Uhlan

Uhlan (also spelled "Ulan", Polish: U?an) were originally Polish light cavalry soldiers armed with lances; later they also served in the Prussian and Austrian armies. Similar troops also existed in other European armies, where they were known as the Lancers.

Related Topics:
Polish - Polish - Cavalry - Lance - Prussia - Austrian - Europe - Lancer

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Uhlans typically wore a double-breasted jacket (kurta) with a coloured panel (plastron) at the front, a coloured sash, and a square-topped Polish cap (czapka). Their lances usually had small swallow-tailed flags (known as the lance pennon) just below the spearhead.

Related Topics:
Czapka - Flag

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Uhlans were introduced into the Prussian service in 1740, but failed to distinguish themselves in the First Silesian War, and it was only after the treaty of Tilsit (1807) that Uhlan regiments were again formed in the Prussian army.

Related Topics:
Prussia - 1740 - Tilsit - 1807

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In the Austrian army a "Uhlan-pulk" of Polish personnel was formed in 1784, while ordinary Uhlan regiments of Austrian cavalrymen were raised in 1791.

Related Topics:
Austrian - Uhlan-pulk - 1784 - 1791

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Manfred von Richthofen, a World War I fighter ace better known as the "Red Baron", began his military career in a German Uhlan regiment from 1911 to 1915.

Related Topics:
Manfred von Richthofen - World War I - 1911 - 1915

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