French cavalry during World War I


French cavalry during World War I played a relatively minor role in events. As mounted combatants proved highly vulnerable to the firepower of infantry and artillery, the various units of this arm essentially carried out auxiliary missions during the "Great War", even if the beginning of the conflict corresponded to its peak in terms of mounted manpower.
Mainly deployed on the Western Front, the French cavalry took part in operations in the summer of 1914, mainly carrying out reconnaissance and patrol missions. Cavalrymen soon began to fight systematically dismounted, firing their rifles. From autumn 1914 onwards, trench warfare led to a sharp decline in the role of cavalry: some regiments abandoned their horses, forming "dismounted cavalry divisions" and taking part in combat as infantrymen. The resumption of the maneuver warfare in 1918 restored the cavalry's usefulness as mounted infantry.
Several other cavalry regiments were sent to the other theaters of operations of the First World War, where they were sometimes much more useful on horseback than on foot: in the Maghreb, the Balkans, and the Middle East.
Finally, this period also saw the beginning of mechanization, with the French cavalry receiving a number of self-propelled machine guns for the first time.

Pre-war situation

The French army included several types of cavalry units, whose names, weapons, and uniforms were inherited. The cuirassiers and dragoons form the heavy cavalry, while the chasseurs à cheval and hussards belong to the light cavalry. Added to these are the chasseurs d'Afrique and spahis, the light cavalry of the African army. The differences between heavy and light cavalry concern the horses, the size of the riders, and the service expected.
Between 1872 and 1913, a succession of laws altered the length of military service and the method of recruitment, which had an impact on the training of cavalrymen: in 1872, the length of service was set at five years and the drawing of lots was maintained; in 1889, the length was reduced to three years; Finally, the law of March 21, 1905, reduced the length of service to two years, while the drawing of lots was abolished. This last law posed a problem for cavalry management, who felt they needed more time to train their riders. In 1913, the three-year law increased the length of military service by one year, which satisfied them. Cavalry recruitment has traditionally been a little unusual: the proportion of cadres, i.e. officers and non-commissioned officers, is much higher than in the infantry; a larger proportion of the workforce is made up of career soldiers; and many descendants of the former nobility are to be found in the cavalry.

Armament and uniforms

All cavalrymen are armed with sabers, straight-bladed in the heavy cavalry and curved-bladed in the light cavalry. The use of the spear in French cavalry had been abolished in 1871, but since 1890 this weapon has been distributed once again to all dragoon regiments, in response to the replacement of German uhlans' spears in 1889. Light cavalry also received the spear from 1913 onwards: a dozen hussar and chasseur regiments obtained it before going on the campaign.
In heavy cavalry, the rider's head is protected by a metal helmet with a crest, while the nape of the neck is protected by a floating mane. Cuirassiers have the particularity of wearing a cuirass, weighing eight kilograms, which provides effective protection from edged weapons, but not from shrapnel or bullets. From 1900 onwards, all heavy cavalry had to wear the dark blue cloth tunic, madder pants, and the bluish iron-gray coat.
For the light cavalry, the breeches were made of madder cloth, and the tunic of sky-blue cloth, intended to blend into the landscape background, as previous wars had demonstrated the benefits of a little camouflage. Experiments were carried out to find an even less conspicuous field outfit: the "reseda" color was tried out in 1911 by the 12th chasseurs garrisoned at Saint-Mihiel. The difference between regimental types was limited to the collar and facing tabs, madder for the chasseurs, and sky-blue for the hussars. To replace the shako, a dozen helmets were tested between 1879 and 1913 in several hussar and chasseur regiments: initially of the "policeman" type, or with crest, in leather, then in metal. The helmet adopted in 1913 resembled that of the dragoons, with a steel bombshell adorned with a brass band, the crest bearing a mane, and a canvas field helmet cover: only a few regiments were partially equipped in 1914, with deliveries scheduled until 1919.

Organization

The cavalry is structured in hierarchical units, with each level having a theoretical strength. Around 30 cavalrymen form a platoon commanded by a lieutenant or second lieutenant; four platoons make up a squadron of 120 to 135 horses under the command of a captain; four squadrons are grouped in peacetime into a regiment of around 500 sabers, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant-colonel.
In October 1870, the Imperial Guard was disbanded and its six cavalry regiments were renamed. The lancer regiments all disappeared in 1871. After the French defeat of 1871 and the dissolution of the marching regiments, the French cavalry numbered 56 regiments in mainland France and seven in North Africa, including 12 cuirassiers, 20 dragoons, 10 hussars, 14 chasseurs, four chasseurs d'Afrique and three spahis. Added to these is the Republican Guard cavalry regiment, part of the Gendarmerie. The strength of all French troops was increased to bring them up to the level of their German neighbors, in a kind of arms race that continued until 1914. In 1873, 14 new cavalry regiments were created. The 1875 loi des cadres et effectifs thus provided for 70 regiments in metropolitan France and seven regiments in North Africa. Some of these regiments were grouped to form five cavalry divisions, each with three brigades ; the remainder were assigned to each army corps, each with one cavalry brigade.
Further increases followed, notably in 1887, to boost the number of active officers and non-commissioned officers. In 1913, due to the increase in the number of large infantry units, four new cavalry regiments were created, bringing the total to 89: 12 cuirassiers, 32 dragoons, 21 chasseurs, 14 hussars, 6 chasseurs d'Afrique and 4 spahis. In metropolitan France and peacetime, all cavalry regiments were now envisioned; the network of barracks covered the entire country, with a greater concentration in the East and around Paris. There are also remount depots, responsible for purchasing, breeding, and preparing horses, located mainly in the West.

Doctrine of Employment

Following the experience of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, characterized by the failures of large cavalry charges during the battles of Frœschwiller and Rezonville, the cavalry maneuver regulations of 1876 and 1882 leaned towards a defensive use of cavalry. Later, a more offensive approach—seeking confrontation with enemy cavalry—became favored. Several roles were assigned to the cavalry:
All cavalry units were trained to fight on foot as well, recognizing the vulnerability of cavalry to gunfire—a mounted soldier presented an easy target, standing 2.5 meters tall. In such cases, horses were left behind under guard, while the soldiers formed skirmish lines, taking cover wherever possible and firing with their carbines. Each cavalry brigade also included a machine gun section. Cavalry divisions had additional resources, such as cyclists and artillerymen, providing some measure of firepower.
Traditional cavalry missions included reconnaissance, ambushes, and the protection of marching columns and camps. In 1881, General de Galliffet wrote: "In modern warfare especially, cavalry combat is an incidental event, whereas reconnaissance and security are constant necessities. Although a cavalry division must always form a striking force capable of attacking the enemy, it will very rarely find opportunities for direct engagements."

