The Independent Cavalry Regiments

5th Zeta Lancers

On 10 January 1750, Lord Strazcowitz of Zeta offered to raise a regiment at his own expense for service in the Army. The King accepted his offer and thus was born one of the more unusual regiments of the Slydavian Army. While officially simply another unit in the cavalry corps, the distinction was lost on the public and the men serving in its ranks. It could hardly have been otherwise, as the unit was recruited entirely in the eastern region Zeta. It was equipped by Lord Strazcowitz, quartered in Lanzkigrad, and paraded outside the city’s old citadel. The men cut impressive figures, resplendent in dark blue uniforms and matching fezes, and mounted on local Zeta ponies with traditional lances.  Over the years the uniforms changed in only minor ways, until the 1920’s military reforms.  Unlike most Syldavian cavalry units the 5^th Zeta Lancers (and the 3^rd Polishov Hussars) have remained a non-mechanised force.  Despite this the regiment adopted the new uniforms, with some differences.  The new uniform of the regiment was, as of 1926: 

The regulation uniform for the on-duty cavalry enlisted man consists of the wool service coat (w/ a falling collar), fez, wool shirt, wool jodhpurs and riding boots. The boots are laced ankle boots. The boots are worn with matching gaiters and spurs with spur straps. Beginning in 1931, an ankle-height laced boot was issued to enlisted personal for the first time and worn with a separate canvas or leather gaiter. Prior to 1931, a knee-high boot was worn. All ranks would wear a pistol belt with holster and magazine pouch for the C96 Mauser Pistol. The pistol would be secured with a lanyard looped from left shoulder to right hip as required when armed with the pistol while on horseback. The mounted version of the cartridge belt has nine pockets each containing one en bloc clip of ammunition for the C96 Pistol. Additional ammunition is carried in the saddlebags for extended field service.

Weapons of the 5^th Zeta Lancers:

    * 1855 pattern Sabre carried by all cavalrymen.

    * C96 Mauser Military Pistol. The "96" was carried by all cavalry troopers for use as a mounted offensive weapon. The sabre had been retained as a cavalry service side arm although the pistol was the weapon exclusively employed in most actions. The pistol was always worn with a lanyard. The lanyard was worn from left shoulder to right hip and snapped to the butt of the pistol. It prevented loss of the pistol if dropped while on horseback.

The unit was known, officially, as the 5th Zeta Lancers.  Unofficially, it was known as the “Sir Kromir’s Light Horse” It was made up of three “banners” recruited exclusively from the famed horsemen of eastern Zeta. The regiment famously experienced a considerable amount of hard fighting during the 1851 border war with Borduria as well as the Zarawir crises of 1856.

3rd Polishov Hussars

The Polishov Light Horse was first raised in the 18th century. Initially they formed part of the 4th cavalry regiment performing scouting, reconnaissance and the like, but due to their successes in this role, (and also in charging and harassing the enemy), they soon acquired a reputation for courage and skill. The decision was made to allow the light horse to be formed as an independent regiment dedicated to this role, and the Polishov Light Horse were formed.

The Polishov Light Horse was initially known as Sir Vladizlav’s Regiment of Light Horse. By 1781 the regiment title was simplified to the 3rd Regiment of Light Horse. In 1861 the regiment changed its name to the 3rd Polishov Hussars and in 1924 it amalgamated the 8th Royal Hussars (Queen Najada's Own).

Before 1830 the regiment wore a dark blue, braided, dolman jacket and a leather "Tarleton" style helmet. After 1830the uniform consisted of dark blue jackets with short tails and a shako.

The 1851 War

In 1851 the regiment was ordered to prepare for service. On the 20 September the regiment, took part in the first major engagement of the War, the Battle of the Almazout Valley. Although the regiment’s role in the battle had been minimal early on in the day, with the Bordurians now in full retreat by the afternoon, General Prosdj ordered the Regiment to pursue the fleeing enemy. After a brief, but fruitful pursuit, the regiment was recalled when it was realized that the Bordurians had a significant uncommitted cavalry force in reserve.

During the 25 October the regiment took part in the Battle of Barazoum. They formed the right of the front line along with the 5th Zeta Lancers on the left. The 3rd and 5th moved forward; after 100 yards the 3rd Royal Lancers, in the second line, also moved off followed by the 5th and 6th. It was not long before they came under heavy Bordurian fire. The regiments were soon cutting down the artillerymen that had remained at their posts. Once the Bordurian guns had been passed, they engaged in hand-to-hand fighting with the few enemies that remained and engaging in a rout of those Bordurians forced to retire.

Renamed to The 3rd Polishov Hussars

On the 8 April 1861 the 3rd Regiment of Light Horse were renamed the 3rd Polishov Hussars. The regiment remained otherwise unchanged until 1918 when they underwent there next major change. The new uniform of the regiment was, as of 1918: 

The regulation uniform for the on-duty cavalry enlisted man consists of a grey wool service coat (w/ a standing collar), fez, shirt, grey wool jodhpurs and knee high riding boots. The boots are worn with spurs with spur straps. Prior to 1931, a knee-high boot was worn. NCO’s and officers would wear a pistol belt with holster and ammunition pouch for the Smith and Wesson Model 3 revolver. The pistol would be secured with a lanyard looped from left shoulder to right hip as required when armed with the pistol while on horseback. The mounted version of the cartridge belt had nine pockets each containing one clip of ammunition for the 1888 Mauser carbine. Additional ammunition is carried in the saddlebags for extended field service.

Weapons of the 3^rd Polishov Hussars:

    * 1855 pattern Sabre carried by all cavalrymen.
    * 1880 Smith and Wesson Model 3 revolver carried by all officers and NCO's.

    * 1888 Mauser carbine. The carbine was carried by all cavalry troopers for use as an offensive weapon. The sabre was been retained as a cavalry service side arm although the carbine was the weapon exclusively employed in most actions.