussars fought with the Swedish army (which comprised mostly of infantry), the lances were their primary weapon.
Wings: The hussars are of course famous for their legendary wings, though these were not always worn. They consisted of wooden or steel bars with feathers, which protruded above the rider's head. Originally they were attached to the saddle and then to the armor. Eagle feathers, ostrich feathers or colored goose feathers were used. Various proposals have been put forward for the reasons for their use. Such as! The Wings made a rushing sound together with the pennon in the charge. It was a thundering wall with long spikes that hit the enemy. The absolute shock! More shock cavalry is not possible.The wings should prevent Tatar lasso attacks and to defend the backs against saber attacks. Combined with the wild animal skins and lance pennons, their effect was also psychological. By increasing the size and magnificence of the horse and rider they made them look more fearsome and troubled the enemy's horses.. In addition, the enemy units recognized from far the wings, therefore they knew that there are these really tough opponents who will fight hard! So even before the battle, the enemy was afraid by recognizing the hussars.
Here are some of the Hussars' victories, in most of this battles they were clearly outnumbered! Hundreds of of battles in the entire Polish history were epic and out of those, at least dozens were absolutely unique, especially the battles of the Hussars! All these battles of polish Hussars were victorious! The polish Hussars were undefeated for over 100 years! The attacks by the hussars in all these battles were mostly decisive for the Polish victories in these battles. All the numbers are historically verified! No exaggeration here! 1577 Battle of Lubieszów: Polish empire 1,450 cavalry (1135 hussars) and the transylvanian vassal 1,050 infantry vs. Gdansk 12,000. The hussars attacked flank, with this, the entire Gdansk army broke and fled, and the hussars kept up the chase right to the Gdansk city gates. Losses: Gdansk 4400 dead and 5,000 taken prisoner, Poland and the vassal 100 wounded, 88 deaths.
1581 Battle of Mogilev (battle and siege): Less than 1,000 Poles (including 200 hussars, ca. 150 medium cavalry and ca. 150 cossack light- as well as armed civilians of the city of Mogilev) - defeated 30,000 Russians and Tatars. Polish fcasualties were minimal. Defenders of the city lost only 2 wounded people, nobody out of 200 hussars was killed (even though many were wounded)
1588 The Battle of Byczyna: 6,000 Poles vs. 6,500 Austrian! A Polish hussar counterattack on the left flank mauled Austrian cavalry and forced his army to start giving ground. The bloody retreat quickly turned into a general wild escape. The entire battle lasted approximately one to two hours. The Poles took control of Austrian artillery and turned the guns on the town. Before the Polish forces began their assault, Maximilian surrendered and was taken prisoner. Casualties: Poland 1,000 Austria 2,000
1600 Battle of Curtea de Argeș: Polish army of 1450, including 950 Hussars, defeated more than 7,000 Wallachians. Since the Hussars bore the brunt of the battle, one can find out that they have defeated 7 times the number!
1601 Battle of Wenden: The battle is significant as the first encounter between Swedish riders and Polish hussars. 700 Poles (including 350 Polish hussars) vs. more than 3,000 Swedish. Wiki quote: "The Swedish riders attempting to use Caracole tactics were faced with the charge of the hussars, commonly used on battlefields by the Polish armies. The fight did not last long, and the Swedish cavalry run away. When the retreating Swedish cavalry rode through the frozen river Gauja ice broke under the weight of the horses, causing further losses to the Swedish forces." Losses: Poland 10 dead 60 wounded , Sweden 1,900 dead and wounded, 100 captured.
1601 Battle of Kokenhausen: Polish empire 300 infantry and 2,700 cavalry vs. Sweden 900 infantry 4,000 cavalry! Polish cavalry first broke the Swedish left flank. The Swedish counterattack on the right flank, which while initially successful, was in turn broken by the Polish hussar counterattack. Poland 200 losses and Sweden 2,000-3,000 losses.
1604 Battle of Weissenstein: Polish empire 2300 vs. Sweden 5000! The Swedish army was pushed to the swamp by the Hussars. Losses: Sweden 3000 killed and wounded Poland: 50 killed, 100 wounded
1604 Battle of Novgorod-Seversky: Polish empire 15,000 vs. Russia 40,000 and 1500 in garrison of Novhorod-Siverskyi. The hussars decide the battle by smashing the right wing of the Russian army and by throwing the center into chaos.
1605 Battle of Kircholm: Polish empire and the vassal Duchy of Courland 3,440 (1,750 hussars, 200 riders, 450 light Cossacks and Tatars, 1,040 Haiduk-style infantry) vs. Sweden supported by Scottish, Dutch and German, mercenaries. 8,358 pike and shot formations, 2,500 riders and 11 cannons so a total of 10,868! The Hussars launched a devastating charge against the enemy which ended the battle in the decisive victory of the Polish forces. The battle was decided in all of 20 minutes! Losses: Poland 100 killed and 200 wounded, Sweden 7,600-8,000 killed and captured!
1610 Battle of Klushino: The enemies outnumbered the Polish army 5 to 1. The crushing victory of Polish army 6,800 including about 5,600 Hussars against 35,000 Russian and Swedish troops. The size of the enemy made that the hussar have to charge even 10 times. The battle opened the way for Poles to Moscow, where Polish prince Władysław became the tsar. Losses: Poland 400 , Russia 5,000.
1621 Battle of Khotyn: Polish empire 25,000 and 20,000 Cossaks vs. 120,000-160,000 Ottoman troops. Around 10,000 Ottomans moved to attack, but then three squadrons of hussars counterattacked with 650 men. The Sipahi could not withstand the charge and they retreated chaotically. The Polish charge inflicted heavy casualties and had a huge impact on the morale of the Ottoman army. Losses: Ottomans ca. 40,000, Poland ca. 14,000
1624 Battle of Martynów: 5,000 Poles and Cossacks (600 hussars) vs. 15,000 Crimean Tatars! The counterattack of only 600 hussars in connection with a Polish faked withdrawal was crucial to the battle. Polish forces pursued the fleeing Tatars to capture or kill them.
1629 Battle of Trzciana: Polish empire 1,300 hussars and 1,200 light cavalry and 2,000 Habsburg riders vs. Sweden 5,500 cavalry and 1,300 infantry. The enemy was rout by a decisive, devastating attack by the hussars. Poland and Habsburg 300 losses and Sweden 600 killed and 200 captured!
1651 Battle of Berestechko: For the Polish empire a total of 80,000 men army fought. Which consisted of 30,000 Pospolite ruszenie militias, a large number of loyal to Poland Cossacks Hungarian, Tatar and from the German lands mercenaries, Polish heavy Pancerni cavalry and Winged Hussars vs. 100,000 Cossacks 50,000 Crimean Tatars and several thousands Turks, and Vlachs so in total 200,000. So a Polish 80,000 army against a 200,000 Ottoman army. On first day of the battle Polish cavalry pancerni and Hussars repulsed the Tatars, who suffered heavy losses. This victory spurred the rest of the Polish troops on! The Poles scoffed the Poles were victorious "since their army sustained that first attack cheerfully and in high spirits". The battle was then decided in favor of the Poles due to the overwhelming firepower of the artillery and infantry! Losses: Poland 700, Crimean Tatars and Cossacks 40,000 to 80,000!
1660 Battle of Kutyszcze: 140 Polish Hussars vs. 3,500 Russians and Cossacks! Two incomplete Hussar banners of the Polish forces operating in the east of the empire, caught up the retreating Russian-Cossacks army. 140 Polish horsemen devastated 3,500 Russian cavalry and Cossack infantry, gaining an enemy stock. In this encounter Hussars did not suffer any losses. The power relation was thus: 25:1!
1660 Battle of Polonka: 13,000 on the Polish side vs, 9,000 Russians! The Polish hussars and pancerni cavalry made the crucial attacks. On the Polish side were 300 killed and on the Russian side were 4,200 killed.
1672 Battle of Komarno: 2,500 Poles (1,500 hussars) vs. a marauding horde of 10,000 Tatars. The slaughter of the invaders continued until nighttime, and only 1,500 Tatars managed to cross the Dniester, and return to their homeland. Polish forces also freed some 20,000 civilians, captured by the hordes. The Polish losses were low!
1672 Battle of Kałusz: 1,500 Polish Hussars against 8,000 Ottomans, Cossacks and Tatars. Losses: The Hussars had only a few wounded, the enemies of the Poles had 6000 fallen!
1673 Battle of Khotyn: Polish empire 29,000-30,000 and 65 cannons vs. Ottomans, 35,000. The 1670 hussars have won an important victory against the Ottoman Sipahi cavalry! Poland: 2,000 killed and wounded, Ottomans 20,000 killed and wounded
1675 Battle of Lwów: Polish empire 6,000 vs. Ottomans 20,000! According to Wikipedia, the Hussars pursuit of the Ottoman cavalry lasted until the dusk.
1694 Battle of Hodów: Polish victory because the enemy was repulsed! Known also as one of Polish Thermopylae. 300 Polish Pancerni heavy cavalry and 100 Polish hussars charged in first encounter the 700-strong Tatar vanguard and made them withdraw. Due to overwhelming enemy numbers Polish forces retreated to Hodów village and fortified the position with everything they found. The impact lasted 6 hours. When the Poles ran out of ammunition, they fired at their enemies by putting arrows into pistols. Unable to defeat the Poles, the Tatars sent Polish-speaking Lipka Tatars who defected to the enemy to convince the Polish troops to surrender. The Polish commander replied "Come and get us if you can". Thereupon the Tatars withdrew and gave up on the entire raid. This example reflects the knightly spirit of the Polish hussars but also of the Pancerni. Honor, bravery, and sacrafice for the homeland were valued the most amongst by them. So 100 hussars and 300 Pancerni successfully repelled the attack of about 40,000 Crimean Tatars and forced the enemy to retreat. Incredible that 400 against 40,000 have prevailed but really true! What is the difference betwen 300 Spartans of the Thermopylae and 400 Hussars and Pancerni of Hodów? Hussars won their fight.