Mobilization Planning

According to Plan XVII of 1914, each of the army's major units was to receive a contingent of cavalry. The 21 army corps were each assigned six squadrons, usually from the same light cavalry regiment. Of these, the first four squadrons remained grouped, while the 5th and 6th were attached to the two infantry divisions within the corps, with one platoon assigned to every infantry regiment to serve as scouts. Additionally, the 25 new "reserve divisions" created during mobilization were to each receive a squadron, mainly composed of reservists. Finally, the 12 new "territorial infantry divisions" were allocated part of the 37 "territorial cavalry squadrons," which were also tasked with guarding communication routes and fortresses. These squadrons were provided by the military regions at a rate of two per region. The first squadron consisted of light cavalry, the second of dragoons, both numbered consecutively after the other squadrons in each regiment, leading to regiments containing up to a 10th or 12th squadron.
The regiments not assigned to these units were grouped into ten cavalry divisions, each with three brigades. All these cavalry divisions included a mounted artillery group composed of three batteries, each equipped with four 75 mm guns.
Thus, according to the Service of the Armies in the Field regulations of 1913, two types of cavalry units were planned for wartime: "army cavalry" and "corps cavalry". According to the intelligence plan of Plan XVII, the army's commander-in-chief could rely on information from army cavalry reconnaissance missions, aerial exploration, and agents from special services.

Western Front

The Year 1914

Mobilization Coverage

As a result, the first role assigned to the French cavalry by successive mobilization plans was to deploy along the Franco-German border as soon as the first days of mobilization began. Most of its regiments were pre-positioned nearby to ensure the smooth execution of French troop mobilization and concentration operations. This was referred to by the general staff as "coverage."
The deployment of active units from the five army corps along the border began on the morning of July 31, 1914, as part of a "full mobilization exercise," though positioned ten kilometers behind the border. The recall of reservists from these corps was ordered on the evening of August 1, and the first troop trains transporting units from their barracks to their deployment zones were reserved for the "coverage divisions." Consequently, half of the French cavalry was deployed just before the mobilization was officially declared to form a protective screen, with each squadron accompanied by an infantry battalion:
  • The 8th Cavalry Division was deployed in the High Vosges region.
  • The 6th Cavalry Division covered the Haute-Meurthe area.
  • The 2nd Cavalry Division was deployed in the Basse-Meurthe area.
  • The 7th Cavalry Division covered Southern Woëvre.
  • The 4th Cavalry Division was deployed in Northern Woëvre.

Rapid Deployment

At the same time, the 1st Division, composed of regiments stationed in Paris, Versailles, and Vincennes, boards trains on August 1. They disembark on August 2 at stations around Mézières. This division is joined by an army corps staff led by General Sordet, as well as the 3rd and 5th Cavalry Divisions. Together, they form the "Cavalry Corps" on August 2, which deploys as a cover in the Ardennes department, protecting the left flank of the French forces and standing ready to conduct reconnaissance in Belgium if necessary. In Paris, the Republican Guard remains in the city to maintain order and perform military police duties. Its cavalry regiment replaces the Parisian cuirassiers in carrying out mounted presidential escorts.
The last two cavalry divisions arrive from further afield: the 10th CD and the 9th CD. They complete their ranks starting on the first day of mobilization and board trains to disembark in eastern France by August 5, the fourth day of mobilization. Upon arriving, the cavalrymen immediately advance to cover subsequent deployments, which continue for two weeks until August 18. As for the cavalry units assigned to larger infantry formations, they arrive alongside them, the last being squadrons integrated into divisions from the Army of Africa.

Battle of the Frontiers

The initial engagements are skirmishes between patrols, tasked with probing enemy dispositions and gathering intelligence by interrogating civilians and capturing prisoners to identify opposing units. The first units involved are those garrisoned near the border. For example, in Belfort, the 11th and 18th Dragoon Regiments are sent to monitor the border on July 31, 1914, at 5:00 AM, with alert cantonments in Morvillars and Grandvillars. On August 1, the 11th Dragoons canton in Joncherey with a battalion of the 44th Infantry Regiment under their command. On August 2, at 10:00 AM, "a German patrol from the 5th Chasseurs, composed of one officer and eight cavalrymen, arrives at Joncherey. It is fired upon by an infantry section holding the Tuileries on the road to Faverois; the officer is killed. At 10:15 AM, the 3rd squadron mounts up and is sent on reconnaissance".
Operations began on August 7, 1914, when French troops entered Upper Alsace. As expected, the cavalry leads the way, with the 1st Squadron of the 11th Dragoons spearheading the 8th CD column, crossing the Franco-German border at Seppois-le-Bas at 6:00 AM. At 11:15 AM, a patrol from the same regiment comes under fire in Altkirch, followed by German artillery striking the entire brigade as it assembles on a plateau. After the infantry enters Mulhouse, the Dragoon brigade is tasked with monitoring the Sundgau and the road to Basel, with cantonment on August 8 at Tagsdorf, with the 11th regiment moving to Jettingen on August 9 and the 18th Dragoon Regiment extending reconnaissance as far as Uffheim. It is advised in this area, increasingly close to the Rhine, to avoid nighttime exposure to searchlights from Istein. A general retreat to the safety of the Belfort fortress is ordered on August 10 following the French defeat near Mulhouse.
On the Lorraine plateau, the cavalry is similarly limited to reconnaissance and maintaining a thin patrol line, leaving the infantry to hold resistance lines. For example, Lunéville serves as the primary garrison for the 2nd Cavalry Division, which has four regiments stationed there: the 8th and 31st Dragoons and the 17th and 18th Chasseurs. The first skirmish between cavalry patrols occurs on August 4, with the division's baptism of fire on August 6 during an artillery duel following a supply requisition in Vic. These regiments are not engaged in battles around Cirey on August 10, La Garde on August 11th, Badonviller on August 12, or the major confrontations at Morhange and Dieuze on August 20, which are fought by infantry.
During the offensive, half of the cavalry divisions are grouped into two provisional cavalry corps. On the Lorraine plateau, the 2nd, 6th, and 10th CD form the Conneau Corps starting August 14, 1914, tasked with connecting the 1st and 2nd Armies separated by the lake region. For the offensive in the Belgian Ardennes, the 4th and 9th CD were combined into General Pierre Abonneau's corps as of August 18, 1914, attached to the 4th Army. However, the French defeat leads to the corps' dissolution by August 25.
Everywhere, the cavalry fails to provide adequate intelligence on enemy positions. In Lorraine, they lose contact with the Germans just before their counterattack at the Battles of Morhange and Sarrebourg on the morning of August 20. The same happens in the Belgian Ardennes, where French columns are decimated during the Battle of the Ardennes on August 22 by two unidentified German armies. As a result, several commanding officers are dismissed for their perceived responsibility: Generals Lescot on August 13, Aubier on August 16th for "absolute inertia," Gillain on August 25, and Levillain on August 27.

