Napoleon’s Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard (Men-at-Arms)

Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Guard were unique in their appearance and in their loyalty. This book reveals their varied and colorful uniforms as well as their long and loyal service for the Bonaparte cause during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815). The Poles were the only foreign contingent never to defect from Napoleon's cause, staying faithful to the end - a squadron even accompanied Napoleon into exile on Elba, and the Guard reformed in 1815 to charge at Waterloo. In 1808, when Napoleon was smashing his way through the Spanish armies to get at British forces in the Peninsular, the Poles astounded observers with their extreme acts of courage and military daring. In one memorable instance the Poles captured a defended mountain pass at Somosierra, overrunning four batteries of cannons in the process. It was they who introduced the use of the lance to the French army, adding a new tactical dimension to the use of the cavalry on the battlefield and demonstrated its deadly effects in all of Napoleon's most famous victories - particularly Wagram in 1809. Brave and ruthless in equal measures, this is a fascinating insight into the fighting lives of the legendary Polish Lancers. 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_01......Page 1 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_02......Page 2 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_03......Page 3 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_04......Page 4 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_05......Page 5 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_06......Page 6 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_07......Page 7 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_08......Page 8 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_09......Page 9 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_10......Page 10 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_11......Page 11 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_12......Page 12 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_13......Page 13 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_14......Page 14 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_15......Page 15 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_16......Page 16 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_17......Page 17 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_18......Page 18 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_19......Page 19 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_20......Page 20 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_21......Page 21 440. 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Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_35......Page 35 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_36......Page 36 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_37......Page 37 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_38......Page 38 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_39......Page 39 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_40......Page 40 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_41......Page 41 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_42......Page 42 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_43......Page 43 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_44......Page 44 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_45......Page 45 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_46......Page 46 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_47......Page 47 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_48......Page 48 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_49......Page 49 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_50......Page 50 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_51......Page 51 440. Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard_Page_52......Page 52 This book draws on original regimental records to give by far the most detailed account ever published in English of the organization and personalities of the most renowned of the foreign units that served in the Emperor's armies. Unlike most of his foreign troops, these Polish horsemen were true volunteers, who owed their honoured place in his Imperial Guard to their proven courage and dash on battlefields from Spain to Russia. The text is illustrated with rare portraits and photographs, and with detailed colour plates of the Lancers'magnificent uniforms. "This book draws on original regimental records to give an account of the organization and personalities of the most renowned of the foreign units that served in the Emperor's armies. Unlike most of his foreign troops, these Polish horsemen were true volunteers, who owed their honoured place in his Imperial Guard to their proven courage on battlefields from Spain to Russia. The text is illustrated with rare portraits and photographs, and with detailed colour plates of the Lancers' magnificent uniforms."--Jacket Napoleon's Polish Lancers of the Guard were unique in their appearance and in their loyalty. This book reveals their varied and colourful uniforms as well as their long and loyal service for the Bonaparte cause. It provides an insight into the fighting lives of the legendary Polish Lancers.