1683 Battle of Vienna: The most famous battle of the hussars! Hussars’s charge of Polish king Jan III Sobieski broke the siege of Vienna and forced the Ottoman army to retreat.
@@GreatPolishWingedHussars very impressive!
@@marceloseixas895 Thanks!
There were some armies in Europe, signing a contract with kings and generals, stating that they will fight on call... Except fighting against Hussars!
I really love how this channel gives me insights on events Ihad never even heard before, and even though those battles do not "concern" my country of origin, I watch those videos with an immense interest, and don't want to lose one bit of it. Super interesting.
very adavance for you
With the Internet we have TikTok, Instagram and other things that fuel narcists and allows other degeneracy to thrive. We also have things that standard TV would not expose you to.
Wow. I had absolutely no idea that Poland had occupied Moscow for two years! Here's to hoping you guys cover that time period of occupation as well!
Ukrainians (Rusins) almost burned down Moscow in 1618, lol.
Polish invasion force ended by cannibalism at the end. Nice end of wannabe invaders
@@bodyguardik So when Day of Moscow’s Liberation from Polish Invaders?
Oh yes 4 November 🤣
Polska i Rosja to 1000 lat wojen.
@@tvr538 Mozna viacero.
so Poland was in Moscow itself, i never knew that, thank you
that were only 2 foreighns armies in Moscow, Mongols and Polish.
Mongols presently are not in the game ..... we (Polish) are in the game.
@@captainbaboo7677 You forgot Napoleon.
@@bycmoze999
You are wright, I forgot Napoleon, maybe couse he was for very short time.
And he was with polish solgiers as well, so we were there 2 times.
@@captainbaboo7677 French were there too.
Yes.Then was Pozarsky uprising and surrounded on Kremlin Polish soldiers .died from starvation.But it is another story
Poland never lost a war with Russia, only when it was attacked by three countries at the same time, such as during the partitions of Poland in 1795, Russia, Prussia and Austria, then during World War II, Germany and Russia. No country in the world would stand a chance against two or three powerful invaders. The facts are that Stalin took revenge for the lost Polish-Russian war of 1919-1921, in which he himself took part on the southern front where the huge, invincible Russia was stopped and completely destroyed, giving Poland most of the lands seized from the partitions of today's Ukraine and Belarus, and it was similar during 1610-1612 where Poland completely destroyed Russia and the son of Władysław Vasa sat on the Russian throne and all of Russia was under Polish rule. There is no country in the world that has won practically all possible wars against Russia so many times, I do not count the partitions by three superpowers and the Second World War by the two largest powers in the world. These are the facts. Russia has broken its teeth on Poland and more than once! Peace to all countries in the world.
Why don't the Poles rule Russia today, although they put their prince here in Moscow?
Why was Sigismund Vasa, at the same time the best king of Poland and at the same time the stupidest, unable to tolerate Orthodoxy, because then Poland would not have been erased from the world map for several centuries.
Maybe if Poland initially left Russia and Orthodox Christians in its territory alone, Poland wouldn't have been partitioned.
There's just one thing. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth has also never defeated Russia 1 on 1. And before the uprising in the Polish kingdom, Russia was 1 on 1 against Poland, Russia won 2 times. And Stalin did not take revenge, but returned the occupied territories, because the recognized border of Poland was the Curzon line.
@@IvanScriptsEverything liberum veto in 1652 and War with Sweeden 1655-1660 destroyed Poland
@@neonpirych1566 because we had Ottomans, Sweden and Germany (Prussia) as our neighbours. All of them were often agressive so we had no quiet time. If we had, Poland would probably take over Russia, or at least its European part. There would be no WW1, WW2, no ColdW. Poland and USA would probably become allies anyway. Finally the world would be much safer place.
With understanding that Lithuania didn't play a huge role in this battle, I still, as a lithuanian, feel a bit butthurt that it got almost completely excluded from this video, especially regarding how powerful was Grand Duchy of Lithuania in those days. Still happy that Poland can add one more to the asses that they've kicked. There's definitely not enough content about Polish and Baltic achievements on youtube. Keep on keeping on Poland!
It was the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that won, not the Crown, not the Grand Duchy. They both did, together!
How did historic Lithuania lose so much size? It's kinda sad how small it is now compared to 15th century
@@julianhermanez1694 the same can be said about Bulgaria, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Austria, Hungary, Portugal, Belgium, etc.
I hope they one day cover the Battle of Blue Waters, that's a pretty shinning moment that hardly ever gets mentioned and that's an 100% Lithuanian victory.
On the other hand, Kirholm was a "pure Lithuanian" victory. Remember brother that whole "dymitriady" was a joint operation of Polish and Lithuanian magnates
Fun fact: over 300 years later in the same Klushino, a certain boy named Yuri was born.
Yuri Gagarin. You may have heard of him.
324 years later ;)
Tak był potomkiem Polaków.
@@pioter6566
haha, bardzo możliwe, owszem.
I'm from Eritrea but I love European history, especially the wars. may both Russia and Poland prosper.
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was powerfull union, lasted few hundred years. Won many battles (check out also Battle of Kircholm (1605) and Battle of Khotyn (1621)). Most of the time enemy outnumber them. Polish hussars take what was best from western europe and eastern europe - good horses, best quality armors. Basically, mobile Phalanx.
@@Everthus4 Never thought of them that way. Mobile heavy armored phalanx basically sounds like a proto-tank.
@@Johnny3Batony it was necessary. They needed mobile units, that can move great distance, and kill every enemy (including pikes like under Kircholm). But hussars were extremely expansive, best equipment, horses, and there was only few of them. Biggest battle with hussars was Battle of Vienna 1683, and Sobieski had only ~3k of them.
The attack of the Hussars was reminiscent of the attack of German tanks during the Blitzkrieg of the last war, settling the battles to their own advantage
Really well narrated and interesting documentary.
Wow I’m amazed Poland won while so outnumbered hussars must have been amazing
That's not the first nor the last time we achived this
@@Spacey_key It is not 'we' more like, 'our ancestors'!
@@CptNero don't give a fuck
Its polish version. In reality they end by cannibalistic feast on each over to under siedge by simple rebellians made of common citizens of Russia
@@bodyguardik Wow, don't know your fantasy book but I want to read it.
From where could I buy it?
I’ve been waiting for someone to cover this battle and I’m so happy it’s yall! One of the most famous battles in Polish history
Yeah, famous by cannibalistic end of story
It's a conquest battle deep in foreign land. I wouldn't be so proud of it
Stanisław Żółkiewski was beheaded by Ottoman soldiers at the Battle of Çuçoro in 1620.
my wiemy....
Fun fact - Tsar Ivan the Terrible was called by Poles as Ivan the Cowardous - for a lots of reasons. During war beetwen Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russia, Commonwealth citizens often comments situation like below:
“Even a hen defends its pen better when it is attacked by a falcon. The Tsar himself will hide behind the two-headed Moscow eagle "
Polish King, Stefan Batory, challenged Ivan to a duel:
“Take your arms Ivan, and mount on your horse. Let's set a place and time for the meeting. Show courage and faith in the rightness of your cause. Let's cross our swords. In this way, much Christian blood will be spared. If you deny me this satisfaction, you will reaffirm your condemnation and prove that deep in your soul there is no truth, no sense of royal dignity, how do you maintain male or even female dignity. "
Ivan the Cowardous refused, ofcourse. Russia lost the war in 1582.
Coward also fled to Novgorod when Tatars neared Moscow in 1571. They sacked Moscow unimpeded few years prior.
I have heard that Ivan the Terrible's mother was actually a Polish Noblewoman and he used that as a pretext to run in the Polish King election??
@@tomskonieczka2385 yep.
@@greyralph1637 and yet under his rule Russian territory was massively expanded to the south and East
@@DAS63 and the U.S. felt Iraq like I feel a speedbump in 2003. Sibir and Kazan were ripe targets because of the wide power disparity between Muskovy and the relative backwaters.
I love Poland. Our countries must live in peace
❤🤝
Yes they do
If poland wants to be strong russia must kneel
Orc subhuman.
Our peoples will always choose fun and brotherhood friendship. Politicians do otherwise.
These Video's and Commentary and Channel are so awesome Thank you for bringing us history, on another level. Best channel on TH-cam by far in my opinion! ty guys
As a Russian I really respect the poles and their history and this battle poles should be really proud of.
Greetings to my Slav brothers
Traitorous scam.
@@toomaskotkas4467 Why tho?
@@Hello-xh3rx *though
Because poles hate Russia and Russians. Always have, always will be.
Yes sad that we were always rivals and the enemy in our history
@@toomaskotkas4467 I love my country Russia and I will always love but that doesn’t mean I need to hate other countries cause of political situation and yea i know that some poles are really russophobic but there are good people amongst them
Being a Ukrainian I am proud our Cossacks contributed to the success of the forces of Rzeczpospolita! Winged hussars is just a total admiration!…just needed more lances in that given battle. I adore Polish language and culture, I have eternal gratitude for what our Polish brothers and sisters do for us in these critical times. Lithuanian support and spirit is just awesome too! Personally I would love these three great nations to stand always together and united against any threats coming from any side of the world. There were tragical pages in our mutual history, but when we were united - it was always a glorious and victorious time! Glory to Poland, Lithuania and my native Ukraine!
Im descendant of Zaporozhian Cossack my great grandfather was Cossack of Chernigov regiment.
We are not your Cossack yebalo. Cossacks fought always for Russia and Tsars with few exceptions.
Ukrainian nation was invented in 19th century Austrian Galitsia, far from Cossacks. Stop your delusional ukronationalist dreaming.
Majority of descendants of Cossacks live in today Krasnodar and they consider themselves Russian.
@@OCTAVIANVS_AVGVSTVS_CAESAR The current war has confirmed the cohesion and national identity of Ukraine, you can write whatever you want, but you will not change the facts. You should read about Zaporozhian Cossacks if you want find the beginnings of Ukrainian identity.