The Sordet Corps in Belgium

When the Belgian government authorized the French to enter Belgium on the evening of August 4, 1914, orders were given to conduct reconnaissance missions on August 5, followed by advancing the entire corps north of Neufchâteau to scout towards Martelange and Bastogne. By August 7, the cavalry units reached the Lesse River, and on August 8, Sordet reported that the area "was free of Germans" up to Liège. On August 9, the Belgians requested French cavalry north of the Meuse to protect Brussels, as at least one German cavalry division was marching from Tongeren toward Sint-Truiden.
However, on August 11, the cavalry corps reported the arrival of significant German forces from the east: the German 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Armies, a force of 743,000 men, including five cavalry divisions, had begun their advance. To avoid combat, the cavalry corps retreated, crossing to the left bank of the Meuse on August 15 and coming under the command of the French 5th Army. It held its position north of the Sambre River, occasionally pushing as far as Gembloux. On August 20, the commander-in-chief, through the 5th Army commander, sent Sordet a letter criticizing his handling of operations and proposing his replacement.
Following the French defeat at Charleroi and the British defeat at Mons, the cavalry corps joined the Great Retreat from August 22 to September 6, passing through Maubeuge, Péronne, Montdidier, Beauvais, Mantes, and Versailles, unable to slow the German pursuit. For example, they failed to hold the bridges over the Somme near Péronne on August 28. These long marches and counter-marches, resembling a carousel, exhausted the horses under the sweltering heat:

The Battle of the Marne

During the Great Retreat, the Sordet Cavalry Corps, the French 5th Army, and the British Army crossed northern France, pursued by German forces. The cavalry corps was no longer combat-ready: soldiers whose mounts had died from exhaustion traveled on foot, while a "provisional cavalry division" was created on August 29 using the remaining operational units. This division was assigned to the newly formed 6th Army.
By the early days of September 1914, the Sordet Corps had taken refuge southwest of Paris, while the Conneau Corps maintained the connection between the British forces and the French 5th Army. Meanwhile, the 9th Cavalry Division linked the French 9th and 4th Armies. Their mission was to ensure the continuity of the front between the different armies.
However, on August 31, Captain Charles Lepic reported from Gournay-sur-Aronde that a German column had abandoned the road to Paris and was heading southeast. This intelligence was confirmed in the following days by other patrols and by aerial reconnaissance from the Paris fortified zone.
The Battle of the Marne consisted of several engagements, during which cavalry was primarily tasked with covering operations, though it sometimes played a more active role. For example, the three divisions of Bridoux's Corps, particularly the 5th Cavalry Division, participated in the Battle of the Ourcq. The Conneau Corps took part in the Battle of the Two Morins, while the L'Espée Corps fought in the Battle of the Marshes of Saint-Gond near Mailly-le-Camp.

Pursuit and Race to the Sea

After the battles on the Marne, cavalry units were logically sent ahead for the pursuit, but their progress was extremely slow as the horses were utterly exhausted, barely managing to round up a few stragglers. The cavalry "arrived exhausted at the Battle of the Marne, and there, when this victory could have become an irreparable rout for the Germans, there were no horses fit to march." As early as September 8, what remained of the 5th Cavalry Division was sent on a raid through Crépy-en-Valois behind German lines, into the forests of Compiègne and Villers-Cotterêts. During this raid, a squadron of the 16th Dragoons succeeded in attacking an automobile convoy transporting aircraft on the evening of September 11 near the Mortefontaine Plateau. Initially, two platoons dismounted to skirmish, followed by a mounted platoon charge, which was cut down by machine-gun fire.
On September 9, an attack on the Rozières Plateau gave the 1st Cavalry Division and the 13th Dragoon Brigade of the 3rd Cavalry Division, under General Bridoux, the opportunity to charge and repel several enemy infantry battalions. On September 10, two cavalrymen from the 3rd Hussars captured the flag of a Saxon regiment after attacking a group of about fifteen isolated Germans in Mont-l'Évêque.
The pursuit was halted on September 14 as the French cavalry was incapable of effectively engaging German infantry, though additional raids were carried out. For instance, on September 14–15, the 10th Cavalry Division infiltrated between the German 1st and 2nd Armies, crossed the Aisne at Pontavert, and reached the Sissonne camp before retreating.
During the Race to the Sea, cavalry units were used as mounted infantry, tasked with temporarily holding positions until infantry battalions arrived. Nine of the ten cavalry divisions were deployed on the left flank, with only the 2nd Cavalry Division remaining in Woëvre. On September 15, a new "provisional cavalry division" was created under General Beaudemoulin with remaining available forces, such as the Gillet Brigade and reserve squadron groups. It was engaged near Péronne on September 25 but dissolved on October 9. However, cavalry units were small in number, lacked machine guns, had no tools to dig defensive positions, and carried too little ammunition. In one instance, dismounted cavalry charged enemy infantry with lances. On October 20, 1914, near Stadenberg, close to Ypres, two squadrons of the 16th and 22nd Dragoons carried out such a charge.
On September 30, two cavalry corps were organized on the left flank and engaged near Arras: the 1st Corps under General Louis Conneau and the 2nd Corps under General Antoine de Mitry. On October 5, 1914, a "cavalry corps grouping" was established in the Lens region with these two corps, under General Conneau and attached to the 10th Army, in an attempt to outflank the German right wing. Engaged immediately in the Battle of Artois, this grouping was disbanded by October 7 after its failure. It was re-established on October 12 in Flanders on the banks of the Lys but was permanently dissolved on October 16.
Once the front stabilized, reconnaissance missions were exclusively assigned to aviation, while the capture of prisoners was left to shock troops during raids. Tens of thousands of horses perished, mainly from exhaustion due to the pace of operations, lack of care, and insufficient forage.

