Sunday 25 March 2012

the last us cavalry charge


The last horse cavalry charge by an Army cavalry unit took place against Japanese forces during the fighting in the Bataan Peninsula, Philippines, in the village of Morong on 16 January 1942, by the 26th Cavalry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts. Shortly thereafter, the besieged combined United States-Philippine forces were forced to slaughter their horses for food and the 26th Regiment fought on foot or in whatever scarce vehicles were available until their surrender.
The 10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop of the 10th Mountain Division, while not designated as U.S. Cavalry, conducted the last horse-mounted charge of any Army organization in 1945, in Austria.
An impromptu pistol charge by the Third Platoon was carried out when the Troop encountered a machine gun nest in an Italian village/town sometime between 14–23 April 1945.
A Horse Cavalry Rifle Squad consisted of a Corporal and seven Privates in a set of Four. One of the Privates was the Squad 2nd In Command. Each set of Four consists of a Squad leader or 2IC, a Scout, a Horseholder and a Rifleman. To attack mounted troopers would attack with their pistols. At the command Charge troopers shorten their reins, lean well forward, and ride at full speed toward the enemy. Each trooper selects a victim in his immediate front and bears down on him with his pistol extended at arm's length, withholding fire until within 25 yards. To fight on foot the horseholder takes control of the other horse's in the Four after the other troopers dismount and take their rifles from the scabbards

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