There is no Cohesion of Ukrainian identity except Western Ukraine. Ukrainian Gestapo SBU arrested tens of thousands of people for Russian sympathies.
Are are beoing delusional.
Other part of Ukraine whole Donbass is fighting against Ukrainian pseudostate since 2014.
@@pawe7564 Majority of descendants of Cossacks live in Russian Krasnodar and consider themselves to be Russian.
@@pawe7564When Zaporozian cossacks rebbeled against poles in middle of 17 cenctury they called Russia to help them. And Russia helped
Dawajcie zrobimy to jeszcze raz! :)
I want to say that i loved this channel, so much information pure quality. Was not aware of the clashes happened in europe against ottoman empire. Looking forward for more.
HistoryMarche has become one of, if not THE best military history channel. Brilliant work!
Ха ха хаааааа, дооообро си лизнуо, понови, свидело се аутору 😂😂😂
Even more amazing is the series of battles between Swedes and Poles in Livonia in 1601-1605. It always looked the same: Swedish armies outnumbered by 3-4 times over the Polish troops, but after the attack of the winged hussars, which lasted about 20 minutes, fled in panic. The ratio of the dead amounted to 60-100 to 1. It is interesting to compare entries to Polish and Swedish wikipedia: while in the former there are extensive descriptions of these battles, the Swedish wiki says only that "there was a battle and that the Poles won".
my wiemy....
Ale oni nie wiedzą.
Cause swedes are gay. And always been
there were like 200 Poles then. It was GDL general who had won...
Swedes don't have a great interest in that period because of the losses, just as Poles don't have a great interest in the Great Northern War despite being fought in Poland for many years - because of the losses. I took a quick look at the Wikipedia articles of the Livonian battles in 1601-05, and it's obvious many important Swedish sources are missing. For example, the Swedes themselves estimates a few hundred Swedish losses at the Battle of Kokenhusen 1601, not 2,000-3,000 dead as the article currently says - and that's just one article.
So yes: More Swedish sources are needed here (and I might add them sometimes later).
Losses in the battle: Poland 100 Hussars and probably 200 common soldiers (Hussars were noblemen usually from wealthy families) . Sources give different numbers for Swedes: 500, 700 or 1300, Russians: from 2000 to 16500 (as some sources give a total SW and R of 17000, it would give between 15700 and 16500). Also, the Polish side lost around 400 horses. Hussars took 5 horses each on a campaign: 1 riding horse and 4 battle horses. They would change them between charges. These were specially trained to not panic when near gunfire or laud sounds in general. The Hussars were armored and had a breastplate especially thick at the center - this stopped musket hits from the front. The biggest target was the horse, so most shots hit the animal. Even so, a wounded horse would usually carry the rider to the back line. Also, the Hussars used long lances and the pikes used by the Swedes were short (2m). When placed on the ground in a defensive formation, they gave the foot soldiers maybe a meter of pike in front of them. The Hussars could hit them from much further away. In one battle, one Hussar found his lance after the battle and counted 6 dead opponents on it.
I raised and developed a Swedish Warmblood whose lineage went all the way back to the Prussian stud in 1743. Several of her line were Olymic competitors in jumping, dressage, AND other events. Feet trimmed like cold butter, nothing fazed her, and she loved to JUMP. Military horses also had strong gaskins: they plowed and mowed in peace time as well as pulling cannon carriages and ammunition and supplies.
I absolutely Adore this channel! More Polish content. A whole series please.
Finally somebody speaking about polish victories
The Poles: Dear French, here is how you do real cavalry charges.
Battle of Agincourt reference?
@@nobaskikofane3637 Most of the French attackers in Agincourt were dismounted men-at-arms I believe.
@@nobaskikofane3637 Crecy and Nikopolis too (and some less known).
Funny, but Napoleon himself loved Polish lancers serving under his banner. Even Brits modelled some of their light cavalry units after Uhlans.
At the time Polish-Lithualian army was by far (in terms of quality and tactics) the best in the world.
but the army isn't everything so nowadays the world doesn't have that country anymore/
Better than the britts?
@@Mkvine in the years 1500-1700 for sure
There was no such thing like Polish-Lithuanian army. Both Poland and Lithuania had separate armies as well as commanders.
The British were way better.
Stanislaw Zolkiewski=Supreme Badass.
This battle is like when a Bannerlord player chooses to attack the largest enemy force without the help of the main royal army campaigning alongside him.
Kind of. 'Poland invades Russia' is a huge overestatement. It was more like a private enterprise of the king, the parliament was against. That's why the Polish forces were so tiny. The nobles had no obligation to pay taxes or participate in an offensive war if they didn't want to, and they didn't want this war.
Funfact: National Unity Day or Day of People's Unity one of the most important celebrations in Russia is the day when Poles leave Moscow.
No wonder. They have respect to Poles - they received wpierdol from Poland several times. Poles do not give a fck. In 1920 they kicked russian ass back to Asia. In 1989 they demolished soviet block.
They are beaten out of Moscow
@@okakokakiev787 Both battles ended in tactical victory for the Russians. They managed to repel the Commonwealth army, and the garrison of the Kremlin, which had run out of supplies, capitulated on November 7, 1612. News of the capitulation reached Polish King Sigismund III on December 8 at Volokolamsk, less than 30 kilometers away. Upon finding out about this, the king, who was on his way to help the garrison, decided to halt the march and head back to Poland.
@@OOFdom999 thanks for detailed description
@@okakokakiev787 youre welcome
Here is my sacrifice to the algorithm. Thank you so much for making these so detailed and intriguing. I knew nothing about this before i pressed play and now I can't wait for more on this series.
History Marche! You make my mornings!!
Glad to hear it!
That was special operation not invasion
ironic
Denazyfikacja
A special operation was carried in 1795.
Here there was an episode of toothless Polish imperialism that angered the Russians. And now the offended Poles are busy complaining.
100 % getroffen. SUPER
You're hilarious. You do know that every U.S. military action since the Korean War was not a war but a military operation, right?
Let me add a little bit of aftermath, because this great video ends when the best part is about to happen.
It took Żółkiewski a year to return to the Polish capitol with the captured captives, among whom were Russian Tsar Vasily IV Shuiski, his brother and army commander Dmitry Shuiski, Tsar's wife, the heir to the throne, Tsar's son, the great prince Ivan, and many other "high rank officers". On October 29, 1611 they were taken to the Royal Castle of Warsaw, which was also the seat of the Polish Parliament at the time. A large triumphal arch was built in front of the castle, under which the entire victorious army passed, and at the end the captives walked underneath it on foot. At the Royal Castle there was a ceremonial meeting of the Polish Parliament at which, of course, King Sigismund III was present. The ceremony looked like this: Tsar of Russia Vasily IV had to kneel down and while kneeling he had to touch the floor (Polish soil) with his right hand, then he had to kiss the center of his palm, then he had to kiss all his fingertips, then he took an oath that Russia would never again invade Poland first, and then he begged for mercy for himself and his family. After that, King Sigismund gave him three fingers of his right hand to kiss. Next in line was the commander of the Russian army, Dmitry Shuiski, who had to hit his forehead once against the floor and took an oath similar to the Tsar's, then the Tsar's son had to hit his forehead three times against the floor, took an oath that Russia would never invade Poland and then he burst into tears. The event is known as the Ruski tribute or Shuiski's tribute. Tsar and his entourage were prisoners of state, but they were given one of the castles in Poland, not far from Warsaw, for exclusive use. A few months later, Tsar and his entire close family were murdered in that castle by Polish mercenaries paid by rich Russian families, who could not choose a new Tsar from among themselves if the old Tsar was still alive (there was also puppet Tsar placed in Moscow by Sigismund, he didn't last long). Russian have been trying hide the truth and wipe October 29, 1611 from the history for more than 300 years now.
Fun fact: In 1644 Sigismund's son built the famous monument Sigismund's Column, which after strong perturbations still stands today in Warsaw in almost the same place where there was Żółkiewski's triumphal arch. On the monument on four sides in Latin are inscribed merits of the King, among them the capture of the Tsar of Russia. Before the war many Russians came to Warsaw and since they don't know their own history they were always very eager to take pictures with the cool monument of the man whose army conquered Moscow :)
Piękne! powinien powstać epicki film z tego stricte historycznego wydarzenia
You know, we have some cool monuments too, like Moscow Triumphal Gate "For the pacification of Poland" ;D
@@Chikanuk you mean for murdering 30000 polish officers by shooting them in the back of their heads?
*Yes, indeed, all the most interesting was later, Poland, after its stupidity and a campaign against Russia, lost its statehood three times and was a vassal of the Russian Empire!)))*
@@UltraTotenkopf yeah ur still living in these days 200-100 years ago. not only in your mind but in your country in reality too. pity such a great territory and such poverty in russia. economy smaller than most of little european countries. Guess what that means? not gonna talk about stupidity etc cuz i saw how ur lifes there look like for 95% of people...sad sad sad
aż miło posłuchać jak nasza mniej liczna husaria niszczyła wroga💪
szkoda ze sie tego nie uczy na lekcjach bardziej szczegolowo
Russians later became a superpower, conquered space and made a nuclear bomb...Sent a first Pole to space too btw
This is an outstanding video - I just rewatched your first video and the improvement over such a small time is really impressive - keep it up!
Thanks, mate. I really enjoy your vids.
Amazing that these guys make these great videos with no money at all, and History Channel that has millions just makes videos about truckers driving on ice.
The winged Hussars were the most dominant cavalry in history. 💪🏻 🇵🇱 ☝🏻
Husaria skrzydła nosiła tylko podczas parady, na walkę je zdejmowała. :)
@@kaes2000 nie prawda. Mamy wiele zrodel swiadczacych o uzywaniu skrzydel. Ich forma jednak odbiega od wersji filmowej.
Love all this baltic/balkan/slavic history, haven't heard much about it. But I do still really wanna see that detailed documentary on William the Bastard.
Also, no wonder there's such a great song on these guys, the Winged Hussars are fucking awesome.
They even fought the Hitler’s panzers 🤣
What a bushit.