Trench Warfare (1915-1918)

Awaiting a Breakthrough

A third cavalry corps was established for this purpose on September 2, 1915 under General de Buyer's command, only to be dissolved on December 28, 1916.
For example, in autumn 1915, seven cavalry divisions awaited the success of the Second Battle of Champagne: the 3rd Cavalry Corps was assigned to the 2nd Army; the 2nd Cavalry Division and the 2nd Cavalry Corps supported the 4th Army; while the 1st and 3rd Cavalry Divisions, along with the Spahi Brigade, were placed within the 10th Army for the Third Battle of Artois.
Orders dictated that they remain "ready, as soon as the breach appears sufficiently wide, to promptly send one or several divisions through it, which must then sweep east and west to strike the rear of the enemy's second line." On September 28, breaches were reported in German lines: the 8th Cavalry Division advanced south of Perthes-lès-Hurlus, and the 5th Cavalry Division moved north of Souain. However, the resilience of the German front prevented any exploitation.

Charging Between the Trenches

In this attack, the headquarters staff and the three leading squadrons, particularly the 5th, suffered the most severe losses in men and horses. The rear squadrons fared better. Wounded chasseurs were treated and evacuated with great difficulty. Many wounded horses roamed or lay in the trenches, where they were put down.
The severely reduced dismounted detachment continued ensuring passage through German trenches for the infantry until the following morning. From September 26 to 29, the cavalry regiment remained at the front, clearing German shelters captured by the infantry, awaiting a favorable moment for another charge. On September 29, the Army Corps abandoned the idea of using mounted cavalry and withdrew the remnants of the regiment from the front.

Other Occupations

Unable to fight on horseback, cavalry units were primarily tasked with traffic control and policing within the army zones, supporting the gendarmerie provosts due to the lack of more specialized roles. To address this inactivity, cavalry regiments were regularly sent into the front-line trenches to perform infantry duties, leaving their horses far to the rear. For example, dismounted cavalrymen of the 10th CD held the sector between Leimbach and Burnhaupt-le-Haut for most of 1915, alongside some territorial infantry. During the Champagne offensive in the autumn of 1915, the foot groups and artillery of the 2nd Cavalry Corps were engaged in support of the 6th Army Corps, suffering an estimated total of 1,399 casualties.
In 1917, during the period of mutinies and strikes, cavalry units were relatively spared from the unrest due to their structure and recruitment methods. However, the cavalrymen of the 25th Dragoons were among the first to sing The Internationale on May 28, 1917, at their quarters in Vendeuil. To maintain order, the dragoon brigades of the 1st Cavalry Corps were sent at the end of May to deal with the mutinied units and were later rotated through major industrial centers, participating in police operations, with detachments stationed at train stations and depots to monitor the return of soldiers on leave.
Additionally, cavalry units provided labor detachments to enhance the front's defenses, assist with farming work, conduct earthworks in fortified regions, and, in one instance, prepare an airfield.

Creation of Mounted Units

At the end of August 1914, the military governor of Paris scraped together resources to form units: a temporary cavalry brigade consisting of two regiments was assembled from reservists present in depots in the Paris region, commanded by a few officers from the Saumur application school. On August 25, the "Mixed Cavalry Regiment" was formed, composed of reserve squadrons from the 15th Dragoons and 8th Hussars; it became the "Mixed Marching Cavalry Regiment," which was finally dissolved on December 31, 1916. On August 26, 1914, the 33rd Dragoon Regiment was created from the 7th squadrons of the 6th, 23rd, 27th, and 32nd Dragoon Regiments ; it was dissolved on January 20, 1916.
On October 9, 1914, another temporary cavalry brigade was formed on the banks of the Meurthe from divisional squadrons. The "Reserve B Hussar Regiment" lasted long enough to be renamed the 17th Marching Hussar Regiment on August 19, 1915, but it too was dissolved on January 7, 1916.
In December 1914, the Matuzinski Brigade was organized to complete the 10th CD and renamed the 23rd Light Brigade in April 1915. The "Marching Regiment of the 12th Hussars" was created on December 12, composed of the reserve squadron group from the 12th Hussars and the 11th squadron. The 3rd Chasseur Regiment depot provided a dismounted squadron on June 29, 1915. The regiment was renamed the 16th Marching Hussar Regiment on July 30, 1916, and was dissolved on January 7, 1916. The "Marching Regiment of Mounted Chasseurs" was created on December 14, 1914, using the 6th Squadron of the 11th Chasseurs, the 5th of the 14th Chasseurs, and the 11th of the 16th Chasseurs. It became the 22nd Mounted Chasseur Regiment in 1915 and was dissolved on January 4, 1916.

Dismounting

Starting in October 1914, each cavalry division was required to form a "light group," equivalent in size to an infantry regiment with three battalions. This group consisted of one dismounted squadron from each of the division's six regiments. By June 1916, most of these ten light groups were incorporated into the foot cuirassier regiments.
On June 1, 1916, the "1st Light Regiment" was created, a three-battalion infantry regiment with three machine gun companies. It was formed from the "light groups" of the 2nd and 10th Cavalry Divisions, a reserve squadron from the 29th Dragoons, and some elements taken from mounted regiments. All officers came from the cavalry; each battalion comprised two squadrons. The commander was a cavalry colonel who had previously led the 373rd Infantry Regiment. Assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Division, the regiment took its position on the front line near Seppois-le-Haut during the night of June 1–2. The regiment, the only one of its kind, was disbanded on August 15, 1917, to be replaced by a foot cuirassier regiment.
In May 1916, six cuirassier regiments were dismounted : the 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 11th, and 12th became "foot cuirassier regiments." Initially assigned to individual cavalry divisions, these regiments were later grouped into two "foot cavalry divisions" between December 1917 and January 1918. These regiments were deployed in offensives, such as the 4th, 9th, and 11th Cuirassiers' involvement in the capture of the Laffaux Mill in April 1917 during the Battle of the Chemin des Dames.
On November 11, 1915, 48 squadrons were removed from infantry divisions and dissolved. By December 31, 1915, 29 dragoon squadrons were disbanded and replaced by light groups. On June 1, 1916, the 9th and 10th Cavalry Divisions were disbanded, followed by the 8th Division on August 5, 1916, and the 7th Division in July 1917. Many officers and cavalrymen were transferred to infantry, artillery, and aviation. As their role diminished, the cavalry's total strength decreased slightly during the conflict, from 3.7% of the army in 1914 to 3.2% in 1918. Meanwhile, the technical branches expanded. During the war, 4,800 cavalry officers switched to other branches, notably aviation and tanks. By 1915, half of the non-commissioned officers in cavalry regiments had transferred to the infantry to become section leaders.

