1st Chevau-léger regiment of Grand Duchy of Warsaw (1 Pułk Szwoleżerów KW)

1st Chevau-léger regiment of Grand Duchy of Warsaw/ 1 Pułk Szwoleżerów Księstwa Warszawskigo​

Welcome to our thread, I'm sure that many of you have heard of us and played with us many times. We are a Guard Lancer regiment but often we are forced to bring death to our foes on our own feet. During the Napoleonic period we were known as the 1er régiment de chevau-légers lanciers polonais de la Garde impériale
Our regiment was created on 8th of June 2011 by General Brudna_Ryba_PL. We are the commanding regiment of Księstwo Warszawskie

History



The Polish 1st Light Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Guard, under the command of Wincenty Krasiński, was created by a decree of Napoleon's, and signed on 9 April 1807 in Kamieniec Suski

We fought in the Spanish, 1809-1811, Russian and 1812-1815 campaigns through which we became one of if not the most feared cavalary regiment in the world at that time. The Regiment, as part of Napoleon's Imperial Guard, fought in many battles, distinguishing itself at Wagram, Beresina, Hanau, Waterloo and especially Somosierra. On at least three occasions, light-horsemen of the Regiment saved Napoleon's life.

During the battle of Somosierra which was fought On 30 November 1808 their most famous charge up the Somosierra Pass took place. That day the 3rd Squadron under Kozietulski (ad interim) was on duty as a personal escort to the Emperor. After the failure of the French infantry attack, Napoleon ordered Polish chevaulegers to take the pass defended by 3000 men and four batteries of Spanish cannons. The narrow road to the top (300 meters level difference, 2,500 meters long), bordered from both sides with waist high stone walls, lined with poplar trees, precluded a demi-squadron or even a troop frontal attack. This was why the attack was conducted in a column four horses wide. After the first battery was taken, chevaulegers, without slowing the full gallop charge gained the top of the Pass in about eight minutes. All four batteries were taken, and the road to Madrid opened for Napoleon's Army. The charge was led by Kozietulski who, however, lost his horse after taking the first battery. The squadron was then joined by Lt. Andrzej Niegolewski, who had previously been on reconnaissance with his troop. The charge was continued under Dziewanowski, and when he fell from his horse after taking the third battery, by Piotr Krasiński. The charge, which continued to the last battery, was led by Niegolewski, who miraculously survived when the Spanish attacked him (he received nine wounds from bayonnettes and two carbine shots to the head).

According to the official version, Kozietulski led his men into the charge with the standard French war cry "En avant, vive l'Empereur!". However, according to the memoirs of many of the veterans the true battle cry was (Polish) "Naprzód psiekrwie, Cesarz patrzy!" (Forward, you sons of dogs, the Emperor is watching!).

The charge has been noted as the most effective victory of the Polish cavalry during the time of the Napoleonic Wars, and as the least costly victory for Napoleon. It became a legend and later an inspiration for many writers and painters.

Soon after the battle the regiment was - by Napoleon's decree - included in the Old Guard. It stayed in Spain until February 1809. It took its part in the retaking of Madrid, and in marshal Soult's campaign against British forces in Portugal Hundred chevaulegers under Tomasz Łubieński escorted Napoleon on his way back to Paris.

(For more detailed history of the regiment please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1er_r%C3%A9giment_de_chevau-l%C3%A9gers_lanciers_polonais_de_la_Garde_imp%C3%A9riale)



Recruitment



We are currently recruiting only those that speak fluent Polish If you speak fluent Polish and wish to join us contact either Brudna_Ryba_PL, Bohdan or wodzu93 on steam



Roster and Ranks

Ranks:
Col - Pułkownik/ Colonel
Lt_Col - Podpułkownik/ Lieutenant colonel
Mjr - Major
Cpt - Kapitan / Captain
Lt - Porucznik / Lieutenant
Lt_II - Podporucznik / 2nd Lieutenant
WO - Chorąży / Warrant Officer class 1
WO_II - Podchorąży / Warrant Officer class 2
MSgt - Starszy Sierżant / Master Sergeant
Sgt - Sierżant / Sergeant
SCpl - Starszy Kapral / Senior Corporal
Cpl - Kapral / Corporal
Pfc - Starszy Szeregowy / Private First class
Pvt - Szeregowy / Private


Roster:




Contact Details

If you are a commander or second in command and wish or arrange a battle with us please contact Brudna_Ryba_PL, Bohdan or wodzu93 on steam.

Media

Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/Ballentines333

Screenshots: http://1pskw.ubf.pl/photogallery.php?album_id=3 (More pictures will be added soon)​