@@SaxSith Oh, someone is trying to spread the mendacious legend of the Polish cavalry allegedly attacked German tanks. But that's a lie and it never happened.
@@filipnalewaja5496 You made a mistake in the level because I'm sure you meant the stupid comment from @ Atanas Atanasov!
Yes fucking awesome! The Polish winged hussars were one of the most effective military forces in the world history. The Hussars were undefeated over a period of over 100 years and are therefore the most effective cavalry in world history. Usually, a Hussars attack caused complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Hussar charge. These were the elite of the Polish army being a unique, highly trained, extremely disciplined, manoeuvrable, hard-hitting, heavy cavalry. The ultimate shock cavalry. The hussars were individually well skilled in horsemanship and the use of their arms through a lifetime of practice and a major part of their training was to combine these individuals into a single unit.
But even more important than these factors I have listed was the special kopia lance of the Polish hussars. The main offensive weapon was a over 5-6 m long hollow composite lance, much longer than the old knights lances as well as being much lighter due to their hollow construction. This extraordinary length was achieved by boring out the core of the lance from the point up to the handle so the hollow construction allowed the extreme length. At the attack, the lances are held in the position of "halfway up the horse's ear. The much longer reach was especially useful against pikemen with always a lot shorter pikes. The Hussars were the only cavalry who successfully attacked Pike Formations head-on! Of course they would rather flank them. Useful was also the gałka a wooden ball at the gravity point protecting the hand and helped balance the lance. An approx. 2.5 silk pennon was attached to the kopia below the point. Besides being beautiful decoration, these had several functions. They served as a distinctive sign. By the sound they made like wings they could also panic their opponents' horses, if they were not used to the dramatic sight and sounds.
The same goes for some opposing soldiers. The lance point was of course from steel. The point was supported with additional metal reinforcing straps running down the shaft, which also helped protect the wood below the point from a saber cut. The production of this lances was state secret that was never broken! The Hussars actually had 2 types of lances at their disposal. The one just described extra length Kopia and the 3-3,5 m long not hollow demi-lance kopijka that was used against light cavalry especially of Cossacks, Tatars and Turks. For long marches, the lances were transported in wagons but during in combat formation, the base of the lance was place in a metal cup attached by leather straps to the saddle. Polish hussars trained also by targeting with their lances, at full gallop small rings. Through this kind of training the lance attacks of the hussars were amazingly precise. So the hussars were able to hit specific unprotected body parts of the enemy or to kill the horses of the cavalry. As a rule, extra length Kopia broke on impact so it was a one-use weapon that broke in the attack. For this reason, and because it was a very expensive weapon, it was the only weapon furnished by the military authorities. Not infrequently two enemies of a very dense combat formation were pierced on impact, sometimes even three or more. A Hussar once killed six musketeers in one thrust in battle of Klushino. Mostly, panic arose after the impact and the remaining fleeing enemies were cut down with close combat weapon.
The unique part of the hussars was also their battle field tactics which gave the Polish army a powerful striking force, superior to all other European cavalry for over two century. The hussar's armor was relatively light in comparison to the heavy cavalry of the West and this allowed them to charge as the horses maximum speed, while Western heavy cavalry depended more on the actual weight of their troops rather than speed. This also allowed the hussars to move form standing to charge speed relatively quickly. In addition to the long lance was this quick change of speed and or direction and their ease of movement that led to much of their success. The charge started at a slow pace and in a relatively loose formation. to minimize losses by firearms. It was not until the last few meters that the riders joined together to form a line, practically knee to knee, and hit the enemy like a wall with lances! The ultimate shock cavalry! More specifically, the attack looked like this! Riders slowly passed the first 50-60 meters. Lances were lifted up. During next 150 meters Hussars increased their speed to trot. 150 meters in front of the opponent, the lances were lowered to combat position and the trot went into a gallop. At 50-60 m before the enemy line, the horses were running gallop (the maximum speed was 60 km/h). With a loud cry. The Winged Hussars hammered into the ranks of the enemy. The sough of the wings, the thunder of the horses' hooves, and the roar of the hussars produced a frightening thunder. The enemy was hit by a spiked thunderous wall. It was possible to repeat the charge several times until the enemy formation broke (they had supply wagons with spare lances). But the attack caused often complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Polish Hussar charge. For this reason, some armies did not even try to confront them face to face. Instead of risking an immediate defeat, certain opponents have become entrenched. The Poles then usually besieged them. By the way, the hussars have always modified their combat tactics based on the opponent with which they were to measure up to. For example, when fighting the Tatars, they often left their lances behind and were more likely to use firearms - Tatars were a fast-paced, but poorly armored cavalry, so the Hussars were prone to fire pistols. On the other hand, when the Hussars fought with the Swedish army (which comprised mostly of infantry), the lances were their primary weapon.
Wings: The hussars are of course famous for their legendary wings, though these were not always worn. They consisted of wooden or steel bars with feathers, which protruded above the rider's head. Originally they were attached to the saddle and then to the armor. Eagle feathers, ostrich feathers or colored goose feathers were used. Various proposals have been put forward for the reasons for their use. Such as! The Wings made a rushing sound together with the pennon in the charge. It was a thundering wall with long spikes that hit the enemy. The absolute shock! More shock cavalry is not possible.The wings should prevent Tatar lasso attacks and to defend the backs against saber attacks. Combined with the wild animal skins and lance pennons, their effect was also psychological. By increasing the size and magnificence of the horse and rider they made them look more fearsome and troubled the enemy's horses.. In addition, the enemy units recognized from far the wings, therefore they knew that there are these really tough opponents who will fight hard! So even before the battle, the enemy was afraid by recognizing the hussars.
Imagine polish-lithuanian-Muscovite union.Could be also named north slavic confederation(despite lithuanians not being slavic but atleast close to them).Europe would shit its pants with that
Why do you think the Polish-speaking government is now driving a spiral of hatred towards Russians?
Such a state would then have to fight Sweden, the Ottoman Empire and the steppe peoples simultaneously. Sigismund III Vasa was a Swede so he would certainly have focused on taking power in his country. If he had succeeded he would have created a huge empire. The Ottoman Empire would then have remained the main challenge. These were in competition with Germany, Italy, Spain and Persia. Of course, this is already a fantasy, as Sigismund III Vasa would not have been able to maintain such a huge state.
Slavo-Baltic union or Balto-Slavic union.
Lol russia was attacked by mongols they already would be defeated. So anyways there is left LT, and PL.
@@Vanduo610 Moscow risen after they managed to unite Rus cities and kicked out Mongols. Learn history lolz.
Chwała wielkiej Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej !!!
Thanks!
Thanks so much for watching. Cheers for the tip!
Poland's Golden Age 🤍🤍❤❤ Thanks for your job HistoryMarche!
Hope you can continue this as a series
Earlier in 1581, over thirty thousand Russian soldiers of Ivan the Terrible attacked the outskirts of Mogilev in present-day Belarus. The city's defenders found themselves in a critical situation. At that time, there was a two hundred Polish hussar squadron under the command of Marcin Kazanowski nearby and they came to help.
The hussars fought the enemy for seven hours, charging again 12 times. Later, about three hundred light cavalrymen appeared on the battlefield to help the hussars. The Russians thought it was the entire royal army and fled in panic. Several thousand Russians died, but not a single hussar was killed.
It's polish poolak wet Dreams And Fairy Tales 🤡
@@EternalKhokhol Faktem jest, że kilkadziesiąt tysięcy Moskali uciekło przed kilkusetosobową Polską jazdą. Musisz wiedzieć, iż w ówczesnych czasach w Polsce liczono wyłącznie poległych Polaków, a Ci wywodzili się wyłącznie ze szlachty. Widocznie nie zginął ani jeden husarz pochodzenia szlacheckiego ale to nie znaczy, że nikt nie zginął po polskiej stronie. Takie były zasady braci szlacheckiej w Rzeczpospolitej.
Aren't you tired of these fakes? If you are such brave warriors, then why did the Russians constantly have you in the ass? And today Russians have the largest state. The Russians were the first to go into space, and you keep fantasizing.
Ładnie zrobione i wytłumaczone. Gratulacje!
Полностью с тобой согласен
Astonishing win for the Poles. Wow. I had no idea it was so back and forth. How many assaults did the hussars launch on the right? Sheesh.
The hussars did not come from nothing. It was planned as a half-lane riding on small, durable horses intended for quick movement through the vast, forested and wetlands of the Republic of Poland. It was very heavily armed - each hussar had three lances (lances), two pistols, a 2-meter long straight sword and a curved saber of the Turkish pattern. The hussars' tactic was based on the so-called "softening" of the opponent by just another 3 charges - until the copy was broken or lost - and then firing 2 pistols located at the saddle. Only after that was there a direct break-through attack. Against the infantry, the hussars used a 2-meter sword (koncerz) and in the fight against cavalry and in pursuit of a handy short saber (batorówka). The cover was an iron breastplate with epaulettes, a helmet and a wolf skin or in the case of richer leopards. It is also worth knowing that each hussar had 2-3 horses. Historical sources provide the number of Polish hussars - the nobility - not to mention the accompanying servants, and usually there were 2 helpers for each hussar (taking turns guarding the horse, backup). Therefore, the real Polish forces should be estimated at around 6,500 people.
The Polish winged hussars were one of the most effective military forces in the world history. The Hussars were undefeated over a period of over 100 years and are therefore the most effective cavalry in world history. Usually, a Hussars attack caused complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Hussar charge. These were the elite of the Polish army being a unique, highly trained, extremely disciplined, manoeuvrable, hard-hitting, heavy cavalry. The ultimate shock cavalry. The hussars were individually well skilled in horsemanship and the use of their arms through a lifetime of practice and a major part of their training was to combine these individuals into a single unit.