Uniforms and Equipment

At the beginning of the campaign, cuirassiers wore breastplate covers, while all cavalrymen had fabric helmet covers to prevent sunlight reflections on metal parts, which were visible from afar. On October 16, 1915, the production of blue canvas breeches was ordered to cover or replace the madder red
breeches of the light cavalry. Similarly, from March 27, 1915, horses with light-colored coats were to be dyed using paraphenylenediamine or potassium permanganate. The adoption of Horizon blue uniforms began in December 1914 and was completed by the end of 1915. From that point on, all cavalrymen wore the same uniform as the infantry, except for minor details. Adrian helmets were distributed starting in June 1915 when shakos and crested helmets were in short supply, and their use became mandatory from October 16, 1915, for all cavalry units on the front, including the Chasseurs d'Afrique. Gas masks were also distributed, including for horses.
The supply of tools was expanded: in addition to billhooks, saws, and axes, units received entrenching tools and wire cutters as well as division-level supplies stored in three trucks.
The carbine was replaced by the Berthier Model 1892 carbine in October 1914. Surviving carbines were converted into carbines in 1915. These carbines were further modified starting in 1916 to hold five-round magazines instead of three. Lances were abandoned, and breastplates were sent to depots in September 1915. Firepower was increased: starting in April 1915, each regiment was required to include a machine gun section. Ammunition allocations rose from 96 cartridges per cavalryman to 165. Units underwent training in infantry tactics and grenade throwing.
From March 1, 1916, some light machine guns were issued, with four per squadron. Regiments received 36 grenade launchers with 1,000 VB rifle grenades, grenade pouches or belts, and small 37mm cannons.
After prewar experimentation, the first motorized armored vehicles were deployed in combat. These were modified civilian vehicles based on the chassis of small trucks or large cars. They were fitted with light armor and armed with a machine gun or a small semi-automatic cannon from naval stockpiles. While the initial crews were sailors, they were soon replaced by cavalrymen. Groups of these armored cars and cannons were incorporated into units, with one group per cavalry division. The 8th Cavalry Division received its group in October 1914, followed by the 9th in November and the 7th in December. The remaining divisions were equipped in 1915. By November 1915, the 7th Division had two groups, with other divisions following in May–June 1916. Among the 17 groups created, the 10th was notable for being deployed to Romania starting in August 1916.

Evolution of Doctrine

From this point onward, mounted units near the front were required to remain in open formations, with riders spread out and staggered across the terrain. New documents formalized the theoretical use of cavalry, such as the Instruction on the Use of Cavalry in Battle dated December 8, 1916, and revised on May 26, 1918, which governed the engagement of units. It was decided that, when dismounted riders were used as infantry on a stabilized front, the cavalry units applied the infantry regulations. The document defined the new properties of cavalry:
Its role in combat, during an offensive, is "to ensure the development of success and, as success expands, to enable further exploitation." On the defensive, "cavalry will be able to limit the effects of a sudden rupture in the defensive battlefield's organization." Finally, "in the event of an enemy retreat, it will scout and cover the army's advance."
At the tactical level, cavalry was now to be used as mounted infantry, fighting primarily on foot and using its mobility to move to the flanks or rear of the enemy, combining firepower and movement. At the divisional level, it was considered assigning light tank sections or companies to cavalry divisions.
This text was drafted during preparations for General Nivelle's offensive in April 1917. The command hoped to deploy cavalry through a breach in the front, finally breaking into open terrain.

Resumption of Mobile Warfare (1918)

The Allied offensives that began in the summer of 1918 consisted of successive blows against the German frontlines, each stopping at the limit of artillery range, with no attempt to break through. Progress was therefore slow, and cavalry was only engaged in dismounted combat:
As of November 1, 1918, the Allies had six French cavalry divisions on the French front, supported by three British and one Belgian division. Cavalry forces consisted of 66,881 French, 18,894 British, 6,971 Belgian, and 6,028 American troops, with an additional 633 French cavalrymen on the Italian front.
Each of the two corps was reinforced with one, then two squadrons, a company of balloonists, four artillery groups, three engineering companies, and one, then two, groups of armored cars and autocannons. The autocannons were armored cars equipped with 37 mm cannons, with each group consisting of six armored cars or three autocannons.

Other Fronts

Sub-Saharan Africa

In French West Africa, the general based in Dakar had very limited cavalry resources in 1914: the only squadron of Senegalese Spahis stationed in Saint-Louis had been deployed to Morocco since 1912. Available forces included two mounted companies and 15 camel-mounted sections from the Senegalese Tirailleurs regiments. Additional forces included mounted brigades from the indigenous guard—a paramilitary police force—such as the Timbuktu brigade on horseback or the Mauritania brigade, which used camels. In French Equatorial Africa (AEF), only the indigenous Chad regiment had mounted components, with one squadron, two camel-mounted companies, and four camel-mounted sections.
The conquest of the German colonies of Togoland and Kamerun was conducted without cavalry support, as the tropical forest climate, poor road conditions, and limited food supply rendered it impractical:
"Animals were of no use to the column—not the packhorses nor the artillery mules. All transportation was carried out by porters". Horses and mules were returned to Dakar by ship on January 9, 1915. While the indigenous guard brigades from Dahomey and Ouagadougou sufficed for the invasion of Togo in August 1914, the Kamerun campaign lasted until 1916. The few mounted French troops in sub-Saharan Africa were used only for policing, with one exception: the mounted company of the 4th Senegalese Tirailleurs Regiment, tasked with maintaining a sanitary cordon around Dakar during a plague epidemic from May to autumn 1914.

