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

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. MAA4400001......Page 1 MAA4400002......Page 2 MAA4400003......Page 3 MAA4400004......Page 4 MAA4400005......Page 5 MAA4400006......Page 6 MAA4400007......Page 7 MAA4400008......Page 8 MAA4400009......Page 9 MAA4400010......Page 10 MAA4400011......Page 11 MAA4400012......Page 12 MAA4400013......Page 13 MAA4400014......Page 14 MAA4400015......Page 15 MAA4400016......Page 16 MAA4400017......Page 17 MAA4400018......Page 18 MAA4400019......Page 19 MAA4400020......Page 20 MAA4400021......Page 21 MAA4400022......Page 22 MAA4400023......Page 23 MAA4400024......Page 24 MAA4400025......Page 25 MAA4400026......Page 26 MAA4400027......Page 27 MAA4400028......Page 28 MAA4400029......Page 29 MAA4400030......Page 30 MAA4400031......Page 31 MAA4400032......Page 32 MAA4400033......Page 33 MAA4400034......Page 34 MAA4400035......Page 35 MAA4400036......Page 36 MAA4400037......Page 37 MAA4400038......Page 38 MAA4400039......Page 39 MAA4400040......Page 40 MAA4400041......Page 41 MAA4400042......Page 42 MAA4400043......Page 43 MAA4400044......Page 44 MAA4400045......Page 45 MAA4400046......Page 46 MAA4400047......Page 47 MAA4400048......Page 48 MAA4400049......Page 49 MAA4400050......Page 50 MAA4400051......Page 51 MAA4400052......Page 52

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.

"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.