But even more important than these factors I have listed was the special kopia lance of the Polish hussars. The main offensive weapon was a over 5-6 m long hollow composite lance, much longer than the old knights lances as well as being much lighter due to their hollow construction. This extraordinary length was achieved by boring out the core of the lance from the point up to the handle so the hollow construction allowed the extreme length. At the attack, the lances are held in the position of "halfway up the horse's ear. The much longer reach was especially useful against pikemen with always a lot shorter pikes. The Hussars were the only cavalry who successfully attacked Pike Formations head-on! Of course they would rather flank them. Useful was also the gałka a wooden ball at the gravity point protecting the hand and helped balance the lance. An approx. 2.5 silk pennon was attached to the kopia below the point. Besides being beautiful decoration, these had several functions. They served as a distinctive sign. By the sound they made like wings they could also panic their opponents' horses, if they were not used to the dramatic sight and sounds.
The same goes for some opposing soldiers. The lance point was of course from steel. The point was supported with additional metal reinforcing straps running down the shaft, which also helped protect the wood below the point from a saber cut. The production of this lances was state secret that was never broken! The Hussars actually had 2 types of lances at their disposal. The one just described extra length Kopia and the 3-3,5 m long not hollow demi-lance kopijka that was used against light cavalry especially of Cossacks, Tatars and Turks. For long marches, the lances were transported in wagons but during in combat formation, the base of the lance was place in a metal cup attached by leather straps to the saddle. Polish hussars trained also by targeting with their lances, at full gallop small rings. Through this kind of training the lance attacks of the hussars were amazingly precise. So the hussars were able to hit specific unprotected body parts of the enemy or to kill the horses of the cavalry. As a rule, extra length Kopia broke on impact so it was a one-use weapon that broke in the attack. For this reason, and because it was a very expensive weapon, it was the only weapon furnished by the military authorities. Not infrequently two enemies of a very dense combat formation were pierced on impact, sometimes even three or more. A Hussar once killed six musketeers in one thrust in battle of Klushino. Mostly, panic arose after the impact and the remaining fleeing enemies were cut down with close combat weapon.
The unique part of the hussars was also their battle field tactics which gave the Polish army a powerful striking force, superior to all other European cavalry for over two century. The hussar's armor was relatively light in comparison to the heavy cavalry of the West and this allowed them to charge as the horses maximum speed, while Western heavy cavalry depended more on the actual weight of their troops rather than speed. This also allowed the hussars to move form standing to charge speed relatively quickly. In addition to the long lance was this quick change of speed and or direction and their ease of movement that led to much of their success. The charge started at a slow pace and in a relatively loose formation. to minimize losses by firearms. It was not until the last few meters that the riders joined together to form a line, practically knee to knee, and hit the enemy like a wall with lances! The ultimate shock cavalry! More specifically, the attack looked like this! Riders slowly passed the first 50-60 meters. Lances were lifted up. During next 150 meters Hussars increased their speed to trot. 150 meters in front of the opponent, the lances were lowered to combat position and the trot went into a gallop. At 50-60 m before the enemy line, the horses were running gallop (the maximum speed was 60 km/h). With a loud cry. The Winged Hussars hammered into the ranks of the enemy. The sough of the wings, the thunder of the horses' hooves, and the roar of the hussars produced a frightening thunder. The enemy was hit by a spiked thunderous wall. It was possible to repeat the charge several times until the enemy formation broke (they had supply wagons with spare lances). But the attack caused often complete destruction of the opponent’s forces, and no military formation of that period was able to effectively resist the Polish Hussar charge. For this reason, some armies did not even try to confront them face to face. Instead of risking an immediate defeat, certain opponents have become entrenched. The Poles then usually besieged them. By the way, the hussars have always modified their combat tactics based on the opponent with which they were to measure up to. For example, when fighting the Tatars, they often left their lances behind and were more likely to use firearms - Tatars were a fast-paced, but poorly armored cavalry, so the Hussars were prone to fire pistols. On the other hand, when the Hussars fought with the Swedish army (which comprised mostly of infantry), the lances were their primary weapon.
Wings: The hussars are of course famous for their legendary wings, though these were not always worn. They consisted of wooden or steel bars with feathers, which protruded above the rider's head. Originally they were attached to the saddle and then to the armor. Eagle feathers, ostrich feathers or colored goose feathers were used. Various proposals have been put forward for the reasons for their use. Such as! The Wings made a rushing sound together with the pennon in the charge. It was a thundering wall with long spikes that hit the enemy. The absolute shock! More shock cavalry is not possible.The wings should prevent Tatar lasso attacks and to defend the backs against saber attacks. Combined with the wild animal skins and lance pennons, their effect was also psychological. By increasing the size and magnificence of the horse and rider they made them look more fearsome and troubled the enemy's horses.. In addition, the enemy units recognized from far the wings, therefore they knew that there are these really tough opponents who will fight hard! So even before the battle, the enemy was afraid by recognizing the hussars.
Here are some of the Hussars' victories, in most of this battles they were clearly outnumbered! Hundreds of of battles in the entire Polish history were epic and out of those, at least dozens were absolutely unique, especially the battles of the Hussars! All these battles of polish Hussars were victorious! The polish Hussars were undefeated for over 100 years! The attacks by the hussars in all these battles were mostly decisive for the Polish victories in these battles. All the numbers are historically verified! No exaggeration here! 1577 Battle of Lubieszów: Polish empire 1,450 cavalry (1135 hussars) and the transylvanian vassal 1,050 infantry vs. Gdansk 12,000. The hussars attacked flank, with this, the entire Gdansk army broke and fled, and the hussars kept up the chase right to the Gdansk city gates. Losses: Gdansk 4400 dead and 5,000 taken prisoner, Poland and the vassal 100 wounded, 88 deaths.
1581 Battle of Mogilev (battle and siege): Less than 1,000 Poles (including 200 hussars, ca. 150 medium cavalry and ca. 150 cossack light- as well as armed civilians of the city of Mogilev) - defeated 30,000 Russians and Tatars. Polish fcasualties were minimal. Defenders of the city lost only 2 wounded people, nobody out of 200 hussars was killed (even though many were wounded)
1588 The Battle of Byczyna: 6,000 Poles vs. 6,500 Austrian! A Polish hussar counterattack on the left flank mauled Austrian cavalry and forced his army to start giving ground. The bloody retreat quickly turned into a general wild escape. The entire battle lasted approximately one to two hours. The Poles took control of Austrian artillery and turned the guns on the town. Before the Polish forces began their assault, Maximilian surrendered and was taken prisoner. Casualties: Poland 1,000 Austria 2,000
1600 Battle of Curtea de Argeș: Polish army of 1450, including 950 Hussars, defeated more than 7,000 Wallachians. Since the Hussars bore the brunt of the battle, one can find out that they have defeated 7 times the number!
1601 Battle of Wenden: The battle is significant as the first encounter between Swedish riders and Polish hussars. 700 Poles (including 350 Polish hussars) vs. more than 3,000 Swedish. Wiki quote: "The Swedish riders attempting to use Caracole tactics were faced with the charge of the hussars, commonly used on battlefields by the Polish armies. The fight did not last long, and the Swedish cavalry run away. When the retreating Swedish cavalry rode through the frozen river Gauja ice broke under the weight of the horses, causing further losses to the Swedish forces." Losses: Poland 10 dead 60 wounded , Sweden 1,900 dead and wounded, 100 captured.
1601 Battle of Kokenhausen: Polish empire 300 infantry and 2,700 cavalry vs. Sweden 900 infantry 4,000 cavalry! Polish cavalry first broke the Swedish left flank. The Swedish counterattack on the right flank, which while initially successful, was in turn broken by the Polish hussar counterattack. Poland 200 losses and Sweden 2,000-3,000 losses.
1604 Battle of Weissenstein: Polish empire 2300 vs. Sweden 5000! The Swedish army was pushed to the swamp by the Hussars. Losses: Sweden 3000 killed and wounded Poland: 50 killed, 100 wounded
1604 Battle of Novgorod-Seversky: Polish empire 15,000 vs. Russia 40,000 and 1500 in garrison of Novhorod-Siverskyi. The hussars decide the battle by smashing the right wing of the Russian army and by throwing the center into chaos.
1605 Battle of Kircholm: Polish empire and the vassal Duchy of Courland 3,440 (1,750 hussars, 200 riders, 450 light Cossacks and Tatars, 1,040 Haiduk-style infantry) vs. Sweden supported by Scottish, Dutch and German, mercenaries. 8,358 pike and shot formations, 2,500 riders and 11 cannons so a total of 10,868! The Hussars launched a devastating charge against the enemy which ended the battle in the decisive victory of the Polish forces. The battle was decided in all of 20 minutes! Losses: Poland 100 killed and 200 wounded, Sweden 7,600-8,000 killed and captured!
1610 Battle of Klushino: The enemies outnumbered the Polish army 5 to 1. The crushing victory of Polish army 6,800 including about 5,600 Hussars against 35,000 Russian and Swedish troops. The size of the enemy made that the hussar have to charge even 10 times. The battle opened the way for Poles to Moscow, where Polish prince Władysław became the tsar. Losses: Poland 400 , Russia 5,000.
1621 Battle of Khotyn: Polish empire 25,000 and 20,000 Cossaks vs. 120,000-160,000 Ottoman troops. Around 10,000 Ottomans moved to attack, but then three squadrons of hussars counterattacked with 650 men. The Sipahi could not withstand the charge and they retreated chaotically. The Polish charge inflicted heavy casualties and had a huge impact on the morale of the Ottoman army. Losses: Ottomans ca. 40,000, Poland ca. 14,000
1624 Battle of Martynów: 5,000 Poles and Cossacks (600 hussars) vs. 15,000 Crimean Tatars! The counterattack of only 600 hussars in connection with a Polish faked withdrawal was crucial to the battle. Polish forces pursued the fleeing Tatars to capture or kill them.
1629 Battle of Trzciana: Polish empire 1,300 hussars and 1,200 light cavalry and 2,000 Habsburg riders vs. Sweden 5,500 cavalry and 1,300 infantry. The enemy was rout by a decisive, devastating attack by the hussars. Poland and Habsburg 300 losses and Sweden 600 killed and 200 captured!