Saharan Territories

In Tunisia, the fort at Dehiba and surrounding posts were attacked by Tripolitans in September–October 1915, June 1916, October–November 1917, and August 1918. This prompted the continuous deployment of 15 battalions and eight squadrons in southern Tunisia during this period. In southern Algeria, the post at Djanet was attacked in March 1916 by groups coming from Ghadames, forcing the French to evacuate both Djanet and Fort Polignac, which was abandoned on December 17, 1916. This led to revolts throughout the Hoggar and Tassili des Ajjers regions, with French goumiers and camel-mounted units regaining control only near the war's end. Fort Polignac and Djanet were reoccupied in late October 1918.
In the Aïr region, Senussi leader Khoassen, coming from Ghat, besieged Agadez starting on December 7, 1916, massacring a camel-mounted section on December 28, about 20 km to the east. The French response included establishing the "Supreme Command of Saharan Territories" on January 12, 1917, under General Laperrine, and organizing military columns. While the siege of Agadez was lifted on March 3, 1917, guerrilla warfare persisted in the mountains until February 14–19, 1918, when Khoassen was defeated at Tamaclak.
In Chad, groups from Kufra staged incursions. From May to July 1916, French columns restored order in the rebellious Ouadaï and Dar Sila regions. However, French posts in Tibesti were evacuated in August 1916.

Morocco

The other African theater of operations for French cavalry during World War I was Morocco. Since the establishment of the protectorate in 1912, numerous French units had been deployed there, but they occupied only the Moroccan plains. The northernmost region was controlled by the Spanish, while the various populations of the Atlas Mountains remained completely autonomous. On August 1, 1914, the French occupation force numbered approximately 88,200 men, consisting of 64 battalions and 34 squadrons. These included nine squadrons of chasseurs d'Afrique, 13 Algerian spahis, one Senegalese spahi, 11 Moroccan spahis, and 14 mixed goums. This powerful force was tasked with what the French referred to as "pacification".
Starting July 27, 1914, the French Resident-General in Morocco, General Lyautey, received orders from War Minister Messimy to send some of his troops to Europe, particularly the best infantry units, leaving behind Moroccan auxiliaries and Senegalese riflemen. On August 6, the "Marching Infantry Division of Morocco" was formed in Rabat, including two squadrons of the 9th regiment of Chasseurs d'Afrique. After French defeats in the Battle of the Frontiers, more units were dispatched in late August and early September, such as the marching regiment of chasseurs d'Afrique for the new 45th Infantry Division and the marching regiment of Moroccan spahis to reinforce Conneau's Corps. Between 1914 and 1918, a total of 20 squadrons and 52 battalions were sent to Europe, reducing the occupation force to 75,000 men by September 15, 1914.
By October 1, 1914, the occupation force increased to 80,000 men, comprising 50 battalions and 28 squadrons: six of chasseurs d'Afrique, 15 of Algerian spahis, one of Senegalese spahis, six of Moroccan spahis, and 14 mixed goums. By the end of the war in Europe, on July 1, 1919, total forces reached 97,700 men, including 62 battalions and 32 squadrons: four chasseurs, 22 Algerian spahis, one Senegalese, and five Moroccan. Additionally, there were 25 groups and several armored cars. Efforts focused primarily on local recruitment to form Moroccan spahi and goumier units.

Eastern Army

Dardanelles

With the Ottoman Empire entering the war in October 1914 on Germany's side, the Allies decided during the winter of 1914–1915 to form the "Mediterranean Expeditionary Force" to capture Constantinople. Troops were provided mainly by the British, while the French contributed an infantry division assembled from depot troops. A full cavalry regiment was assigned to the French division : a new marching regiment of chasseurs d'Afrique with four squadrons, 31 officers, 715 men, 680 horses, 181 mules, and 26 wagons as of February 1915, along with the escort of General d'Amade. They embarked in March 1915 at Bizerte and Philippeville, stopped at Malta, and arrived at Moudros.
Following the naval failure in the Dardanelles Strait on March 18, French troopships anchored at Moudros between March 18 and 27, then set sail from March 25 to Alexandria. The cavalry remained there due to a lack of landing equipment. French troops disembarked at Koum-Kale and later at Cape Helles without their cavalry.

Salonika

In 1915, a Franco-British intervention in the Balkans was decided to support Serbia and encourage Greece and Romania to join the war on the Allies' side. The first French soldiers landed in Salonika on October 5, 1915. On the same day, during the Calais conference, Joffre agreed to send a total of three French infantry divisions and two cavalry divisions to Serbia under the command of General Sarrail, designated as the "Army of the Orient." While the three infantry divisions arrived between October and November, an order issued on October 17, 1915, canceled the deployment of cavalry divisions: the region's mountainous terrain rendered large cavalry units impractical. Nonetheless, the African Light Infantry Regiment, which had been waiting in Egypt, and a divisional squadron arrived.
However, after Bulgaria entered the war and Serbia was defeated in the autumn-winter of 1915, the Army of the Orient, which had advanced into the Macedonian mountains, was forced to retreat southward, taking refuge in Greek territory. In early December 1915, the 4th African Light Infantry Regiment and a horse artillery group arrived and, together with the 8th African Light Infantry Regiment, formed a cavalry brigade. This brigade was deployed to Dojran starting December 11 to act as a rearguard for the retreating army and later to Koukouch to cover the entrenched camp at Salonika. Sarrail requested two additional infantry divisions, a cavalry regiment, and artillery, but Joffre only provided cavalry and artillery. The 1st African Light Infantry Regiment landed in Salonika from February 2 to 5, 1916, and was sent to the western bank of the Vardar River along the route leading to Monastir.
In March 1916, skirmishes began along the border; by April–May, the Army of the Orient engaged with the enemy. The 8th Infantry Regiment was dispersed in support of major infantry units, the 4th was stationed on the right flank in the Boutkova Valley, and the 1st on the left in the Moglenitsa region.
On August 20, General Sarrail withdrew the 1st Regiment, two horse artillery batteries, and the 4th Regiment from the Struma detachment commanded by Colonel Descoins at the front. These units regrouped at the Zeitenlik camp. Starting in September 1916, the Army of the Orient's attempted offensive was stalled by Bulgarian forces in the mountains, and the Macedonian front became static, transitioning into a trench warfare scenario in the mountainous terrain.

