Amazing
that the Cavalry lasted through WWI with the advent of machine guns and tanks.
OMG! (it's not what you think)
Horse cavalry (U.S.) actually existed during the early part of WWII, but the horses were soon replaced with tanks. The last official U.S. mounted horse cavalry charge was against the Japanese army on Bataan in early 1942.
Former U.S. president Ronald Reagan was a member of the U.S. cavalry during the late 1930's.
Yes, and Poland relied on it during the opening days of WWII; I'm just thinking about how long it took for strategists to catch up to technology, especially after the battles for the Somme and the resulting casualties due to machine guns.
OMG! (it's not what you think)
Yep, the military is often noted for being resistant to change, or very slow to change with the times.
I just thought I'd mention that horses are still used to a limited extent in the military even today - not only for ceremonial and parade uses, but apparently the Special Forces in Afghanistan have been trained to use and care for horses so that they can not only travel in very rough terrain, but also so that they can mingle with the local tribesmen and "bond" with them, since horses are such a big part of the tribal life there. Interesting article on this very topic:
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-exclusives/fort-bragg-military-horse s.aspx
Yeah, I did 21 years, follow military through historic magazines, etc. The use of horses for SOF was written about by Clancy and others, and then it actually occured.
OMG! (it's not what you think)
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