Who were the hussars?

Answer 1

Hussars were a form of light cavalry that became popular in the Napoleonic Wars of 1798-1815. Hussars were made popular by the Austrians under Frederick the Great. They wore colorful uniforms with rows of braid and buttons. Many wore hats called a "Busby", which was a round hat that was covered with bear skin fur and had a colorful bag-flap hanging off to one side. They were usually only armed with a sabre. This is compared to heavier cavalry such as Dragoons or Curaissiers who were armed with rifles and wore breastplates. Dragoons could fight dismounted as infantry. The Hussars could not. Lancers were a light cavalry armed with long lances and usually a carbine. The role of the Hussar was scouting and attacking out posts of the enemy. They were used in large battles to harass the enemy's flanks by moving behind the infantry and causing confusion and attacking with speed and mobility.