Albania and Thessaly

On October 2, 1916, the 1st Regiment was sent to Koritza to wrest Northern Epirus from Greek control and establish the Republic of Koritza. By December 1916, rising tensions with the Greek royal government necessitated defensive measures against a potential rear attack. On December 8, the 1st Regiment was withdrawn from the left flank and stationed at Kojani starting December 12 to guard against Thessaly with an armored car section monitoring Kalabaka and Trikala. Tensions escalated in early 1917 with the Greek schism and the formation of a pro-Allied rebel Greek government. In March 1917, the Moroccan Spahi Regiment reinforced the area. On May 25, 1917, four regiments were consolidated under Colonel Bardi de Fourtou to form a cavalry group, integrated into a provisional division on June 3, and assigned to oversee Thessaly. On June 12, five French squadrons charged the royalist Greek garrison at Larissa. This mission concluded in August after the harvest.
The cavalry was redeployed to Albania around Koritza. The RMSM, detached to a new provisional division, crossed the Devolli River and captured Pogradec, advancing on horseback and fighting on foot at the vanguard from September 8 to 12, 1917, capturing around 100 prisoners and two cannons. After police missions in Albanian villages to confiscate weapons, the RMSM returned to the provisional division. On October 19, 1917, it flanked enemy lines west of Lake Ohrid by crossing the Shkumbin gorges, climbing the ravines on the left bank, and fighting on foot until October 22. The Spahis were withdrawn from the front on November 11, 1917, and placed in reserve.
In February 1918, the Army of the Orient's Cavalry Brigade was formed under General Jouinot-Gambetta, including the RMSM, the 1st African Light Infantry Regiment, and the 4th African Light Infantry Regiment. During the end of the winter truce, squadrons monitored the withdrawal of Russian troops to prevent their demotivation from spreading to others. As of June 1, 1918, the Army of the Orient had 3,791 cavalrymen, a small number compared to the 232,299 French soldiers in the army. On July 6, 1918, the RMSM was again deployed in Albania in the mountainous Bofnia region.

Franco-Serbian Offensive

In August 1918, in preparation for the offensive, the Moroccan Spahis were withdrawn from the front and sent to Kotori. The 4th African Chasseurs were regrouped at Sakoulévo, while the 1st Chasseurs were tasked with transporting 155 mm shells in canvas bags on horseback between the Dragomantsi depot and Serbian batteries from August 14 to September 10. On September 15, the day the offensive began, the three cavalry regiments of the brigade were assembled in the Monastir plain.
On September 20, Bulgarian troops began retreating in the Monastir plain. On the 23rd, the cavalry brigade followed the infantry and reached Prilep, abandoned by the enemy. On the 24th, contrary to orders, the brigade crossed the Babouna Pass and captured Stepantsi on the 25th. With the crossing of the Vardar at Veles blocked, the brigade entered the Goleshnitsa mountain range, traversing it in four days via goat trails through Drenovo, Paligrad, and Dratchevo to arrive above Üsküb on September 29, 1918. The Moroccan Spahis captured 330 prisoners, including 150 Germans, five 105 mm howitzers, two 210 mm howitzers, 100 supply wagons, a grain train, livestock, and more.

Palestine and Syria

In March 1917, a few French units were sent to Egypt to join the British forces in the Palestine campaign. This deployment was requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which aimed to include these units in the conquest of Syria, an Ottoman territory expected to fall under French influence per the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement. Three infantry battalions formed the "French Detachment of Palestine", commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Philpin de Piépape. The modest cavalry component consisted of a platoon from the 1st Spahis of Biskra, delayed in Bizerte due to mumps cases in April 1917. This unit embarked on June 1, disembarked at Port Said on June 10, and joined the DFP at Khan Younous on June 15. The detachment's role was limited to securing communication routes in the Sinai. It advanced in November to Deir Sineid and moved to Ramleh in December 1917 to protect the Jaffa-Jerusalem railway line.
As diplomats pushed for combat involvement, the detachment was reinforced with [Armenians in the Ottoman Empire|Ottoman Empire|Armenian] and Syrian volunteers and additional cavalry units. On March 19, 1918, reinforcements, including the 5th and 6th squadrons of the 4th African Chasseurs and three platoons of the 1st Spahis, arrived at Port Said. A final reinforcement group, the 5th squadron of the 4th Tunisian Spahis from Sfax, faced disaster when their British horse transport ship, the SS Hyperia, was sunk by a German submarine on July 28, 1918, 84 nautical miles northwest of Port Said. All horses and 19 riders perished. This formed the "Mixed Cavalry Regiment of the French Detachment of Palestine-Syria" under Squadron Commander Lebon, with three mounted squadrons, one dismounted squadron, and a machine-gun platoon. On March 27, 1918, the combined infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineering units were designated the "French Detachment of Palestine-Syria".
In July, the French infantry regrouped at Mejdel and, by August 29–31, were on the front lines with the British 21st Corps, facing Turkish trenches at Rafat. Between August 19 and 24, the cavalry regiment joined the Australian 5th Light Horse Brigade in the Australian Mounted Division at Surafend. By September 1, the regiment had 25 officers and 692 men.
On September 19, 1918, the British 21st Corps launched an offensive in the Sharon Plain. The French cavalry regiment quickly broke through, capturing Tulkarem, 1,800 prisoners, 17 guns, and 18 machine guns. On September 21, the regiment entered Nablus after a charge through its gardens and streets, seizing 900 prisoners, three guns, and nine machine guns, with only seven wounded and losses of horses replaced by Turkish captures. It reached Jenin on September 22, Nazareth on the 25th, Tiberias on the 26th, and crossed the Jordan on the 27th, encircling Ottoman forces in Galilee. On September 29, it fought near Sasa and blocked roads and railways west and north of Damascus, ambushing retreating Turkish columns.
The French entered Douma on October 1, 1918, while British and Arab forces entered Damascus. On October 2, a mixed squadron joined the Allied ceremonial entry into Damascus. The unit cleared remaining fugitives around the city until October 4. Afterward, eight cavalrymen died in Damascus hospitals.
On October 15, the Ottoman Empire requested an armistice, signed on October 31 at Mudros. Philpin de Piépape was appointed military governor of Beirut on October 8. The dismounted squadron embarked from Haifa on October 9 and landed in Beirut on the 11th to take on police duties. The mixed cavalry regiment left Damascus on October 20 to rejoin the detachment in Beirut by October 24. By the end of October, cavalry units were deployed to Merdj Adjoun, Hasbaya, Rachaya, and Baalbek. On November 12, a cavalry platoon and a battalion of riflemen landed in Alexandretta. On November 16, another cavalry platoon was stationed in Tripoli. By January 5, 1919, two squadrons, including the dismounted one, were in Beirut; other units were stationed in Latakia, Alexandretta, Tripoli, Sidon, and Djedeide. By February 1919, a platoon was garrisoned in Jerusalem. Renamed the "Mixed Cavalry Regiment of the Levant," then the "1st Cavalry Regiment of the Levant" on October 22, 1920, its detachments participated in the Cilicia conflict as part of the Levant Army starting in July 1919.

