Swords/Sabers in the German Cavalry 1914-1918

[GreyC]

There were even Radfahr-Kompanien during WW1

GreyC

[Templar]

Were they common among all Cavalry Regiments, or only in specific Regiments?

[GreyC]

There were cyclists in a variety of units as well as special cycling units, usually in connection with Jäger Bataillone.

Cycling was considered a specially taught ability put down in the military papers of the soldiers, like in this example from my collection (trained with gun 98 and as cyclist as a member of an infantry regiment):

Edited 12 April by GreyC

[Templar]

Thanks for answering my Questions. I have come a long Way from the Subject of Sabres, but i thank you for bearing with me.

Edited 12 April by Templar

[bierast]

23 hours ago, Templar said:

In the top Photograph, i see a Cyclist. Is he also part of the Patrol, or just passing through?

He's in Garde-Reiter uniform so I presume he also belongs to their unit. Certainly a bit odd, as bicycle couriers are usually associated with dismounted units!

[bierast]

23 hours ago, Templar said:

Were they common among all Cavalry Regiments, or only in specific Regiments?

Complete cyclist companies only existed in peacetime as a component of Jäger battalions. In wartime various independently numbered cyclist companies were formed, of varying degrees of 'officialness'; the official ones raised within Germany (rather than in the field) came from the Jäger depots and wore their uniform. The cycle companies (both the independently numbered ones and the ones numbered as components of Jäger battalions) were eventually grouped together to form full cyclist battalions and ultimately a full Radfahrer-Brigade.

Individual cyclists were present in all sorts of units.

Edited 13 April by bierast

[GreyC]

18 minutes ago, bierast said:

In wartime various independently numbered cyclist companies were formed

Here is one of them underway in a village (postcard from my collection).

 

[AndyBsk]

http://verlag-militaria.at/en/product/the-german-cavalry/

[GreyC]

The book is good on the subject of uniforms before the introduction of fieldgrey but does not really touch on formation questions and is quite expensive. If one is really interested in the pre-war uniforms of the German cavalry then the book is good to have. I only have the matching volumes on pre-war infantry.

GreyC

[Templar]

Did Cyclists in Cavalry Regiments carry Saber and Lance as well?

[AndyBsk]

How could by cyclist wore a 3m long spike and Saber on bicycle?? is not place for it, i saw a bayonet holder on bicycle for S98 bayonet and Radfahrer should be equiped with Gew98 later with Kar98az, not all cyclist were raised from Cavalry.

Edited 14 April by AndyBsk

[Templar]

Well, can't know a stupid Question until i have asked. When i first saw your Post, i almost laughed. I found it funny that i really had not worked that out before asking the Question.

[bierast]

On 13/04/2024 at 17:59, GreyC said:

Here is one of them underway in a village (postcard from my collection).

Very nice! This must be one of the companies raised in the field from the infantry, as they are certainly not in Jäger uniform.

[GreyC]

Thanks!

Here´s one with a Radfahrabt. comming from Jäger

 

[Templar]

Cavalry played a large part as Reconnaissance during the early Years of the War on the western Front and continued doing so on the eastern Front. With a few Exceptions, mounted Cavalry in active Combat was practically obsolete in the West before the first Year of the War was finished. Thinking primarily of the German Cavalry, were there any Instances where their mounted Forces clashed with Russian Forces, using Saber and Lance, after October of 1914 and beyond?

Edited 16 April by Templar