1651 Battle of Berestechko: For the Polish empire a total of 80,000 men army fought. Which consisted of 30,000 Pospolite ruszenie militias, a large number of loyal to Poland Cossacks Hungarian, Tatar and from the German lands mercenaries, Polish heavy Pancerni cavalry and Winged Hussars vs. 100,000 Cossacks 50,000 Crimean Tatars and several thousands Turks, and Vlachs so in total 200,000. So a Polish 80,000 army against a 200,000 Ottoman army. On first day of the battle Polish cavalry pancerni and Hussars repulsed the Tatars, who suffered heavy losses. This victory spurred the rest of the Polish troops on! The Poles scoffed the Poles were victorious "since their army sustained that first attack cheerfully and in high spirits". The battle was then decided in favor of the Poles due to the overwhelming firepower of the artillery and infantry! Losses: Poland 700, Crimean Tatars and Cossacks 40,000 to 80,000!
1660 Battle of Kutyszcze: 140 Polish Hussars vs. 3,500 Russians and Cossacks! Two incomplete Hussar banners of the Polish forces operating in the east of the empire, caught up the retreating Russian-Cossacks army. 140 Polish horsemen devastated 3,500 Russian cavalry and Cossack infantry, gaining an enemy stock. In this encounter Hussars did not suffer any losses. The power relation was thus: 25:1!
1660 Battle of Polonka: 13,000 on the Polish side vs, 9,000 Russians! The Polish hussars and pancerni cavalry made the crucial attacks. On the Polish side were 300 killed and on the Russian side were 4,200 killed.
1672 Battle of Komarno: 2,500 Poles (1,500 hussars) vs. a marauding horde of 10,000 Tatars. The slaughter of the invaders continued until nighttime, and only 1,500 Tatars managed to cross the Dniester, and return to their homeland. Polish forces also freed some 20,000 civilians, captured by the hordes. The Polish losses were low!
1672 Battle of Kałusz: 1,500 Polish Hussars against 8,000 Ottomans, Cossacks and Tatars. Losses: The Hussars had only a few wounded, the enemies of the Poles had 6000 fallen!
1673 Battle of Khotyn: Polish empire 29,000-30,000 and 65 cannons vs. Ottomans, 35,000. The 1670 hussars have won an important victory against the Ottoman Sipahi cavalry! Poland: 2,000 killed and wounded, Ottomans 20,000 killed and wounded
1675 Battle of Lwów: Polish empire 6,000 vs. Ottomans 20,000! According to Wikipedia, the Hussars pursuit of the Ottoman cavalry lasted until the dusk.
1694 Battle of Hodów: Polish victory because the enemy was repulsed! Known also as one of Polish Thermopylae. 300 Polish Pancerni heavy cavalry and 100 Polish hussars charged in first encounter the 700-strong Tatar vanguard and made them withdraw. Due to overwhelming enemy numbers Polish forces retreated to Hodów village and fortified the position with everything they found. The impact lasted 6 hours. When the Poles ran out of ammunition, they fired at their enemies by putting arrows into pistols. Unable to defeat the Poles, the Tatars sent Polish-speaking Lipka Tatars who defected to the enemy to convince the Polish troops to surrender. The Polish commander replied "Come and get us if you can". Thereupon the Tatars withdrew and gave up on the entire raid. This example reflects the knightly spirit of the Polish hussars but also of the Pancerni. Honor, bravery, and sacrafice for the homeland were valued the most amongst by them. So 100 hussars and 300 Pancerni successfully repelled the attack of about 40,000 Crimean Tatars and forced the enemy to retreat. Incredible that 400 against 40,000 have prevailed but really true! What is the difference betwen 300 Spartans of the Thermopylae and 400 Hussars and Pancerni of Hodów? Hussars won their fight.
1683 Battle of Vienna: The most famous battle of the hussars! Hussars’s charge of Polish king Jan III Sobieski broke the siege of Vienna and forced the Ottoman army to retreat.
According to Samuel Maskiewicz Hussar himself living at the time of this battle he writes in his dieries that there were 8 to 10 charges. Almost all polish cavarly soldiers were nobels at the time (it is estimatet even 10% of poluation was nobel in PLC) so they were mostly educated and writing diaries from war was very popular among soldiers. Thats why we have many good sources to find information about this period of polish lithuanian history. Also I think important information not mentioned in video, losses are estimated at 8000 on russian side and 300 on Polish
@@okonsky3522 Thanks for the interesting information! But where did you get that information from that almost all polish cavalry soldiers were nobles at the time? Because as far as I know, there were not only few Polish non-noble cavalry! These were not quite a few non-noble cavalrymen in Polish armies. For example, in the Pospolite ruszenie (mass mobilizatio) there was plenty of non-noble cavalry. Because the nobles were obliged to fight themselves or to provide fighters instead of themselves. Which Polish nobles often did, so cavalrymen were also delegated by Polish nobles to the Pospolite ruszenie. In the wojsko prywatne (private army) of the magnates there were also non-noble cavalry. The army protecting the southern borders, the so-called wojsko kwarciane ("Quarter Army"), also had non-noble cavalry. Not only nobles served in the heavy Polish Pancerni Cavalry either.
let me just remind you that this was no "invasion" but a "special operation" to reclaim Smolensk (seriously - Zygmunt III wanted to reclaim Smolensk; the city was lost by Polish-Lithuanian state to Moscow in 1514)
Może trzeba spróbować raz jeszcze
@@Sebastian-oz1lj Kaczyński spróbował, ale mu się nie udało
@@mihuhih2186 hahaha
@@mihuhih2186 Czarny humor level: stan konta oligarchów rosyjskich.
@@mihuhih2186 Brzoza przeszkodziła.
Pięknie zostali rozjebani. Wspaniałości.
Fantastic video covering the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the early 17th century. The Battle of Klushino & later the Siege of Vienna in 1683, would solidify the legacy of the Polish Winged Hussars in shaping European history & increasing the rivalries we see today in Eastern Europe. It's a shame the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth couldn't maintain its power when surrounded by many opponents.
Jestem dumny z historii mojego kraju 🇵🇱
1612 😂
@@russian_supremacy1610, 1920, 1941 😂😂
@@russian_supremacy1991, 2022 😂😂
@@russian_supremacy Co w tym śmiesznego?
@@PanGracz-h4cfailed in Moscow
You re such a troll man,love it :))
Well, nothing in that thumbnail is untrue! :D
It's worth mentioning that this was THE ONLY occupation of Moscow in history. Forget Napoleon, forget WWII, it was The Poles who took Moscow.
But they lost eventually. As every one else who invaded Russia since Batu Khan.
Napoleon took Moscow, Germans in WWII not
@@extraditori6604 yep, but Moscow wasnt capitol at this time.
What? This is child's play compared to the war between the Russians and the Germans in the 1940s. It was the largest front in history, the size of several countries and more than 20 million soldiers and 100.000 tanks on each side.
@@swe1733 Yep, but one must consider that Poland and Russia in XVII century had only few milion people, so armies numbered 30-50k soldiers were rather huge for that times.
Thanks for that interesting bit of PLC history. I hope for some more of that topic in the future. You're doing a great job guys.
Hetman Stanisław Żołkiewski, Eternal Glory!!
Thanks for covering this episode of Russian/Polish history!
And btw my name's Dmitrii as well. Thankfully I'm not "false" :D
Are you sure?
it was followed with The Russo-Polish War of 1654-1667, also called the Thirteen Years' War. A really interesting period
Muscovy isn't Rus.
That war was part of civil war in Rus-Ukraine, part of Bella Cossacorum.
@@greatsarmatae there was no Muscovy then. The state was then called Russia (essentially the Greek name for Russia) or the Russian kingdom. Stop screwing up history.
@@АртёмРоманенков-о4х it was Muscovy.
Rus existed where it always was - between Carpathians and Don, never stopped existing there, and it itself considered Muscovy completely different environment, opposite to oneself.
Muscovian "Russia" is a political project of Muscovian monarchs, not ethnic or cultural one (as it's different from Rus itself), Muscovian orthodox church also was named "Russian", that's the second reason for such interpretation of names, even though since 15-th century that church got illegal, and anti-Rus phenomena, as Rus church stayed located in Kyiv.
It's good that TH-cam isn't blocked for you yet, i see you love watching English content?
@@greatsarmatae Can you please sources on the basis of which you operate with these facts. Why did you decide that Russia was from the Carpathians to the Don, if Russia itself came from Ladoga and Novgorod (the modern territory of the Russian Federation) and captured Kyiv, transferring the metropolis there until the 12th century. Then the role of Kyiv was reduced to the usual specific principality for which none of the neighboring principalities did not want to fight. From the 12th century, there was an elevation near the Vladimir-Suzdal principality and Galicia-Volyn (not counting the Novgorod Republic, which was economically dependent on the Vladimir principality and the Suzdal princes ruled there), as well as Smolensk and Chernigov. Then, after the Mongol invasion, the center shifted to Vladimir, just as the residence of the metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church moved precisely to the northeast, that is, the status of Vladimir (and then Moscow as an heir) rose to the center of Russia. The Grand Duke of Vladimir now began to be called the "prince of all Russia" without the simultaneous possession of Kyiv. Of course, the status of the chief Russian prince was largely nominal: in reality, the Vladimir prince had no influence on events, say, in Volhynia. But later, with the strengthening of the Moscow princes, who by the end of the 14th century made the great reign of Vladimir (that is, the "prince of all Russia") their hereditary property, the status of the main Russian prince began to really act, giving grounds to claim the entire ancient Russian territory. As a result, it was in the North-East of Russia in the XIV century that the process of unification of Russian lands into a single state began.
p.s Sometimes I watch English-language content, but through the Yandex browser, so there is a built-in voice translator. TH-cam is not blocked thank God. I think it won't.
@@АртёмРоманенков-о4х Because Rus never came from Novgorod and later Novgorod never was Rus as well.