After the Armistices

The four armistices were only temporary ceasefires. The state of war persisted until the promulgation of the various peace treaties: Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919; Saint-Germain on September 10; Neuilly on November 27; Trianon on June 4, 1920; and Sèvres on August 10, 1920. It was the cavalry regiment of the Republican Guard that rendered honors to the delegations and maintained order during the Paris Conference. The cavalry was involved in the final operations due to its mobility and the fact that it consisted primarily of career soldiers, while the rest of the army began demobilizing.

March to the Rhine

The armistice of November 11, 1918, stipulated not only a ceasefire but also the evacuation by the German army within 15 days of the occupied territories and Alsace-Lorraine. Within another 15 days, German forces were required to withdraw from the Rhineland up to 10 km beyond the right bank of the Rhine, allowing the Allies to occupy these territories. This armistice was initially valid for only 36 days, but it was extended for a month on December 13, 1918, and again on January 16, 1919, eventually remaining indefinite as the peace treaty negotiations continued.
French troops crossed the front lines starting November 17, following the German retreat at a distance of only ten kilometers, stopping at six successive lines. In Alsace-Lorraine, assigned to Fayolle's army group, the 5th Cavalry Division advanced with the 10th Army, while the 3rd Cavalry Division was integrated into the 33rd Army Corps. In Belgium's Ardennes, under the command of Maistre's army group, the 2nd Cavalry Division was placed under the 6th Army, while the 2nd Cavalry Corps remained independent. By November 30, all of Alsace-Lorraine had been reoccupied.
From December 5 to 13, 1918, Allied troops advanced to occupy the Rhineland. On the left bank of the Rhine, the French zone extended from Lauter to Bingen, the American zone to Bonn, the British zone to Düsseldorf, and the Belgian zone to the Dutch border. On the right bank, three bridgeheads, each with a 30 km radius, were established between December 13 and 17 around Mainz, Koblenz, and Cologne. This occupation, funded by the German government, was carried out by sixteen army corps, of which six were French and three were cavalry divisions. The 3rd Cavalry Division was stationed west of Mainz, and the 4th southwest of Koblenz, as "bridgehead reserves."

Demobilization and Occupation

The demobilization of the French Army was carried out by successive age groups, starting in December 1918 and continuing until September 1919. The gradual reduction in troop numbers led to several reorganizations, with regiments in all branches being dissolved. As of August 1, 1921, the French cavalry in mainland France consisted of 53 regiments : 30 were grouped into five cavalry divisions, 22 were attached individually to army corps, and one was stationed at the Kehl bridgehead.
The occupation of the Rhineland was soon assigned, within the French zone, to the newly created "Army of the Rhine," recalling the revolutionary era and composed of the French 8th and 10th Armies. The occupation of the Ruhr, from 1923 to 1926, was carried out by French infantry divisions and some Belgian units, along with the 4th Cavalry Division, which had its headquarters in Düsseldorf.

Continued Mechanization

From October 1918 onward, the production of armored cars on White TBC truck chassis began: 230 units were deployed to replace outdated equipment. The number of mixed groups of armored cars and autocannons was reduced from 17 to 11, renamed "Cavalry Armored Car Squadrons" on November 1, 1922, and assigned to the five cavalry divisions, with each receiving two or three squadrons.
On December 14, 1927, a session of the Superior War Council was devoted to the organization of the cavalry. Marshal Foch stated, "There are no longer cavalry divisions but light divisions. Weapons need to be transported quickly. They are transported on horseback, by bicycle, or in trucks—we are evolving." General Maurin questioned whether "cavalry is still a rapid maneuver element today," noting that "paved roads now constitute a serious obstacle for horse movement . We must fully embrace motorization. Vehicles are not affected by gas attacks." Mounted troops were defended by Generals Niessel and Weygand; ultimately, the council decided to retain horse-mounted units until motorization could be completed.
This motorization and mechanization of the cavalry during the interwar period faced resistance from the infantry, which had held a monopoly on tanks since 1920. Only armored cars were permitted for cavalry units. Thus, "combat armored cars", essentially cavalry tanks, were ordered. The cost of mechanization, combined with the conservatism of horse-mounted advocates, led to the continued existence of many horse-mounted squadrons, intended for medium-term mechanization. Light cavalry regiments were now expected, in the event of mobilization, to form reconnaissance groups for divisions and army corps. The five cavalry divisions were to be transformed during mobilization into "light cavalry divisions," composed of one mechanized brigade and one mounted brigade, following the principle of a "manure and grease" mix. Cyclist hunter groups were replaced by mounted dragoon battalions, which served as infantry support for divisions. This gradual motorization prevented the cavalry from disappearing as a branch, even though horseback combat had become obsolete.
In July 1935, the 4th Cavalry Division was fully mechanized and renamed the 1st Light Mechanized Division, under General Flavigny, a leading advocate of armored cavalry. A few months later, in October 1935, the 3rd Cavalry Division of the German Army was also mechanized, becoming the 1st Panzer Division. In France, the creation of the 1st Armored Division would not occur until January 1940.

Distinctions

The following regiments were awarded the fourragère after the conflict:Fourragère in the colors of the ribbon of the Médaille Militaire :
  • * Régiment de Marche de Spahis Marocains, the most decorated cavalry regiment in the French Army.Fourragère in the colors of the ribbon of the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 :
  • * 1st and 4th Régiments de Chasseurs d'Afrique
  • * 5th, 11th, 15th, 17th, and 18th Régiments de Chasseurs à Cheval
  • * 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 20th, 22nd, 29th, and 31st Régiments de dragoons
  • * 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 11th, and 12th Régiments de Cuirassiers
  • * 3rd ''Régiment de Hussards''

On the French army

  • Eleven volumes subdivided into 30 volumes, plus appendix volumes:
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *

On the French cavalry

*