Tag: horses

Red Army Horses (1941-1945) by Timur Muminov [Тимур Муминов] (13.8.2019) 

The time of severe trials proved the expediency of organizing a special fund of selected horse stock. In total, about three million horses came from the national economy to the front. Even more of them would be needed if, thanks to a well-organized military Veterinary Service, the vast majority of slightly wounded and sick animals did not return to Service – but were returned to the Home-Front to continue their vital patriotic services. However, more than a million uncomplaining Soviet War-Horse died in the anti-fascist war! Already, by 1942, the USSR was short of horses – with the shortfall being met by purchases from its allies in Mongolia!

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USSR: Red Army Cavalry Swords! (12.5.2022) 

It is remarkable to consider that although the Red Army Cavalry were issued were ‘Carbines’ in 1941, this was not before massed men on horses had launched traditional Cavalry charges against the Nazi German Army as it moved into the USSR from June 22nd onwards, in 1941! Indeed, the 6th and 36th Divisions of Red Army Cavalry were literally ‘wiped-out’ as every man and horse was lost when they ‘charged’ at advancing Nazi Germany tanks in West Ukraine at the very beginning of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945)!

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The Use of the Cavalry Lance (‘Pike’) and the Red Army (1924) 

In general, the combination of today’s ‘unusual’ cavalry soldier with this type of horse is very far, unfortunately, from the image that is desirable or associated with a ‘traditional’ cavalryman. Meanwhile, a ‘pike’ (or ‘lance’) is good only in the hands of an excellent rider, sitting on an excellent and well-trodden horse! History sufficiently proves (through a number of examples) that in the absence of these two vital attributes – the pike is only a burden that rushes into battle without finding any effective use for itself!  

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Remembering the Soviet Red Army Cavalry! (10.5.2022) 

This led to the cavalry being eventually phased-out and eventually abolished in 1955! Tanks, co-ordinated with artillery, infantry and airforce evolved into a much more effective striking and defence force that did not involve the risk of relatively high casualties experienced by the cavalry regarding horses (which are very high maintenance) as well as in men. However, all through the four-years of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), the Soviet Red Army Cavalry provided an important and vital anti-fascist force that directly took-on the forces of Nazi Germany and its allies from around the world (which were supported by the Catholic Church)! Although out-gunned and always facing the danger of total destruction from the modern technology deployed against them, the Red Army Cavalry utilised unusual tactics, surprise and bravery to overcome these problems! 

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