Kyiv and Rus in middle-Dnipro existed long before Rurik legend, Norsemen (Rus) settled in Kyiv region specifically, Rus as a state was born there.
Next key points.
1) Novgorod didn't exist till 10th century, that's firm fact of "Russian" archeology (Novgorodian chronicle affirms it). You can find details in works about excavations. Russians just wish not to admit it specifically.
2) Chronicle narrates clearly fictional story (analogical to Saxo Grammatikus), but regardless it neither geographically nor politically far Kyiv and early Novgorod are comparable.
3) Same way no statehood or nation concept could be derived from one another, that's physically nonsense.
4) Along with it, it's proven persistently that "Holmgard" of northern sagas is located in Smolensk area, by L.Voitovich.
Next, to your knowledge, nothing but Kyiv region was considered Rus (by internal division) until the mid 13-th cent. (decay point), at all. Common info. And that was decentralized "empire" with no common folk or language of them. There existed 4 major compact areas, which could be divided into Rus people (southern Slavic territory), Kryvychy, Novgorod folk and Woodland, all of different nature, languages and ethnicity.
Next, it's ridiculous nonsense to write about decline of the South with Mongols and transition of power to farlands of Vlad-Suzdal, as there was strong and completely straight heritage of statehood between Carpathians and Dnipro, ran by the eldest branch of old dynasty, (king Daniels family particularly), Regnum Ruscia.
It was fighting tatars for more than a century and lived through huge prosperity in times from king Leo (Lev) to Yuri I. (You can read that altogether both in chronicles and many works dedicated to it). After dynastical changes, eventually Gedymin's son Lübart legally inherited throne of Rus by marriage, and his family (like Olgierd, nephews and other brothers) helped to free all rest of Rus from Tatar impact, Kyiv got big rise up till the end of 15-th century again.
Since, Rus prosperously existed on (with church in Kyiv btw), especially under Jaggiellons, who were legal monarchs so far.
Muscovian "Russia" project is of political nature, not ethno-cultural one. Rusins/Ruthenians between Don and Carpathians considered Muscovites alien folk.
Muscovites used Church like a tool for claims, and the Church had name of "Rus church" (not orthodox particularly), and Muscovian state needed to identifie own self in such a way, that's how name existed. But it's all about a core, not names surely (there are many similar cases in history).
Getting back to the first sentence, Novgorodian Republic was clearly independent ("democratic", btw, unlike very despotic Muscovy) community, and Muscovites genocided them after conquering, so things are quite eloquent 🤷
Besides, don't call Rus kings "princes", that's very big misinterpretation, as high monarchs always were recognized "kings" (Rex) in the West, then and now.
Only 2,500 cavalry on the Polish side? What a foolhardy endeavor!
Remember that in the east they fought virtually constantly and almost always against a larger enemy. They knew their worth, it wasn't risk or bravado. You know what they used to say? "If the sky were to fall on us, we would hold it up with our trees (lances)." Look for materials about the Battle of Kircholm. Numbering 3,600 (including 2,500 cavalry, less than half of which were hussars), Hetman Chodkiewicz's army crushed the 11,000-strong Swedish army. Losses - Swedes 6-9 thousand, Polish-Liewski troops approximately 100 killed and 200 wounded. Hussars were killed... 13. Thirteen. They really had gigantic breaking power.
Respect Polish people 🇦🇱🇽🇰🤝🇵🇱
Greetings from Poland
Kosovo is Serbian
@@sranmirkov4458 Kosovo IS Serbian and many of Poles dont agree with our government saying that Kosovo is indepentent. We really respect Serbs due to our history and culture. Free and United Serbia!!!!
@@sranmirkov4458 No.
@@mountainman42 many also disagree, but it is none of our business we may only hypothesize.
A Polish renegade nobleman once trained Muscovites in the art of Polish hussars, but it was a failed project. Muscovites broke their lances passing through the city gate. Quite embarrassing.
The Turks had their own excellent cavalry of Sipahi. Their champions called "Deli"( "the crazy ones" ) used similar equipment and horses like polish hussars and wore bird wings and leopard skins. But in the battle of Chocim 1621, 800 Polish hussars defeated and chased 10,000 such Turkish cavalrymen from the battlefield! Why?
What made the Polish hussars so special and nobody managed to create its counterpart?
People. Horses. Equipment. Training. Tactics. Morale. Logistic. Even...a unique culture of polish nobility.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Polish hussars were the only cavalry capable of breaking infantry pike&shot formations in direct charge. Hussar lances were longer than pikes and hussar was trained to hit the eye or the navel of the enemy with the greatest speed of the charge. (most pikemen in the 17th century no longer used breastplate.)The impact was so powerful that lance that didn't break could pierce several enemy soldiers at once. The sheer mass of a horse in its momentum is a devastating force. Havoc! If the pikemen formation was not broken - the hussars repeated their charges until they were successful. In the battle of Klushino1610, some hussar units charged even ten times! It was possible thanks to specially selected and trained horses, which each hussar tried to have several for a change. Each of these mounts cost a fortune. A specially devoted servant was to provide his master with a spare horse even in the heat of battle.
Hussar formation acted like a gigantic fist, which smashed the enemy formations, and destroyed the broken one in pursuit.
Sometimes the impact of the hussars' the charge pushed some units of the enemy army onto others. For example, the enemy cavalry may collided with the infantry and as a result, the cohesion of the enemy army was immediately disturbed.
In close combat, Winged Hussar had a whole arsenal of effective tools to reach the enemy, and the armor and tactics of the fight protected them against enemy blows. Generally, surprisingly few hussars was killed in battles. However, horses died in considerable numbers. Extremely expensive and exceptionally trained horses of which Poles regretted no less than their fallen comrades. One of the exercises they praticed was "knee to knee" synchronous horse riding. They practiced complex maneuvers on horseback touching their knees, and for greater motivation, they tried to keep the gold coin between them and not lose it. The hussars, with their discipline and ability to maintain their formation during complex maneuvers on the battlefield, were equal to those of the Roman legionnaires.
A few anecdotes:
In one of the battles in Moldova, when the enemy noticed a hussars in the Polish army, he decided to give up without a fight. King Sobieski, defended once city of Lwów against the Tatars raiders under the command of Safa Girey using a trick: the Tatars were completely confused by the view of the literraly a forest of rised Hussar lances which they noticed on the hill occupied by the army of the Polish king. The long for 6m lances, already visible from afar, were part of a royal ruse intended to confuse the opponent. Before the fight started, king gave backup lances to the camp servants, who simulated an extra winged cavalry unit, while the other lances was simply stuck into the ground. In this way, the Tatars were confused and surprised because they knew that the king should have only a small hussar forces. Seeing a king much more powerful than they expected the Tatars departed in fear. City was saved.
Once the Grand Vizier, telling the Sultan about the hussars, pointed to the walls of Istanbul and said with intentional exaggeration: "Those madmen on their winged steeds are ready to strike these walls with lances and I don't know if they would not move them."
The hussars among themselves had a saying that if Heaven fell, they would support it with their lances.
However, the fate of wars does not depend on even the best single military formations and not often the hussars only by themselves won battles...sometimes they even lost...War and battles are a complex issue - hussars created opportunities that should be exploited by the rest of the army. Sometimes it was wasted by the quality of the command as in the Battle of Warsaw in 1656.
really interesting point, friend
@@hanskloss9482 Typical Polish boasting, and meanwhile in Russia we just celebrated the day of the first partition of Poland!
@@alexboyko154 Stupidity, nothing to be proud about. Typical Russian insensivity given what's happening now.
@@alexboyko154 wow, with 2 another powerful states, Russians must be proud to fight 3 vs 1, what about 1920? :) Muscovites are cowardly and weak, winning only with German or Anglo-Saxon help.
@@alexboyko154 Nothing to celebrate. A successful conspiracy of three empires against an economically collapsed and politically ruined country, once powerful?
A revenge of a coward.
Polish army in this clip is divided on 26 icons/units which means that each of them is about 120 soldiers. Russian-Swedish army is 23.000 soldiers is didvided on 38 icons/units so each is for about 605 soldiers. It means that 1 Russo/Swedish unit outnumber each Polish unit 5 to 1.
Polish rots and Western (and Russian for the sake of simplicity) battalions.
@@sebastianseb4392 *rotas (singular: rota), but yes!
It does not really surprise me. Polish winged hussars were well trained, well equipped heavy cavalry. Going up against Russian trash, underequipped underpaid Russian peasants and conscripts. Only the Swedes put up a fight there. Russians were used as a meat shield. As always in history.
Most of Polish comanders of that time would tell you 5:1 is not an "outnumbering". Quality units and highly developed tactics - it was the core for that army.
Pozdrawiam rodaka.
Nie można tak na to patrzeć, wpierdolu nie da się policzyć.
Najważniejsze w husarii było morale. Ich wiara we własne umiejętności, siłę oręża, wyszkolenie umiejętność pracy jako chorągiew najlepij oddaje motto: choćby i niebo runęło kopiami zatrzymamy! Poza tym tajemnicą były specjalne szybkie i ciężkie jednocześnie konie specjalnie trenowane piecio metrowe piki drążone wewnątr, by się nie wyginały w trakcie szarży a jednocześnie były lekke. Kopie piechoty były msx 3,5 metrowe i umiejętność zmiany kierunku szarży w galopie całych formacji tak, że strzemię nie odstępowało strzemienia było czyms kosmicznym. Zołnierze niemieccy i austraccy pod Wiedniem zatrzymali swój atak kiedy usłyszeli w zgielku bitwy szarżę Polskiej Husarii. Ponoć widok i ogłuszający tentent był jedym swego rodzaju widokiem. To była największa i ostatnia taka szarża. Uderzenie husarii był jak przedłużone piorun miażdżący wszystko na swojej drodze. Pod Kłuszunen niektórzy husarze atakowalipo kilkanaście razy za kazdym razem łamiac kolejne kopie aż sprzymierzone siły szwedzko-rosyjskie pękły. I zaczęła się rzeź. Co ciekawe straty husarii nigdy niebyły duże. Straty wroga to przeważnie miazga. Nawet broń palna i artyleria w owym czasie nie była stanie zatrzymać szarży która zaczynała się tak naprawdę od 300 -400 metrów od linni obrony. Wtedy z kłusy na sygnał przechodzono w najszybszy galop i rozpędzona jazda wbijała się w obronę jak gorący nóż w masło. Łamano kopie potem strzelano z bandoletów potem szable husarskie i buzdrygany szły w ruch. Husar miał wiele argumentew i każdym władał doskonale.
Very nice video!!
Thank you for history of my country ! Old glory days ...
For some reason, the author forgot to add that the losses of the "Swedes" (although there were Germans, English, Swedes, Finns and many other nationalities in the mercenary camp) amounted to 1,000-1,500 dead. On the Russian side, losses amounted to 12,000-15,000 people. On the Polish-Lithuanian side there were 120 only.
From the history of Poland, I also recommend the Battle of Hodowem. In June 1694, there was an invasion of Polish lands by the Tatars, carried out in order to obtain gassy. Two cavalry groups were directed to repel them - the first from the Holy Trinity Trenches under the command of Konstanty Zahorowski and the second from the Lair of the Virgin Mary under the command of Mikołaj Tyszkowski. These were groups of 100 hussars and 300 armored men.
The first clash took place in the fields near the village of Hodów, where the Polish cavalry attacked the Tatar vanguard, numbering about 500-600 horses. The Poles captured two mirzów. After this clash, the Poles, realizing that the main forces of the enemy were yet to come and that they had no chance against the overwhelming superiority of the Tatars, withdrew to the village of Hodów. There, the armored and hussars dismounted from their horses and used caravans, koblen, fences, tables, barrels and the like for defense. The attacks of the Tatars, on foot and with the help of firearms, were repulsed by about 300 armored and 100 hussars for five to six hours. When the ammunition ran out, the defenders fired Tatar arrows that were inserted into the barrels instead of bullets. According to various estimates, there were 25,000 to 70,000 Tatars, but King Jan III Sobieski gave 40,000 in an interview with Mikołaj Złotnicki, which would give a force ratio of 100: 1.
Unable to defeat the defenders, the Tatars sent Lipków, i.e. Polish Tatars, demanding surrender. The Poles refused, so due to significant losses, the Tatars retreated to Kamieniec Podolski, which they occupied at that time. Thanks to the effective defense, the further Tatar invasion was stopped.
Most of the defenders were wounded in the battle, and several dozen were killed, including a dozen flag comrades. Konstanty Zahorowski, the commander of one of the hussars, died of his wounds three days after the battle. Mikołaj Tyszkowski was taken captive by the Tatar and later bought from it.
Ale zdajesz sobie sprawę że obraz tej bitwy to propaganda dwory Sobieskiego i w rzeczywistości Polacy mogli walczyć z około 3000 Tatarów bo posyłanie całych 40000 na tak małą grupę to zwykła głupota?
@@idtkztzjwiiwibajau1110 Jeżeli weźmiemy pod uwagę definicje propagandy, czyli że to przedstawienie siebie w dobrym światle, to tak, zgadzam się. Zawsze każdy sobie przycukruje, coś doda czegoś ujmie, tym bardziej że od tej tej bitwy minęło ponad 300 lat, resztę zrobią historycy i ich interpretacje. Ale ujmowanie temu wydarzeniu wyjątkowości, i cech wielkiego czynu, wpisuje się w tzw. pedagogikę wstydu naszej polskiej historii, która była zabiegiem sowieckiej polityki historycznej prowadzonej na terenie Polski. Dziwne, bo Ty się w nią właśnie wpisujesz.... W PRL albo o Hodowie nie mówiło się wcale, albo że to bzdura, albo jak już nie dało się tej bitwy wymazać i wyśmiać, to mówiło się że to bzdura i z igły widły
There is a long story about this guy 'Dmitry,' but it was not something unique during this time. In Russia, we are still surprised how the hell the guy pulled everything through with his plan. There was even a second false Dmitry. During those times, with the proper funding and backup, it was probably possible to be a pretender.
It is also interesting to see the Polish-Lithuanian-Moscowite commonwealth idea. I have never heard of it despite being a historical nerd.
I also like that you mentioned his washed being fired. It's a common joke when we learn about this part of history. Whose idea was that...
It was a truly disastrous time for Russia. But the time of opportunity for Poland. So, it's predictable Poland will exploit it. It is also not commonly mentioned that Swedish helped at some point. Though, knowing the period it was clear Swedish didn't want Polish increasing influence.
Thank you!
About Polish-Lithuanian-Russian Union it discussed from 1572 to 1600, after Jagiellon dynasty die-out both in Poland and Lithuania. It was about free trade, tolerance of religion etd. Main aim was to use both countrys resources to destroy Crimea Khanate and free Christians in Balkans&Constaninopol from Ottomans in similar way how both Poland and Lithuania merged to destroy Teutonic Order 200 years before. But this plan failed couse of distrust and antagonism between Catholics and Orthodox
Sigismund III Vasa hoped to conquer Muscowy and use its army and resources combined with Polish-Lithuanian to help him regain lost Swedish throne
Pretty sure ROC ended up canonizing a Russian Tsar just to shut down any future impostors...I’m guessing this is that Tsar?
Fantastic Video. Next one can be about Polish-Rusian war in 1920 lost by Russia.
The Soviet Republic. Russia no longer existed as of 1920.
Great episode!
I can imagine the Boyars saying to each other "we need us a second Dimitry"
Yes, some of the boyars saw this as an opportunity to avoid paying taxes to the Tzar, so it didn't matter that they knew that this Dimitry wasn't real. It was politically viable, so they took that chance.
This war is of some interest in Swedish military history. On one hand we won some victories and took Moscow, which has been celebrated by many historians, but on the other hand, this battle was a terrible defeat. Jacob De la Gardie later became the military teacher of Gustav II Adolf, who would make the Swedish army into one of the most modern, effective and successful of its time only 20 years later.
Great video! 👍🏻
To nie była straszliwą porażka Szwedów. Hetman Żółkiewski nie chciał atakować ich pozycji, wiedząc że to będzie trudne i kosztowne. Wydzielił niewielka część swoich sił, by jakoś absorbowały skrzydło szwedzkie. Wbrew temu co jest powiedziane w tym filmie, nie dokonywano frontalnych ataków, kawaleria manewrował, podjeżdżała pod szwedzkie pozycję strzelając z pistoletów, podchodziła piechota z muszkietami i strzelano z dział, chodziło o to żeby ich zająć, sprawa rozstrzygnęła się na skrzydle rosyjskim, po jego załamaniu wynik był przesądzony. Dalsze negocjacje że szwedzkim najemnikami nie miały już większego znaczenia.
Yet still Hustav Adolf has been defeated by Hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski ;)
@@pbart7474 Gustav II Adolf also defeated Koniecpolski.
Which battle?
@@pbart7474 He won at Mewe and achieved a tactical victory at Dirschau. I think Gustavus Adolphus and Koniecpolski were equals in the Polish-Swedish war, but the Gustav II Adolf of 1630-1632 was better.
Well done, this was a very really confusing subject in elementary schools..
Polska górą!!
Another great video!
Finally, the first history canal I see with this documentary 😄
Great piece!
Love history marche! Best channel ever.
Imagine being a frontline russian soldier with a sword standing still seeing the incoming charge of winged hussars. Should had been absolute terror for those soldiers.
Под Смоленском этих гусар и унизили
@@romchik6952At Smolensk 1633-1634 these hussars forced the Russians to surrender and beg Władysław IV for mercy. Unless you mean the Siege of Smolensk of 1654, where the invading Russian army of 60,000+, was chasing a 10,000+ Grand Duchy detachment of Grand Hetman Janusz Radiwił , as the rest of the Polish-Lithuanian army was fighting the Cossacks...
@@aleksandersokal5279 It’s probably cool to brag about the exploits of people we are not.
Oh my God... The Slavs really suck in terms of friendship among themselves...
@@neonpirych1566 What are you even talking about? Poles did defeat the Russians and it is certainly a point of national pride. Moreover, I agree Russians suck at not attacking neighbours, especially those they signed "an eternal peace" with.
@@aleksandersokal5279 лях всегда найдет оправдание проигрошу своей обосаной речипосполитой .
Nice episode! Ive also made a video about it few months ago huh. Really interesting topic.
By the way...
Shuysky tribute to the Polish king Sigismund 3 Vasa was the act of homage of the deposed Mickail Shuysky of Russia and his retinue to the Polish King Sigismund III Vasa and teenage prince Władysław (the then-candidate to the Russian throne) on October 29, 1611, in the Senate Hall of the Royal Castle in Warsaw.
A prime example of the proper way to use cavalry, we here too many stories of commanders comtting their cavalry to slogs with infantry but here the polish show the same skill as the mongols in those devestating repeated charges.
Still logistical problems made this battle much longer than it could have been if fresh lances were suplied to troops during the battle
Mongols fought in different way.
They had light cavalery with bows. Husaria was heavy cavalery with lances.
Mongols avoided clinch. Husaria hoped for one.
@@ukaszkowalski725 Yeah, they are distinctly different. But both shared the same idea with republican Romans: new assault by fresh wave after wave of troops in good organisation.
To me it has always been weird we don't hear more people at least trying to imitate the multiple wave approach. I am sure it was not the best and superior all mighty all winning system, but you would think more people would try it. I guess its just too easy for 2 lines of troops to get stuck and mixed together as they try to give room to second line.
@@ukaszkowalski725 no Mongol had heavy cavalry which they used to devastating effect
@@stormshadow5283 Then we have to know difrent history.
During battle of Legnica, Mongols won, cuz they let havy Polish cavalery into their ranks, they pretended retreat, surrounded polish knights, and attacked them with bows.
When Poles fought against Tatars - who fought in mongol style - husaria did not use lances, mostly guns, bows, and sabres, and sometimes they used to get out of horse, to fight like rajtary in trenches...